WO2000049486A2

WO2000049486A2 - Orientable computer display assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2000049486A2
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Natalini
Original assignee: Wrap S.P.A.
Priority date: 1999-02-18
Filing date: 2000-02-18
Publication date: 2000-08-24
Also published as: IT247912Y1; AU2566900A; WO2000049486A3; ITTO990030U1

Abstract

A data display device (1) is described, comprising a display (2) and a supporting element (7), characterized in that connecting means (8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16) are provided between said display (2) and said supporting element (7) apt for allowing the orientation of said display (2) with respect to said supporting element (7) along at least two planes or directions being perpendicular to each other.

Description

DATA DISPLAY DEVICE THAT CAN BE ORIENTED IN THE SPACE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a data display device that can be oriented in the space.

As known, display devices requires a resting base connected to the display body, for being positioned on a plane. In order to obtain a minimum amount of adjustment, the connection between the base and the body of the display is usually ensured by means of a partially articulated coupling.

To this purpose, a support is provided between the base and body of the display, which has an upper end being flat, while the other lower end being circumference arc shaped, the latter having a lengthwise slit.

The support is fastened with its flat end to the display body in a known manner, for example with screws or snap hooking teeth; the circumference arc shaped end is rested on the upper end of the base, which has a matching shape with the shape of the support end. The fastening of the support to the resting base is obtained by means of two small wings parallel to each other, protruding from the end of the base, which are snap inserted sideways in the slit on the support, so that the latter can be displace along the slit on its end. Thus, orientation of the display in vertical direction can be obtained, i.e. the plane of the display can be inclined either upwards or downwards.

The above system, allowing vertical orientation of the display on one hand, has a serious drawback on the other hand, since it is unable to obtain orientation on a horizontal plane, i.e. its inclination either to the right or left side of the display, or take such positions comprising a portion of both orientations at the same time. Moreover, said known system does not provide for fastening the display to a wall, should it ever be required, since the connection between the display and the resting base is unable to support the display in such a position, being provided for a device resting on a horizontal plane, where the weight of the display unit is used as a stabilizer for the orienting position given to the display. The present invention has the aim of solving the above drawbacks and provide a data display device that can be oriented in the space and a data display device comprising an articulated element, which is easy to install and/or use, and has a simple and cost-effective manufacture. In this frame, a first aim of the present invention is to provide a data display device that can be oriented in the space, having suitable means for allowing the display to take on a plurality of positions, which are assigned to the display device during its utilization.

A second aim of the present invention is to provide an articulated element suitable for fastening a display device either on a plane or on a wall. In order to achieve such aims, it is the object of the present invention a data display device that can be oriented in the space and a data display device comprising an articulated element, incorporating the features of the annexed claims, which form an integral part of the present description. Further aims, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non limiting example, wherein :

- Fig. 1 shows schematically a partially sectioned side view of a data display device comprising an articulated element according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 shows schematically an exploded lengthwise section of the articulated element according to the present invention;

- Fig. 3 shows schematically an exploded partial section of the data display according to the present invention;

- Fig. 4 shows schematically a horizontal section of a headpiece of the data display according to the present invention. In Fig. 1 , reference 1 indicates a data display device as a whole according to the present invention, while reference 2 indicates a data display as a whole. Reference 3 indicates a frame containing a display screen 4 (see Fig. 3). The frame 3 has a central part 5 and two side headpieces 6. The central section 5 is realized by two half-shells, i.e. an upper one 5A and a lower one 5B, respectively. Half-shells 5A and 5B are manufactured like a frame surrounding the display screen 4 (see Fig. 3).

Reference 7 indicates a resting base of the display device, which is substantially truncated cone shaped. The upper end of the base 7 has a round opening 8.

Said opening 8 represents the end portion of a shaped area 9 suitable for housing an articulated element as further described.

The logic devices of the data display 4 are housed within the base, which are not described here since they are known as such. To ensure the connection of the logic devices with the data source, such as a computer or a household appliance, the lower rest zone of the base 7 has a groove 25 to let the cables required for such a connection to go through.

Reference 24 indicates screws projecting out of the lower end of the base 7 for fastening the display device. Reference 10 indicates an articulated element having a ball shaped end, whose dimensions are appropriate for matching the shaped zone 9 of the base 7.

A collar 11 departs from said ball part, ending with a flange 12. Said flange 12 has a smaller diameter than the opening 8 on the upper end of the base 7 and is suitable for insertion in a seat 13 being defined on the lower half-shell 5B of the display frame 3, for a mutual connection by means of screws.

Said seat 13 has a central hole 13A for the passage of a cable connecting the logic devices housed in the base 7 to the data display screen 4.

Reference 14 indicates a ring made of anti-friction material, such as nylon. The ring 14 has a flanging 15 and centrally a shaped zone 16, open on both ends, which matches with the shaped zone 9 being present on the base 7 for housing the ball end of the articulated element 10.

The ring 14 is fastened to the base 7 by means of screws 17 going through holes on the flange 15, so as to keep the articulated element 10 in its work position.

Spring washers, indicated with 26, are provided between the screws 17 and the flange 15.

By tightening more or less the fastening screws 17 of the ring 14, the pressure exerted by the ball shaped zone 16 of the ring 14 on the ball end of the articulated element 10 can be adjusted. This allows the adjustment of the force required to perform both the movement of the display for its orientation and also maintain the desired orientation thereafter. Clearly, the force adjustment may depend for instance on the type and/or weight of the display employed. As it can be seen in Fig. 2, the articulated element 10 is divided lengthwise in two parts, i.e. 10A and 10B respectively, which are equal between them and form each one a half of the articulated element 10.

The two parts 10A and 10B have internally a cavity, for example having a semicircular section extending all over their length, indicated with 18A and 18B respectively, for a cable 21 connecting the display 4 to the logic devices housed in the base 7 to go through.

The passage of the cable 21 within the articulated element is protected against possible accidental damages or from coming loose from its terminals, as it may typically occur in current solutions. To ensure a correct coupling, the two parts 10A and 10B have two projecting pins 19 on their internal flat surface, which are symmetrically opposed to two holes 20.

When the two parts are coupled together, the pins 19 of one part enter their corresponding holes 20 on the other part, so allowing for a correct positioning. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, where an exploded partial section of the data display 2 and a horizontal section of a headpiece of the data display according to the present invention are schematically represented, reference 4 indicates the data display screen, 5A and 5B the upper part and lower part of the cemtral portion 5 of the frame 3, respectively. The lower part 5A has a few bosses 22, on which stirrups 23 connected to the display screen 4 are fastened for example with screws, thus making the latter integral with the frame 3. Reference 6 indicates one of the headpieces of the frame 3. The two parts 5A and 5B of the frame 3, which are manufactured in the form of a frame as previously said, are fastened to each other through mutual engaging means, such as teeth.

The connection between the two parts 5A and 5B occurs only through their horizontal sides, since their vertical sides are spaced between them due to their shape.

The side closure of the frame 3 takes place with the assembly of the headpieces 6, which are engaged sideways to the two parts 5A and 5B through mutually hooking means, such as teeth; in this way the frame surrounding the display screen 4 is completed.

As it can be noticed from Fig. 1 , on the lower horizontal side the two parts 5A and 5B result in being engaged to each other over a length on both side ends only, so delimiting an appropriately shaped recess 24 for housing a stylus or pen 25, which is suitable for writing on the display and is kept in position by means of known systems.

The assembly of the display device is obtained as follows:

- the two parts 10A and 10B of the articulated element 10 are taken and coupled to each other, so as to obtain the articulated element 10,

- the flange 12 of the articulated element 10 is passed, from below the base 7 which is open, through the hole 8 being present at the upper end of the base

7, and inserting it in the seat 13 being present in the lower part 5B of the frame 3,

- the lower part 5B of the frame 3 is fixed to the articulated element 10 by means of screws tightened in the flange 12, so making them integral to each other,

- the cable 21 is passed first through the hole 13A being present on the bottom of the seat 13, and then through the hole 18 resulting from the coupling of the two cavities 18A and 18B being present, respectively, on the two parts 10A and 10B of the articulated element 10, until it reaches the internal side of the base 7,

- the ring 14 is assembled on the lower part of the ball end of the articulated element 10, and the same is fastened with the screws 17 to the base 7, with the interposition of the spring washers 26; thus, the upper part of the ball end of the articulated element 10 rests on the shaped zone 9 in the internal portion of the upper end of the base 7,

- the display screen 4 is fastened on the lower part 5B of the frame 3 by means of the stirrups 23, which are fastened with screws to the bosses 22; the upper part 5A is mounted by engaging it to the lower part 5B; the two headpieces 6 are mounted by hooking them to the parts 5A and 5B.

The features of the data display device that can be oriented in the space are clear from the above description and annexed drawings.

According to the above description also the features of the articulated element for orientation of a data display device in the space described by way of example are clear.

According to the above description also the advantages of the data display device that can be oriented in the space according to the present invention comprising an articulated element are clear. In particular, said advantages consists in that:

- orientations of the display are possible both in a vertical and a horizontal direction, as well as also with a combined vertical and horizontal direction;

- the force required either for displacing the display for its orientation and for maintaining the desired orientation thereafter can be adjusted. - no damage nor loosening of the cable connecting the display device to its logic systems is possible, since the same is protected by its passage being defined within the base 7 and the articulated element 10;

- its manufacture is easy and cost-effective.

It is clear that many changes and applications can be easily adopted and utilized by the man skilled in the art to a data display device that can be oriented in the space, comprising an articulated element, described as an example, without departing from the novelty spirit of the innovative idea.

For example, a loudspeaker can be inserted in the base 7, for transmitting information not only through the display screen but also vocally. It is obvious that many other changes and applications can be easily adopted and utilized by the man skilled in the art to a data display device that can be oriented in the space, comprising an articulated element, described above by way of example, and it is also clear that in practical actuation of the present invention the components may often differ in form and size from the ones described and be replaced with technical equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A data display device (1), comprising a display (2) and a supporting element (7), characterized in that connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) are provided between said display (2) and said supporting element (7) apt for allowing the orientation of said display (2) with respect to said supporting element (7) along at least two planes or directions being perpendicular to each other.

2. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) are fastened to said display (2) on the rear wall (5B) of the latter, or on the wall of the display (2) being opposite to the wall where a displaying screen (4) can be seen.

3. A device, according to claim 2, characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) are substantially fastened to the centre of said rear wall (5B).

4. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) are apt for obtaining an orientation with a vertical and horizontal combination.

5. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) comprise an articulated element (10), whose shape is at least partially spherical.

6. A device, according to claim 5, characterized in that a collar (11) departs from said spherically shaped part of said articulated element (10), ending with a flange (12).

7. A device, according to claim 5, characterized in that said articulated element (10) consists of at least two parts which can be reciprocally coupled (10A.10B).

8. A device, according to claim 7, characterized in that said parts (10A.10B) have a cavity (18A.18B) inside, extending all over their length.

9. A device, according to claim 7, characterized in that said parts (10A.10B) have on their internal flat surface at least a pin (19) and at least a hole (20) for their reciprocal coupling.

10. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) comprise at least a shaped zone (9) of said supporting element (7), apt to receive a portion of said articulated element (10).

11. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connecting means (8,9,10,13,14,16) comprise a first ring (14), which is fastened internally to said supporting element (7).

12. A device, according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first ring (14) has a cavity (16) apt to receive a portion of said articulated element (10).

13. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said display (2) comprises at least a seat (13) apt to receive a portion of said articulated element (10).

14. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said supporting element (7) comprises an upper opening (8) apt to allow the passage and the movement of said articulated element (10).

15. A device, according to the previous claim, characterized in that said opening (8) results in being the end portion of a shaped zone (9) which receive a portion of said articulated element (10).

16. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that said display (4) comprises a display screen (4) contained in a frame (3).

17. A device, according to claim 16, characterized in that said frame (3) has a central section (5) and two headpieces (6), said central section (5) consisting of two half-shells (5A.5B).

18. A device, according to claim 17, characterized in that one of said half- shells (5B) has a seat (13) apt to receive a portion (12) of the articulated element (10).

19. A device, according to claims 16 and 17, characterized in that said display screen (4) is made integral to one of said half-shells (5B) by means of stirrups (23) fastened to bosses (22) being present on said half-shell (5B).

20. A device, according to claim 17, characterized in that in the corner of the lower edge of said frame (3) a shaped recess is defined for housing a stylus or pen.

21. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the length of the connecting cable extending between said display screen (4) and the logic part - -

contained in the supporting element (7) is hidden by means of said supporting element (7), said articulated element (10) and said frame.

22. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said supporting element (7) is hollow inside.

23. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the logic devices of the display device (4) are contained within the supporting element (7).

24. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that inside the supporting element (7) a loudspeaker is housed.

25. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said display screen (4) has a generally flattened shape, in particular made from liquid crystals.

26. A device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that elastic means (26) are provided for locking the flange (15) to the supporting element (7).

27. An articulated element for fastening to a plane and/or a wall a data display device comprising one or more of the elements and/or means as for the previous claims.