Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-11-06
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312270
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to flat panel display monitors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With improvements in display technology, flat panel display devices for computers have become more commonplace in office environments and are finding greater application to televisions and video monitors.
Typically, such devices have used cabinets and housings which are generally similar to those used for CRT monitors, although of course with a much shallower profile.
In particular, such cabinets have comprised fixed connectors for connecting any necessary cables (eg power cables, video input and possibly touch screen cables) to the device. Whilst fixed connectors are generally satisfactory for CRT displays, their use with flat panel displays can exhibit certain inconveniences or can detract from the space advantages associated with the use of a flat panel.
Known flat panel devices have generally used one of two arrangements for the connectors. In a first arrangement the connectors lie in a plane parallel to the display screen, usually facing downwards so that cables have to be urged in a upwards direction to engage the connectors. Alternatively, connectors have been arranged to the rear of the display device facing backwards so that cables have to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface to be engaged.
With the former arrangement with the connectors facing downwards it can be very awkward to connect cables to the monitor because of reduced clearance between a horizontal surface on which the monitor may be standing. Generally, the user is obliged to lay down the cabinet to connect the cables. This means that the flat panel front surface comes into contact with the desktop surface. For LCD flat panels, it has been found that this action can generate scratches and other damage to the polarizer layer of the LCD panel. With the latter arrangement the cables and their plugs take up space and can be inconvenient in some applications, for instance if the device is to be wall mounted.
This invention is intended to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and provide an improved cabling arrangement for flat panel displays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief, this is achieved by a flat panel display device comprising a display member having a display surface, the display member being provided with one or more cable connectors for connecting cables to the device, characterised in that the connectors are mounted on the display member via a hinge so as to be movable relative to the display member from a first position in which cables can be easily mated with the connectors and a second position.
In a preferred embodiment, in the first position cables can be connected to the connectors by urging in a direction at least partially perpendicular to the display surface and in the second position cables connected to the connectors lie at least partially parallel to the display surface.
The connectors can therefore be flipped up in order to connect cables and flipped down again so as not to obstruct normal operation of the device.
Generally the connectors would be mounted on a rear face of the device, although a similar approach could be used for connectors mounted on the front of the device should this be necessary.
It is expected that the advantages of the invention will be greatest for flat panel computer monitors, although application of the invention to other flat panel display devices such as flat screen televisions is not excluded.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5637018 (1997-06-01), Gargiulo
patent: 5692914 (1997-12-01), Mitani et al.
patent: 5751544 (1998-05-01), Song
patent: 5934917 (1999-08-01), Haut
patent: 6061104 (2000-05-01), Evanicky et al.
patent: 0251515 (1988-01-01), None
Abrams Neil
Duverne J. F.
Hewlett--Packard Company
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