Abstract:
An exemplary bezel includes two generally L-shaped bezel parts and two generally I-shaped bezel parts. All the bezel parts are joined end-to-end to cooperatively define a window therebetween, and this assembly is configured to accommodate a display panel. A minimum area of a rectangular region that can be occupied by the two generally L-shaped bezel parts alone includes a central unoccupied portion sufficient in size to accommodate the two generally I-shaped bezel parts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, a foreign priority application filed in Taiwan as Application No. 95139847 on Oct. 27, 2006. The related application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bezels such as those used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and more particularly to a bezel for an LCD which includes at least two bezel parts. 
     GENERAL BACKGROUND 
     Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, because they not only provide good quality images but are also very thin. Generally, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight module, and a bezel for accommodating the liquid crystal panel and the backlight module. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18  through  FIG. 20 , a fabricating process of a typical bezel  10  for a liquid crystal display is shown. First, referring to  FIG. 18 , a rectangular metal piece  11  with four side metal pieces  12  is formed by cutting sheet metal. Second, referring to  FIG. 19 , the four side metal pieces  12  are folded in a direction vertical to the metal piece  11 . Third, referring to  FIG. 20 , the metal piece  11  is punched, thereby forming a rectangular display window (not labeled) in a center area of the metal piece  11 . Finally, junctions of the adjacent side metal pieces  12  are joined by a soldering process. Thus, the bezel  10  for the liquid crystal display is fabricated. 
     During the process of fabricating the bezel  10 , a large portion of the sheet metal is removed from the metal piece  11  when the display window is formed. However, the removed metal portion generally cannot be used in further manufacture. Instead, the removed metal portion is typically consigned for recycling. Thus the cost of the bezel  10  is disproportionately high compared to the amount of sheet metal actually utilized in the bezel  10 . 
     What is needed, therefore, is a bezel for a liquid crystal display which can overcome the above-described deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one preferred embodiment, bezel includes two generally U-shaped bezel parts and two generally I-shaped bezel parts. Each of the generally U-shaped bezel parts includes a first bezel portion, a second bezel portion opposite to the first bezel portion and a third bezel portion between the first and second bezel portions. One of the generally I-shaped bezel parts is connected between the first bezel portions and the other one of the I-shaped bezel parts is connected between the second bezel portions. 
     Other aspects, novel features, and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout various views, and all the views are schematic. 
         FIG. 1  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an unassembled, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, also showing a frame of the liquid crystal display. 
         FIG. 11  is an assembled view of the bezel and the frame of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded, isometric view of a bezel for a liquid crystal display according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, also showing a frame of the liquid crystal display. 
         FIG. 14  is an assembled view of the bezel and the frame of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a piece of sheet metal, showing a cutting layout for obtaining the bezel according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of another piece of sheet metal, showing a cutting layout for obtaining the bezel according to the fifth or sixth embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18˜FIG .  20  are isometric views showing successive stages in a process of fabricating a conventional bezel for a liquid crystal display. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bezel  20  for a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  20  includes a first bezel part  210  and a second bezel part  211 . The first and second bezel parts  210 ,  211  have a same generally U-shaped configuration. Each of the first and second bezel parts  210 ,  211  includes a first bezel portion  212 , a second bezel portion  213 , and a third bezel portion  214 . The first, second, and third bezel portions  212 ,  213 ,  214  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled), and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. Each of the first and second bezel portions  212 ,  213  perpendicularly extends from a respective end portion (not labeled) of the third bezel portion  214 . The first and second bezel portions  212 ,  213  have a same length. The first, second and third bezel portions  212 ,  213 ,  214  cooperatively form the U-shaped structure. The first bezel portion  212  of the first bezel part  210  is connected to the second bezel portion  213  of the second bezel part  211 . The second bezel portion  213  of the first bezel part  210  is connected to the first bezel portion  212  of the second bezel part  211 . The horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel portions  212 ,  213 ,  214  are coplanar. A display window  220  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel portions  212 ,  213 ,  214  of the first and second bezel parts  210 ,  211 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a bezel  30  for a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the bezel  20 . The bezel  30  includes a first generally U-shaped bezel part  310  and a second generally U-shaped bezel part  311 . The first and second bezel parts  310 ,  311  have a same configuration. However, a length of a first bezel portion  312  of each of the first and second bezel parts  310 ,  311  is greater than a length of a second bezel portion  313  of each of the first and second bezel parts  310 ,  311 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a bezel  40  for a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  40  includes a first bezel part  410  and a second bezel part  411 . The first bezel part  410  includes a first bezel portion  413 , a second bezel portion  414 ; and a third bezel portion  415 . The first, second, and third bezel portions  413 ,  414 ,  415  and the second bezel part  411  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled), and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. The first bezel portion  413  is opposite and parallel to the second bezel portion  414 . The first and second bezel portions  413 ,  414  have a same length. The second bezel part  411  and the third bezel portion  415  have substantially a same length. Each of the first and second bezel portions  413 ,  414  perpendicularly extends from a respective end of the third bezel portion  415 . The first, second, and third bezel portions  413 ,  414 ,  415  together constitute the U-shaped first bezel part  410 . The second bezel part  411  is generally I-shaped. One end of the second bezel part  411  is connected to a free end of the first bezel portion  413 , and an opposite end of the second bezel part  411  is connected to a free end of the second bezel portion  414 . The horizontal walls of the first, second, and third bezel portions  413 ,  414 ,  415  and the second bezel part  411  are coplanar. A display window  420  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first, second, and third bezel portions  413 ,  414 ,  415  and the second bezel part  411 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a bezel  50  for a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  50  includes a first bezel part  509 , a second bezel part  510 , and a third bezel part  511 . The first and second bezel parts  509 ,  510  have substantially the same configuration, except that they are mirror images of each other. Each of the first and second bezel parts  509 ,  510  is generally L-shaped. The third bezel part  511  is generally I-shaped. Each of the first and second bezel parts  509 ,  510  includes a first bezel portion  513  and a second bezel portion  514 . A length of the third bezel part  511  is substantially the same as a combined length of the two second bezel portions  514  of the first and second bezel parts  509 ,  510 . The first and second bezel portions  513 ,  514  and the third bezel part  511  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled) and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. The first bezel portion  513  perpendicularly extends from the second bezel portion  514 . One end of the third bezel part  511  is connected to the first bezel part  509 , and an opposite end of the third bezel part  511  is connected to the second bezel part  510 . The horizontal walls of the first and second bezel portions  513 ,  514  and the third bezel part  511  are coplanar. A display window  520  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first and second bezel portions  513 ,  514  and the third bezel part  511 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a bezel  60  for a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  60  includes a first bezel part  609 , a second bezel part  610 , a third bezel part  611 , and a fourth bezel part  612 . The first bezel part  609  and the second bezel part  610  have a same structure. Each of the first and second bezel parts  609 ,  610  includes a first bezel portion  613 , and a second bezel portion  614  perpendicularly extending from the first bezel portion  613 . Thus, the first and second bezel parts  609 ,  610  are generally L-shaped. The third and fourth bezel parts  611 ,  612  are generally I-shaped. The third and fourth bezel parts  611 ,  612  have a same length. The first, second, third and fourth bezel parts  609 ,  610 ,  611 ,  612  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled) and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. One end of the third bezel part  611  is connected to the first bezel portion  613  of the first bezel part  609 , and an opposite end of the third bezel part  611  is connected to the second bezel portion  614  of the second bezel part  610 . One end of the fourth bezel part  612  is connected to the second bezel portion  614  of the first bezel part  609 , and an opposite end of the fourth bezel part  612  is connected to the first bezel portion  613  of the second bezel part  610 . The horizontal walls of the first, second, third, and fourth bezel parts  609 ,  610 ,  611 ,  612  are coplanar. A display window  620  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first, second, third, and fourth bezel parts  609 ,  610 ,  611 ,  612 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a bezel  70  for a liquid crystal display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  70  is similar to the bezel  60  of the fifth embodiment. However, a length of a generally I-shaped third bezel part  711  is less than a length of a generally I-shaped fourth bezel part  712 . One end of the third bezel part  711  is connected to a second bezel portion  714  of a generally L-shaped first bezel part  709 . An opposite end of the third bezel part  711  is connected to the second bezel portion  714  of a generally L-shaped second bezel part  710 . One end of the fourth bezel part  712  is connected to a first bezel portion  713  of the first bezel part  709 . An opposite end of the fourth bezel part  712  is connected to the first bezel portion  713  of the second bezel part  710 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a bezel  80  for a liquid crystal display according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  80  includes a first bezel part  810 , a second bezel part  811 , and a third bezel part  812 . The first bezel part  810  includes a first bezel portion  813  and a second bezel portion  814 . The first bezel portion  813  perpendicularly extends from the second bezel portion  814 . Thus, the first bezel part  810  has a generally L-shaped structure. The second and third bezel parts  811 ,  812  are generally I-shaped. A length of the second bezel part  811  is the same as a length of the first bezel portion  813 . A length of the third bezel part  812  is a little greater than a length of the second bezel portion  814 . The first, second and third bezel parts  810 ,  811 ,  812  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled), and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. The horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel parts  810 ,  811 ,  812  are coplanar. A display window  820  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel parts  810 ,  811 ,  812 . The first, second and third bezel parts  810 ,  811 ,  812  arranged end-to-end in that sequence constitute the bezel  80 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a bezel  90  for a liquid crystal display according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  90  includes a first bezel part  910 , a second bezel part  920 , and a third bezel part  930 . The first bezel part  910  is generally I-shaped. The second bezel part  920  is generally L-shaped. The third bezel part  930  is generally U-shaped. The first, second and third bezel parts  910 ,  920 ,  930  each have a horizontal wall (not labeled), and a vertical wall (not labeled) perpendicular to the horizontal wall. The second bezel part  920  includes a first bezel portion  921  and a second bezel portion  922 . The first bezel portion  921  perpendicularly extends from the second bezel portion  922 . The third bezel part  930  includes a third bezel portion  931 , a fourth bezel portion  932 , and a fifth bezel portion  933 . Each of the third bezel portion  931  and the fourth bezel portion  932  perpendicularly extends from a respective end of the fifth bezel portion  933 . The horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel parts  910 ,  920 ,  930  are coplanar. A display window  940  is defined between the horizontal walls of the first, second and third bezel parts  910 ,  920 ,  930 . The first, second and third bezel parts  910 ,  920 ,  930  arranged end-to-end in that sequence constitute the bezel  90 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a bezel  100  for a liquid crystal display according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bezel  100  is similar to the bezel  90 . However, the bezel  100  includes a fourth bezel part  1010 . The fourth bezel part  1010  has a generally I-shaped structure. A length of the fourth bezel part  1010  is less than a length of a third bezel part  1012 . The fourth bezel part  1010  is connected between a first bezel portion  1021  of a first bezel part  1020  and a third bezel portion  1031  of a third bezel part  1030 . The first bezel part  1020  also includes a second bezel portion  1022 . The third bezel part  1030  also includes a fourth bezel portion  1032 . 
     The bezel parts of the above-described bezels are engaged together by a laser soldering process. The shapes of the engaging surfaces of the bezel parts can be straight, slanted, saw-toothed, wavy, concave, or convex. 
     Because the above-described bezels are formed by connecting two or more bezel parts together, unlike in conventional manufacturing, there is no need to punch a large portion of sheet metal in order to form a display window. A substantial proportion or even all of a piece of sheet metal can be utilized in manufacturing the bezel parts. The total amount of sheet metal needed is reduced, with little or no surplus sheet metal being consigned for recycling. Thus, the cost of manufacturing the bezels can be reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a bezel  200  for a liquid crystal display according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention is shown, together with a frame  210  of the liquid crystal display. 
     The bezel  200  includes a pair of generally U-shaped bezel parts  2009 ,  2010 , and a pair of generally I-shaped bezel parts  2019 ,  2020 . The two U-shaped bezel parts  2009 ,  2010  are oriented symmetrically opposite to each other. The two I-shaped bezel parts  2019 ,  2020  are oriented symmetrically opposite to each other. Each of the U-shaped bezel parts  2009 ,  2010  includes a first bezel portion  2011 , a second bezel portion  2012 , and a third bezel portion  2013 . The third bezel portion  2013  has a horizontal wall  2014 , and a vertical wall  2015  perpendicular to the horizontal wall  2014 . The first and second bezel portions  2011 ,  2012  perpendicularly extend from opposite ends of the third bezel portion  2013 , respectively. In particular, the first and second bezel portions  2011 ,  2012  perpendicularly extend from the vertical wall  2015  of the third bezel portion  2013 . Each of the first and second bezel portions  2011 ,  2012  defines a first through hole  2016  therein. 
     Each of the I-shaped bezel parts  2019 ,  2020  includes a pair of fixing mechanisms  2024 , and defines a pair of second through holes  2023 . Each of the fixing mechanisms  2024  extends inward from opposite edges of a respective one of the second through holes  2023 . Each fixing mechanism  2024  includes a pair of hooks  2025  extending inward from opposite sides of the respective second through hole  2023 . The hooks  2025  each include a straight portion  2026  extending perpendicularly from a main body of the I-shaped bezel part  2019 , and a bent portion  2027  obliquely bent more than  900  from a distal end of the straight portion  2026 . The bent portions  2027  of the fixing mechanism  2024  are oriented symmetrically opposite to each other. A width of each of the second through holes  2023  is slightly less than a width of each of the first through holes  2016 . The fixing mechanisms  2024  are made from flexible material which can elastically deform and rebound to its original state; for example, plastic or metal. 
     The frame  210  includes four top surfaces  2120 ,  2121 ,  2122 ,  2123  connected in sequence and four side surfaces  2110 ,  2111 ,  2112 ,  2113  perpendicularly connected to the four top surfaces  2120 ,  2121 ,  2122 ,  2123 . A window  2030  is defined between the four top surfaces  2120 ,  2121 ,  2122 ,  2123 . The side surfaces  2111 ,  2113  each define a pair of third through holes  2116  therein. Each of the third through holes  2116  corresponds to a respective fixing mechanism  2024 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , this shows the bezel  200  and frame  210  assembled together. Referring also to  FIG. 12 , a largest width spanned by a pair of bent portions  2027  is defined as “D”. The width “D” is larger than the width of the third through hole  2116 . The U-shaped bezel parts  2009 ,  2010  cover the frame  210 . The first through holes  2016  correspond in position to the third through holes  2116 . The hooks  2025  are inserted through the first and third through holes  2016 ,  2023 , so that the fixing mechanisms  2024  of the I-shaped bezel parts  2019 ,  2020  buckle the U-shaped bezel parts  2009 ,  2010  to the frame  210 . Thus, the bezel  200  and the frame  210  are fixed together. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a bezel  300  for a liquid crystal display according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention is shown, and a frame  310  corresponding to the bezel  300  is also shown. The bezel  300  is similar to the bezel  200 . However, each of fixing mechanisms  3024  has a generally U-shaped structure. The fixing mechanism  3024  includes a pair of coplanar hooks  3025 . Each hook  3025  has a straight portion  3026 , and a bent portion  3027  extending from a distal end of the straight portion  3026 . The hooks  3025  are made from flexible material which can elastically deform and rebound to its original state; for example, plastic or metal. A width of each of first through holes  3016  is slightly greater than a width of each of second through holes (not labeled). 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , this shows the bezel  300  and the frame  310  assembled together. Referring also to  FIG. 15 , a largest width spanned by the bent portions  3027  is defined as “D”, and a distance separating the straight portions  3026  is defined as “d”. The width “D” is larger than the distance “d”. The width “D” is a little larger than the width of the first through hole  3016 . Therefore the two bent portions  3027  can elastically deform toward each other when the hooks  3025  are inserted through the first through hole  3016 . Thus when the pair of hooks  3025  elastically rebound, the bent portions  3027  are buckling onto the frame  310 . Thereby, the bezel  300  and the frame  310  are fixed together by the fixing mechanisms  3024 . 
     Because the bezel  200  is made up of four bezel parts  2009 ,  2010 ,  2019 ,  2020 , and the bezel  300  is made up of four bezel parts  3009 ,  3010 ,  3019 ,  3020 , a single piece of sheet metal can used to make a bezel by cutting a plurality of various shapes from the sheet metal, the shapes corresponding to the various bezel parts. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a piece of sheet metal denoted as “A” can be cut and punched into two generally T-shaped metal parts and two generally I-shaped metal parts. Referring to  FIG. 17 , a metal piece denoted as “B” can be cut and punched into two generally L-shape metal parts and two generally I-shaped metal parts. The metal parts can be further machined (e.g. by bending, punching, stamping, etc.) to make the corresponding finished bezel parts. A substantial proportion of each piece of sheet metal A, B is utilized in fabricating the bezel parts. The total amount of sheet metal needed is reduced, with little surplus sheet metal being consigned for recycling. Thus, the cost of manufacturing the bezel parts can be reduced. 
     It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.