LCD display apparatus

A desktop computer includes a flat-panel display for displaying an image according to an externally supplied video signal, a mainframe chassis for supporting said flat-panel display and containing auxiliary computer equipment, a stand for connecting said mainframe chassis to said flat-panel display, and a panel adjusting device for controlling the viewing angle of said flat-panel display.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and 
claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from an application 
for DISPLAY APATUS earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property 
Office on Oct. 1, 1996 and there duly assigned Serial No. 43580/1996. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process providing a 
variable visual display for electronic equipment such as a personal 
computer and, more specifically, to a process and variable visual display 
apparatus for promoting the effective use of desk space. 
2. Discussion of Related Art 
Usually, a personal computer system using a Braun tube monitor is largely 
divided into three is basic parts: a monitor, a keyboard and a mainframe. 
The monitor, which is seldom moved after being initially positioned on a 
user's desk, must be situated in front of the user, i.e., within eyesight, 
and relatively close. The keyboard, which is frequently moved, is 
positioned in the user's immediate work space, i.e., closer than the 
monitor. The mainframe, which is often remotely positioned, is very rarely 
moved after installation. 
Since the computer's auxiliary equipment however, such as floppy disk 
drives, compact disk read-only memory drives and digital video device 
drives, is directly connected to the mainframe or internally contained 
inside the housing of the mainframe, the mainframe must be placed such 
that access to the mainframe by the user is not prohibitively 
inconvenient. 
U.S. Design Pat. No. 313,405 for a Computer Display With Adjustable Stand 
to Barry et al discloses the ornamental design for a computer display with 
an adjustable stand. However, the computer display is not a flat panel 
display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,570 for a Desktop Computer With Adjustable 
Flat Panel Screen discloses a display screen position ajustable in 
inclination angle, aximuth angle and elevation translation movements. The 
support arms employed lack structural stability, however. 
What is needed is a sturdy mechanism that performs adjustments to a flat 
panel screen of a computer so that the user can easily see the screen 
while having the mainframe out of the way. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide an improved 
process and apparatus for visually displaying varying visual images 
generated by a computer system. 
It is an object to provide a display process and apparatus that 
substantially obviates one or more of the limitations and disadvantages of 
the related art. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus 
which allows a user to effectively arrange a computer system in a desk-top 
environment such that auxiliary equipment is conveniently accessible. 
It is yet another object to provide a stable base mount for the adjustable 
flat panel display screen. 
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in 
the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the 
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The 
objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and 
attained by the structure as illustrated in the written description and 
claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose 
of the present invention as embodied and broadly described, there is 
provided a display apparatus comprising: a flat-panel display for 
displaying an image according to an externally supplied video signal; a 
chassis for supporting said flat-panel display and containing auxiliary 
computer equipment; a stand for connecting said chassis to said flat-panel 
display; and panel adjusting means for controlling the viewing angle of 
said flat-panel display, by movably coupling the stand unit and the 
flat-panel display, where the stand may or may not be detachable from the 
chassis. An angle control unit is provided on the bottom of the stand unit 
for adjusting the angle of the display apparatus to facilitate the use of 
the auxiliary equipment. 
The present invention also provides a display apparatus as above whose 
stand unit supports the flat-panel display, but has means for detachably 
coupling to the auxiliary computer equipment. The coupling means is in the 
form of a tongue-and-groove fixture connected to separated stand top and 
bottom portions, respectively. 
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the 
following detailed description are merely exemplary and are intended to 
provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display apparatus of the present invention 
comprises a flat-panel display 2 which includes means (not shown) for 
displaying an image according to an externally supplied video signal; 
chassis 3 and stand unit 33 which supports the flat-panel display and 
houses auxiliary equipment 6 which is connected to a computer (not shown); 
and a panel adjustment unit 15 for adjusting the flat-panel display as 
desired, by hinge-coupling the flat-panel display and the stand unit. The 
stand unit 33 allows the flat panel display 2 to be adjusted in 
inclination angle, azimuth angle, and in elevation translation movements 
relative to the chassis 3. 
The auxiliary equipment 6 is internally installed in chassis 3 which 
includes a container 4 for housing the auxiliary equipment. Retainers 5 
and 5' are formed on either side of the front of the chassis 3, for 
securing the auxiliary equipment 6. Elastic fixing members 9 and 9', 
comprising elastic retaining portions 7 and 7' and compression portions 8 
and 8', are attached to the sides of the auxiliary equipment 6, such that 
the auxiliary equipment can be fixedly installed in the container 4 by 
hand. Here, when inserting the auxiliary equipment 6 into the container 4, 
as shown in FIG. 2, the elastic retaining portions 7 and 7' are caught by 
the retainers 5 and 5', while the compression portions 8 and 8' press the 
inner sides of the container 4. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present invention is provided with an angle 
control unit for adjusting the angle of the display apparatus and allowing 
a user to more conveniently insert a floppy disk or CD-ROM into the 
auxiliary equipment 6. Here, a pair of feet 10 each having a protrusion 16 
are fixed to the bottom of chassis 3 by a pair of hinge pins 11. FIG. 4 
shows one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, stand 
33 and chassis 3 form a single integrated monolithic unit. 
FIGS. 5 and 6 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
Here, guide rails (tongues) 12 are formed on the top of a chassis 3a, and 
grooves 13 are formed on the bottom of chassis cover 3b. Thus, the 
auxiliary equipment 6 is detachably installed beneath the main body of the 
display apparatus. In this second embodiment, stand 33 is detachable from 
chassis 3a. 
As described above, the present invention includes a stand unit where the 
main body of the display apparatus is fixed such that its viewing angle 
can be adjusted using a hinge. A container for containing auxiliary 
equipment, such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM drive, is formed within the 
main frame chassis. Elastic fixing members comprised of elastic retaining 
portions and compression portions are attached to the sides of the 
auxiliary equipment. Through the above configuration, the auxiliary 
equipment can be integrally installed in the container of the chassis, 
thus enabling the effectively arrangement of the system in a desk-top 
environment. Additionally, the auxiliary equipment can be positioned very 
near the user, thus enhancing user convenience. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications 
can be made in the display apparatus of the present invention, without 
departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the 
present invention cover such modifications as well as variations thereof 
within the scope of the appended claims.