Abstract:
A stand for a display device that adjusts the height and tilt of the display device in a variety of ways to increase user convenience is provided. The stand includes a sliding portion, a supporting portion, and a base. The sliding portion extends toward a rear surface of the display device. The supporting portion slidably supports the sliding portion. The base extends the supporting portion upward. The sliding portion and the supporting portion are formed to extend in mutually different directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a stand for a display device, and more particularly, to a stand for a display device that allows the display device to be conveniently adjusted to any one of a variety of positions desired by a user. Still more particularly, the stand for a display device has a wide height adjusting range. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Monitors are representative examples of display devices, and are capable of being adjusted to a variety of positions to suit users&#39; preferences. In order to conveniently move such display devices, stands with quadric crank mechanism to conveniently adjust angles of display devices are provided in the related art. A stand for a display device employing the quadric crank mechanism structure allows the tilt angle of the display device to remain unchanged when the position of the display device is altered, thereby increasing the level of user convenience. 
   However, in a display device stand employing the quadric crank mechanism according to the related art, the process of adjusting the position of the display device can only be performed by changing the center of gravity of the stand by pivoting the stand. Therefore, adjusting the position of the display device is limited to pivoting the display device about the base of the stand. 
   Also, due to a limit in the amount by which the height of the display can be adjusted, functional versatility of the stand is reduced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a stand for a display device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a display device capable of adjusting the height of the display device in various ways, and facilitating the adjustment of the display device&#39;s position to increase user convenience. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a display device capable of raising the display device higher than in the related art, further increasing user convenience. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive stand for a display device capable of changing and adjusting the position of the display device in various ways. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
   To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a sliding portion extending toward a rear surface of the display device; a supporting portion for slidably supporting the sliding portion; and a base extending the supporting portion upward, wherein the sliding portion and the supporting portion are formed to extend in mutually different directions. 
   In another object of the present invention, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a rear fixing portion fixed to a rear surface of the display device; a sliding portion extending rearward while supported on the rear fixing portion; a supporting portion for supporting an extended end of the sliding portion; and a base for supporting a lower end of the supporting portion, wherein the sliding portion includes a quadric crank mechanism, the quadric crank mechanism for maintaining a tilt angle of the display device when a force below a predetermined level is applied to the display device. 
   In a further object of the present invention, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a sliding portion supported at one end thereof on the display device; a supporting portion for supported an opposite end of the sliding portion; and a base for supporting the supporting portion, wherein the sliding portion includes: a first connecting portion provided at a region where the display device and the sliding portion are connected; a second connecting portion provided at a region where the supporting portion and the sliding portion are connected; at least two hinges provided respectively on the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; main link providing components for forming a body of the sliding portion; and an auxiliary link for maintaining a tilt angle of the display device through pivoting the hinges at respectively same angles, in response to an external force below a predetermined level. 
   As described, the stand of the display device according to the present invention is capable of adjusting the position of the display device in a variety of ways to suit a user&#39;s requirements, and prevents the tilt angle of the display device from changing while a user adjusts the position of the display device. Thus, the level of user convenience increases. In particular, the range in which the height of the display device can be adjusted is increased. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display device stand according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sliding portion according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a sliding portion according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a frontal perspective view of a supporting portion according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the supporting portion in  FIG. 4  taken along line I-I′; and 
       FIGS. 6 through 8  are side views for describing operating modes of a stand according to the present invention, where  FIG. 6  shows an operating mode in which the tilt angle of the display device is maintained while moving the display device vertically, 
       FIG. 7  shows an operating mode in which a sliding portion moves vertically along a supporting portion, and 
       FIG. 8  shows an operating mode in which the display device itself is pivoted. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display device stand according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a stand according to the present invention includes a display device  1  mounted thereon, a rear fixing portion  2  fixed to the rear of the display device  1 , a sliding portion  3  extending approximately downward from the rear fixing portion  2 , a supporting portion  4  for supporting the lower end of the sliding portion  3  and guiding the movement of the sliding portion  3  in a downward direction, and a base  5  supporting the lower end of the supporting portion  4  and supporting the display device  1  on a flat surface. 
   Because the point connecting the rear fixing portion  2  to the sliding portion  3  and the point connecting the sliding portion  3  to the supporting portion  4  are hinge connections, the connecting points allow each of the members to which they are connected to pivot. Because of their ability to pivot on the hinges, the members may be collectively manipulated by a user to conveniently achieve a desired position of the display device. 
   Also, because a quadric crank mechanism structure is provided inside the sliding portion  3 , when the sliding portion  3  is pivoted, the tilt angle of the display device  1  is maintained. Through this adjustment, a user can conveniently adjust the height of the display device  1  while maintaining the original tilt angle of the display device  1 . 
   While the lower end of the sliding portion  3  is supported by the supporting portion  4 , the lower end is capable of being slid along the extended length of the supporting portion  4 . Therefore, when a user wishes to adjust the height of the display device  1 , the user may move the sliding portion  3  vertically along the supporting portion  4  to conveniently adjust the height of the display device  1 . 
   Each position adjusting operation of the above display device will be described in detail at a later point with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
   Below a detailed description of the structure of the display device stand according to the present invention will be provided. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sliding portion according to the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a sliding portion according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sliding portion  3  includes a first connecting portion connecting an upper end of the sliding portion  3  to the rear fixing portion  2 , a second connecting portion connecting the lower end of the sliding portion  3  to the supporting portion  4 , and a link portion connecting the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion. 
   In further detail, the link portion includes a main link  13  linking the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion and imparting a predetermined connecting force therebetween, and an auxiliary link consisting of auxiliary link bars  18  and  19  disposed at one side of the main link  13  and acting as a quadric crank mechanism. The upper ends of the auxiliary link bars  18  and  19  act as the pivoting center of the link and are connected at respectively different and eccentric dispositions to the center of rotation of a link hinge  14 . The lower portion of the auxiliary link bars  18  and  19  are connected at respectively different and eccentric dispositions to the center of rotation of a supporting hinge  15 . Thus, in this structure, the auxiliary link bars  18  and  19 , the link hinge  14  and the supporting hinge  15  may function as a quadric crank mechanism. 
   The quadric crank mechanism provides a parallelogram structure, wherein when one edge is fixed and the edge opposite thereto is moved, the opposite edge moves parallelly with the one edge. Thus, this characteristic of a quadric crank mechanism can maintain the same tilt angle of the display device  1  when the sliding portion  3  is pivoted. 
   Specifically, the first connecting portion includes a hinge spring member  12  provided with a first hinge axis  21  formed at the lower end of the rear fixing portion  2  and a second hinge axis  22 . The first hinge axis  21  and a hinge spring member  25  allow the first connecting portion to perform two types of pivoting operations. 
   A detailed description of the structure of the first connecting portion will be given below. First, the first hinge axis  21  is guided by a first hinge receiving portion  23  formed on the upper portion of the main link  13 , and is covered and supported by the hinge coupling portion  11 . Therefore, the first hinge axis  21  can rotate while being guided by the first hinge receiving portion  23 . 
   Also, with the hinge spring  25  placed on the first hinge axis  21 , the second hinge axis  22  is coupled to the link hinge  14  through a second hinge receiving portion  24 . Two members that are capable of rotating with respect to one another are provided inside the hinge spring member  12 . The two members are connected through the hinge spring  25 . One of the two members is fixed to the second hinge axis  22  and rotates together with the link hinge  14 . The other of the two members is fixed to the first hinge axis  21  and rotates together with the rear fixing portion  2 . Of course, a washer or other member for providing friction is provided within the hinge spring member  12 . The friction provided by the washer or other friction providing member between the two members inside the hinge spring member  12  is greater than the friction provided between the first hinge axis  21  and the first hinge receiving portion  23 . 
   The operation of the first connecting portion will now be described. 
   First, when a user moves the display device  1  in order to adjust its height, the link hinge  14  of the quadric crank mechanism rotates about the supporting hinge  15 . However, the link hinge  14  does not rotate due to the operation of the quadric crank mechanism, and performs only orbital movement about the supporting hinge  15 . Thus, the second hinge axis  22  fixedly connected to the link hinge  14  also moves only in an orbiting fashion. 
   In this state, the friction provided by the washer or other friction providing member between the two inner members in the hinge spring member  12  is greater than the friction provided between the first hinge axis  21  and the first hinge receiving portion  23 . Therefore, the two members inside the hinge spring member  12  do not rotate relative to each other, and the hinge spring member  12  rotates together with the first hinge axis  21 . Instead, rotation occurs between the first hinge axis  21  and the first hinge receiving portion  23 , so that the main link  13  and the rear fixing portion  2  rotate differently. Thus, the display device  1  fixed to the rear fixing portion  2  rotates with respect to the main link  13 . 
   This rotation causes the tilt angle of the display device  1  to remain the same throughout a pivoting of the sliding portion  3  at a lower end thereof. Therefore, the user can always view the display device  1  at the same tilt angle. 
   However, when a user wishes to adjust only the tilt angle of the display device  1 , a substantial amount of force must be applied to the display device  1  to rotate the two members inside the hinge spring member  12  and adjust the tilt angle of the display device  1  itself. 
   The structure and operation of the second connecting portion will now be described. 
   The second connecting portion is a component formed between the sliding portion  3  and the supporting portion  4 , and includes a first supporting axis  27 , a supporting hinge  15  inserted sequentially in the first supporting axis  27 , a supporting portion  4 , a lower portion of the main link  13 , and a first friction portion  16 . Also, the first friction portion  16  is fixed with respect to the first supporting axis  27 . Furthermore, at least one side thereof contacts the lower surface of the main link  13  and provides force pressing the main link  13  in an upward direction when the main link  13  rotates downward. This also applies to the second friction member  17 . Here, the first friction member  16  and the second friction member  17  are able to provide sufficient restoring force in any direction, when the display device  1  moves upward or downward due to the wound directions being different with respect to the first supporting axis  27 . 
   Also, the first supporting axis  27  is inserted so that is cannot rotate with respect to the supporting hinge  15 . For this, the first supporting axis  27  that is inserted in the supporting hinge  15  may have a portion thereof formed in a non-circular shape. Also, the first supporting axis  27  is fixed with respect to the first friction portion  16 . 
   The contacting region between the supporting portion and the first supporting axis  27  is supported by a first frictional force, and a predetermined second frictional force supports the contacting region between the lower end of the main link  13  and the first supporting axis  27 . Here, the first frictional force is made to be greater than the second frictional force. Therefore, under normal conditions, when an external force is applied to the display device  1  to rotate the main link  13 , the first supporting axis  27  and the lower end of the main link  13  rotate against each other. In this case, the tilt angle of the display device  1  is maintained while the height of the display device  1  is adjusted. Conversely, when a user wishes to change only the height of the main link  13 , that is, only the tilt angle of the main link without maintaining the tilt angle of the display device  1 , a substantial level of force is exerted to rotate the supporting portion  4  against the first supporting axis  27  to change the degree of twist between the supporting portion  4  and the supporting hinge  15 . 
   An elastic member  26  is connected between the second supporting link  19  and the main link  13 , so that when a user pivots the main link  13 , the elastic member  26  exerts a force in a predetermined direction against the main link  13 . Specifically, the auxiliary link  19  is connected at an eccentric disposition to the center of the rotating axis of the main link  13 , so that the elastic member  26  expands and generates elasticity when the main link  13  is rotated. This elasticity is a force for returning the main link  13  and the auxiliary link  19  to their original positions. For example, when the restoring force of the elastic member  26  is applied in a direction in which the main link  13  rises, the deadweight of the display device  1  may be supported by means of the force. 
   Below, the relationship between the supporting portion and the sliding portion will be described in detail. 
     FIG. 4  is a frontal perspective view of a supporting portion according to the present invention, and  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the supporting portion in  FIG. 4  taken along line I-I′. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the supporting portion  4  includes a guide panel  42  forming a frame thereof, a slide panel  41  along which the guide panel  42  moves in an extending direction, and a plate spring  45  for supporting the movement of the slide panel  41  with the guide panel  42  in a fixed state. 
   Also, a guide protrusion  44  is formed on a side of the slide panel  41 , and an extending slot  43  is formed at the location of the guide panel  42  opposite to the guide protrusion  44 . 
   The operation of the supporting portion  4  in the above structure will now be described. First, when a user exerts force on the sliding portion  3  in a downward direction, the slide panel  41  pushes the plate spring  45  to unwind the plate spring  45 . Here, the plate spring  45  provides drag preventing the slide panel  41  from descending, so that the deadweight of the display device  1  can be conveniently raised in an upward direction. Also, friction is applied to the plate spring  45  so that when the slide panel  41  attains a predetermined height, the display device  1  is stably supported. 
   In order for the plate spring  45  to perform the above function, one end of the plate spring  45  is fixed to the guide panel  42 , and the other end is wound at a predetermined curvature and put in contact with the slide panel  41 . 
   Because the guide protrusion  44  is able to move only within the extending slot  43 , the vertical movement of the slide panel  41  is guided by the guide panel  42 . Of course, in order to ensure that the slide panel  41  does not disengage from the top end or bottom end of the guide panel  42 , the top and bottom ends of the guide panel may form a predetermined stopper. 
   The structure of the above display device stand according to the present invention has been sufficiently explained. Below, the operation of the stand according to the present invention will be described. 
     FIGS. 6 through 8  are side views for describing operating modes of a stand according to the present invention, where  FIG. 6  shows an operating mode in which the tilt angle of the display device is maintained while moving the display device vertically. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , when a user applies a relatively weak force to the display device  1 , the sliding portion pivots about the second connecting portion connecting the sliding portion  3  and the supporting portion  4 . Here also, the quadric crank mechanism provided within the sliding portion  3  maintains the tilt angle of the display device  1  in its original position. 
   This operational mode may be used in order to retain the viewing angle at which a user views the display device while moving the display device forward or backward. 
     FIG. 7  shows an operating mode in which a sliding portion moves vertically along a supporting portion. Referring to  FIG. 7 , while the plate spring  45  supports the deadweight of the display device  1 , a user may adjust the height of the display device  1  by raising or lowering the same along an extending direction of the supporting portion  4 . 
   In the case of this operating mode, because the display device  1  and the sliding portion  3  are elevated together, the display device  1  may be adjusted to a height greater than in the related art. 
     FIG. 8  shows an operating mode in which the display device itself is pivoted. Referring to  FIG. 8 , because the two members provided within the hinge spring member  12  are rotated, the angle at which a user views the display device may be tilted. 
   In the case of this operating mode, because the viewing angle of the display device  1  may be adjusted with more precision and accuracy, the viewing angle of the display device can be adjusted to an angle at which the picture is clearest. 
   Each operating mode shown in  FIGS. 6 through 8  may be performed separately or in combination. 
   As described, the height and tilt angle adjustments of the display device according to the present invention allow for a wide range of adjustments, so that the position of the display device can be easily adjusted, providing users with increased convenience. 
   Also, because the structure of the display device is made simple, a wide assortment of operating modes are possible. Thus, the product can be inexpensively manufactured. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.