Supports – Stand and bracket – Having adjustable bracket
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-02-20
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand and bracket
Having adjustable bracket
C248S278100, C248S283100, C248S919000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189842
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of flat panel displays. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of tilt and swivel positioning adjustment of a flat panel display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a conventional display having a cathode ray tube (CRT), the CRT occupies a significant amount of space behind the viewable area of the display screen. In addition, the CRT is formed of a quantity of glass and requires electromagnetic elements for directing an electron beam from behind the display area of the CRT. Accordingly, CRT displays tend to be bulky and heavy. As a result, CRT displays for use as computer monitors are typically mounted to a stand which provides only limited ability to adjust to the position of the CRT display.
Because flat panel displays do not require a CRT, they tend to occupy less space and tend to be lighter than conventional CRT displays having comparably sized viewable areas. Accordingly, an opportunity exists for mounting flat panel displays so as to provide a greater degree of adjustability in the positioning of the viewable display area in comparison to CRT displays. A flat panel display typically provides a rectangular display area having a width unequal to its height. For example, the height of the display can be greater than its width (portrait orientation). Alternately, the width can be made greater than the height by simply rotating the flat panel display by ninety degrees (landscape orientation). Software algorithms for forming the image can be configured to appropriately orient an image displayed by the flat panel display.
Although rotating the flat panel display between portrait and landscape orientations can be effected by simply pivoting the display, problems can occur. A first problem is that when a flat panel display is rotated between the landscape and portrait orientations, insufficient clearance between the display and other objects can result in contact between the display panel and the objects, possibly damaging the flat panel display. A second problem occurs when the display is not oriented precisely in either the portrait orientation or the landscape orientation. In which case, the flat panel display, and the image displayed, may both be slightly askew from the viewpoint of a user.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for positional adjustment of a flat panel display which does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides for tilt and swivel adjustment of a flat panel display including detents for landscape and portrait positions and a kickout feature for preventing contact between the flat panel display and its base. A stand for the flat panel display includes an elongated neck member coupled to the base member. The base member rests upon a horizontal surface, such as that of a table or desk, upon which the stand is placed. A lower portion of a riser member fits within a receptacle of the neck member and is slidable therein in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the surface. Accordingly, to position the flat panel display higher or lower with respect to the surface, the riser member is extended or contracted with respect to the neck member.
The flat panel display is mounted to an upper portion of the riser member via a swivel apparatus. The swivel apparatus allows a user to pivot the flat panel display between horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) orientations; to adjust the tilt of the flat panel display so as to move the top or bottom of the display closer to or further from the user; and to pivot the flat panel display from side-to-side about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the surface.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the swivel apparatus includes a cam and a corresponding ramp member. The cam is preferably fixed with respect to the flat panel display while the ramp member is coupled to a portion of the swivel apparatus which is pivotable with respect to the display. When the flat panel display is oriented in either the portrait or landscape positions, the cam does not contact the ramp and, thus, does not interfere with tilt adjustment of the flat panel display. However, when the flat panel display is pivoted from the portrait orientation to the landscape orientation, or when the flat panel display is pivoted from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation, the cam and corresponding ramp cause the flat panel display to be tilted with respect to the stand such that a lower portion of the flat panel display is tilted away (kicked out) from the base member (toward the user). This tilt effected by the cam and ramp members prevents contact between the flat panel display and the base member, thereby preventing damage to either caused by such contact.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the swivel apparatus includes a bearing member. The bearing member is mounted between the flat panel display and the portion of the swivel apparatus which is pivotable with respect to the flat panel display for providing adjustment between the portrait and landscape orientations. The bearing member includes a bearing surface which is slidable with respect to the pivotable portion of the swivel apparatus for providing a wear-resistant and smooth frictional pivot coupling. In addition, the bearing member includes one or more projections, each of which mates with a first corresponding receptacle when the flat panel display is in the portrait orientation and each of which mates with a second corresponding receptacle when the flat panel display is the landscape orientation. Preferably, the projections are integral to the bearing member. Thus, the bearing member provides both a bearing surface and detents for assisting a user in precisely aligning the flat panel display to the portrait and landscape positions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5687939 (1997-11-01), Moscovitch
patent: 5924665 (1999-07-01), Sweere et al.
patent: 6095467 (2000-08-01), Neuhof
Bergeron Gull Kathleen A.
Smith Malcolm Sloan
Springer Gregory Allen
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Palo Alto Design Group
Ramirez Ramon O.
LandOfFree
Tilt and swivel adjustment of flat panel display having... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tilt and swivel adjustment of flat panel display having..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tilt and swivel adjustment of flat panel display having... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2590096