Abstract:
A monitor having a rotable connection terminal. A monitor body to display an image is coupled to a supporting base with an adjustable link which permits the monitor body to be positioned at various angles relative to the base. The connection terminal is operatively to the monitor body and adapted to receive a second cable which provides an operational signal for the monitor body. The connection terminal is rotatably coupled to one of the base and the monitor body to permit the second cable to be connected to the connection terminal from various angles relative to the base, whereby the position of the second cable may be conveniently located for operation of the monitor according to a mounting orientation of the monitor base, contributing to an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the monitor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-2724, filed Jan. 14, 2004 and Korean Patent Application No. 2004-3935, filed Jan. 19, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a monitor, and more particularly, to a monitor having an improved structure between a base and a connecting terminal to which a cable is connected for transmitting an external signal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, a monitor comprises a monitor body to display an image, and a base to support the monitor body. The monitor displays the image and/or makes a sound based on an external signal received from an external source, wherein the monitor is connected with a predetermined cable to receive the external signal such as a video signal, an audio signal, power, etc., through the cable.  
         [0006]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a conventional monitor  101 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the conventional monitor  101  comprises a base  130  seated on a table  160  ( FIG. 1 ) or mounted to a wall  170  ( FIG. 2 ); a monitor body  110  to display an image; a link  120  linking the base  130  with the monitor body  110 ; a connecting terminal  141  provided in a back of the base  130  and to which a cable  103  is connected for transmitting an external signal; and hinges  111  provided between a lower portion of the link  120  and the base  130  and an upper portion of the link  120  and the monitor body  110  and supporting the monitor body  110  to be rotatable with respect to the base  130 .  
         [0007]     The connecting terminal  141  is connectable with a cable connector  105  provided in an end of the cable  103  and receives the external signal such as a video signal, an audio signal, power, etc.  
         [0008]     In the conventional monitor  101 , the monitor body  110  is rotatable with respect to the base  130  by the hinges  111 , and displays an image or makes a sound based on the external signal received through the connecting terminal  141 .  
         [0009]     However, in the conventional monitor  101 , when the base  130  is mounted to the wall  170  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the connecting terminal  141  is upwardly oriented. Therefore, not only is it inconvenient to connect the cable  103  to the connecting terminal  141 , but also an outer appearance is disfigured because the cable  103  connected to the connecting terminal  141  is upwardly exposed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a monitor in which a cable for transmitting an external signal is conveniently and beautifully connected.  
         [0011]     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a monitor comprising a monitor body to display an image, and a base supporting the monitor body, the monitor further comprising: a link provided between the monitor body and the base and allowing the monitor body to be rotatable with respect to the base; and a terminal assembly comprising a connecting terminal to which a first cable for transmitting an external signal is connected, and a terminal supporter supporting the connecting terminal and rotatably coupled to the base.  
         [0012]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further comprises a base hinge provided between the link and the base and rotatably coupling the link with the base; and a monitor hinge provided between the link and the monitor and rotatably coupling the link with the monitor.  
         [0013]     According to an aspect of the invention, the base is formed with a link housing to accommodate the link.  
         [0014]     According to an aspect of the invention, the terminal assembly is placed in a front of the link housing of the base.  
         [0015]     According to an aspect of the invention, the base is formed with a first cable housing to accommodate at least a part of the first cable.  
         [0016]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further comprises a base bracket to be coupled to the base and an inclined surface so that the base is mounted to the inclined surface.  
         [0017]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further comprises a terminal hinge provided between the terminal assembly and the base, and supporting the terminal assembly to be rotatable to allow the connecting terminal to be oriented frontward or backward with respect to the base.  
         [0018]     According to an aspect of the invention, the terminal hinge comprises a terminal hinge shaft provided in one of the terminal supporter and the base and forming a rotating axis parallel with a rotating axis of the monitor body, and a terminal hinge shaft accommodating part provided in the other one of the terminal supporter and the base and rotatably accommodating the terminal hinge shaft.  
         [0019]     According to an aspect of the invention, the terminal hinge shaft is formed with a second cable through hole through which a second cable connected to the connecting terminal inside the terminal supporter is passed.  
         [0020]     According to another aspect of the present invention, the above and other aspects may be also achieved by providing a monitor comprising a monitor body to display an image, and a base supporting the monitor body, the monitor further comprising: a link provided between the monitor body and the base; a monitor hinge provided between the link and the monitor body and rotatably coupling the link with the monitor body; and a terminal assembly comprising a connecting terminal to which a first cable for transmitting an external signal is connected, and a terminal supporter supporting the connecting terminal and rotatably coupled to one of the link and the monitor hinge.  
         [0021]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor hinge comprises a monitor supporter coupled to the monitor body, and a monitor hinge shaft coupled between the monitor supporter and the link and allowing the monitor supporter to be rotatable with respect to the link.  
         [0022]     According to an aspect of the invention, in an end portion of the link coupled to the monitor hinge shaft is formed a terminal assembly housing to accommodate the terminal assembly.  
         [0023]     According to an aspect of the invention, the terminal assembly is coupled to the monitor hinge shaft and is rotatable about a rotating axis of the monitor hinge shaft.  
         [0024]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor hinge shaft is formed with a second cable through hole through which a second cable connected to the connecting terminal is passed.  
         [0025]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further comprises a base hinge provided between the link and the base and rotatably coupling the link with the base.  
         [0026]     According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further comprises a base bracket to be coupled to the base and an inclined surface so that the base is mounted to the inclined surface.  
         [0027]     Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings of which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a conventional monitor;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the conventional monitor mounted to a wall;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a monitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the monitor of  FIG. 3  adapted to be mounted to an inclined surface;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5A  is a partially exploded perspective view of a base of the monitor of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of a portion of the base shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the monitor of  FIG. 3  shown seated on a horizontal surface;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the monitor of  FIG. 3  shown mounted to an inclined surface;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a monitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the monitor of  FIG. 8  adapted to be mounted to an inclined surface;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a partially exploded perspective view of the monitor of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the monitor of  FIG. 8  shown seated on the horizontal surface; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the monitor of  FIG. 8  shown mounted to the inclined surface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.  
         [0043]     In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3 through 7 , a monitor  1  comprises a monitor body  10  to display an image; a base  30  supporting the monitor body  10 ; a link  20  provided between the monitor body  10  and the base  30  and allowing the monitor body  10  to be rotatable with respect to the base  30 ; and a terminal assembly  40  rotatably coupled to the base  30  and to which a first cable  3  for transmitting an external signal is connectable.  
         [0044]     Further, the monitor  1  comprises a base hinge  21  provided between the link  20  and the base  30  and rotatably coupling the link  20  with the base  30 ; and a monitor hinge  11  provided between the link  20  and the monitor body  10  and rotatably coupling the link  20  with the monitor body  10 . To mount the base  30  to an inclined surface  70 , the monitor  1  further comprises a base bracket  80  for coupling the base  30  and the inclined surface  70 .  
         [0045]     The monitor hinge  11  comprises a monitor supporter  13  integrally coupled to the monitor body  10 , and a monitor hinge shaft  15  coupling the monitor supporter  13  and the link  20  and allowing the monitor body  10  to be rotatable with respect to the link  20 .  
         [0046]     The base hinge  21  comprises a base supporter (not numbered) integrally coupled to the base  30 , and a base hinge shaft  25  coupling the base supporter and the link  20  and allowing the link  20  to be rotatable with respect to the base  30 .  
         [0047]     The base  30  is seatable on a horizontal surface  60  such as a table or mountable to the inclined surface  70  such as a wall. According to an aspect of the invention, the base  30  is formed with a link housing  31  to accommodate the link  20 . Further, the base  30  is formed with a projection holder  33  placed corresponding to a projection  81  (to be described later) of the base bracket  80  to hold the projection  81  of the base bracket  80 . Further, the base  30  is formed with a first cable housing  35  to partially accommodate the first cable  3 .  
         [0048]     The link housing  31  accommodates the link  20  rotatable with respect to the base  30 . Hence, when the monitor  1  according to the present invention is packaged, the link  20  may be accommodated in the link housing  31  of the base  30 , thereby decreasing a volume of the monitor  1  and decreasing a physical distribution cost.  
         [0049]     The first cable housing  35  is formed by recessing a bottom of the base  30  to prevent the bottom of the base  30  from interfering with the first cable  3  when the base  30  is seated on the horizontal surface  60 .  
         [0050]     The base bracket  80  is plate shaped and comprises a plurality of the projections  81  protruding from a surface of the base bracket  80  to be inserted in and held by the projection holders  33  of the base  30 , and a plurality of first coupling holes  83  to mount the base bracket  80  onto the inclined surface  70 , using suitable means, such as, for example, screws  85 . The base bracket  80  may further comprise a second coupling hole (not shown) to be coupled to at least one of the base  30  and the link  20  by a screw (not shown), and it should be appreciated that at least one of the base  30  and the link  20  may be formed with a screw hole (not shown) positioned corresponding to the second coupling hole of the base bracket  80  and to which the screw is coupled.  
         [0051]     The terminal assembly  40  comprises a connecting terminal  41  to which the first cable  3  for transmitting the external signal is connected, and a terminal supporter  43  supporting the connecting terminal  41  and rotatably coupled to the base  30 . A terminal hinge  50  is provided between the terminal assembly  40  and the base  30 , supporting the terminal assembly  40  to be rotatable through an angle of at least 180 degrees, thereby allowing the connecting terminal  41  to be oriented at various angles including frontward and backward with respect to the base  30 . For example, the terminal assembly  40  may be oriented to face toward the first cable housing  35  as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6  or oriented to face away from the first cable housing  35  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The terminal assembly  40  may be placed in a front of the link housing  31  of the base  30  as shown in  FIG. 5A . Alternatively, the terminal assembly  40  may be placed in a rear of the link housing  31  of the base  30  and rotatably coupled to the base  30 .  
         [0052]     The connecting terminal  41  is detachably connectable with the first cable  3  to receive the external signal such as a video signal, an audio signal, power, etc. The connecting terminal  41  may be detachably connectable via a cable connector  5  provided in an end of the first cable  3 , and is plurally provided to be connectable with a plurality of cable connectors  5 .  
         [0053]     The terminal supporter  43  supports the connecting terminal  41  and is rotatably coupled to a front of the link housing  31  so as to be rotatable with respect to the base  30 . That is, the terminal supporter  43  is coupled to the connecting terminal  41  by a screw or the like to support the connecting terminal  41 . The terminal supporter  43  accommodates a second cable  45  inwardly connected to the connecting terminal  41 .  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the terminal hinge  50  comprises a terminal hinge shaft  51  provided in one of the terminal supporter  43  and the base  30  and having a rotating axis parallel with a rotating axis of the monitor body  10 , and a terminal hinge shaft accommodating part  55  provided in the other one of the terminal supporter  43  and the base  30  and rotatably accommodating the terminal hinge shaft  51 . In the first embodiment, the terminal hinge shaft  51  is integrally provided in opposite sides of the terminal supporter  43 , and the terminal hinge shaft accommodating part  55  is provided in the base  30  to accommodate the terminal hinge shaft  51 .  
         [0055]     The terminal hinge shaft  51  may be formed with a second cable through hole  53  through which the second cable  45  may be passed and connected to the connecting terminal  41  inside the terminal supporter  43 .  
         [0056]     The second cable through hole  53  may be formed on the center of the terminal hinge shaft  51 , allowing the second cable  45  to connect the connecting terminal  41  with the monitor body  10  via the base  30 .  
         [0057]     With the configuration described with respect to  FIGS. 3-7 , the monitor  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is operated as follows.  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , in a case of seating the monitor  1  on the horizontal surface  60 , the terminal assembly  40  is rotated with respect to the base  30  to orient the connecting terminal  41  backward, that is, toward the first cable housing  35 . Then, the first cable  3  is partially accommodated in the first cable housing  35  of the base  30 , and the cable connector  5  provided in the end of the first cable  3  is connected to the connecting terminal  41 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , in the case of mounting the monitor  1  on the inclined surface  70 , the base bracket  80  is mounted to the inclined surface  70 , and the projection holders  33  of the base  30  are coupled to the projections  81  of the base bracket  80 . The terminal assembly  40  is rotated with respect to the base  30  to orient the connecting terminal  41  downward, that is, away from the first cable housing  35 . Then, the cable connector  5  provided in the end of the first cable  3  is connected to the connecting terminal  41  oriented downward, thereby preventing the first cable  3  from being upwardly exposed from the monitor body  10  even if the monitor  10  is tilted.  
         [0060]     Thus, in the monitor according to the present invention, when the base is mounted to the inclined wall, the cable is not only conveniently connected because the terminal assembly connected to the cable is rotatably coupled to the base, but is also beautifully connected because the cable is prevented from being upwardly exposed from the monitor body.  
         [0061]     In a second embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIGS. 8 through 12 , a monitor  201  comprises a monitor body  210  to display an image; a base  230  supporting the monitor body  210 ; a link  220  provided between the monitor body  210  and the base  230 ; a monitor hinge  211  provided between the link  220  and the monitor body  210  and rotatably coupling the link  220  with the monitor body  210 ; and a terminal assembly  240  rotatably coupled to one of the link  220  and the monitor hinge  211  and to which a first cable  203  for transmitting an external signal is connected.  
         [0062]     Further, the monitor  201  comprises a base hinge  221  provided between the link  220  and the base  230  and rotatably coupling the link  220  with the base  230 . To mount the base  230  to an inclined surface  270 , the monitor  201  further comprises a base bracket  250  which may be coupled to the base  230  and the inclined surface  270 .  
         [0063]     The monitor body  210  may comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), or the like which is relatively light weight and is adaptable to manufacture as a large sized screen.  
         [0064]     The monitor hinge  211  comprises a monitor supporter  213  integrally coupled to the monitor body  210 , and a monitor hinge shaft  215  coupled between the monitor supporter  213  and the link  220 , allowing the monitor body  210  to be rotatble with respect to the link  220 .  
         [0065]     A pair of monitor supporters  213  is provided and each monitor supporter  213  has a first side coupled to the monitor body  210  and a second side coupled to one of opposite sides of the link  220 .  
         [0066]     The monitor hinge shaft  215  has a first end integrally coupled to the monitor supporter  213  and a second end rotatably inserted in the link  220 . That is, the first ends of the monitor hinge shafts  215  are fitted in the pair of monitor supporter  213  and rotate integrally with the monitor supporter  213 . Further, the second end of each monitor hinge shaft  215  is rotatably inserted in a hinge shaft coupling part  227  provided in a first portion  220   a  of the link  220  and is rotated by a predetermined pressing force. Thus, the monitor body  210  is rotatable about the monitor hinge shaft  215  with respect to the link  220  by the pressing force. Here, such pressing force is easily given by a general user to tilt the monitor body  210 .  
         [0067]     The base hinge  221  comprises a base supporter (not shown) integrally coupled to the base  230 , and a base hinge shaft  225  coupled between the base supporter and the link  220  and allowing the link  220  to be rotatable with respect to the base  230 .  
         [0068]     The link  220  comprises a pair of first portions  220   a  coupled to the monitor hinge shaft  215 , and a second portion  220   b  coupled to the base hinge shaft  225 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first portion  220   a  is upwardly extended from an upper opposite part of the link  220 . Further, the first portion  220   a  is formed with the hinge shaft coupling part  227  to which the monitor hinge shaft  215  is inserted and coupled. Further, between the pair of first portions  220   a  is formed a terminal assembly housing  228  in which the terminal assembly  240  is rotatably accommodated.  
         [0069]     The base  230  is seatable on a horizontal surface  260 , such as a table, or mountable to the inclined surface  270 , such as a wall. According to an aspect of the invention, the base  230  is formed with a link housing  231  to accommodate the link  220 . Further, the base  230  is formed with a projection holder  233  placed corresponding to a projection  251  of the base bracket  250  to hold the projection  251  of the base bracket  250 .  
         [0070]     The link housing  231  accommodates the link  220  rotatable with respect to the base  230 . Hence, when the monitor  201  according to the present invention is packaged, the link  220  may be accommodated in the link housing  231  of the base  230 , thereby decreasing the volume of the monitor  201  and decreasing a physical distribution cost.  
         [0071]     The base bracket  250  is shaped like a plate and comprises the plurality of projections  251  protruding from a surface of the base bracket  250  to be inserted in and held by the projection holders  233  of the base  230 , and a plurality of first coupling holes  253  to mount the base bracket  250  onto the inclined surface  270  by suitable elements/techniques, such as for example, screws  255 . The base bracket  250  may further comprise a second coupling hole (not shown) to be coupled to at least one of the base  230  and the link  220  by a screw (not shown), and it should be appreciated that at least one of the base  230  and the link  220  may be formed with a screw hole (not shown) positioned corresponding to the second coupling hole of the base bracket  250  and to which the screw (not shown) is coupled.  
         [0072]     The terminal assembly  240  comprises a connecting terminal  241  to which the first cable  203  for transmitting the external signal is connectable, and a terminal supporter  243  supporting the connecting terminal  241  and rotatably coupled to at least one of the link  220  and the monitor hinge  211 . In the second embodiment, the terminal assembly  240  is rotatably coupled to the monitor hinge shaft  215  of the monitor hinge  211 , but it should be appreciated that the terminal assembly  240  may be accommodated in the terminal assembly housing  228  of the link  220  and rotatably coupled to the pair of first portions  220   a  of the link  220 . That is, the terminal assembly  240  is rotatably coupled not to the monitor hinge shaft  215  but to the pair of first portions  220   a . Further, according to an aspect of the invention, the terminal assembly  240  is rotatably coupled to the second end of the monitor hinge shaft  215 , but may be rotatably coupled to a terminal hinge projection (not shown) separately protruding from the second end of the monitor hinge shaft  215  toward the terminal assembly  240 .  
         [0073]     The connecting terminal  241  is detachably connectable with the first cable  203  to receive the external signal such as a video signal, an audio signal, power, etc. The connecting terminal  241  may be detachably connected with a cable connector  205  provided in an end of the first cable  203 , and is provided to be connected with a plurality of cable connectors  205 .  
         [0074]     The terminal supporter  243  supports the connecting terminal  241  and is formed with a shaft accommodating part  246  to be rotatably coupled to the monitor hinge shaft  215 , being accommodated in the terminal assembly housing  228 . That is, the terminal supporter  243  is coupled to the connecting terminal  241  by a screw or the like to support the connecting terminal  241 , and accommodates a second cable  245  inwardly connected to the connecting terminal  241 . Thus, the terminal supporter  243  is rotatable about a rotating axis of the monitor hinge shaft  215 .  
         [0075]     The shaft accommodating parts  246  are formed on opposite sides of the terminal supporter  243  to accommodate the pair of the monitor hinge shafts  215 , respectively. Further, the monitor hinge shaft  215  is formed with a second cable through hole  217  through which the second cable  245  connected to the connecting terminal  241  inside the terminal supporter  243  is passed.  
         [0076]     The second cable through hole  217  is formed on the center of the monitor hinge shaft  215  and allows the second cable  245  to connect the connecting terminal  241  with the monitor body  210  via the link  220 .  
         [0077]     With this configuration, the monitor  210  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated as follows.  
         [0078]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 , in a case of seating the monitor  201  on the horizontal surface  260 , the terminal assembly  240  is rotated about the monitor hinge shaft  215  to orient the connecting terminal  241  backward, that is, away from the monitor body  210 . Then, the cable connector  205  provided at the end of the first cable  203  is connected to the connecting terminal  241 . The terminal assembly  240  is rotatable through an angle of at least 180 degrees.  
         [0079]     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 , in a case of mounting the monitor  201  on the inclined surface  270 , the base bracket  250  is mounted to the inclined surface  270 , and the projection holders  233  of the base  230  are coupled to the projections  251  of the base bracket  250 . The terminal assembly  40  is rotated about the monitor hinge shaft  215  to orient the connecting terminal  241  downward. The cable connector  205  provided in the end of the first cable  203  is connected to the connecting terminal  241  oriented downward, thereby preventing the first cable  203  from being upwardly exposed from the monitor body  210  even if the monitor  210  is tilted.  
         [0080]     Thus, in the monitor  1  or  201  according to the embodiments of present invention, when the base is mounted to the inclined wall, the cable is not only conveniently connected because the terminal assembly connected to the cable is rotatably coupled to the monitor hinge or the link, but is also beautifully connected because the cable is prevented from being upwardly exposed from the monitor body.  
         [0081]     As described above, the present invention provides a monitor in which a cable for transmitting an external signal is conveniently and beautifully connected.  
         [0082]     Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.