Abstract:
A waterproof panel frame structure comprises a front housing and a panel supporter. The front housing and the panel supporter are matched with each other to form conjunctive slants at right and left sides which slant inward and to form conjunctive slants at upper and down sides which slant downward. The front housing and the panel supporter comprise a groove and a ridge matched with each other and disposed at the conjunctive position between the front housing and the panel supporter for keeping water or liquid from infiltrating under atmosphere pressure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention is related to a waterproof panel frame structure comprising a front housing and a panel supporter. The front housing and the panel supporter are matched with each other to form conjunctive slants at right and left sides of the panel frame which slant inward and conjunctive slants at upper and down sides of the panel frame which slant downward. The front housing and the panel supporter comprise a groove and a ridge matched with each other and disposed at the conjunctive position between the front housing and the panel supporter. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The known waterproof structure for 3C electronic products all are suitable for being used under atmosphere pressure, some of them only provide waterproof function, and some of them provide anti-dust functions and even shockproof functions. 
         [0005]    For example, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0245452 A1, entitled “Weatherproofing Apparatus and Method for Cameras and Video Recorders,’ discloses a waterproof apparatus having a groove and a ridge snapped and matched with each other so as to achieve the function of waterproofing. However, the disclosed waterproof apparatus can not be waterproofed for a long time, and there is still possibility of water infiltration. 
         [0006]    Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,175, entitled “Children&#39;s waterproof, safety picture frame,’ discloses a picture frame capable of keeping the humidity in air or water in normal condition from infiltrating. However, a sealant and precise tolerance are necessary for achieving the waterproof function, so the manufacturing processes will be complex and costly. 
         [0007]    Further, Taiwan utility model patent application No. 97212449 discloses a sealed waterproof structure, which uses a rectangular loop structure and a snapping-locking structure for providing sealing, anti-dust, waterproof, and shockproof functions. However, the disclosed structure also need to have elastic sealing material, such as rubber, for sealing, anti-dust and shockproof, and the manufacturing processes will be complex and costly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is a object of the present invention to provide a waterproof structure which can be manufactured without complex processes, is low in cost and simple in structure, and is able to keep water or liquid from infiltrating under atmosphere pressure. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a waterproof panel frame structure for a flat panel display comprising a display panel, a support frame, a front housing, a panel supporter, and a protective cover. The support frame is disposed to surround the display panel so as to fix the display panel. The front housing is disposed on the outer of the waterproof panel frame structure. The panel supporter is sandwiched between the front housing and the support frame, securely fixed to the front housing, and snapped with the support frame. The front housing and the panel supporter are matched with each other to form conjunctive slants at right and left sides of panel frame which slant inward and conjunctive slants at upper and down sides of panel frame which slant downward. The front housing and the panel supporter comprise a groove and a ridge matched with each other and disposed at the conjunctive position between the front housing and the panel supporter. The protective cover is closely attached to the display panel and securely fixed to the panel supporter. 
         [0010]    Further, the groove and the ridge are disposed on the conjunctive slants of the front housing and the panel supporter, and closely matched with each other. 
         [0011]    Further, the groove and the ridge are disposed on the conjunctive slants of the front housing and the panel supporter and on planes behind the conjunctive slants. 
         [0012]    Further, the groove and the ridge are in the shape of a closely-matched convex and concave. 
         [0013]    Still further, the groove and the ridge are closely-matched zigzag in shape. 
         [0014]    The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged top cross-sectional view of the waterproof panel frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an upper enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a lower enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged top cross-sectional view of the waterproof panel frame structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an upper enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a lower enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged top cross-sectional view of the waterproof panel frame structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is an upper enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a lower enlarged side cross-sectional view of a waterproof panel frame structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , a waterproof panel frame structure  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, and comprises a display panel  10 , a support frame  11 , a protective cover  12 , a front housing  160  and a panel supporter  150 . The support frame  11  is disposed to surround the display panel  10  so as to fix the display panel  10 . The protective cover  12  is disposed in front of the waterproof panel frame structure  1 . The front housing  160  is disposed on the both sides of the waterproof panel frame structure  1 . The panel supporter  150  is sandwiched between the front housing  160  and the support frame  11 , securely fixed to the front housing  160  by means of fixing screws  14 , and snapped with the support frame  11 . An S-shaped conjunctive slant  200  is formed at the conjunction between the front housing  160  and the panel supporter  150 , which are coupled to each other via a ridge  500  matching with a coupling groove  800 , a groove  600  matching with a coupling ridge  700  and a coupling plane  300 . The front housing  160  comprises a front housing right portion  16 , a front housing left portion  18 , a front housing upper portion  1601  and a front housing lower portion  1602 . The panel supporter  150  also comprises a panel right supporter  15 , a panel left supporter  17 , a panel upper supporter  1603 , and a panel lower supporter  1604 . 
         [0031]    The panel right supporter  15  comprises the continuous ridge  500  and the continuous groove  600  along by the conjunctive slant  200 . The ridge  500  and the panel right supporter  15  are formed at an acute angle so as to form a first waterproof convex  152  and a first waterproof reservoir  151 . The groove  600  is formed as a third waterproof reservoir  156 . A second waterproof reservoir  154  and a first turning angle  155  are formed between the ridge  500  and the groove  600 . A second turning angle  157  is formed between the groove  600  and the coupling plane  300 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through an assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water flows along the conjunctive slant  200 . The flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the first reservoir  151  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then turned to the first waterproof convex  152 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the first waterproof convex  152  until the infiltrating water accumulates to certain volume and then flows over the first waterproof convex  152 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by a second reservoir  154  and the first turning angle  155 . Then, if the flow of the infiltrating water further flows, it will be blocked by the continuous groove  600  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume. Then, before the flow of the infiltrating water or liquid flows to the coupling plane  300 , it will be blocked by the third waterproof reservoir  156  and the second turning angle  157 . In addition, the front housing right portion  16  is also provided with a groove  1605  and a ridge  1608  correspondent to the ridge  500  and the groove  600  of the panel right supporter  15 , and is further provided with a first turning angle  1606  and the second turning angle  1607  disposed between the groove  1605  and the ridge  1608  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The panel left supporter  17  and the front housing left portion  18  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , the panel upper supporter  1603  comprises the continuous ridge  500  and the continuous groove  600  along an extension slant  400 . The ridge  500  is matched with the panel upper supporter  1603  at an acute angle so as to form a waterproof convex  16033  and a waterproof wall  16032  as well as an upper drain surface  16031  in front. The groove  600 , therefore, is used to form a second reservoir  16036 . A first reservoir  16034  and a first turning angle  16035  are formed between the ridge  500  and the groove  600 . A second turning angle  16037  is formed between the groove  600  and the coupling plane  300 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through an assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water drains down away from the upper drain surface  16031 . If the infiltrating water flows over the waterproof convex  16033 , it will be blocked by the first reservoir  16034  and the first turning angle  16035  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then turned to the second reservoir  16036 . In addition, the front housing upper portion  1601  also comprises a groove  1605  and a ridge  1608  correspondent to the ridge  500  and the groove  600  of the panel upper supporter  1603 , and further comprises a first turning angle  1606 , a second turning angle  1607 , and a third turning angle  1609  disposed between the groove  1605  and the ridge  1608  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The front housing lower portion  1602  and the panel lower supporter  1604  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore, and the only difference is that the coupling plane  300  is disposed on the lower right side of the extension slant  400 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 , a waterproof panel frame structure  2  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, and comprises a display panel  10 , a support frame  11 , a protective cover  12 , a front housing  260  and a panel supporter  250 . The display panel  10 , the support frame  11 , the protective cover  12 , the front housing  260  and the panel supporter  250  are assembled in the way similar to that described in the first embodiment, and, for purposes of brevity and clarity, the assembling position thereof will not be repetitively described. 
         [0034]    The panel right supporter  25  comprises the continuous ridge  500  and a vertical ridge  502  along by the conjunctive slant  200 . The ridge  500  and the panel right supporter  25  are formed in an acute angle so as to form a first waterproof convex  253 , a waterproof wall  252  and a waterproof reservoir  251 . The vertical ridge  502  is used to form a second waterproof convex  256 . A second turning angle  255  and a first turning angle  254  are formed between the ridge  500  and the vertical ridge  502 , and a third turning angle  257  is formed between the vertical ridge  502  and the coupling plane  300 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through the assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water flows along the conjunctive slant  200 . The flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the reservoir  251  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then turned to the waterproof wall  252 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the first waterproof convex  253  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then flows over the first waterproof convex  253 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will tarry at the second turning angle  255  and the first turning angle  254 . If the flow of the infiltrating water flows further, the flow will be blocked by the second waterproof convex  256  and then flows over the second waterproof convex  256  to the coupling plane  300 . In addition, the front housing  260  is also provided with a groove  600  and a horizontal groove  601  correspondent to the ridge  500  and the vertical ridge  502  of the panel right supporter  25 , and is further provided with a first turning angle  2606 , a second turning angle  2607 , and a third turning angle  2608  disposed between the groove  600  and the horizontal groove  601  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The panel left supporter  27  and the front housing left portion  28  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10 , the panel upper supporter  2603  comprises the continuous ridge  500  and a horizontal ridge  501  along an extension slant  400 . The ridge  500  is matched with the panel upper supporter  2603  at an acute angle so as to form a waterproof wall  26032  and a waterproof convex  26033  as well as an upper drain surface  26031  in front. The horizontal ridge  501  is used to form a second waterproof convex  26036 . A first turning angle  26034  and a second turning angle  26035  are formed between the ridge  500  and the horizontal ridge  501 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through an assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water drains down away from the upper drain surface  26031 . If the infiltrating water flows over the waterproof convex  26033 , it will be blocked by the waterproof wall  26032  and the waterproof convex  26033  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume, and then flows and tarries at the position between the first turning angle  26034  and the second turning angle  26035  and is blocked by the second waterproof convex  26036 . In addition, the front housing upper portion  2601  also comprises a groove  600  and a horizontal groove  601  correspondent to the ridge  500  and the horizontal ridge  501  of the panel upper supporter  2603 , and further comprises a first turning angle  2606  and a second turning angle  2607  disposed between the groove  600  and the horizontal groove  601  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The front housing lower portion  2602  and the panel lower supporter  2604  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore, and the only difference is that the panel lower supporter  2604  comprises the groove  600  and the horizontal groove  601 , and the front housing lower portion  2602  comprises correspondingly the ridge  500  and the horizontal ridge  501 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a waterproof panel frame structure  3  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, and comprises a display panel  10 , a support frame  11 , a protective cover  12 , a front housing  360  and a panel supporter  350 . The display panel  10 , the support frame  11 , the protective cover  12 , the front housing  360  and the panel supporter  350  are assembled in the way similar to that described in the first embodiment, and, for purposes of brevity and clarity, the assembling position thereof will not be repetitively described. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , the panel right supporter  35  comprises a continuous forked ridge  550  and a continuous vertical forked ridge  552 , which both are zigzag in shape, along by the conjunctive slant  200 . The forked ridge  550  and the panel right supporter  35  are formed in an acute angle so as to form a first waterproof convex  352  and a waterproof reservoir  351  as well as a second waterproof convex  354  and a second waterproof reservoir  353  at a slightly upper position. The vertical forked ridge  552  is used to form a third waterproof convex  355  and a third waterproof reservoir  356  as well as a fourth waterproof convex  357  at a slightly upper position. A second turning angle  359  and a first turning angle  358  are formed between the forked ridge  550  and the vertical forked ridge  552 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through the assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water flows along the conjunctive slant  200 . The flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the reservoir  351  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then turned to the waterproof convex  352 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the waterproof convex  352  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume and then flows over the waterproof convex  352 . Then, the flow of the infiltrating water will be blocked by the second waterproof reservoir  353  and the second waterproof convex  354  before the flow tarries at the position between the first turning angle  358  and the second turning angle  359 . If the flow of the infiltrating water flows further, the flow will be blocked by the third waterproof convex  355 , the third waterproof reservoir  356 , and the fourth waterproof convex  357  of the horizontal ridge  650  before the flow reaches the coupling plane  300 . In addition, the front housing right portion  36  is also provided with a groove  660  and a horizontal groove  670  correspondent to the forked ridge  550  and the vertical forked ridge  552  of the panel right supporter  35 , and is further provided with a first turning angle  3606 , a second turning angle  3607 , a third turning angle  3608 , a fourth turning angle  3609 , a fifth turning angle  3610 , a sixth turning angle  3611 , and a seventh turning angle  3612  disposed between the groove  660  and the horizontal groove  670  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The panel left supporter  37  and the front housing left portion  38  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 , the panel upper supporter  3603  comprises the forked ridge  550  and a horizontal ridge  650  along an extension slant  400 . The forked ridge  550  is matched with the panel upper supporter  3603  at an acute angle so as to form a waterproof wall  36032  and a waterproof convex  36033  as well as a second waterproof convex  36035  and a first turning angle  36034  at the slightly upper position of the waterproof wall  36032 . An upper drain surface  36031  is formed at the front of the waterproof wall  36032 . The horizontal ridge  650  is used to form a third waterproof convex  36037 , a fourth waterproof convex  36038 , and a fourth turning angle  36040 . A second turning angle  36036  and a third turning angle  36039  are formed between the forked ridge  550  and the horizontal ridge  650 . As such, when water or liquid spills and infiltrates through an assembling gap  900 , the infiltrating water drains down away from the upper drain surface  36031 . If the infiltrating water flows over the waterproof convex  36033 , it will be blocked by the waterproof wall  36032  and the waterproof convex  36033  until the infiltrating waster accumulates to certain volume, and then flows over the second waterproof convex  36035 , tarries at the position between the second turning angle  36036  and the third turning angle  36039  and is blocked by the third waterproof convex  36037  and the fourth waterproof convex  36038 . In addition, the front housing upper portion  3601  also comprises a groove  660  and a horizontal groove  670  correspondent to the forked ridge  550  and the horizontal ridge  650  of the panel upper supporter  3603 , and further comprises a first turning angle  3606 , a second turning angle  3607 , a third turning angle  3608 , a fourth turning angle  3609 , a fifth turning angle  3610 , a sixth turning angle  3611 , and a seven turning angle  3612  disposed between the groove  660  and the horizontal groove  670  so as to form the small and twisty assembling gap  900  for guiding and blocking the infiltrating water. The front housing lower portion  3602  and the panel lower supporter  3604  are matched with each other in the way similar to that described hereinbefore, and the only difference is that the front housing lower portion  3602  comprises the forked ridge  550  and the horizontal groove  670 , and the panel lower supporter  3604  comprises correspondingly the groove  660  and the horizontal ridge  650 . 
         [0039]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.