BRACKET AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

A bracket includes: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate including a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixing plate rotatable relative to the first arm around an axis of the first hinge shaft, and configured to fix the bracket to a mounting object; an attachment plate rotatable relative to the second arm around an axis of the second hinge shaft, and configured to have a chassis of the electronic apparatus attached thereto; and a stopper mechanism configured to selectively restrict relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate around the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the attachment plate around the axis of the second hinge shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bracket for an electronic apparatus, and an electronic apparatus including the bracket.

Description of the Related Art

Electronic apparatuses that enable conferencing and communication between remote locations through audio and video using the Internet, telephone lines, etc. are currently used. This type of electronic apparatus includes a speaker device for outputting audio, etc. generated from the other party (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-178244).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The demand for online conferencing using displays has increased in recent years. There has thus been a demand to use the foregoing electronic apparatus in a wall-mounted state, for example, above or below a wall-mounted large display. In this case, it is necessary to minimize the depth dimension of the chassis of the electronic apparatus to reduce the length of protrusion from the wall.

The foregoing electronic apparatus may have a camera and/or a display unit on the front of the chassis. It is desirable that the camera, etc. can capture the conference participant from the front as much as possible. The electronic apparatus may accordingly include a motor mechanism for changing the angle of the camera. This, however, causes an increase in mechanism size and an increase in protrusion amount. Alternatively, a bracket for wall mounting may include a tilt structure. In this case, it is necessary to enable tilt operation over a sufficient angle range while minimizing the protrusion amount of the bracket from the wall.

In view of the above-described problems with the conventional techniques, the present invention has an object of providing a bracket that can reduce the depth dimension of an electronic apparatus while enabling its tilt operation, and an electronic apparatus including the bracket.

A bracket according to a first aspect of the present invention is a bracket for an electronic apparatus, including: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate including a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixing plate supported by the first hinge shaft and rotatable relative to the first arm around an axis of the first hinge shaft, and configured to fix the bracket to a mounting object; an attachment plate supported by the second hinge shaft and rotatable relative to the second arm around an axis of the second hinge shaft, and configured to have a chassis of the electronic apparatus attached thereto; and a stopper mechanism configured to selectively restrict relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate around the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the attachment plate around the axis of the second hinge shaft.

An electronic apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an electronic apparatus including: a chassis containing an electronic component and having a camera or a display unit on a first surface thereof; and a bracket attached to a second surface of the chassis and configured to wall-mount and fix the chassis, wherein the bracket includes: a first hinge shaft; a second hinge shaft; a base plate including a first arm supported by the first hinge shaft and a second arm supported by the second hinge shaft; a fixing plate supported by the first hinge shaft and rotatable relative to the first arm around an axis of the first hinge shaft, and configured to fix the bracket to a wall; an attachment plate supported by the second hinge shaft and rotatable relative to the second arm around an axis of the second hinge shaft, and having the chassis attached thereto; and a stopper mechanism configured to selectively restrict relative rotation of the first arm and the fixing plate around the axis of the first hinge shaft and relative rotation of the second arm and the attachment plate around the axis of the second hinge shaft.

The above-described aspects of the present invention can reduce the depth dimension of an electronic apparatus while enabling its tilt operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of an electronic apparatus and a bracket according to the present invention will be described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a system diagram illustrating one use mode of an electronic apparatus10according to an embodiment. The electronic apparatus10according to this embodiment is a terminal apparatus that can be used in an online conferencing system which performs conferencing and communication using audio and video with remote locations connected via the Internet, for example.

The online conferencing system illustrated inFIG.1includes the electronic apparatus10according to this embodiment, a touch panel operation unit12, an external display14, and a personal computer16. As illustrated inFIG.1, the electronic apparatus10is wall-mounted and fixed above or below the external display14wall-mounted and fixed to the wall of a conference room, for example. The electronic apparatus10may also be used in a state of being placed on a table or the like.

The touch panel operation unit12is a touch panel type terminal for input operation to the electronic apparatus10. The external display14is capable of displaying, for example, information from a personal computer20of each other conference participant connected to the electronic apparatus10via an Internet18and a cloud server19. Specifically, the external display14displays face images, materials, etc. of the other conference participants under control of the electronic apparatus10. The personal computer16is capable of transmitting, for example, materials from the user of the electronic apparatus10to the external display14and the personal computers20of the other participants. The personal computer16may be used for input operation to the electronic apparatus10, instead of the touch panel operation unit12.

The electronic apparatus10, the touch panel operation unit12, the external display14, and the personal computer16are connected using connectors and cables conforming to a predetermined connection standard such as the USB standard or the HDMI® standard.

First, an overview of the electronic apparatus10will be given below.

FIGS.2A and2Bare a bottom view and a side view of the electronic apparatus10, respectively.FIG.2Bis a right side view of the electronic apparatus10, which is bilaterally symmetrical with a left side view of the electronic apparatus10.

As illustrated inFIGS.2A and2B, the electronic apparatus10includes a chassis22and a bracket23. In the following description, regarding the electronic apparatus10and the bracket23as seen from the front as illustrated inFIG.1, the height direction of the chassis22is referred to as “top-bottom”, the width direction of the chassis22is referred to as “left-right”, and the depth direction of the chassis22is referred to as “front-rear”.

The chassis22is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box having a laterally long bar shape. Thus, the front surface22aand the rear surface22bof the chassis22each have a long width dimension in the left-right direction and a height dimension smaller than the width dimension. The top surface22cand the bottom surface22dof the chassis22each have a long width dimension in the left-right direction and a depth dimension D smaller than the width dimension. The left surface22eand the right surface22fof the chassis22each have the narrow depth dimension D in the front-rear direction and a height dimension in the top-bottom direction slightly larger than the depth dimension D.

As illustrated inFIG.1, a camera24, a microphone25, and a light26are provided at the front surface22a.

The camera24is a camera device that captures an image of the user in front of the electronic apparatus10. The camera24is located in an upper part at substantially the center of the front surface22ain the left-right direction. The microphone25is a microphone device that collects, for example, the voice of the user of the electronic apparatus10. The microphone25faces the front surface22athrough a plurality of microphone holes arranged in the left-right direction below the camera24. The light26is a light notification unit that notifies the user of the operation state of the electronic apparatus10, the sound collection state of the microphone25, and the like, and is a display unit called a smart light. The light26faces the front surface22athrough a laterally long, narrow light transmission window provided between the camera24and the microphone25. A power lamp, etc. of the electronic apparatus10are also provided at the front surface22a. A display unit27such as a liquid crystal display for displaying a clock and an operation state may be provided at the front surface22a.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, a connection terminal unit28, a pair of left and right brackets23, and a bracket plate30are provided at the rear surface22b. Examples of electronic components installed in the chassis22include a motherboard on which a CPU is mounted, a speaker device, and a cooling device. An air inlet for such a cooling device is provided at the rear surface22b. The connection terminal unit28is a group of external terminals to which connectors for connecting the electronic apparatus10to the touch panel operation unit12, the external display14, the personal computer16, the Internet18, and the like are connected. A power cable for connecting the electronic apparatus10to an external power source is also connected to the connection terminal unit28. The brackets23and the bracket plate30will be described later.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, a pair of left and right bottom air inlets32and a pair of left and right rubber legs33are provided at the bottom surface22d. The top surface22chas substantially the same outer shape as the bottom surface22d, but is formed of a flat plate. The rubber legs33are used when the electronic apparatus10is placed on a table or the like. As illustrated inFIG.2B, a side air outlet34is provided at the right surface22f. The side air outlet34is also provided at the left surface22e.

Next, the brackets23will be described below.

The electronic apparatus10can be wall-mounted and fixed to the wall36of a conference room or the like, as mentioned above. In the case of using the electronic apparatus10in a wall-mounted state, the electronic apparatus10is used with the brackets23and the bracket plate30being attached to the rear surface22bas illustrated inFIGS.2A and2B. The electronic apparatus10may be mounted on, for example, a rack or the like for installing the external display14, instead of the wall36.

The bracket plate30is a metal plate that is long in the left-right direction. The left and right brackets23are screw-fixed to the left and right sides of the front surface of the bracket plate30, and the rear surface of the bracket plate30is screw-fixed to the wall36. Thus, the bracket plate30supports the brackets23and the chassis22attached to the brackets23, on the wall36. The bracket plate30may be omitted. In this case, the left and right brackets23are directly fixed to the wall36.

FIG.3is a perspective view of the bracket23tilted up, as seen from the front.FIG.4is a perspective view of the bracket23tilted down, as seen from the front.FIG.5is a perspective view of the bracket23in its initial position, as seen from the rear. Although the bracket plate30is schematically illustrated as one flat plate without unevenness inFIGS.3and4, the actual bracket plate30has screw holes and bends for securing strength in various parts.FIGS.3to5illustrate only one of the left and right brackets23. The other bracket23may have the same structure as or a structure bilaterally symmetrical with the bracket23illustrated in the drawings.

The bracket23is a wall metal fitting that supports the chassis22on the wall36and enables tilt-up and tilt-down operations of the chassis22(see alsoFIGS.8A to8C). Herein, the state in which the bracket23and the chassis22attached to the bracket23are not tilted up or tilted down as illustrated inFIGS.2A and2Bis referred to as “initial position”. In the initial position, the bracket23is folded most thinly in the front-rear direction, and the rear surface22bof the chassis22is closest to the wall36and is parallel to the wall36.

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, the bracket23includes a first hinge shaft40, a second hinge shaft41, a base plate42, a fixing plate44, an attachment plate45, and a stopper mechanism46. The bracket23according to this embodiment further includes a first auxiliary plate48, a second auxiliary plate49, an auxiliary fixing plate50, an auxiliary attachment plate51, a first torque generator52, and a second torque generator53.

The hinge shafts40and41are metal shafts. The hinge shafts40and41are apart from each other in the top-down direction in a state in which their axial directions are parallel to each other. The cross section of each of the hinge shafts40and41has a circular part and a substantially elliptical part in the axial direction as appropriate.

The base plate42is a metal plate connecting the hinge shafts40and41. The base plate42includes a plate42a, a standing wall42b, a first arm42c, and a second arm42d.

The plate42ais a plate that forms the main body of the base plate42. The plate42aextends between the hinge shafts40and41. In the initial position, the plane of the plate42aextends in the top-bottom direction and the left-right direction, and is parallel to the wall36. The standing wall42bis a part formed by bending the left edge of the plate42arearward. Since the base plate42has the standing wall42bformed on the side of the plate42a, its cross-sectional shape is substantially L-shaped.

The first arm42cprotrudes upward from the top end surface of the base plate42. In this embodiment, the first arm42cis formed by protruding the top end of the standing wall42bfrom the top end surface of the plate42a. The first arm42chas a through hole formed in the plate thickness direction, and the first hinge shaft40is relatively rotatably inserted through the through hole. Thus, the first arm42cis relatively rotatably borne by the first hinge shaft40.

The second arm42dprotrudes upward from the bottom end surface of the base plate42. In this embodiment, the second arm42dis formed by protruding the bottom end of the standing wall42bfrom the bottom end surface of the plate42a. The second arm42dhas a through hole formed in the plate thickness direction, and the second hinge shaft41is relatively rotatably inserted through the through hole. Thus, the second arm42dis relatively rotatably borne by the second hinge shaft41.

The first auxiliary plate48is a metal plate that supplements the strength of the connection between the base plate42and the first hinge shaft40, and operates integrally with the base plate42. The first auxiliary plate48is screw-fixed to an upper part of the rear surface of the base plate42. The first auxiliary plate48has an arm48aprotruding from the top end surface, and the first hinge shaft40is relatively rotatably inserted through a through hole of the through hole.

The second auxiliary plate49is a metal plate that supplements the strength of the connection between the base plate42and the second hinge shaft41, and operates integrally with the base plate42. The second auxiliary plate49is screw-fixed to a lower part of the rear surface of the base plate42. The second auxiliary plate49has an arm49aprotruding from the bottom end surface, and the second hinge shaft41is relatively rotatably inserted through the arm49a. The auxiliary plates48and49may be omitted.

The fixing plate44is a metal plate for fixing the bracket23to the wall36as a mounting object. The bracket23according to this embodiment is fixed to the wall36via the bracket plate30. Accordingly, the fixing plate44is screwed to the bracket plate30and indirectly fixed to the wall36. The fixing plate44includes an arm44aand screw holes44b.

The fixing plate44has a standing wall formed by bending its upper edge rearward. The arm44ais a plate that is formed by bending the left end of the standing wall upward and extends in the top-bottom direction and the front-rear direction. The arm44ahas a through hole through which the first hinge shaft40is relatively non-rotatably inserted. The fixing plate44thus operates integrally with the first hinge shaft40. The screw holes44bare parts that are screwed to the bracket plate30. For example, three screw holes44bare provided (seeFIG.5).

The auxiliary fixing plate50is a metal plate that supplements the strength of the connection between the fixing plate44and the first hinge shaft40, and has the same function as the fixing plate44. That is, the auxiliary fixing plate50has an arm50aprotruding from the top end surface, and the first hinge shaft40is relatively non-rotatably inserted through the arm50a. The auxiliary fixing plate50has, for example, three screw holes50bfor screwing to the bracket plate30(seeFIG.5). The auxiliary fixing plate50is located side by side with the fixing plate44in the left-right direction so that the first arm42cof the base plate42will be interposed between the fixing plate44and the auxiliary fixing plate50. In the initial position, the plane of each of the fixing plates44and50extends in the top-bottom direction and the left-right direction, and is parallel to the base plate42. The auxiliary fixing plate50may be omitted.

The attachment plate45is a metal plate for attaching the chassis22to the bracket23. The attachment plate45includes an arm45aand attachment holes45b.

The arm45ais a plate that is formed by bending the rear end of the right part of the attachment plate45upward and extends in the top-bottom direction and the front-rear direction. The arm45ahas a through hole through which the second hinge shaft41is relatively non-rotatably inserted. The attachment plate45thus operates integrally with the second hinge shaft41. The attachment holes45bare through holes through which screws to be fastened to screw holes formed in the bottom surface22dof the chassis22are inserted. For example, two attachment holes45bare provided (seeFIG.4). The chassis22is placed on the top surface of the attachment plate45, and fastened to the attachment plate45using the attachment holes45b.

The auxiliary attachment plate51is a metal plate that supplements the strength of the connection between the attachment plate45and the second hinge shaft41. The auxiliary attachment plate51is screw-fixed to a rear part of the top surface of the attachment plate45. The auxiliary attachment plate51has an arm51aprotruding from the top surface, and the second hinge shaft41is relatively non-rotatably inserted through the arm51a. The arm51ais located side by side with the arm45ain the left-right direction so that the second arm44dof the base plate42will be interposed between the arm51aand the arm45a. In the initial position, the plane of each of the attachment plates45and51extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and is orthogonal to the base plate42. The auxiliary attachment plate51may be omitted.

As a result of the fixing plates44and50being fixed to the wall36via the bracket plate30, the bracket23having the above-described structure wall-mounts and fixes the chassis22fixed to the top surface of the attachment plate45, and enables the tilt-up and tilt-down operations of the chassis22.

In the tilt-up operation, the chassis22is grasped and swung upward from the initial position illustrated inFIG.2B. As a result, the base plate42and the attachment plates45and51in the bracket23rotate upward around the first hinge shaft40integrated with the fixing plates44and50fixed to the wall36as the rotation axis (seeFIG.3). Hence, the front surface22aof the chassis22faces upward within a predetermined angle range.

In the tilt-down operation, the chassis22is grasped and swung downward from the initial position illustrated inFIG.2B. As a result, the base plate42in the bracket23is integrated with the fixing plates44and50fixed to the wall36. The second hinge shaft41rotates with the second arm42dof the base plate42as a bearing, and the attachment plates45and51integrated with the second hinge shaft41rotate downward (seeFIG.4). Hence, the front surface22aof the chassis22faces downward within a predetermined angle range.

The bracket23has a biaxial hinge structure having two hinge shafts40and41, as mentioned above. There is accordingly a possibility that the rotation operation around the first hinge shaft40as the rotation axis and the rotation operation around the second hinge shaft41as the rotation axis are performed simultaneously. In such a case, the bottom end of the base plate42moves forward with the first hinge shaft40as the rotation center, so that the second hinge shaft41moves forward. In this state, the attachment plate45rotates around the second hinge shaft41. This causes the chassis22to be in an unexpected posture, such as the protrusion amount of the chassis22from the wall36increasing more than expected or the chassis22translating forward from the initial position.

In view of this, the bracket23includes the stopper mechanism46, and can selectively switch between the rotation operation around the first hinge shaft40as the rotation axis and the rotation operation around the second hinge shaft41as the rotation axis.

FIG.6Ais an enlarged perspective view of the first hinge shaft40and its surroundings.FIG.6Bis an enlarged perspective view of the first hinge shaft40and its surroundings in a state in which the base plate42and the first torque generator52are removed.FIG.7Ais an enlarged perspective view of the second hinge shaft41and its surroundings.FIG.7Bis an enlarged perspective view of the second hinge shaft41and its surroundings in a state in which the base plate42and the second torque generator53are removed.

The stopper mechanism46is a mechanism that selectively restricts the rotation of the first arm42cof the base plate42relative to the first hinge shaft40and the rotation of the second arm42dof the base plate42relative to the second hinge shaft41. In other words, the stopper mechanism46selectively restricts the relative rotation of the first arm42cand the arm44aof the fixing plate44around the axis of the first hinge shaft40and the relative rotation of the second arm42dand the arm45aof the attachment plate45around the axis of the second hinge shaft41.

As illustrated inFIGS.5to7B, the stopper mechanism46includes a first cam54, a second cam55, and a lock bar56.

As illustrated inFIGS.5to6B, the first cam54is a ring-shaped metal member. The first cam54includes an axial hole54a, a first engagement hole54b, a first groove54c, and a first stopper54d.

The axial hole54ais a through hole along the axial center of the first cam54. The inner peripheral surface of the axial hole54ahas a substantially elliptical shape having two parallel planes. The substantially elliptical part of the first hinge shaft40in cross section is relatively non-rotatably inserted through the axial hole54a, and spline-fitted into the axial hole54a(seeFIG.6B).

The first engagement hole54bis a downward-facing arc-shaped groove formed in the bottom part of the outer peripheral surface of the first cam54, and extends in the plate thickness direction of the first cam54. An arc-shaped first end56aof the lock bar56is engageable with and disengageable from the first engagement hole54b(see alsoFIGS.8A to8C).

The first groove54cis an upward-facing arc-shaped groove formed in the top part of the outer peripheral surface of the first cam54. The first cam54is adjacent to the left part of the first arm42cof the base plate42. The first groove54cis open on the right surface of the first cam54facing the first arm42c, and extends in the circumferential direction of the first cam54. A first projection42eprotruding from the left surface of the first arm42cis inserted in the first groove54cso as to be relatively movable. The first projection42ehas an arc shape extending along the first groove54c. The total length of the first groove54cis longer than the total length of the first projection42e. Therefore, a gap G1defining the relative moving distance of the first projection42ein the first groove54cis formed between the first groove54cand the first projection42e(seeFIGS.8A to8C).

The first stopper54dis a plate piece protruding tangentially from the outer peripheral surface of the first cam54, and protrudes downward from the rear surface of the first cam54. In the initial position, the first stopper54dis in contact with the rear surface (first surface) of the lock bar56(seeFIGS.5and8A).

As illustrated inFIGS.5,7A, and7B, the second cam55is a ring-shaped metal member. The second cam55includes an axial hole55a, a second engagement hole55b, a second groove55c, and a second stopper55d.

The axial hole55amay have the same shape as the axial hole54aof the first cam54. The substantially elliptical part of the second hinge shaft41in cross section is relatively non-rotatably inserted through the axial hole55a, and is spline-fitted into the axial hole55a(seeFIG.7B) .

The second engagement hole55bis an upward-facing arc-shaped groove formed in the top part of the outer peripheral surface of the second cam55, and extends in the plate thickness direction of the second cam55. An arc-shaped second end56bof the lock bar56is engageable with and disengageable from the second engagement hole55b(see alsoFIGS.8A to8C).

The second groove55cis a downward-facing arc-shaped groove formed in the bottom part of the outer peripheral surface of the second cam55. The second cam55is adjacent to the left part of the second arm42dof the base plate42. The second groove55cis open on the right surface of the second cam55facing the second arm42d, and extends in the circumferential direction of the second cam55. A second projection42fprotruding from the left surface of the second arm42dis inserted in the second groove55cso as to be relatively movable. The second projection42fhas an arc shape extending along the second groove55c. The total length of the second groove55cis longer than the total length of the second projection42f. Therefore, a gap G2defining the relative moving distance of the second projection42fin the second groove55cis formed between the second groove55cand the second projection42f(seeFIGS.8A to8C).

The second stopper55dis a plate piece protruding tangentially from the outer peripheral surface of the second cam55, and protrudes downward from the front surface of the second cam55. In the initial position, the second stopper55dis in contact with the front surface (second surface) of the lock bar56(seeFIGS.5and8A).

As illustrated inFIG.5, the lock bar56is supported between the upper and lower cams54and55so as to be movable in the top-bottom direction relative to the rear surface of the base plate42. Reference symbol58inFIG.5is a substantially crank-shaped guide plate that guides sliding of the lock bar56in the top-bottom direction on the rear surface of the base plate42.

The total length of the lock bar56is shorter than the pitch between the engagement holes54band55b. Specifically, the total length of the lock bar56is such that, in a state in which the first end56aengages with the first engagement hole54b, the second end56bdisengages from the second engagement hole55bupward and slightly separates from the outer peripheral surface of the second cam55. In other words, the lock bar56has such a length with which, in a state in which the second end56bengages with the second engagement hole55b, the first end56adisengages from the first engagement hole54bdownward and slightly separates from the outer peripheral surface of the first cam54.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the lock bar56in this embodiment includes a first bar56A and a second bar56B that are divided into two in the top-bottom direction, and an elastic member56C connecting the bars56A and56B (see alsoFIG.8A).

The first bar56A has the first end56aat its top end. The second bar56B has the second end56bat its bottom end. The elastic member56C is an extendable member connecting the bottom end of the first bar56A and the top end of the second bar56B, and is, for example, a coil spring. With such a structure, the lock bar56in this embodiment can reduce the distance between the first end56aand the second end56b, i.e. the total length.

As illustrated inFIG.6A, the first torque generator52applies a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation of the first arm42cof the base plate42and the arm48aof the first auxiliary plate48around the axis of the first hinge shaft40. The first torque generator52is formed by, for example, stacking a plurality of metal disc springs, and has, at the axial center of each disc spring, a through hole through which the first hinge shaft40is inserted.

InFIG.6A, reference symbol60is an end cap, and reference symbol61is a nut. The end cap60is fixed to one end of the first hinge shaft40, and the nut61is fastened to the other end of the first hinge shaft40. The bracket23can adjust the torque generated by the first torque generator52, by adjusting the tightening torque of the nut61.

As illustrated inFIG.7A, the second torque generator53applies a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation of the second arm42dof the base plate42and the arm49aof the second auxiliary plate49around the axis of the second hinge shaft41. The structure of the second torque generator53and its surroundings is the same as or similar to the structure of the first torque generator52and its surroundings described above. That is, the second hinge shaft41is equally provided with an end cap60and a nut61. The bracket23can adjust the torque generated by the second torque generator53, by adjusting the tightening torque of the nut61.

The tilt-up operation and the tilt-down operation of the bracket23including the stopper mechanism46described above will be described below.

FIG.8Ais a schematic side sectional view of the bracket23in the initial position.FIG.8Bis a side sectional view illustrating a state in which the bracket23illustrated inFIG.8Ais tilted up.FIG.8Cis a side sectional view illustrating a state in which the bracket23illustrated inFIG.8Ais tilted down. InFIGS.8A to8C, the chassis22attached to the attachment plate45is designated by dashed-two dotted lines.

As illustrated inFIG.8A, in the initial position, the lock bar56slides downward under its own weight, and the first end56adisengages from the first engagement hole54bof the first cam54and the second end56bengages with the second engagement hole55bof the second cam55. That is, the lock bar56engages with the second cam55that is relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41. Accordingly, the base plate42connected to the lock bar56is integrated with the second hinge shaft41and the attachment plates45and51relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41. As a result, the relative rotation between the second hinge shaft41and the second arm42dof the base plate42is restricted in the bracket23.

Meanwhile, the lock bar56disengages from the first cam54that is relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40. Accordingly, the relative rotation between the first arm42cof the base plate42and the first hinge shaft40is allowed in the bracket23. Here, the first hinge shaft40is integrated with the fixing plates44and50fixed to the wall36via the bracket plate30.

In the case of performing the tilt-up operation illustrated inFIG.8Bfrom this initial position, the chassis22is grasped and swung upward. As a result, by the upward external force applied to the chassis22, the base plate42in the bracket23rotates upward together with the attachment plates45and51and the chassis22fixed to the attachment plates45and51around the first hinge shaft40integrated with the wall36as the rotation axis (seeFIG.8B) .

In this way, the chassis22can be tilted up to a desired angle. During this tilt-up operation, the first projection42eprovided on the first arm42cof the base plate42moves in the first groove54cof the first cam54(seeFIGS.8A and8B). The distance by which the first projection42ecan move in the first groove54cis regulated by the gap G1. Hence, the distance by which the first projection42ecan move in the first groove54cregulates the angle range of the relative rotation between the first hinge shaft40and the base plate42during the tilt-up operation, i.e. the tilt-up angle of the chassis22. In the electronic apparatus10according to this embodiment, the tilt-up angle is 15 degrees.

In the case of performing the tilt-down operation illustrated inFIG.8Cfrom the initial position illustrated inFIG.8A, the chassis22is grasped and swung downward. As a result, by the downward external force applied to the chassis22, the second hinge shaft41and the attachment plates45and51integrated with the second hinge shaft41in the bracket23rotate with the second arm42dof the base plate42as a bearing. Here, the second cam55relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41rotates, too. Consequently, the inner peripheral surface of the second engagement hole55bof the second cam55slides on the second end56bof the lock bar56, and the lock bar56is pushed up along the inclined surface provided at the edge of the second engagement hole55b(seeFIG.8C). That is, the lock bar56slides upward against its own weight.

As a result, the lock bar56has the first end56aengaging with the first engagement hole54bof the first cam54, and the second end56bdisengaging from the second engagement hole55bof the second cam55. That is, the lock bar56engages with the first engagement hole54bof the first cam54that is relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40. Accordingly, the base plate42connected to the lock bar56is integrated with the first hinge shaft40and the fixing plates44and50relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40. Consequently, the relative rotation between the first hinge shaft40and the first arm42cof the base plate42is restricted in the bracket23.

Meanwhile, the lock bar56disengages from the second cam55that is relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41. Accordingly, the relative rotation between the second arm42dof the base plate42and the second hinge shaft41is allowed in the bracket23. Here, the second hinge shaft41is integrated with the attachment plate45and the chassis22fixed to the attachment plate45.

In this way, the chassis22can be tilted down to a desired angle. During this tilt-down operation, the second projection42fprovided on the second arm42dof the base plate42moves in the second groove55cof the second cam55(seeFIGS.8A and8C). The distance by which the second projection42fcan move in the second groove55cis regulated by the gap G2. Hence, the distance by which the second projection42fcan move in the second groove55cregulates the angle range of the relative rotation between the second hinge shaft41and the base plate42during the tilt-down operation, i.e. the tilt-down angle of the chassis22. In the electronic apparatus10according to this embodiment, the tilt-down angle is 15 degrees.

When the bracket23is in the initial position illustrated inFIG.8A, the first stopper54dof the first cam54is in contact with the rear surface of the lock bar56and the second stopper55dof the second cam55is in contact with the front surface of the lock bar56. This prevents the base plate42from inverse-rotating rearward around the first hinge shaft40as the rotation center and prevents the attachment plates45and51from inverse-rotating upward around the second hinge shaft41as the rotation center in the bracket23.

FIG.9is a side sectional view illustrating a state in which the lock bar56is stuck between the first cam54and the second cam55from the state illustrated inFIG.8A.

The bracket23includes the two hinge shafts40and41. Therefore, for example when the chassis22is forcibly pulled forward, the bracket23rotates around the axes of the hinge shafts40and41simultaneously. This can cause the lock bar56to be in a stuck state in which the first end56agets caught on the inclined surface provided at the edge of the first engagement hole54band simultaneously the second end56bgets caught on the inclined surface provided at the edge of the second engagement hole55b, as illustrated inFIG.9.

In this stuck state, the rotation operations around the axes of the hinge shafts40and41are simultaneously restricted. An attempt to forcibly swing the chassis22upward or downward from the stuck state in the electronic apparatus10causes an excessive load on each part of the bracket23, and can lead to damage or malfunction.

In view of this, the lock bar56in this embodiment includes the two bars56A and56B divided in the top-bottom direction, and the elastic member56C connecting the bars56A and56B. In the case where an excessive force is applied to the chassis22from the stuck state illustrated inFIG.9, the elastic member56C contracts and the total length of the lock bar56shortens in the bracket23. This clears the stuck state in which the ends56aand56bof the lock bar56get caught on the inclined surfaces of the engagement holes54band55b. Subsequently, for example, the chassis22is pushed rearward to return the bracket23to the initial position, as a result of which normal tilt-up and tilt-down operations can be performed again.

As described above, the electronic apparatus10according to this embodiment includes: the chassis22that contains electronic components and has the camera24, the display unit27, and/or the light26on the front surface22a; and the bracket23that is attached to the rear surface22bof the chassis22and used for wall-mounting and fixing the chassis22. The bracket23includes the stopper mechanism46that selectively restricts the relative rotation of the first arm42cof the base plate42and the fixing plate44around the axis of the first hinge shaft40and the relative rotation of the second arm42dof the base plate42and the attachment plate45around the axis of the second hinge shaft41.

Thus, the electronic apparatus10can selectively execute the tilt-up operation around the first hinge shaft40as the rotation center and the tilt-down operation around the second hinge shaft41as the rotation center, for the chassis22wall-mounted and fixed via the bracket23. The bracket23includes the hinge shafts40and41which are two shafts arranged in the top-bottom direction. Therefore, in both the tilt-up operation and the tilt-down operation, the top and bottom corners of the rear surface22bof the chassis22are kept from interfering with the wall36, and a large movable range of, for example,15degrees can be secured at each of the top and the bottom, as illustrated inFIGS.2B and8A to8C. Moreover, the bracket23does not need a motor mechanism, and its thickness in the depth direction can be minimized by the effect of expanding the angle range of the chassis22by the foregoing two shafts. The depth dimension of the bracket23according to this embodiment in the initial position is, for example, 10 mm or less, so that the protrusion length of the electronic apparatus10including the chassis22from the wall36is 100 mm or less.

The above describes a structure in which the first arm42cof the base plate42is relatively rotatably borne by the first hinge shaft40and the fixing plate44is relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40and the second arm42dof the base plate42is relatively rotatably borne by the second hinge shaft41and the attachment plate45is relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41.

Alternatively, the bracket23may have a structure in which the first arm42cof the base plate42is relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40and the fixing plate44is relatively rotatably borne by the first hinge shaft40and the second arm42dof the base plate42is relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41and the attachment plate45is relatively rotatably borne by the second hinge shaft41. In this case, for example, the first cam54is integrally connected to the fixing plate44, and the second cam5is integrally connected to the attachment plate45. This structure will be described in more detail below, using a bracket23A according to a modification illustrated inFIGS.10to12B.

As illustrated inFIGS.10to12B, in the bracket23A, the first arm42cis relatively non-rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft40, the second arm42dis relatively non-rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41, the fixing plates44and50are relatively rotatably borne by the first hinge shaft40, and the attachment plates45and51are relatively rotatably borne by the second hinge shaft41. In this case, the first cam54of the stopper mechanism46is relatively rotatably borne by the first hinge shaft40and is relatively non-rotatably connected to the fixing plates44and50, and the second cam55of the stopper mechanism46is relatively rotatably connected to the second hinge shaft41and is relatively non-rotatably connected to the attachment plates45and51. The first cam54and the fixing plates44and50are integrally connected to each other by, for example, a metal plate70fixed to their rear surfaces. Likewise, the second cam55and the attachment plates45and51are integrally connected to each other by, for example, a metal plate70fixed to their front surfaces. Each metal plate70is not fixed to the arms42cand42dof the base plate42.

As a result of the second end56bdisengaging from the second engagement hole55bin a state in which the first end56aengages with the first engagement hole54b, the lock bar56of the stopper mechanism46restricts the rotation of the fixing plates44and50relative to the first hinge shaft40and allows the rotation of the attachment plates45and51relative to the second hinge shaft41. Thus, the attachment plates45and51and the second cam55rotate relative to the second hinge shaft41and the base plate42, and the bracket23A is tilted down (seeFIG.12B). As a result of the first end56adisengaging from the first engagement hole54bin a state in which the second end56bengages with the second engagement hole55b, the lock bar56restricts the rotation of the attachment plates45and51relative to the second hinge shaft41and allows the rotation of the fixing plates44and50relative to the first hinge shaft40. In this way, the base plate42, together with the first hinge shaft40, rotates around the axis of the first hinge shaft40to thus rotate relative to the fixing plates44and50and the first cam54, and the bracket23A is tilted up (seeFIG.12A).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and changes can be made freely without departing from the gist of the present invention.