U.S. patent application number 11/112177 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for flat panel display including a hinge assembly.
Invention is credited to Sean Corbin, Brett Degner, Amy Aimei Han, Michael David Hillman, Daniele De Iuliis, Eric Knopf, Daniel Lynn McBroom, Michael David McBroom, Shin Nishibori, Brian Thomas Sudderth, John Ternus.
Application Number | 20060237599 11/112177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185867 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ternus; John ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Flat panel display including a hinge assembly
Abstract
An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus
comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to
the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an
industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount. A system
and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the
replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a
display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing
the system and method in accordance with the present invention,
such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in
an efficient manner.
Inventors: |
Ternus; John; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Knopf; Eric; (Mt. View, CA) ; Corbin;
Sean; (Menlo Park, CA) ; Degner; Brett; (Menlo
Park, CA) ; Iuliis; Daniele De; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Nishibori; Shin; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Han; Amy Aimei; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Hillman; Michael
David; (Campbell, CA) ; McBroom; Daniel Lynn;
(Leonard, TX) ; McBroom; Michael David; (Celeste,
TX) ; Sudderth; Brian Thomas; (Leonard, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAWYER LAW GROUP LLP
P O BOX 51418
PALO ALTO
CA
94303
US
|
Family ID: |
37185867 |
Appl. No.: |
11/112177 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/176.1 ;
361/679.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/08 20130101;
Y10T 29/49963 20150115; Y10T 16/533 20150115; F16M 2200/041
20130101; F16M 13/022 20130101; F16M 11/10 20130101; Y10S 248/923
20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/176.1 ;
361/682 |
International
Class: |
F16M 11/00 20060101
F16M011/00; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16; H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00; H05K 7/00 20060101 H05K007/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a flat panel assembly; and a hinge
mechanism, coupled to the flat panel assembly; wherein the hinge
mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a
non-industry standard mount.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the industry standard mount
comprises a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)
mount.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge mechanism is
completely external to the flat panel assembly.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge mechanism includes a
fastening mechanism for removing and/or attaching a VESA mount and
the non industry-standard mount thereto.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fastening mechanism is two
screws.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge mechanism is
partially internal and partially external to the flat panel
assembly.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the flat panel assembly
comprises: a metal shield for protecting electrical components
therein; a front cover coupled to the metal shield and to the hinge
mechanism; and a back cover over the front cover and the metal
shield; wherein the back cover includes a slot therein for allowing
an attachment portion of the hinge mechanism to protrude
therethrough.
8. An apparatus comprising: a flat panel assembly; and a hinge
mechanism coupled to the flat panel assembly, wherein the hinge
mechanism is adaptable to a Video Electronic Standards Association
(VESA) mount and a non industry standard mount.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hinge mechanism is
completely external to the flat panel assembly.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hinge mechanism includes a
fastening mechanism for removing and/or attaching the VESA mount
and the non industry-standard mount thereto.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fastening mechanism is
two screws.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hinge mechanism is
partially internal and partially external to the flat panel
assembly.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flat panel assembly
comprises: a metal shield for protecting electrical components
therein; a front cover coupled to the metal shield and to the hinge
mechanism; and a back cover over the front cover and the metal
shield; wherein the back cover includes a slot therein for allowing
an attachment portion of the hinge mechanism to protrude
therethrough.
14. An apparatus comprising: a hinge mechanism; wherein the hinge
mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a Video
Electronics Standards Association mount; and a flat panel assembly,
wherein the flat panel assembly comprises a metal shield for
protecting electrical components therein a front cover coupled to
the metal shield and to the hinge mechanism; and a back cover over
the front cover and the metal shield; wherein the back cover
includes a slot therein for allowing an attachment portion of the
hinge mechanism to protrude therethrough.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to displays and more
particularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated
system environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flat panel displays have advanced to the point of being
comparable with CRTs with respect to resolution, color capabilities
and image quality. In most environments, flat panel displays are
more desirable than CRTs due to their compact, portable size and
low weight.
[0003] In an integrated computer system environment it is desirable
to be able to mount and remove the display from an integrated
computer system in an easy and convenient manner. In addition, due
to the proliferation of different and incompatible flat panel
display interfaces, it is difficult, costly and time consuming to
integrate flat panel displays into notebook computers,
instrumentation and other devices with integrated displays.
[0004] The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has
developed a flat panel display interface standard that standardizes
mounting specifications. Accordingly, it is desirable that a flat
panel display have a VESA compliant mounting system and also be
able to be adapted to a non-VESA compliant mounting system.
[0005] Accordingly, what is desired is a flat panel display which
can rotate in a variety of directions, be easily mounted in an
integrated computer environment, and which is also VESA compliant
yet able to be adapted to a non-VESA compliant mounting system. The
flat panel display should be cost effective, easily adapted to
existing integrated computer environments and be easily removed
from and mounted in such an environment. The present invention
addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus
comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to
the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an
industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount.
[0007] A system and method in accordance with the present invention
allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible
display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA
standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the
present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with
minimal effort, and in an efficient manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a first
embodiment of the display mechanism which allows for replacing a
display mount with a VESA-compliant display mount in accordance
with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the display and stand of
FIG. 1 and the hinge mechanism.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter
attached to the back cover of a display in accordance with the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the back of a display when removing the
stand in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4A shows the back of the panel display to illustrate
the external hinge mechanism.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows snapping the bumpers into place on each side of
the VESA-compliant mount adapter.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter being attached
to the hinge mechanism in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the display assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows the front cover and the metal shield attached
together to form a single unit before the hinge mechanism is put in
place.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows the attached front cover and the metal shield
attached to the hinge mechanism.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exploded view which shows the metal shield and
the front cover coupled to each other.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows an assembled display which includes a back
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The present invention relates generally to displays and more
particularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated
system environment. The following description is presented to
enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the
invention and is provided in the context of a patent application
and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred
embodiments and the generic principles and features described
herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a first
embodiment of the display mechanism which allows for replacing a
display mount with a VESA-compliant display mount in accordance
with the present invention. In this first embodiment a stand 102 is
coupled externally to the display 104 utilizing a hinge assembly
(not shown). FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the display 104 and
stand 102 of FIG. 1 and the hinge mechanism 106.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter
302 attached to the back cover of a display in accordance with the
present invention.
[0023] A system and method in accordance with the present invention
allows for mounting either a conventional display or an integrated
computer display to either a VESA compliant mount or to a non-VESA
compliant mount or stand.
[0024] Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the
present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with
minimal effort, and in an efficient manner. The system and method
can be implemented in a display wherein the attachment hinge
mechanism is completely external to the display or the mechanism
can be partially internal to the display.
[0025] To describe these two embodiments, refer now to the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0026] In a first embodiment of the present invention, an external
hinge mechanism is provided which allows for a pivoting joint for a
display utilizing either a VESA compliant mount or non-VESA
compliant mount or stand. The hinge mechanism utilizes a
combination of tension springs and friction hinges for
counterbalancing the weight of the display. To describe the
features of the present invention in more detail, refer now to the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the back of a display 104 when removing
the stand 102 in accordance with the present invention. Referring
now to FIG. 4, a hex tool 402 is utilized to loosen and remove the
screws 404 from the hinge assembly 106 that attach the stand 102 to
the back of the display 104.
[0028] FIG. 4A shows the back of the panel display to illustrate
the external hinge mechanism 106. The VESA-compliant mount adapter
302 is also shown.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows snapping the bumpers 502 into place on each
side of the VESA-compliant mount adapter 302. After removing the
stand 102 the VESA-compliant mount adapter 302 can be attached to
the display 102 in the following manner. Screws and bumpers 502 are
obtained for the appropriate style of display. The bumpers 502 can
be snapped into place on each side of a VESA-compliant mount
adapter 302.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter 302 being
attached to the hinge mechanism 103 in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention. The mount adapter 302 is
placed over the hinge mechanism 103 on the back of the display 104.
The hex tool 602 is utilized to screw the mount adapter 302 to the
display 104.
[0031] Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 the
attachment hinge mechanism 103 is external to the display.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0032] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a hinge
mechanism which is partially internal and partially external to the
display is provided which allows for a pivoting joint for a
display. The second embodiment comprises a metal shield, plastic
back cover and a hinge mechanism, all of which form part of the
integrated computer display. In this type of display the processing
system electronics are inside the display.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the display assembly 700.
As is seen the display assembly 700 includes a hinge mechanism 703,
a metal shield 704 and a front cover 706. FIG. 8 shows the front
cover 706 and the metal shield 704 attached together to form a
single unit before the hinge mechanism 703 is put in place.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows the attached together front cover 706 and the
metal shield 704 attached to the hinge mechanism 703.
[0035] FIG. 10 is an exploded view which shows metal shield 704 and
the front cover 706 coupled to each other. The hinge mechanism 703
is positioned on the metal shield 704. The external portion 1004 of
the hinge mechanism 703 which is attached to the VESA-compliant
mount adapter (not shown) is shown exploded away from the hinge
mechanism 703. In the front of this assembly would be located the
electronic components (not shown) and the display (not shown).
[0036] FIG. 11 shows an assembled display which includes a back
cover 1102. As is seen, the external portion 1004 protrudes from a
slot 1104 in the back cover 1102. The VESA-compliant mount 302 is
shown separately. The removal and attachment of the mount whether
VESA-compliant or non-standard could be accomplished by utilizing
the two screws as described in FIGS. 4-6.
[0037] Accordingly, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-11
the resulting display would look like that shown in FIG. 1-3. In
this second embodiment the hinge mechanism 703 is partially
internal to the display assembly.
[0038] A system and method in accordance with the present invention
allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible
display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA
standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the
present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with
minimal effort, and in an efficient manner.
[0039] Although the present invention has been described in
accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the
embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Although the metal shield is
depicted with a specific design and shape, one of ordinary skill in
the art will readily recognize that the metal shield can be of a
different design and shape and those variations would be within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, although
the flat panel display assembly is disclosed in the context of a
VESA standard, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the
assembly could be any industry standard assembly and its use would
be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Finally,
the front and back covers of the assembly could be made of a
variety of materials and their use would be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may
be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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