U.S. patent application number 12/528821 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for device mounting base.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masatoshi Hori.
Application Number | 20100038510 12/528821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39830517 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hori; Masatoshi |
February 18, 2010 |
DEVICE MOUNTING BASE
Abstract
A device mounting base comprises a main mounting unit (6) for
mounting an apparatus, and a front panel (9) made of a resin
material and installed on the main mounting unit (6) in a position
in front of the main mounting unit (6) with a plurality of movable
devices, wherein the main mounting unit (6) and the front panel (9)
are engaged with a movement restraining device for restraining the
front panel (9) from shifting in front of the main mounting unit
(6). The movable devices absorb deformation of front panel (9) to
prevent it from warping and distorting, and the movement
restraining device prevents front panel (9) from shifting by the
deformation even when front panel (9) deforms due to heating and
cooling, or moisture absorption and dehydration.
Inventors: |
Hori; Masatoshi; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P.O. BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482
US
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
OSAKA
JP
|
Family ID: |
39830517 |
Appl. No.: |
12/528821 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 6, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/000457 |
371 Date: |
August 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 81/06 20130101;
H04N 5/64 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.03 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/20 20060101
A47B096/20; A47B 81/06 20060101 A47B081/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2007 |
JP |
2007-058039 |
Claims
1. A device mounting base/comprising: a main mounting unit for
mounting an apparatus; a front panel disposed in front of the main
mounting unit; a movable device installing the front panel on the
main mounting unit in a manner to shift freely; and a movement
restraining device for restraining the front panel from shifting in
front of the main mounting unit, wherein the movable device shifts
in a mounting position according to a dimensional change of the
front panel.
2. The device mounting base of claim 1, wherein the movable device
comprises a movable hanging device for hanging the front panel on
the main mounting unit.
3. The device mounting base of claim 2, wherein the movable hanging
device is provided with a hook portion for keeping a space between
the main mounting unit and the front panel within a predetermined
distance.
4. The device mounting base of claim 2, wherein the movable hanging
device is provided with a key portion having a hook portion for
keeping a space between the main mounting unit and the front panel
within a predetermined distance, and a reinforcing portion
reinforcing the key portion.
5. The device mounting base of claim 2, wherein the front panel is
installed on the main mounting unit with the movable hanging device
and an elastic material engaged to the movable hanging device and
imparting an upward thrust on the front panel.
6. The device mounting base of claim 5, wherein the elastic
material comprises any of a form rubber, a leaf spring and a
plastic spring.
7. The device mounting base of claim 5, wherein the front panel
shifts downward against the thrust of the elastic material when the
apparatus is being mounted on the main mounting unit, and an upper
side of the front panel abuts upon a bottom surface of the
apparatus by the thrust of the elastic material after the apparatus
is mounted on the main mounting unit.
8. The device mounting base of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
movable devices include at least one magnetic movable device for
installing the front panel on the main mounting unit by means of a
magnetic force.
9. The device mounting base of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
movable devices include at least one magnetic movable device for
installing the front panel on the main mounting unit by means of a
magnetic force, and at least one of the other movable devices
comprises the movable hanging device, and further wherein the
magnetic movable device is positioned below the movable hanging
device.
10. The device mounting base of claim 1, wherein the movement
restraining device is disposed at the center along a lateral
direction of the front panel.
11. The device mounting base of claim 10, wherein the movement
restraining device comprises a key disposed on one of the main
mounting unit and the front panel, and a key catcher disposed on
the other of the main mounting unit and the front panel for holding
the key.
12. The device mounting base of claim 10, wherein the movement
restraining device has a moveable range smaller than the plurality
of movable devices.
13. The device mounting base of claim 1, wherein the front panel is
made of any of an acrylic plate, a glass plate, a wood board and a
metal plate.
14. The device mounting base of claim 1, wherein the movable device
comprises a hole formed in the main mounting unit, and a retaining
member having a locking portion of a diameter larger than a
diameter of the hole and a fixing portion having a diameter smaller
than a diameter of the hole, and further wherein the fixing portion
of the retaining member is inserted in the hole of the main
mounting unit and bonded to the front panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a device mounting base for
mounting an apparatus such as a television.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Apparatuses such as television sets are often mounted for
use on furniture of types capable of carrying apparatuses and
mounting stands made exclusively for mounting the apparatuses.
[0003] With the recent trend of upsizing television sets, device
mounting bases are also increased in their sizes. This tends to
place an importance on design of the device mounting bases as well
as design of the apparatuses. It is therefore required for the
device mounting bases to be designed so that they harmonize
aesthetically with apparatuses placed thereon along with rooms
where they are used as pieces of the furniture.
[0004] It is also required, on the other hand, that the device
mounting bases are designed to have sufficient robustness to
withstand the heavy loads resulting from upsizing of the
apparatuses mounted thereon.
[0005] One of structures proposed as the means to satisfy these two
requirements is to provide a door made of a plate of glass or
acrylic resin on the front side of a main mounting unit of the
device mounting base (refer to patent reference 1, for
example).
[0006] There is also another structure proposed to provide a single
piece of acrylic plate on the front side of a device mounting base
designed to store an apparatus (refer to patent reference 2, for
example).
[0007] Use of a plastic plate such as acrylic plate as a front
panel provides a significant advantage in the light of aesthetic
design since it can make a glossy surface possible, which helps
achieve the mounting stand in harmonization with the apparatus and
the room interior. It also has another advantage of allowing the
device mounting base to be designed with the emphasis placed on the
functionality such as robustness, lightweight and ease of
assembling of a main mounting unit since the plastic plate can be
placed only when necessary to cover the front side of the main
mounting unit of the device mounting base.
[0008] The plastic plate such as acrylic plate has a disadvantage,
however, that it is apt to deform due to heating and cooling or
moisture absorption and dehydration, and becomes warped or
distorted depending on conditions of the installation. If the
plastic plate is warped or distorted, it leads to such failures as
disengagement of the plastic plate from the main mounting unit,
deformation of the plastic plate and spoiling the appearance due to
distortion of a surrounding scene reflected on the plastic
plate.
[0009] For this reason, there is proposed a technique to deal with
deformation of the acrylic plate attributable to heating and
cooling as well as moisture absorption and dehydration (refer to
patent reference 3, for example). Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15,
description is provided of a brief outline of such techniques. Both
FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show installation methods, in which a front
panel made of an acrylic plate is provided in front of a television
for protection of the screen.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 14, front panel 101 has movable member 103
bonded to an upper side portion thereof with double-sided adhesive
tape 102. Movable member 103 is disposed inside mounting hole 105
in cabinet 104 fixed to a front face of a television (not shown) in
a vertically movable manner within spaces 106a and 106b.
[0011] Movable members 103 of this structure are also disposed at
both right and left side portions and a lower side portion of front
panel 101 so that these movable members 103 shift freely to absorb
deformation of front panel 101 and to prevent it from warping and
distorting.
[0012] Another structure proposed as shown in FIG. 15 is front
panel 201 provided with coupling component 202 having a magnet and
attached to an edge portion thereof, wherein coupling component 202
comes to couple to metal plate 204 mounted to a front face of
television 203 (refer to patent reference 4, for example).
[0013] Coupling component 202 of this structure is also disposed at
each of the four corners of front panel 201 and also at the mid
point of these corners if necessary so that coupling components 202
can slide while being held on front panel 201 to absorb deformation
of front panel 201 to prevent it from warping and distorting.
[0014] The conventional structures discussed above exhibit the
following problems, however, when employed in the device mounting
base.
[0015] That is, the structures disclosed in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15,
when used separately or in combination, are effective to prevent
the front panel made of a plastic plate such as acrylic panel from
warping and distorting because of the feature of absorbing
deformation of the front panel attributable to heating and cooling
as well as moisture absorption and dehydration, in addition to the
advantage of covering a desired portion of the main mounting unit
with a glossy surface of the front panel disposed in front of the
device mounting base. However, the front panel tends to shift in
position in front of the main mounting unit because of the
structure designed to absorb the deformation of the front
panel.
[0016] It therefore leaves the front panel with a high probability
of tilting and coming into misalignment in the position with
respect to the apparatus installed on it, thereby impairing the
advantageous features of the front panel intended to provide the
device mounting base with improvement of the function and the
aesthetic design.
Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication, No.
2001-73628
Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication, No.
1985-148976
Patent Reference 3: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication, No.
2003-5276
Patent Reference 4: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication, No.
2007-17498
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A device mounting base of the present invention comprises a
main mounting unit for mounting an apparatus, and a front panel
installed on the main mounting unit in a position in front of the
main mounting unit with a plurality of movable devices, wherein the
main mounting unit and the front panel are engaged with a movement
restraining device provided at generally the center along a lateral
direction in a manner to restrain the front panel from shifting in
front of the main mounting unit.
[0018] The plurality of movable devices are used to install the
front panel made of a plastic resin on the main mounting unit for
carrying the apparatus so as to absorb deformation of the front
panel and to avoid it from warping and distorting, and the movement
restraining device is used to engage the front panel to the main
mounting unit so as to restrain shifting of the front panel in
front of the main mounting unit due to the deformation and to
prevent the front panel from tilting and becoming misaligned with
respect to the apparatus placed on the mounting stand. The
invention can hence provide the device mounting base of excellent
features with respect to the functionality and aesthetic
design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1A is a front view showing a device mounting base
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention
with an apparatus mounted thereon;
[0020] FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of a part of the
same device mounting base;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable
device of the same device mounting base;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a movement
restraining device of the same device mounting base;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable
device of a device mounting base according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a movement
restraining device of a device mounting base according to a third
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a movement
restraining device of a device mounting base according to a fourth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a movement
restraining device of a device mounting base according to a fifth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable
hanging device of a device mounting base according to a sixth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9A is a sectional view showing the same movable hanging
device of the device mounting base;
[0029] FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the same movable hanging
device of the device mounting base;
[0030] FIG. 10A is a sectional view of the movable hanging device
before an apparatus is mounted on the device mounting base;
[0031] FIG. 10B is a sectional view of the movable hanging device
after the apparatus is mounted on the device mounting base;
[0032] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable
hanging device of a device mounting base according to a seventh
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12A is a sectional view showing the same movable
hanging device of the device mounting base;
[0034] FIG. 12B is another sectional view showing the same movable
hanging device of the device mounting base;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a magnetic movable
device of a device mounting base according to an eighth exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing one example of
conventional structure used for installation of a front panel;
and
[0037] FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing another example of
conventional structure used for installation of a front panel.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0038] 1 Device mounting base [0039] 2 Base [0040] 3 Support leg
[0041] 3a, 24a and 24b Wall [0042] 4 Support rod [0043] 5
Connecting member [0044] 6 Main mounting unit [0045] 7 Apparatus
[0046] 7a Video recording apparatus [0047] 8 Shelf [0048] 9 Front
panel [0049] 10 Hole [0050] 11 and 16 Retaining member [0051] 11a
and 16b Fixing portion [0052] 11b and 16c Locking portion [0053] 12
Movable device [0054] 13 and 18 Restraining key [0055] 14, 17 and
19 Restraining key catcher [0056] 14a and 14b Restraining wall
[0057] 15, 20 and 22 Movement restraining device [0058] 16a
Cylindrical retainer [0059] 17a Retaining slot [0060] 21
Restraining key retaining plate [0061] 21a Restraining key
retaining hole [0062] 23 and 27 Locking member [0063] 23a and 27a
Key portion [0064] 23b and 27b Hook portion [0065] 24 and 28
Retaining groove [0066] 25 and 29 Movable hanging device [0067] 26
and 30 Elastic material [0068] 27c Reinforcing portion [0069] 28a
Sloped slit [0070] 28b Elastic member retaining surface [0071] 31
Sheet metal [0072] 32 Sheet magnet [0073] 33 Magnetic movable
device
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0074] Description is provided hereinafter of a device mounting
base according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the first exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0075] FIG. 1A is a front view showing the device mounting base
according to the first exemplary embodiment of this invention with
a thin-screen television mounted thereon as a typical apparatus.
FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of a part of the same
device mounting base.
[0076] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, device mounting base 1 has main
mounting unit 6 comprising board-like base 2, two support legs 3
set up on base 2 and connecting member 5 connecting upper parts of
two support legs 3 and having support rods 4. Main mounting unit 6
alone has a capacity of carrying apparatus 7 represented by a
thin-screen television such that it can support apparatus 7 by
having a bottom part thereof engaged to support rods 4.
[0077] Main mounting unit 6 also has shelf 8 located between and
held by two support legs 3 for carrying video recording apparatus
7a, beside the function of carrying apparatus 7 on its upper
surface.
[0078] In most cases, base 2, support legs 3 and connecting member
5 are made of a plywood, resin and aluminum respectively in
consideration of their strengths, lightweights and costs. In
certain cases, however, support legs 3 may also be made of a metal
such as aluminum when apparatus 7 of a heavy weight is
anticipated.
[0079] Main mounting unit 6 is provided in front thereof with front
panel 9 formed of an acrylic plate in a shape of generally concave
polygon, in which an upper center portion of the panel is cut out
rectangularly. Front panel 9 is colored black to make support legs
3 not visible from the front side and to improve glossiness and
massiveness of the surface of front panel 9 by virtue of the black
color.
[0080] The color needs not be limited to black, but it can be any
color such as brown so long as it makes support legs 3 not visible
and puts glossiness on the surface. When apparatus 7 is a
thin-screen television, it is considered most suitable for front
panel 9 to be colored black in view of the aesthetic coordination
in color with apparatus 7 since such apparatus 7 is tinted either
black or silver in most of the cases. It is also possible to select
a color for the coloring according to a place and region or
preference of people where and whom the use of mounting stand 1 is
aimed.
[0081] Cutout portion 9a of front panel 9 is formed to match with a
height of shelf 8, thereby allowing operation of recording
apparatus 7a on shelf 8 as well as insertion and removal of various
recording media (not shown) through cutout portion 9a. A space
under shelf 8 behind front panel 9 may also be used for placement
of other apparatuses if they do not require manual operation such
as insertion and removal of various recording media.
[0082] The apparatuses placed under shelf 8 can be operated with an
infrared remote controller (not shown) without a trouble since
front panel 9 is made of the acrylic plate and colored with a
substance capable of transferring the infrared rays. The space
under shelf 8 can thus be used effectively even it is behind front
panel 9.
[0083] Front panel 9 can be formed into a width sufficient to cover
support legs 3 since one of its purposes is to improve the
appearance by making support legs 3 invisible. It is desirable,
however, to form front panel 9 of a width equal to that of
apparatus 7 in consideration of harmony in the design with
apparatus 7.
[0084] Naturally, an overall width of front panel 9 becomes equal
to the width of apparatus 7 when support legs 3 are designed to
support both right and left sides of apparatus 7 and front panel 9
is formed to have the width to cover support legs 3.
[0085] Description is provided next of the reasons why acrylic
plate is used for front panel 9.
[0086] Acrylic plate has an outstanding weather resistance and a
high shock resistance, so that the high shock-resistant property
can decrease the risk of having front panel 9 damaged even when
front panel 9 installed on the front side of main mounting unit 6
is so large in size as that of upsized apparatus 7. This property,
along with the outstanding weather resistance, can provide for a
long expected serviceable life of the device mounting base.
[0087] The high shock-resistant property of the acrylic plate helps
ease handling in the process of forming front panel 9 and
installing it to main mounting unit 6, thereby improving the
workability.
[0088] Another property of the acrylic plate is a good
thermo-melting moldability, which also helps form front panel 9 of
any shape and size with a high dimensional accuracy. In addition,
the acrylic plate can be tinted uniformly with any color that
improves a massive appearance because of its easily colorable
property. It is hence desirable for the above reasons to form front
panel 9 with an acrylic plate. However, these reasons do not
preclude the use of any plastic plate of other kind than the
acrylic plate.
[0089] Front panel 9 is installed on main mounting unit 6 in a
manner, which is described hereinafter.
[0090] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable
device of the device mounting base according to the first exemplary
embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2,
support legs 3 are provided with a plurality of holes 10 having
diameter D1 formed in walls 3a at the front side thereof (i.e., the
side facing front panel 9) so that front panel 9 located in front
of support legs 3 also faces holes 10 at the plurality of
positions.
[0091] Retaining member 11 having a shape of thumbtack is inserted
in each of holes 10 from the back of walls 3a, and the tips of
retaining members 11 are bonded to the back surface of front panel
9 with an adhesive, a double-sided adhesive tape or the like
material. Retaining member 11 comprises fixing portion 11a having
diameter D2 smaller than diameter D1 of holes 10 by about 5 mm and
a length longer than a thickness of walls 3a of support legs 3 by
about 1 mm, and a disc-shaped locking portion 11b formed unitary
with fixing portion 11a and having diameter D3 larger than diameter
D1 of holes 10 by about 5 mm.
[0092] A combination of retaining member 11 bonded to the back
surface of front panel 9 and hole 10 formed in wall 3a of support
leg 3 constitute movable device 12. The work of bonding retaining
members 11 to front panel 9 through holes 10 is carried out from
access openings (not shown) formed in the backsides of support legs
3.
[0093] At least one movable device 12 needs to be provided at each
side of right and left support legs 3 to prevent front panel 9 from
coming loose from support legs 3. This makes it necessary to
provide a plurality of the movable devices in all. It is also
necessary that movable devices 12 are located above the center of
gravity of front panel 9 to prevent front panel 9 from tilting
forward.
[0094] The number of movable devices 12 may be reduced when
retaining members 11 are made robust enough, and retaining members
11 and front panel 9 are bonded with sufficient strength. The
bonding strength between retaining members 11 and front panel 9 can
be increased when an area of bonding surfaces is increased.
However, it is desirable to make as small as possible the area of
bonding surfaces between retaining members 11 and front panel 9
since large bonding surfaces can result in a high probability of
causing distortion in the bonding surfaces when front panel 9
deforms.
[0095] It is therefore desirable to provide the plurality of
retaining members 11 at respective positions of both right and left
support legs 3 since the small bonding surfaces tend to lower the
bonding strength between retaining members 11 and front panel
9.
[0096] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a movement
restraining device of the device mounting base according to the
first exemplary embodiment of this invention. Front panel 9 is
provided with restraining key 13 disposed on the bottom side in
generally the lateral center thereof along an orientation parallel
to base 2, as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 3. Restraining key 13 is
inserted in and held by restraining key catcher 14 provided on base
2.
[0097] Restraining key catcher 14, or a key catcher, comprises
restraining walls 14a and 14b formed side by side for preventing
restraining key 13 from shifting sideways. Restraining key 13 and
restraining key catcher 14 constitute movement restraining device
15. A height of restraining walls 14a and 14b is determined by
taking into consideration a case, in which front panel 9 shrinks
and causes restraining key 13 to shift upward.
[0098] The provision of movement restraining device 15 restricts a
position of front panel 9 to the lateral center and prevents it
from shifting sideways even if front panel 9 deforms due to heating
and cooling, or moisture absorption and dehydration.
[0099] As discussed above, this exemplary embodiment helps ease the
placement of front panel 9 to main mounting unit 6 and positively
prevents front panel 9 from shifting with the simple structure even
though it is provided with movement restraining device 15.
[0100] Moreover, movement restraining device 15 provided at
generally the lateral center of front panel 9 can equalize the
deformation of front panel 9 on both the right and left sides about
the center so as to fully demonstrate its effect of making
positional shifting of front panel 9 unobtrusive with respect to
apparatus 7.
[0101] Movable devices 12 can prevent front panel 9 from warping
and distorting since retaining members 11 are moveable within holes
10 of support legs 3 to absorb lateral deformation of front panel
9.
[0102] In addition, movable device 12 and movement restraining
device 15 also prevent front panel 9 from warping and distorting,
since restraining key 13 is vertically movable between restraining
walls 14a and 14b of restraining key catcher 14 and retaining
members 11 are moveable within holes 10 of support legs 3 to absorb
vertical deformation of front panel 9.
[0103] Naturally, the functions of movement restraining device 15
and movable device 12 can restrict positional shifting of front
panel 9 and prevent front panel 9 from warping and distorting due
to deformation of any form in combination of both lateral and
vertical directions.
[0104] An amount of dimensional change caused by temperature is
determined according to a coefficient of linear expansion of the
material. Assume that an acrylic plate has a coefficient of linear
expansion of 6.5.times.10.sup.-5 mm/mm-.degree. C. in a range of
0.degree. C. to 40.degree. C., a 1,000 mm-long acrylic plate
exhibits a dimensional change of 0.65 mm with a change of
10.degree. C. in the temperature, as given by an expression of
1,000 mm.times.10.degree. C..times.6.5.times.10.sup.-5. The
dimensional expansion and contraction becomes 1.3 mm when the
temperature changes by 20.degree. C., and this figure becomes 1.82
mm with the same temperature change if the acrylic plate is 1,400
mm long.
[0105] When an acryl resin plate or PMMA ("polymethyl
methacrylate"), for example, is left in the normal atmosphere, it
gradually absorbs moisture until it eventually becomes equilibrated
in moisture content with the humidity of the atmospheric air. The
PMMA plate expands dimensionally when it absorbs moisture.
[0106] The dimensions increase 0.02% on the average with an
increase of every 0.1% of water absorption at a moisture content
level below 1.5%. Assume if there is a difference of 50% in the
humidity between winter and summer seasons (30% in winter and 80%
in summer), a difference in the equilibrium moisture contents comes
to about 0.9% between the two seasons. An amount of dimensional
change attributed to the moisture absorption thus becomes 1.8 mm as
given by an expression of 1,000
mm.times.0.9.times.0.02/0.1.times.10.sup.-2 when the acrylic plate
is 1,000 mm in length. This figure becomes 2.52 mm if the acrylic
plate is 1,400 mm long.
[0107] In the case of an acrylic plate having an overall width of
1,400 mm, an expansion and contraction of about 4.34 mm is thought
to occur as calculated by 1.82 mm+2.52 mm when there is a
difference in the temperature of 20.degree. C. and a difference in
the humidity of 50%. However, a consideration is necessary for only
one half of that amount of expansion and contraction, or about 2.17
mm (i.e., 4.34 mm divided by 2) since movement restraining device
15 is provided at the lateral center of front panel 9 made of the
acrylic plate. It is the normal practice for ordinary product to
determine a movable range of movable device 12 by taking into
accounts about 3 mm of expansion and contraction for each side
along the lateral direction in order to cope with larger
differences in the temperature and humidity than 20.degree. C. and
50% respectively.
[0108] The movable range of movable device 12 determined in the
above manner also applies to the following exemplary
embodiments.
[0109] The effect of deformation due to heating, cooling, moisture
absorption and dehydration is not limited only to front panel 9
without excepting main mounting unit 6. It is therefore necessary
to consider this point on the product when determining the movable
range of movable device 12 though a degree of deformation varies
greatly depending on materials used for main mounting unit 6. This
point is also applicable to the following exemplary
embodiments.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
[0110] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a retaining member
constituting a part of a device mounting base according to the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the second exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0111] In order to improve a bonding strength with front panel 9,
retaining member 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be replaced with
retaining member 16, which comprises cylindrical retainer 16a made
of a resin material bonded to the backside of front panel 9 (i.e.,
the side facing main mounting unit 6), fixing portion 16b inserted
and bonded to cylindrical retainer 16a, and a disc-shaped locking
portion 16c formed unitary with fixing portion 16b, as shown in
FIG. 4. In this case, inner diameter D4 of cylindrical retainer 16a
and diameter D5 of fixing portion 16b are made to have a
dimensional relation similar to that between hole 10 and fixing
portion 11a described in the first exemplary embodiment. In other
words, the inner diameter D4 of the cylindrical portion is made
larger than diameter D5 of fixing portion 16b by about 5 mm.
Third Exemplary Embodiment
[0112] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a movement restraining
device constituting a part of a device mounting base according to
the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should
be understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the third exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to form restraining key
catcher 17 of a prismatic tube-like shape on base 2 in place of
restraining key catcher 14 illustrated in FIG. 3. Restraining key
catcher 17 made into this shape can limit a vertical movement of
restraining key 13 formed on front panel 9 while preventing dust
from collecting inside restraining key catcher 17. The above
structure thus constitutes movement restraining device 15a.
[0114] It is desirable that the prismatic tube-like shape of
restraining key catcher 17 is provided with retaining slot 17a of a
height larger than that of restraining key 13 by 4 mm and a width
larger than that of restraining key 13 by about 0.2 mm at both
sides so that restraining key 13 is vertically slidable in
retaining slot 17a without impediment.
Fourth Exemplary Embodiment
[0115] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a movement restraining
device constituting a part of a device mounting base according to
the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should
be understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the fourth exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to use movement
restraining device 20 comprising restraining key 18 of a hook shape
having a downwardly bent tip formed on the lower center part of
front panel 9, and restraining key catcher 19 of a hole formed in
base 2 for receiving restraining key 18 inserted therein, instead
of movement restraining device 15 shown in FIG. 3.
[0117] It is desirable that restraining key catcher 19 has a depth
larger than a vertical length of restraining key 18 by 4 mm and a
width larger than that of restraining key 18 by about 0.2 mm at
both sides so that restraining key 18 is freely moveable in the
vertical direction.
Fifth Exemplary Embodiment
[0118] In all of the above exemplary embodiments, movement
restraining devices 15, 15a and 20 shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 are
composed substantially differently from the structure of movable
device 12 shown in FIG. 2. However, any of the movement restraining
devices may have a structure comprising restraining key retaining
plate 21 having restraining key retaining hole 21a disposed in
parallel to front panel 9 at generally the lateral center of base
2, and retaining member 11 used for movable device 12 shown in FIG.
2 fixed to the backside of front panel 9 through restraining key
retaining hole 21a.
[0119] Diameter D4 of restraining key retaining hole 21a is set to
a size larger than diameter D2 of fixing portion 11a of retaining
member 11 by about 1 mm, but smaller than diameter D1 of hole 10
formed in wall 3a of support leg 3 shown in FIG. 2.
[0120] Restraining key retaining hole 21a and retaining member 11
thus constitute movement restraining device 22.
[0121] Movement restraining device 22 can be composed in this
manner by setting a moveable range smaller than that of movable
device 12 shown in FIG. 2. Movement restraining device 22 of the
above structure has an advantage in view of manufacturing
feasibility since it can be composed of a common component with
movable device 12 while it can also simplify the structure since it
has the function of holding front panel 9 to main mounting unit 6,
which eliminates the need of providing movable device 12 near
movement restraining device 22.
[0122] Retaining member 11 used here may have a structure excluding
locking portion 11b.
Sixth Exemplary Embodiment
[0123] Description is provided next of a device mounting base
according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the sixth exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0124] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a movable device
constituting the device mounting base of the sixth exemplary
embodiment of this invention.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 8, the movable device of the sixth
exemplary embodiment comprises locking member 23 having key portion
23a and downwardly extending hook portion 23b and fixed to the
backside (i.e., the side facing main mounting unit 6) of front
panel 9 near an upper edge thereof, and retaining groove 24 formed
in an upper edge of the front side (i.e., the side facing front
panel 9) of support leg 3.
[0126] Since this movable device has the function of hanging front
panel 9 on support leg 3, it is defined as movable hanging device
25 consisting of locking member 23 and retaining groove 24.
[0127] Locking member 23 has elastic material 26 made of a form
rubber, a leaf spring or a plastic spring fixed to the underside of
key portion 23a, so that locking member 23 engages in retaining
groove 24 with elastic material 26 between them.
[0128] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show front panel 9 in a position of
being hung on support leg 3 by locking member 23 engaged in
retaining groove 24. This structure makes use of movable hanging
device 25 to hang front panel 9 on main mounting unit 6 to keep
front panel 9 from not separating from main mounting unit 6.
[0129] In addition, front panel 9 hung by movable hanging device 25
can positively prevent front panel 9 from tilting.
[0130] Although locking member 23 engages in retaining groove 24
via elastic material 26 as shown in FIG. 9, locking member 23 is
constructed to have such a size that is freely slidable forward and
backward by about 1 mm inside elastic material 26 by taking into
account of a dimensional variation of locking member 23 relative to
retaining groove 24 and a positional shift of locking member 23
attributable to deformation of front panel 9. Here, hook portion
23b restricts the forward movement of locking member 23 to prevent
front panel 9 from slipping out support leg 3. Because of the
structure capable of keeping front panel 9 form not coming off main
mounting unit 6 even before apparatus 7 is mounted, it reduces to a
minimum the risk of causing front panel 9 to fall off main mounting
unit 6 and having it damaged in the process of mounting apparatus
7. Hook portion 23b thus serves to keep a space between main
mounting unit 6 and front panel 9 within a predetermined
distance.
[0131] In the case of front panel 9 made of an acrylic plate having
an overall width of 1,400 mm, there also occurs a change in
dimension up to 4.34 mm (0.31% of the overall width) as discussed
previously. According to the sixth exemplary embodiment, the
structure shown in FIG. 9B is provided with a space of 3 mm at both
sides of locking member 23 to respective walls 24a and 24b of
retaining groove 24 in order to absorb deformation of front panel 9
offset to either side of it.
[0132] Elastic material 26 has the function of lessening a
gravitational force and a force of impact exerted upon locking
member 23 when front panel 9 is hung on support leg 3, or when
locking member 23 is engaged to retaining groove 24, and preventing
locking member 23 from coming off front panel 9 or otherwise being
damaged.
[0133] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are sectional views of the device
mounting base according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of this
invention, showing a step of mounting an apparatus on it. Elastic
material 26 imparts an upward thrust on front panel 9 in a manner
to make an upper side of front panel 9 abut upon a bottom surface
of apparatus 7 mounted on main mounting unit 6, as shown in FIG.
10A and FIG. 10B. Elastic material 26 can deform and shift front
panel 9 downward by about 1 mm due to the weight of apparatus 7
mounted on main mounting unit 6.
[0134] This structure can make the bottom surface of apparatus 7
into contact with the upper side of front panel 9 without a gap,
and improve appearance of integrity between apparatus 7 and front
panel 9, thereby providing the device mounting base with an
attractive outward look. The structure can also ensure proper
alignment of the upper side of front panel 9 and eliminate the
tilting of front panel 9 due to its deformation nearly
completely.
[0135] What has been described above is an example, in which
elastic material 26 is fixed to the underside of key portion 23a of
locking member 23. However, elastic material 26 may be fixed to
retaining groove 24 formed in the upper edge of the front side of
support leg 3 such that elastic material 26 is interposed between
the underside of locking member 23 and the upper surface of
retaining groove 24 where they engage each other.
[0136] Moreover, although the structure described above has
retaining groove 24 formed in support leg 3, it may be so altered
that retaining groove 24 is formed in another member made of a wood
or the like material and such another member is fixed to support
leg 3 in order to avoid retaining groove 24 from being shifted due
to thermal deformation.
[0137] In addition, movable hanging device 25 and front panel 9 may
be formed unitary into a single component though they have been
described as separate components in the above embodiment.
Seventh Exemplary Embodiment
[0138] Description is provided next of a device mounting base
according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the seventh exemplary embodiment described
herein.
[0139] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a movable device
constituting the device mounting base of the seventh exemplary
embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are sectional
views of the movable device, showing a movement of it when
apparatus 7 is being mounted.
[0140] The movable device shown in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B is
designated as movable hanging device 29 consisting of locking
member 27 and retaining groove 28 formed in support leg 3 in a
manner to fit with locking member 27, wherein locking member 27 has
a physical strength improved from that of locking member 23 used
for movable hanging device 25 shown in FIG. 8 to FIGS. 10A and
10B.
[0141] As shown in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, locking member 27
comprises key portion 27a and downwardly extending hook portion
27b, as well as reinforcing portions 27c of a triangular shape
formed at both sides of the corner connecting two angled parts of
hook portion 27b to increase the strength of key portion 27a.
[0142] Retaining groove 28 has sloped slits 28a formed at both
right and left sides thereof with sloped surfaces tilted toward the
front side and of such a configuration that reinforcing portions
27c of locking member 27 fit in these sloped slits 28a when locking
member 27 engages in retaining groove 28.
[0143] Though FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B show reinforcing portions 27c
formed at both sides of key portion 27a, there can be just one to
provide for the effectiveness.
[0144] There is elastic material retaining surface 28b formed
horizontally at a center area of retaining groove 28 for seating
elastic material 30 fixed to the underside surface of locking
member 27 when locking member 27 engages in retaining groove 28.
Elastic material retaining surface 28b protrudes above sloped slits
28a as shown in FIG. 11, and the spaces provided between elastic
member retaining surface 28b and both right and left side walls of
retaining groove 28 have a margin of 6 mm beside the thicknesses of
reinforcing portions 27c of locking member 27 in order for
reinforcing portions 27c to shift freely in the lateral
direction.
[0145] In this structure, elastic material 30 imparts an upward
thrust on front panel 9 in a manner to make an upper side of front
panel 9 abut upon a bottom surface of an apparatus (not shown)
mounted on the main mounting unit. Accordingly, the structure can
make the bottom surface of the apparatus in contact with the upper
side of front panel 9 without a gap when the apparatus is mounted
on the main mounting unit, and improve appearance of integrity
between apparatus 7 and front panel 9, thereby providing the device
mounting base with an attractive outward look.
[0146] It should be noted that a movement restraining device is
also necessary for restricting front panel 9 from shifting in the
device mounting bases of the sixth and the seventh exemplary
embodiments of this invention, and any of movement restraining
devices 15, 15a, 20 and 22 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7 may be used
for this purpose.
[0147] In any of the device mounting bases of the sixth and the
seventh exemplary embodiments of this invention, base 2 may
additionally be provided with a groove having a width larger that
the thickness of front panel 9 by about 1 mm and a depth of about 3
mm in a location confronting the bottom side of front panel 9. The
groove is so formed in base 2 that the bottom side of front panel 9
fits therein when front panel 9 slides downward by the weight of
apparatus 7. This structure can improve appearance of integrity
between base 2 and front panel 9 in addition to the integrity
between apparatus 7 and front panel 9, thereby providing the device
mounting base with an even more attractive outward look.
[0148] In addition, movable hanging device 29 and front panel 9 may
be formed unitary into a single component though they have been
described as separate components in the above embodiment.
Eighth Exemplary Embodiment
[0149] Description is provided next of a device mounting base
according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted by the eighth exemplary embodiment described herein.
[0150] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a movable device
constituting the device mounting base of the eighth exemplary
embodiment of this invention.
[0151] According to the eighth exemplary embodiment, the device
mounting base is provided with magnetic movable device 33
comprising sheet magnet 32 disposed on a front surface of support
leg 3 and sheet metal 31 disposed on a back surface of front panel
9 at a position confronting sheet metal 31 as shown in FIG. 13.
[0152] Magnetic movable device 33 can avoid front panel 9 from
coming off main mounting unit 6 including support leg 3 by the
magnetic force, while it is also capable of absorbing deformation
of front panel 9 in any of the lateral and vertical directions by
way of sliding on sheet metal 31, thereby preventing front panel 9
from warping and distorting.
[0153] In FIG. 13, although sheet metal 31 is shown as disposed on
the front surface of support leg 3 and sheet magnet 32 disposed on
the back surface of front panel 9, their positions may be reversed
so that sheet magnet 32 and sheet metal 31 are disposed on the
front surface of support leg 3 and the back surface of front panel
9 respectively.
[0154] A movement restraining device is also necessary for
restraining front panel 9 from shifting in the device mounting
bases of the eighth exemplary embodiment of this invention, and any
of movement restraining devices 15, 15a, 20 and 22 shown in FIGS.
3, 5, 6 and 7 may be used for this purpose.
[0155] While magnetic movable device 33 has an excellent capability
of absorbing the deformation of front panel 9 in both the lateral
and the vertical directions because of its ability to slide easily
in all directions, it has a possibility of allowing front panel 9
to shift downward by its own weight if the device mounting base is
not equipped with any movable device other than magnetic movable
device 33, resulting in a conspicuous gap below apparatus 7 (not
shown) mounted on main mounting unit 6 when front panel 9
contracts.
[0156] It is therefore preferable to employ a combination of two or
more kinds of movable devices such as a structure comprising any of
movable hanging devices 25 and 29 shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11
disposed on the upper side of front panel 9 for preventing it from
shifting downward, and magnetic movable device 33 disposed on the
lower side of front panel 9 for providing the excellent capability
of absorbing the deformation of front panel 9.
[0157] A movement restraining device is also necessary for
restraining front panel 9 from shifting even in the case of this
structure, and any of movement restraining devices 15, 15a, 20 and
22 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7 can be used for this purpose. In
other words, it should be appropriate to use a combination of two
or more kinds of the movable devices and the movable hanging
devices described in the previous exemplary embodiments.
[0158] Although front panel 9 has been shown as being made of an
acrylic plate in the above embodiments, it may even be made of
other material such as a glass plate, a wood board and a metal
plate such as iron or aluminum to make the best use of their
inherent characteristics.
[0159] When front panel 9 is formed of a metal such as iron or
aluminum for instance, it can ease to make up a structure that
provides an appearance of integrity with the apparatus, in addition
to the beauty of massiveness by glossiness as well as the
robustness.
[0160] When front panel 9 is formed of a wood material, it can
provide an advantage of lessening the deformation attributable to
heating and cooling while the wood grain gives a quality
appearance, although wood materials tend to give rise to a problem
of warping and distorting due to moisture absorption and
dehydration.
[0161] When front panel 9 is made of a glass plate, it can provide
a quality appearance of glossiness better than that of the acrylic
plate as well as the physical strength and less warpage and
distortion due to deformation. If front panel 9 is of a large size,
on the other hand, it becomes necessary to increase robustness of
movable hanging devices 25 and 29 as well as bonding strength of
movable hanging devices 25 and 29 with front panel 9 in order to
bear the added weight.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0162] The device mounting base according to the present invention
has an advantage of bearing the front panel installed on the main
mounting unit without tilting and becoming misaligned with respect
to the apparatus placed thereon, and it is therefore useful for
mounting an apparatus of any kind including a thin-screen
television and a monitor unit.
* * * * *