Abstract:
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes two opposite first side walls, and each first side wall includes at least one slideway defined therein. The second frame includes two opposite second side walls, and the second side walls respectively correspond to the first side walls. Each second wall includes at least one strip provided thereat. The first strips of the second frame are slidable along the corresponding first slideways such that the first frame and the second frame are detachably engaged together.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) that includes at least two frames slidably assembled together. 
   GENERAL BACKGROUND 
   Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, not only because they provide good quality images but also because they are very thin. A typical liquid crystal display includes a two-part housing; that is, a plastic frame and a metal frame attached together. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , a typical liquid crystal display  8  includes a top bezel  80 , a liquid crystal panel  81 , a plastic frame  82 , a brightness enhancement film (BEF)  83 , a diffusing film  84 , a light guide plate (LGP)  85 , a reflective film  86 , and a bottom tray  87 , arranged in that order from top to bottom. The liquid crystal display  8  further includes a linear light source  88  disposed adjacent to the light guide plate  85 . 
   The top bezel  80  includes a plurality of first notches  802  respectively defined in each of four vertical side plates (not labeled) thereof. The bottom tray  87  includes a plurality of second notches  872  respectively defined in a plurality of vertical side tabs (not labeled) thereof. The plastic frame  82  includes a plurality of first ears  822  and second ears  824  outwardly extending from each of four vertical side walls (not labeled) thereof. The first ears  822  of the plastic frame  82  respectively correspond to the first notches  802  of the top bezel  80 , and the second ears  824  of the plastic frame  82  respectively correspond to the second notches  872  of the bottom tray  87 . 
   When the liquid crystal display  8  is assembled, the liquid crystal panel  81 , the BEF  83 , the diffusing film  84 , the light guide plate  85 , the reflective film  86 , and the light source  88  are accommodated in the plastic frame  82 . The top bezel  80  and the bottom tray  87  are respectively fixed to the plastic frame  82 , with the first ears  822  of the plastic frame  82  respectively fixed in the first notches  802  of the top bezel  80 , and the second ears  824  of the plastic frame  82  respectively fixed in the second notches  872  of the bottom tray  87 . 
   In the operation of fixing the top bezel  80  and the bottom tray  87  to the plastic frame  82 , the vertical side plates of the top bezel  80  and the vertical side tabs of the bottom tray  87  need to be outwardly pressed to fix the first and second ears  822 ,  824  in the respective first and second notches  802 ,  872 . In addition, in an operation of detaching the top bezel  80  and the bottom tray  87  from the plastic frame  82 , the vertical side plates of the top bezel  80  and the vertical side tabs of the bottom tray  87  need to be outwardly pressed to release the first and second ears  822 ,  824  from the respective first and second notches  802 ,  872 . The above-described operations are somewhat inconvenient and time-consuming, and this can contribute to the cost of assembling the liquid crystal display  8 . Further, the vertical side plates of the top bezel  80  and the vertical side tabs of the bottom tray  87  may be deformed in the above-described operations. When this occurs, the mechanical stability of the liquid crystal display  8  at the top bezel  80  and the bottom tray  87  is liable to be impaired. This is turn may cause the liquid crystal display  8  to malfunction, and may reduce the durability of the liquid crystal display  8 . 
   What is needed, therefore, is a liquid crystal display that can circumvent, overcome or at least mitigate the above-described difficulties. 
   SUMMARY 
   In a preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes two opposite first side walls, and each first side wall includes at least one slideway defined therein. The second frame includes two opposite second side walls, and the second side walls respectively correspond to the first side walls. Each second wall includes at least one strip provided thereat. The first strips of the second frame are slidable along the corresponding first slideways such that the first frame and the second frame are detachably engaged together. 
   Other aspects, novel features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout various views, and all the views are schematic. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a circled portion II of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a plastic frame of a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a circled portion VI of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal display including a plastic frame and a bottom tray. 
       FIG. 8  is an inverted, isometric view of the plastic frame and the bottom tray of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a circled portion IX of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a circled portion X of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a circled portion XI of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 12  is an assembled view of the plastic frame and the bottom tray of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a circled portion XIII of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional liquid crystal display. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various embodiments of the present invention in detail. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal display  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal display  1  includes a top bezel  10 , a liquid crystal panel  11 , a plastic frame  12 , a BEF  13 , a diffusing film  14 , a light guide plate  15 , a reflective film  16 , and a bottom tray  17 , arranged in that order from top to bottom. The liquid crystal display  1  further includes a linear light source  18  disposed adjacent to the light guide plate  15 . 
   The top bezel  10  includes a top plate  100 , two symmetrically opposite first side plates  102 , and a second side plate  104  (shown in broken lines). The top plate  100  is substantially a rectangular frame, which defines a central window (not labeled) corresponding to the liquid crystal panel  11 . The first side plates  102  downwardly extend from two opposite long sides of the top plate  100 , respectively. Each first side plate  102  includes two first notches (not labeled) defined therein, and two first strips  106  inwardly extending from bottom ends (not labeled) of the first notches. Each first strip  106  is adjacent to a corresponding first notch, and is perpendicular to the first side plate  102 . The second side plate  104  downwardly extends from a short side of the top plate  100 , and includes a second notch  108  defined in a central portion thereof. The top bezel  10  can for example be made from steel, iron, aluminum, magnesium, or any suitable alloy that includes at least one of these metals. 
   The light guide plate  15  includes a light incident surface  152  at a lateral thin side thereof, a top light emitting surface  154  perpendicularly connected with the light incident surface  152 , and a bottom surface  156 . The light guide plate  15  can for example be made from polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and can be manufactured by an injection molding method. The diffusing film  14  is located between the light emitting surface  154  of the light guide plate  15  and the BEF  13 . The reflective film  16  is located adjacent to the bottom surface  156  of the light guide plate  15 . The light source  18  is located adjacent to the light incident surface  152  of the light guide plate  15 , and includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for providing light beams to the light guide plate  15 . In an alternative embodiment, the light source  18  can include one or more hot cathode fluorescent lamps (HCFLs). 
   The bottom tray  17  includes a bottom plate  170 , two symmetrically opposite third side plates  172 , and a fourth side plate  174 . The bottom plate  170  is planar and substantially rectangular. The third side plates  172  upwardly extend from two opposite long sides of the bottom plate  170 , respectively. Each third side plate  172  includes two third notches (not labeled) defined therein, and two second strips  176  inwardly extending from top ends (not labeled) of the third notches. Each second strip  176  is adjacent to a corresponding third notch, and is perpendicular to the third side plate  172 . The fourth side plate  174  upwardly extends from a short side of the bottom plate  170 , and includes a fourth notch  178  defined in a central portion thereof. The bottom tray  17  can for example be made from steel, iron, aluminum, magnesium, or any suitable alloy that includes at least one of these metals. 
   The plastic frame  12  is generally rectangular. The plastic frame  12  includes a supporting board  120 , two symmetrically opposite first side walls  121 , and two symmetrically opposite second side walls  122 . The supporting board  120  is in general a rectangular frame forming part of the frame  12 . Portions of the supporting board  120  perpendicularly extend inwardly from inner surfaces (not labeled) of the first and second side walls  121 ,  122 . Thus the supporting board  120  defines a rectangular space (not labeled) for accommodating the liquid crystal panel  11 , the BEF  13 , the diffusing film  14 , the light guide plate  15 , and the light source  18 . 
   Each first side wall  121  is substantially bar-shaped. Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the first side wall  121  includes two upper notches  123 , two upper slideways  124 , two lower notches  125 , and two lower slideways  126  defined therein. The upper notches  123  and the upper slideways  124  are defined at top portions of the first side wall  121 . Each upper notch  123  is directly in communication with one respective upper slideway  124 . A portion (not labeled) of the first side wall  121  bounding bottoms of the upper notch  123  and the upper slideway  124  is substantially a single, elongate coplanar surface. Each pair of an upper notch  123  and the corresponding upper slideway  124  corresponds to one respective first strip  106  of the top bezel  10 . A horizontal length of the upper notch  123  is slightly greater than a horizontal length of the first strip  106 , and a vertical height of the upper slideway  124  is slightly greater than a vertical thickness of the first strip  106 . That is, the first strip  106  can be received in the upper notch  123 , and can fittingly slide along the corresponding upper slideway  124 . 
   The second side walls  122  are substantially bar-shaped, and respectively extend along two opposite short sides of the plastic frame  12 . Each second side wall  122  includes an elastic ear  127  outwardly extending from an outer surface (not labeled) thereof. One elastic ear  125  corresponds to the second notch  108  of the top bezel  10 , and the other elastic ear  127  corresponds to the fourth notch of the bottom tray  17 . Referring also to  FIG. 3 , each elastic ear  127  includes a main portion  1272 , and a protruding portion  1274  extending downwardly from the main portion  1272 . 
   The lower notches  125  and the lower slideways  126  are respectively defined at bottom portions of the first side walls  121 . Each lower notch  125  is in direct communication with one corresponding lower slideway  126 . A portion (not labeled) of the first side wall  121  bounding tops of the lower notch  125  and the lower slideway  126  is substantially a single, elongate coplanar surface. Each pair of the lower notch  125  and the corresponding lower slideway  126  corresponds to one respective second strip  176  of the bottom tray  17 . A horizontal length of the lower notch  125  is slightly greater than a horizontal length of the second strip  176 , and a vertical height of the lower slideway  126  is slightly greater than a vertical thickness of the second strip  176 . That is, the second strip  176  can be received in the lower notch  125 , and can fittingly slide along the corresponding lower slideway  126 . 
   The liquid crystal display  1  can be assembled as follows. First, the liquid crystal panel  11 , the BEF  13 , the diffusing film  14 , the light guide plate  15 , and the light source  18  are received in the space of the plastic frame  12 , in that order from top to bottom. Second, the top bezel  10  is aligned with the plastic frame  12 , whereby the first strips  106  of the top bezel  10  are respectively received in the upper notches  123  of the plastic frame  12 . Third, the top bezel  10  is pushed in a direction from the second side plate  104  toward an opposite side of the top bezel  10 . The first strips  106  respectively slide into the upper slideways  124 , and the protruding portion  1274  of the elastic ear  127  corresponding to the second notch  108  fittingly abuts a vertical outer surface (not labeled) of the second side plate  104 . Thereby, the top bezel  10  is securely attached to the plastic frame  12 , and is prevented from sliding off from the plastic frame  12  by the protruding portion  1274  of the elastic ear  127 . Fourth, the reflective film  16  and the bottom tray  17  are aligned with the above-described subassembly. The reflective film  16  is positioned on the bottom plate  170  of the bottom tray  17 , and corresponds to the bottom surface  156  of the light guide plate  15 . The second strips  176  of the bottom tray  17  are respectively received in the lower notches  125  of the plastic frame  12 . Fifth, the bottom tray  17  is pushed in a direction from the fourth side plate  174  toward an opposite side of the bottom tray  17 . The second strips  176  slide into the respective lower slideways  126 , and the protruding portion  1274  of the other elastic ear  127  fittingly abuts a vertical outer surface (not labeled) of the fourth side plate  174 . Thereby, the bottom tray  17  is securely attached to the plastic frame  12 , and is prevented from sliding off from the plastic frame  12  by the protruding portion  1274  of the other elastic ear  127 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Detachment of the top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17  from the plastic frame  12  is essentially the reverse of the above-described assembly procedure. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom tray  17  can be attached to the plastic frame  12  before the top bezel  10  is attached to the plastic frame  12 . 
   In the liquid crystal display  1 , the top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17  can be reliably attached to the plastic frame  12  or detached from the plastic frame  12  by sliding operation. Such operation is convenient and timesaving, and can help reduce the cost of assembling the liquid crystal display  1 . Further, the top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17  are prevented from sliding off from the plastic frame  12  by the elastic ears  127 . Unlike in conventional art, neither the top bezel  10  nor the bottom tray  17  needs to be outwardly pressed in the processes of attachment or detachment. Therefore deformation of the top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17  can be avoided. The top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17  are locked in position on the plastic frame  12 , and the liquid crystal display  1  thereby has good mechanical stability. Furthermore, the sliding operation for the upper slideways  124  and the sliding operation for the lower slideways  126  are performed in opposite directions, which ensures the correct alignment of the top bezel  10  and the bottom tray  17 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a liquid crystal display  2  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal display  1  of the first embodiment. However, the liquid crystal display  2  includes a top bezel (not shown), a plastic frame  22 , and a bottom tray (not shown). The plastic frame  22  includes two first side walls  221  respectively extending along two opposite long sides thereof. Each first side wall  221  includes an upper portion  222 , and a lower portion  223  in connection with the upper portion  222  as a whole piece. The upper portion  222  vertically extends outwardly over the lower portion  223 , thus defining an L-shaped profile of the first side wall  221 . The upper portion  222  includes two L-shaped first protrusions  224  outwardly extending from an outer surface (not labeled) thereof. Each first protrusion  224  includes a first main portion  2242  and a first sub-portion  2244 . The first main portion  2242  horizontally extends parallel to a top surface (not labeled) of the first side wall  221 , and the first sub-portion  2244  vertically extends from the first main portion  2242 . 
   The lower portion  223  includes two L-shaped second protrusions  225  outwardly extending from an outer surface (not labeled) thereof. Referring also to  FIG. 6 , each second protrusion  225  includes a second main portion  2252  and a second sub-portion  2254 . The second main portion  2252  horizontally extends parallel to the top surface of the first side wall  221 , and the second sub-portion  2254  vertically extends from the second main portion  2252 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first sub-portions  2244  and the second sub-portions  2254  are oppositely aligned with each other. 
   In assembly of the liquid crystal display  2 , a first strip (not shown) of the top bezel can slide along a bottom surface (not labeled) of the first main portion  2242  until reaching a vertical surface (not labeled) perpendicular to the bottom surface of the sub-portion  2244 . Therefore, the bottom surface of the first main portion  2242  can fittingly stop the first strip from being lifted-off from the plastic frame  22 . Similarly to the top bezel, the bottom tray can also be securely attached to the plastic frame  22 . In other respects, the liquid crystal display  2  has features and advantages similar to those described above in relation to the liquid crystal display  1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , a liquid crystal display  3  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal display  3  includes a liquid crystal panel  30 , a light guide plate  31 , a plastic frame  32 , and a bottom tray  33 , arranged in that order from top to bottom. The liquid crystal display  3  further includes a plurality of point illuminators  34  for being located adjacent to a light incident surface  312  of the light guide plate  31 , and a printed circuit board  35  electrically connected with the point illuminators  34 . The light guide plate  31 , the plastic frame  32 , and the point illuminators  34  cooperatively form a backlight module (not labeled). 
   The printed circuit board  35  includes a connection strip (not labeled) extending from a main body (not labeled) thereof. The point illuminators  34  are attached on the main body of the printed circuit board  35 , and cooperatively serve as a light source. In the illustrated embodiment, the point illuminators  34  are three light emitting diodes, and the printed circuit board  35  is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). 
   The light guide plate  31  includes the light incident surface  312 , a top light emitting surface  314  perpendicularly connected with the light incident surface  312 , and a bottom surface  316 . The liquid crystal panel  30  is disposed adjacent to the light emitting surface  314  of the light guide plate  31 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 8 , the bottom tray  33  includes a bottom plate  330 , two symmetrically opposite first side plates  331 , and a second side plate  332 . The bottom plate  330  is planar and substantially rectangular. The first side plates  331  extend in directions toward the plastic frame  32  from two opposite long sides of the bottom plate  330 , respectively. The second side plate  332  extends along a corresponding short side of the bottom plate  330 . Thus the bottom plate  330 , the first side plate  331 , and the second side plate  332  cooperatively define a housing (not labeled). Referring also to  FIG. 9 , each first side plate  331  includes two strips  334  inwardly extending therefrom, and defines two first notches  335  and a second notch  336  therein. Each first notch  335  is adjacent to one corresponding strip  334 . The second notch  336  is defined between the first notches  335 . In the illustrated embodiment, the strips  334 , the first notches  335 , and the second notches  336  are substantially rectangular. The bottom tray  33  can for example be made from steel, iron, aluminum, magnesium, or any suitable alloy that includes at least one of these metals. 
   The plastic frame  32  is generally rectangular. The plastic frame  32  includes a supporting board  320 , two symmetrically opposite first side walls  321 , and a second side wall  322 . The supporting board  320  is in general a rectangular frame forming part of the plastic frame  32 . Portions of the supporting board  320  perpendicularly extend inwardly from inner surfaces (not labeled) of the first side walls  321  and the second side wall  322 . Thus the supporting board  320  defines a rectangular space (not labeled) for accommodating the light guide plate  31  and the liquid crystal panel  30 . The supporting board  320  includes a plurality of third notches  323  defined along an inner surface (not labeled) one short side thereof. The third notches  323  are opposite to the second side wall  322  of the plastic frame  32 , and are communicated with the space. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three third notches  323 . The point illuminators  34  can be respectively disposed in the third notches  323 . 
   Each first side wall  321  is generally L-shaped, and includes a long arm  321   a  and a short arm  321   b . The long arm  321   a  extends along a corresponding long side of the plastic frame  32 . The short arm  321   b  is perpendicularly connected with the long arm  321   a , and extends along a short side of the plastic frame  32 . The short arms  321   b  of the two first side walls  321  are located at the same short side of the plastic frame  32 , and a long opening (not labeled) is defined therebetween. The second side wall  322  interconnects the long arms  321   a  of the two opposite first side walls  321 , and is located at the other short side opposite to the short arms  321   b  of the plastic frame  32 . The connection strip of the printed circuit board  35  can be received in the opening. 
   Each long arm  321   a  of the first side wall  321  includes two pairs of fixing assemblies  324 , and a spring assembly  325  located between the fixing assemblies  324 . Referring also to  FIG. 10 , each fixing assembly  324  includes a fourth notch  326  defined in a bottom portion thereof, and a first slideway  327  in communication with the fourth notch  326 . Each pair of the fourth notch  326  and the first slideway  327  corresponds to one respective strip  334  of the bottom tray  33 , and the respective strip  334  can be received in the fourth notch  326 , and slide into the first slideway  327  via the fourth notch  326 . 
   Each spring assembly  325  corresponds to one respective second notch  336  of the bottom tray  33 . Referring also to  FIG. 11 , the spring assembly  325  includes a fifth notch  328 , and a spring pin  329  extending into the fifth notch  328 , thus defining a second slideway (not labeled). An outmost extremity (not labeled) of the spring pin  329  slightly protrudes from a bottom surface (not labeled) of the long arm  321   a . That is, the outmost extremity of the spring pin  329  can be elastically pressed in the fifth notch  328 , and can recover from the fifth notch  328 . The plastic frame  32  is preferably made from white polycarbonate or plastic. Alternatively, the plastic frame  32  can be made from any other suitable material. 
   The bottom tray  33  can be reliably attached to the plastic frame  32  as follows. First, the bottom tray  33  is aligned with the plastic frame  32 . The first side plates  331  are respectively aligned with corresponding long arms  321   a , and the strips  334  are respectively received in the fourth notches  326 . The second side plate  332  is aligned with the second side wall  322 . Second, the bottom tray  33  is pushed in a direction from the second side plate  332  toward an opposite side of the bottom tray  33 . Therefore, the strips  334  of the bottom tray  33  respectively slide into the first slideways  327  of the plastic frame  32 , as is shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . The outmost extremities of the spring pins  328  are respectively exposed through the respective second notches  336 , and outwardly protrude from the respective second notches  336 . Thus, the bottom tray  33  is reliably assembled to the plastic frame  32 , and is prevented from sliding off from the plastic frame  32  by the outmost extremities of the spring pins  328 . Detachment of the bottom tray  33  from the plastic frame  32  is essentially the reverse of the above-described assembly procedure. In other respects, the liquid crystal display  3  has features and advantages similar to those described above in relation to the liquid crystal display  1 . 
   Further or alternative embodiments may include the following. In one example, the bottom tray  33  includes a plurality of slideways defined therein. In such case, the plastic frame  32  includes a plurality of strips respectively corresponding to the slideways of the bottom tray  33 . In another example, the number of the spring pins  328  and corresponding second notches  336  can be varied. For example, one, three, four, five or more spring pins  328  and corresponding second notches  336  can be employed as required. 
   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.