Frame casing and display device

A frame casing according to the present invention is provided on side surfaces of a display section, and includes: a plurality of divided frames which are L-shaped and disposed along the side surfaces of the display section with adjacent ends thereof along a circumferential direction overlapping one another; and a attaching section which is formed in a middle of a circumferential direction of each of the plurality of divided frames and which attaches the plurality of divided frames to the side surfaces of the display section, total length of the divided frames along the circumferential direction being greater than total length of the side surfaces of the display section along the circumferential direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a frame casing provided on side surfaces of a display section and a display device incorporating the same.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-090149 filed Mar. 30, 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Various display devices, such as liquid crystal displays and plasma displays, have been used recently. These display devices usually include a rectangular display section.

Various frame casings have been attached to side surfaces of the display section in the past (see, for example, Patent document 1).

There is known a frame casing in which divided frames, which are divided along a circumferential direction of the frame, are connected to one another and attached to side surfaces of a display section.[Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-201318

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

With the above-described frame casing, however, the divided frames in a state in which the divided frames are connected to one another cannot be attached to display sections if the display sections have a variation (tolerance) in size. There is a problem that, if the divided frames are able to be attached to the display section, the divided frames may be subject to excessive stress. If the divided frames expand or contract due to temperature changes in, for example, an outside environment, stress may concentrate on, for example, joint sections of the divided frames. As a result, there arises a problem in that the joint sections may be broken or damaged.

The frame casing not only holds and protects the display section, but affects the appearance of the display device as a design factor. Accordingly, there is also a problem that the design effectiveness may be impaired depending on the amount of expansion or contraction of the divided frames.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a frame casing and a display device with prolonged durability and long-term design effectiveness.

Means For Solving the Problem

In order to solve the foregoing problems, the present invention provides the following means.

A frame casing according to the present invention is provided on side surfaces of a display section, and includes: a plurality of divided frames which are L-shaped and disposed along the side surfaces of the display section with adjacent ends thereof along a circumferential direction overlapping one another; and a attaching section which is formed in a middle of a circumferential direction of each of the plurality of divided frames and which attaches the plurality of divided frames to the side surfaces of the display section, total length of the divided frames along the circumferential direction being greater than total length of the side surfaces of the display section along the circumferential direction.

With the frame casing according to the present invention, the plurality of divided frames are attached to the side surfaces of the display section so that the adjacent ends thereof along the circumferential direction overlap one another. The ends of the divided frames can therefore be expanded and contracted freely. With this configuration, durability can be improved. Moreover, even if the divided frames expand or contract, the side surfaces of the display section can be prevented from being exposed. Accordingly, design effectiveness can be maintained for prolonged periods.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the divided frame may include an inner peripheral wall section at one end of the divided frame along the circumferential direction and at an inner circumferential side of the divided frame along a thickness direction of the divided frame, the inner peripheral wall section protruding along the circumferential direction of the divided frame.

With this configuration, the ends along the circumferential direction of the plurality of divided frames can be easily made to overlap one another.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the divided frame may include: a base section disposed along the side surface of the display section; and a front wall section disposed at an end portion of the base section along a width direction thereof, the front wall section extending in a direction perpendicular to the base section so as to cover an edge portion in front of the display section.

With this configuration, the divided frames can be reliably attached to the side surfaces of the display section.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the attaching section may be provided in a middle of the base section along the circumferential direction, and the attaching section may include a through hole in which a screw is inserted to be screwed into the side surface of the display section.

With this configuration, the divided frames can be easily attached to or removed from the side surfaces of the display section.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the attaching section may be provided in a middle of the base section along the circumferential direction, and the attaching section may include a through hole in which a screw is inserted to be screwed into the side surface of the display section.

With this configuration, attaching positions of the divided frames can be adjusted easily.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the base section may be brought into contact with and attached to the side surface of the display section.

With this configuration, the entire device can be made compact.

A display device according to the present invention includes a frame casing according to the present invention and the display section.

With the display device according to the present invention, similar advantageous effects as those of the frame casing of the present invention can be provided.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the ends of the divided frames along the circumferential direction overlap one another. Therefore, variation in the size of the display section and expansion and contraction of both ends of the divided frames can be tolerated. Accordingly, durability of the frame casing can be improved. Moreover, the total length of the plurality of divided frames along the circumferential direction is greater than the total length of the side surfaces of the display section. Accordingly, if the divided frames expand or contract, the side surfaces of the display section can be prevented from being exposed. Accordingly, the design effectiveness of the frame casing can be maintained for prolonged periods.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, a display device1includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped display section3and a rectangular annular-shaped frame casing6which covers all the side surfaces of the display section3.

The display section3may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. Screw holes, which are not illustrated, are formed on the side surfaces of the display section3. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a rectangular annular-shaped protective frame10made of a metallic material is provided on the side surfaces of the display section3. The protective frame10protects the display section3. The protective frame10is disposed within the frame casing6and is therefore not exposed to the exterior. Through holes, which are not illustrated, are formed on the protective frame10. The positions of the through holes correspond to the positions of the screw holes of the display section3when the protective frame10is assembled to the display section3.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the protective frame10includes an L-shaped back cover25on the surface thereof. The back cover25has four side surfaces25aalong the side surfaces of the display section3. Through holes, which are not illustrated, are provided on the side surfaces25aof the back cover25. The positions of the through holes correspond to the positions of the screw holes of the display section3when the back cover25is assembled to the display section3. The back cover25constitutes the side surfaces of the display section3.

The back cover25is not illustrated inFIG. 2.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the frame casing6includes four resin-made divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalong a circumferential direction S. The divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare L-shaped to cover corners of the display section3.

The divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dinclude a long base section13(base section) and a short base section14(base section) expanding as rectangular plates. The length (longitudinal dimension) of the long base section13along the circumferential direction S is greater than the length of the short base section14along the circumferential direction S.

The circumferential direction S refers to a circumferential direction of the frame casing6when the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare attached to the display section3to form a rectangle annular configuration. The circumferential direction S used in the description of each of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dformed in an L-shape also refers to the circumferential direction when each of them is attached to the frame casing6.

The long base section13and the short base section14are jointed together at one ends thereof along the circumferential direction S, and are perpendicular to each other.

The long base section13and the short base section14have through holes (attaching sections)4formed to penetrate the thickness direction thereof. A plurality of through holes4are provided at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction S. A plurality of through holes4are also provided along a width direction D of the long base section13and the short base section14.

The width direction D refers to a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction S in the surfaces of the long base section13and the short base section14provided along the surface of the protective frame10. The width direction D is a depth direction of the display section3in a state in which the frame casing6is attached to the display section3.

The through holes4are formed in the middle of the circumferential direction S of the long base section13and the short base section14. That is, the through holes4are not formed at the ends of the long base section13and the short base section1in the circumferential direction S.

At one end portion (long side portion) of the long base section13and the short base section14in the width direction D, there is provided an L-shaped front wall section15over the total length of the one end portion. The front wall section15extends along a direction perpendicular to the long base section13and the short base section14. That is, the L-shaped front wall section15is provided along edges of the long base section13and the short base section14. A folded wall section16folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the front wall section15is provided at one end portion (long side portion) of the front wall section15. That is, the folded wall section16is provided along the edge of the front wall section15at a predetermined angle with respect to the front wall section15. The long base section13, the short base section14, the front wall section15and the folded wall section16are formed integrally with one another.

An inner peripheral wall section20is provided at the ends of the long base section13and the front wall section15along the circumferential direction S so as to protrude along the circumferential direction S. The thickness dimension of the inner peripheral wall section20is smaller than the thickness dimensions of the long base section13and the front wall section15. That is, the inner peripheral wall section20is thinner than the long base section13and the front wall section15. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the inner peripheral wall section20is provided at inner side sections13aand14aof an inner circumferential side among side portions of one ends in the thickness direction of the long base section13and the front wall section15. The inner side surface of the inner peripheral wall section20is flash with the inner side surfaces of the long base section13and the front wall section15.

The sum of the length (total length) of the long base sections13and the short base sections14of all the four divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalong the circumferential direction S is shorter than the sum of the length (total length) of all the side surfaces of the display section3along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 1, when the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare attached to the side surfaces of the display section3, a clearance C1is formed along the circumferential direction S between the long base section13of the divided frame2aand the short base section14of the divided frame2d. Similarly, the clearance C1is formed between the long base section13of the divided frame2dand the short base section14of the divided frame2c, between the long base section13of the divided frame2cand the short base section14of the divided frame2b, and between the long base section13of the divided frame2band the short base section14of the divided frame2a.

The length (total length) obtained by adding the sum of the length of the long base sections13and the short base sections14of all the four divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalong the circumferential direction S to the sum of the length of the inner peripheral wall sections20of all the four divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalong the circumferential direction S is greater than the length (total length) of the side surfaces of the display section3along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, when the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare attached to the side surfaces of the display section3, the ends of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2doverlap one another in the thickness direction.

An operation of the display device1according to the thus-configured present exemplary embodiment will be described.

First, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare disposed along the side surfaces25aof the back cover25which constitutes the side surfaces of the display section3. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the inner side surface of each divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dis brought into contact with the side surface25aof the back cover25so that the end portions of the short base section14and the front wall section15are disposed outside of the inner peripheral wall section20which is adjacent to them along the circumferential direction S. At this time, the ends of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2doverlap one another along the circumferential direction S. Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 4, regarding the inner side surface of each divided frames2a,2b,2cand2d, the long base sections13and the short base sections14are brought into contact with the entire back cover25, i.e., the four side surfaces25a.

Next, fixing screws22are inserted in the screw holes of the display section3and fastened thereto via the through holes4at the front side, the through holes formed in the side surface25aof the back cover25and the through holes formed in the protective frame10. In this manner, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare fixed to the side surfaces of the display section3, and their outer surfaces are flush with each other. The clearance C1is formed between the long base section13and the short base section14along the circumferential directions S. An inner peripheral wall section20is disposed in the clearance C1.

The front wall sections15cover the edge portions of the front surface of the display section3along the entire circumference. An end of the folded wall section16is brought into contact with the edge portion of the front surface of the display section3.

In this manner, each of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dis attached to the side surfaces of the display section3. No connecting portions for connecting the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare provided. Accordingly, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare not connected together and are released from one another.

The frame casing6of the display device1may expand or contract due to temperature change of an outside environment.

In the display device1according to the present exemplary embodiment, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare not connected together and the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare free from each other at the end portions along the circumferential direction S. Moreover, the clearance C1is set to be longer than a distance of displacement of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dwhen expanded. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 5, even if the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dexpand or contract, adjacent divided frames do not interfere with each other. That is, by forming the clearance C1, expansion and contraction of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare allowed.

Since the total length of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalong the circumferential direction S is greater than the total length of the side surfaces of the display section3, the ends of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2doverlap one another. Moreover, the length of the inner peripheral wall section20at areas in which the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2doverlap one another is set to be greater than a distance of displacement of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dwhen contracted. Accordingly, even if the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dcontract, the side surfaces of the display section3are not exposed to the outside. That is, even if the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dexpand or contract, only a degree of exposure of the inner peripheral wall section20is varied and the side surfaces of the display section3are still covered with the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2d.

The above-described configuration which allows expansion and contraction of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dalso tolerates variation in size of the display section3. That is, the total length of the side surfaces of the display section3along the circumferential direction may be varied. The variation is tolerated by controlling the areas where the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2doverlap one another. In particular, since the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare formed in L-shape, any variation occurring in any side of the display section3can be tolerated.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, if a protective glass26is disposed in front of the display section3, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare attached via the fixing screws22inserted through the through holes4at the rear side. Accordingly, a clearance C2is formed between an end of the folded wall section16and the front surface of the display section3. The protective glass26is disposed in the clearance C2.

As described above, with the display device1according to the present exemplary embodiment, even if size of the display section3varies or the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dexpand or contract due to temperature change, the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2ddo not interfere with each other. Accordingly, durability of the frame casing6can be improved. With the inner peripheral wall section20being provided, even if the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dexpand or contract, the side surfaces of the display section3can be prevented from being exposed. Accordingly, the design effectiveness of the frame casing6can be maintained for prolonged periods. Since the inner peripheral wall section20enables the outer surfaces of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dto be flush with each other, the design effectiveness of the frame casing6can further be improved.

Inner surfaces of the divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dare brought into contact with the side surfaces of the display section3and are attached only by the fixing screws22. Thus, the number of attaching parts can be reduced without sacrificing attaching strength. Accordingly, the entire display device1can be made further compact.

The divided frames2a,2b,2cand2dcan be attached to or removed from only by the fixing screws22. Accordingly, the frame casing6can be attached rapidly and easily. The protective glass26can be attached to or removed from with a lessened burden.

The back cover25is provided in the above-described exemplary embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. No back cover25may be provided at all. With this configuration, the entire display device can be made further compact.

The technical range of the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a frame casing provided on side surfaces of a display section and to a display device incorporating the same. According to the present invention, a frame casing with prolonged durability and long-term design effectiveness can be provided.