Abstract:
An exemplary frame ( 100 ) includes a number of frame extensions ( 11 ), a number of side-frames ( 13 ), a number of extension holders ( 16 ), and a number of fastening members ( 17 ). The side-frames are arranged alternately with the frame extensions such that the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other end-to-end. The extension holders are positioned where the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other. The fastening members attach the extension holders to the abutted frame extensions and side-frames so as to fasten the abutted frame extensions and side-frames together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a backlight module frame typically used in a liquid crystal display device. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A typical liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display panel, and a backlight module mounted under the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight module supplies light to the liquid crystal display panel, and mainly comprises a light source, a light guide plate, and a frame. The light guide plate is made of a transparent acrylic plastic. The light guide plate is used for guiding light received from the light source, and thus uniformly illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. The frame is usually made of metal, and is used for providing high mechanical strength that protects the light guide plate and the light source. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a typical frame  10  is shown. The frame  10  is substantially rectangular in shape. The frame  10  is integrally manufactured as a single piece by punching a metal sheet. A middle portion of the metal sheet is cut out to house other optical elements. However, this is disadvantageous because the leftover portion of the metal sheet cut out is not used and is wasted. That is, the leftover portion is too small and cannot be used for punching smaller frames. Unused, wasted leftover portions increase the cost of production. In addition, if the frame is large, a larger punch is required, a larger leftover portion is wasted, and the cost of production is correspondingly higher. 
         [0006]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , another kind of frame  20  includes two frame extensions  201  and two side-frames  203 . Each of the frame extensions  201  and the side-frames  203  may be produced by punching a single piece of metal sheet. Each of the frame extensions  201  is substantially an elongated flat thin sheet with a rim perpendicularly extending along an outer edge. Each of the side-frames  203  is also substantially a flat thin sheet with a rim perpendicularly extending along an outer edge. Each side-frame  203  forms two corresponding corners of the frame  20 , and has a generally C-shaped structure. Referring also to  FIG. 8 , one of the side-frames  203  is fastened with the frame extensions  201  by welding. In the same way, the other side-frame  203  is fastened with the frame extensions  201  by welding to form a single body. 
         [0007]    In the above-described frame  20 , a welding surface  205  where each frame extension  201  adjoins each side-frame  203  is small, because each frame extension  201  and each side-frame  203  is a thin sheet. Thus, a strength of each joint between the frame extension  201  and the side-frame  203  is weak. In addition, if the frame  20  is subjected to stress, the stress is liable to accumulate in and around each welding surface  205 . When this happens, the frame  20  may easily deform. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a new frame is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A frame includes a number of frame extensions, a number of side-frames, a number of extension holders, and a number of fastening members. The side-frames are arranged alternately with the frame extensions such that the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other end-to-end. The extension holders are positioned where the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other. The fastening members attach the extension holders to the abutted frame extensions and side-frames so as to fasten the abutted frame extensions and side-frames together. 
         [0010]    Another frame includes a number of frame extensions, a number of side-frames, and a number of extension holders. The side-frames are arranged alternately with the frame extensions such that the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other end-to-end. The extension holders are positioned where the side-frames and the frame extensions abut each other. Each extension holder is attached to the corresponding abutting frame extension and side-frame by welding so as to fasten the corresponding abutting frame extension and side-frame together. 
         [0011]    Other novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present frame. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and all the views are schematic. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a frame in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a circled portion  11  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of part of a frame in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of part of a frame in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of part of a frame in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a conventional frame. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of another conventional frame, showing the frame partly assembled. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a circled portion VII of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  shows a frame  100  for a backlight module according to a first preferred embodiment. The frame  100  includes two frame extensions  11 , two side-frames  13 , four extension holders  16 , and sixteen fastening members  17 . The frame extensions  11 , the side-frames  13 , and the extension holders  16  may be produced together by punching a single piece of metal sheet. 
         [0022]    Each of the frame extensions  11  is substantially an elongated flat thin sheet with a rim perpendicularly extending along an outer edge. A frame through hole  181  is defined at each end of the frame extensions  11 , and a rim through hole  183  is defined at each end of the rims. In the preferred embodiment, each of the rim through holes  183  is threaded. The frame extensions  11  are configured to be symmetrical to each other. 
         [0023]    Each of the side-frames  13  is substantially a flat thin sheet with a rim perpendicularly extending along an outer edge. Each of the side-frames  13  forms two corresponding corners of the frame  100 , and has a generally C-shaped structure. A frame through hole  181  is defined at each end of the side-frames  13 , and a rim through hole  183  is defined at each end of the rims. In the preferred embodiment, each of the rim through holes  183  is threaded. The side-frames  13  are configured to be symmetrical to each other. 
         [0024]    The material of the extension holder  16  can be selected from the group consisting of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and any suitable alloy thereof. A shape of each extension holder  16  corresponds to either of the frame extension  11  and the side-frame  13 . Each of the extension holders  16  is substantially a flat thin sheet with a rim perpendicularly extending along an outer edge. Each extension holder  16  defines a pair of holder through holes  161 , and a pair of rim through holes  163 . In the preferred embodiment, each of the holder through holes  161  is threaded. A shape of the holder through holes  161  of each extension holder  16  corresponds to the frame through hole  181 . A shape of the rim through holes  163  corresponds to the rim through holes  183 . 
         [0025]    Each fastening member  17  is typically a screw. One of the fastening members  17  is configured for engaging in one of the rim through holes  163  of the extension holder  16  and the rim through hole  183  of the frame extension  11  correspondingly. Another one of the fastening members  17  is configured for engaging in the other rim through hole  163  of the extension holder  16  and the rim through hole  183  of the side-frame  13  correspondingly. A further one of the fastening members  17  is configured for engaging in the frame through hole  181  of the frame extension  11  and one of the holder through holes  161  of the extension holder  16  correspondingly. A still further one of the fastening members  17  is configured for engaging in the frame through hole  181  of the side-frame  13  and the other holder through hole  161  of the extension holder  16  correspondingly. Thus, the extension holder  16  is attached to the abutted frame extension  11  and the side-frame  13 , so as to fasten the frame extension  11  and the side-frame  13  together. 
         [0026]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , in assembly, a first end of one of the frame extensions  11  abuts against a first end of one of the side-frames  13 . The rim through holes  163  of one of the extension holders  16  align with the rim through holes  183  of the frame extension  11  and of the side-frame  13  correspondingly. The holder through holes  161  of one of the extension holders  16  align with the frame through holes  181  of the frame extension  11  and of the side-frame  13  correspondingly. One fastening member  17  passes through one of the rim through holes  163  of the extension holder  16 , and is screwed into the rim through hole  183  of the frame extension  11  correspondingly. Another fastening member  17  passes through the other rim through hole  163  of the extension holder  16 , and is screwed into the rim through hole  183  of the side-frame  13  correspondingly. A further fastening member  17  passes through the frame through hole  181  of the frame extension  11 , and is screwed into one of the holder through holes  161  of the extension holder  16  correspondingly. A still further fastening member  17  passes through the frame through hole  181  of the side-frame  13 , and is screwed into the other holder through hole  161  of the extension holder  16  correspondingly. The frame extension  11  and the side-frame  13  are thus fastened into position via the extension holder  16 . In the same way, the frame extension  11  and the other side-frame  13  are fastened into position via another one of the extension holders  16 . Likewise, the other frame extension  11  and the side-frames  13  are fastened into position via the other extension holders  16 . Thus, the frame  100  is assembled into a whole. 
         [0027]    In the frame  100 , abutted frame extensions  11  and the side-frames  13  are fastened by extension holders  16  and fastening members  17 . The extension holders  16  increase an interactional surface when the frame extensions  11  are fastened with the side-frames  13 , therefore increasing strengths of the joints where the frame extensions  11  and the side-frames  13  are fastened together. In addition, the extension holders  16  distribute the stress to the interactional surfaces of the two frame extensions  11  and the side-frames  13  when the frame  100  is subjected to stress, thereby reducing the stress of the joints where the frame extensions  11  and the side-frames  13  are fastened together. This avoids deformation of the frame  100 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a frame  200  according to a second embodiment is shown. The frame  200  is similar in principle to the frame  100  described previously, except that each of the fastening members  27  consists of a screw  271  and a screw cap  273  that is configured to engage with the screw  271 . Each of extension holders  26  defines a pairs of holder through holes  261 , and a rim of the extension holder  26  defines a pair of rim through holes  263 . Each end of frame extensions  21  and each end of side-frames  23  defines a frame through hole  281  and a rim through hole  283 . A first screw  271  passes through one of the rim through holes  263  of the extension holder  26  and the rim through hole  283  of the frame extension  21  correspondingly, and is engaged with a first screw cap  273 . A second screw  271  passes through the other rim through hole  263  of the extension holder  26  and the rim through hole  283  of the side-frame  23  correspondingly, and is engaged with a second screw cap  273 . A third screw  271  passes through the frame through hole  281  of the frame extension  21  and one of the holder through holes  261  of the extension holder  26  correspondingly, and is engaged with a third screw cap  273 . A fourth screw  271  passes through the frame through hole  281  of the side-frame  23  and the other holder through hole  261  of the extension holder  26  correspondingly, and is engaged with a fourth screw cap  273 . The frame extensions  21  and the side-frames  23  are thus fastened into position via the extension holders  26 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a frame  300  according to a third embodiment is shown. Each of extension holders  36  defines a pairs of holder through holes  361 , and a rim of the extension holder  36  defines a pair of rim through holes  363 . Each end of frame extensions  31  and each end of side-frames  33  defines a frame through hole  381  and a rim through hole  383 . The frame  300  is similar in principle to the frame  200  described previously, except that each fastening member  37  is a rivet. Each fastening member  37  is engaged with one of the through holes  361 / 363  of the extension holder  36 , and the through hole  381 / 383  of the frame extension  31  or the side-frame  33  correspondingly. Thus, the frame extensions  31  and the side-frames  33  are fastened into position via the extension holders  36 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a frame  400  according to a third embodiment is shown. The frame  400  is similar in principle to the frame  100  described previously, except that each extension holder  46  includes a plurality of welding spots  47 . The extension holder  46  is attached to the corresponding abutted frame extension  41  and side-frame  43  by welding, such that the frame extension  41  and the side-frame  43  are fastened together. 
         [0031]    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 and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.