Handle and display device equipped with handle

A display device (10) includes a display (12) used to display an image, and a handle (14) attached to a recess (13) formed in a rear face (12a) of the display (12). The handle having a Z-shape in a side view connects between a first holder (17) and a second holder (18) via a connecting part (19). The second holder (18) is projected outside the display device so as to achieve an easy-to-hold ability when the first mounting face (17a) of the first holder (17) is fixed to the recess (13) of the display device (10). The first holder (17) is kept inside the thickness of the display device (10) when the second mounting face (18a) of the second holder (18) is fixed to the recess (13).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a handle used for various devices and a display device, such as a liquid crystal display and a plasma display, equipped with a handle

BACKGROUND ART

For example, Patent Literature Document 1 discloses a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a plasma display. As shown inFIG. 10, a display device1includes a display3formed in a rectangular shape, in which the peripheral face and the rear face of a display panel is covered with a frame body2. Recently, the display device1needs to be increased in size while reduced in thickness; hence, a pair of handles4is attached to the opposite ends of a thin panel of a rear face3asuch that the display device1having a large size can be easily transported or facilitated at a desired site.

The handles4of the display device1are designed to place emphasis on an easy-to-hold ability and an easy-to-carry ability during movement or transportation; hence, it is necessary to secure a large gap between the holder of the handle4and the rear face of the display device, thus allowing an operator to easily hold the holder.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature Document

Patent Literature Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-266396

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Since the display device1has been further reduced in thickness, the handles4are projected in the thickness direction of the display device1, i.e. a rear direction T1, so as to form a sufficient gap with the rear face3aof the display device1such that the handles4can be easily handled by an operator or user. However, this makes the handles4be further projected in the rear direction T1rather than the rear face3aof the display1.

In this case, it is necessary to locate the display device1close to the wall face of a room or to fix the display device1on the wall face by use of wall-hanging fittings. However, this may cause a drawback in that it is difficult to locate the display device1at a position sufficiently close to the wall face due to the interference between the handles4and the wall face.

When a plurality of display devices1is located close to each other with rear faces thereof, it is necessary to secure an occupancy space for each display device1by the length of each handle4projecting from the rear face3a. Even though the display device1is reduced in thickness, there is a drawback in that it is necessary to form a large gap between the display devices1located close to each other with rear faces.

To solve the above drawbacks, it is necessary to eliminate handles, which in turn causes another drawback in that it is difficult to carry the display device1.

The present invention is created in consideration of the above problems, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a handle which can be attached to various devices or display devices so as to selectively achieve an easy-to-hold ability or a reduction of an occupancy space, and a display device equipped with a handle.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is directed to a handle connecting between a first holder and a second holder via a connecting part. Herein, the first holder is equipped with a first mounting face to be fixed to a device while the second holder is equipped with a second mounting face to be fixed to a device. An angle formed between the center axis of the connecting part and the first mounting face is greater than an angle formed between the center axis of the connecting part and the second mounting face. Thus, either the first mounting face or the second mounting face is selectively attached to a device.

The present invention is directed to a display device equipped with a display used to display an image and a handle attached to the rear face of a display. Herein, the handle connects between a first holder and a second holder via a connecting part, and the first holder is equipped with a first mounting face to be fixed to the display while the second holder is equipped with a second mounting face to be fixed to the display. An angle formed between the center axis of the connecting part and the first mounting face is greater than an angle formed between the center axis of the connecting part and the second mounting face. Thus, either the first mounting face or the second mounting face of the handle is selectively attached to the display.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to a handle and a display device of the present invention, it is possible to selectively attach either a first mounting face or a second mounting face of a handle to a device or a display device, wherein it is possible to form a relatively large gap between a device or a display device and a handle whose first mounting face is attached to a device or a display device, thus achieving an easy-to-hold ability and an easy-to-carry ability with a handle. When the second mounting face of a handle is attached to a device or a display device, it is possible to form a relatively small gap between a handle and a device or a display device, thus reducing an occupancy space. This makes it possible to reduce the installation space of a device or a display device, thus improve the exterior appearance of a device or a display device. Additionally, it is easy for each user to attach a handle having a simple structure to any device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A handle and a display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown inFIG. 1, a display device10of the present embodiment includes a display12having a rectangular flat panel configured to display images and a pair of handles14attached to the upper portion of a rear face12aof the display12.

The display12includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and a plasma display panel, the rear face12ahaving a rear cover used to cover drive units disposed at the rear face of a display panel, and a frame body15used to cover the rear face12aand the peripheral face of a display panel. A pair of recesses13is formed in the upper portion of the rear face12aof the display device10, wherein each recess is formed with an L-shaped cross section using a side wall13aand a base13b.

The handles14are attached to the rear face12aof the display device10such that an operator or user may hold the handles14with hands so as to easily carry, transport, and install the display device10.

As shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, for example, the handle14entirely having a rectangular shape in a front view includes a first holder17and a second holder18, having flat shapes, which are formed in parallel and separated form each other with the predetermined distance. The first holder17and the second holder18are connected together via a pair of connecting parts19with the opposite ends thereof.

The first holder17has a first mounting face17a, having a planar shape, which contacts the side wall13aof the recess13formed on the rear face12aof the display12. A pair of bolt holes21is bored in the first holder17such that the first holder17can be fixed to the side wall13aby means of fixing members such as screws. The second holder18has a second mounting face18a, having a planar shape, which contacts the side wall13aof the recess13formed on the rear face12aof the display12. A pair of bolt holes21is bored in the second holder18such that the second holder18can be fixed to the side wall13aby means of fixing members such as screws. The first mounting face17aand the second mounting face18aare formed in the opposite faces of the handle14each directing outwardly.

As shown in the side view ofFIG. 2B, the connecting part19of the handle14, entirely having a Z-shape, includes an axial part19ahaving a straight rod shape, a first projection19band a second projection19cwhich are curved in opposite directions and projected from the upper and lower ends of the axial part19a. Additionally, the first projections19bare connected to the opposite ends of the first holder17while the second projections19care connected to the opposite ends of the second holder18.

InFIG. 2Bshowing a side view of the handle14, O denotes a center axis of the axial part19aof the connecting part19; M1denotes an extension along the first mounting face17aof the first holder17; and M2denotes an extension along the second mounting face18aof the second holder18. An acute angle θ is formed between the first mounting face17aand the second mounting face18a, i.e. between the extensions M1and M2. It is preferable that the angle θ range from 15° to 25°. For example, the angle θ is set to 20°.

The range of the angle θ may be appropriately varied depending on the thickness of the recess13of the display device1(i.e. the width of the base13b) and the length between the first mounting face17aand the second mounting face18aof the connecting part19of the handle14.

Additionally, an angle α is formed between the first mounting face17aand the center axis O of the axial part19awhile an angle β is formed between the second mounting face18aand the center axis O of the axial part19a, wherein α>β.

When the first mounting face17aof the first holder17of the handle14is attached to the side wall13aof the recess13of the display device10, the second holder18of the handle14is projected outwardly from the side face12aof the display device10so as to increase the distance between the second holder18and the side wall13aof the recess13, thus making it easy for each user to hold the second holder18(seeFIG. 5). When the second mounting face18aof the second holder18of the handle14is attached to the side wall13aof the recess13of the display device10, the first holder17of the handle14can be kept in the thickness of the recess13of the display device10(i.e. the width of the base13b) so as to reduce the distance between the first holder17and the side wall13aof the recess13, thus reducing the occupancy space of the display device10(seeFIG. 7).

With regard to the relationship (α>β) between the angle α formed between the first mounting face17aand the center axis O of the axial part19aand the angle β formed between the second mounting face18aand the center axis O of the axial part19a, an obtuse angle is formed between the axial part19aand the first projection19bwhile an acute angle or a right angle is formed between the axial part19aand the second projection19c; however, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this relationship. It is necessary to establish at least the relationship (α>β); hence, any angle such as either an obtuse angle or an acute angle can be formed between the axial part19aand the first projection19band between the axial part19aand the second projection19c.

The display device10of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. Next, the attaching structure of the handle14in the display device10will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 7.

In the attaching structure of the handle14in the display device10shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, it is necessary to place emphasis on an easy-to-carry ability of the display device10. For this reason, the handle14is fixed using screws23with the first mounting faces17aof the first holders17closely contacting the side wall13aof the recess13formed in the upper portion of the rear face12aof the display12.

In this structure, a relatively large intersecting angle α is formed between the center axis O of the axial part19aof the connecting part19of the handle14and the extension M1of the first mounting face17afixed to the side wall13awhile an obtuse intersecting angle is formed between the axial part19aof the connecting part19and the first projection19b. For this reason, the connecting part19of the handle14is inclined in a direction such that the connecting part19will be distanced from the display device10while the second holder18is projected outwardly from the base13bof the recess13, i.e. in the rear direction, thus setting a large gap between the holdable second holder18and the side wall13aof the display device10.

As shown inFIG. 5, the center axis O of the axial part19aof the connecting part19may intersect the extension M1of the first mounting face17aof the first holder17at a position above the display device10.

In this case, it is easy for an operator to hold the second holder18of the handle14with his/her hand.

In the attaching structure of the handle14in the display device10shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, it is necessary to place emphasis on the installation of the display device10at a position close to the wall face of a room. For this reason, the handle14is fixed using screws23with the second mounting faces18aof the second holders18closely contacting the side wall13aof the recess13.

In this structure, a relatively small intersecting angle β is formed between the center axis O of the axial part19aof the connecting part19of the handle14and the extension M2of the second mounting face18afixed to the side wall13awhile an acute intersecting angle is formed between the axial part19ao the connecting part19and the second projection19c. As shown inFIG. 7, the center axis O of the axial part19aof the connecting part19may intersect the extension M2of the second mounting face18aof the second holder18at a position outside and above the display device10.

For this reason, the connecting part19of the handle14is inclined in a direction such that the connecting part19will approach the display device10while the first holder17is located in the base13bof the recess13such that the first holder17will not be projected to the exterior, i.e. in the rear direction. In this case, it is possible for an operator to carry and transport the display device10with his/her hand holding the first holder17.

In the above structure, the handle14will not be projected outside the thickness of the display device10due to a small space for holding the handle14of the display device10; hence, it is possible to install the display device10with the rear face12aclosely contacting the wall face of a room. Additionally, it is possible to attach the display device10to closely contact or approach a wall face in a wall-mounting manner by use of wall-hanging fittings.

Moreover, it is possible to closely locate two display devices10with rear faces such that the rear faces12of the display devices10can closely contact or approach each other.

According to the display device10of the present embodiment, it is possible to selectively attach either the first mounting faces17aor the second mounting faces18aof the handle14to the side wall13aof the recess13as necessary. When the first mounting faces17aof the handle14are fixed to the side wall13aof the recess13, the second holder18will be projected outwardly in the thickness direction of the display device10, thus making it easy for each user to hold the second holder18. When the second mounting faces18aof the handle14are fixed to the side wall13aof the recess13, it is possible to fix the handle14in the thickness of the recess13of the display device10, thus requiring the occupancy space with the thickness of the display device10. Thus, it is possible to attach the display device10close to a wall face, or it is possible to locate a plurality of display devices10with rear faces contacting or approaching each other. This may reduce the installation space while improving the exterior appearance.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the handle14and the display device10equipped with the handle14according to the foregoing embodiment; hence, it is possible to appropriately employ any variations without changing or departing from the subject matter of the present invention.

Hereinafter, variations of the handle14according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the same reference signs for the same or similar parts or members in the foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 8is a perspective view showing a handle25according to a first variation.

In the handle25shown inFIG. 8, the connecting part19is connected to the center positions of the first holder17and the second holder18in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 9is a perspective view showing a handle26according to a second variation. In the handle26, the connecting part19is connected to one ends of the first holder17and the second holder18.

The handles26and26according to the first and second variations may demonstrate the same operation and effect as the handle14according to the foregoing embodiment.

In the display device10of the foregoing embodiment, a pair of recesses13is formed in the upper portion of the rear face12aof the display device10, wherein the handles14are fixed to the side walls13a; however, the display device10of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this structure. For example, it is possible to form a single recess13, used to fix the handles14,25, or26, at the center of the upper portion of the rear face12a. Alternatively, it is possible to form a pair of recesses13in the opposite sides of the rear face12aof the display device10, wherein each of the handles14,25, and26may be selectively fixed to the first and second holders17and18in a vertical direction.

In the display device10, the recesses13are each formed at the position which each of the handles14,25, and26should be fixed to; however, it is not necessary to form the recesses13. Similar to the conventional-art display device shown inFIG. 10, for example, a rear cover having a protuberance shape, used to cover drive units of a display panel, may be formed in the rear face12aof the display12such that the periphery thereof is reduced by one-step of thickness so as to form an edge area, which each of the handles14,25, and26can be fixed to.

The handles of the present invention are not necessarily limited to ones attached to display devices; hence, these handles can be appropriately attached and fixed to any devices. In this case, it is possible to demonstrate the same operation and effect as the handles attached to display devices.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is designed to selectively fix handles, connecting between first and second holders via connecting parts, to rear faces of display devices or other devices. Even when rear faces of display devices or other devices are reduced in thickness, it is possible to project the second holder outside a display device or another device so as to achieve an easy-to-hold ability when each handle is fixed with the first mounting face of the first holder, and it is possible to prevent the first holder from being projected outside a display device or another device so as to reduce an installation space when each handle is fixed with the second mounting face of the second holder.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST