Abstract:
A stand for a display device is provided. The stand prevents a viewer located at a side of the display from experiencing the problems of a narrow viewing angle by allowing the display device to be pivoted in a wide angle without interference from a wall behind the device. The stand includes a base, a swivel hinge, a fixed unit, a telescopic unit, and a movable unit. The swivel hinge is fixed to the base. The fixed unit is rotatably fixed to the swivel hinge. The telescopic unit includes one member fixed to the fixed unit. The movable unit, to which the other member of the telescopic unit is fixed, is capable of being translated in left and right directions of the base and being rotated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a stand for a display device, and more particularly, to a stand for a display device that increases convenience for viewers viewing the display device from a side thereof, by allowing a lateral translation of the display device to increase the pivoting angle of the display.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A display device according to the related art is divided into wall and floor mounted displays. The present invention relates mostly to the floor-mounted type of display.  
         [0005]     A floor-mounted stand is provided to support a flat screen display device at the bottom thereof, so that the display device may be viewed from the front thereof. Also, a user located to one side of the display can pivot the display device to a side in order to adjust the viewing angle of the display device. For this purpose, the stand usually has a built-in hinge that allows pivoting of the display device to the left and right. The swiveling rotation characteristic of such display devices is a necessary feature for display devices with a narrow viewing angle.  
         [0006]     In narrow interior spaces, a display device must often be positioned closely against a wall, so that the degree that it can pivot is restricted.  
         [0007]     That is, when the display device is pivoted, the edges thereof come into contact with the wall, so that even when the pivoting angle of the hinge allows for further pivoting, the display device cannot be pivoted further until it is moved a certain distance forward from the wall. Thus, when it is not possible to move the display device forward in its entirety, it cannot be pivoted any further. Accordingly, a user cannot further adjust the viewing angle of the display device, and will not be able to see a clear picture from his/her position to a side of the display device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a stand for a display device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.  
         [0009]     An object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a display device that allows maximum use of its pivoting angle to the left and right.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a display device that is capable of translation movement to the left and right, so that adjusting of the viewing angle of the display device can be increased.  
         [0011]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a display device that allows a user to more conveniently pivot the display device to the left and right.  
         [0012]     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
         [0013]     To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a base; a swivel hinge fixed to the base; a fixed unit rotatably fixed to the swivel hinge; a telescopic unit including one member fixed to the fixed unit; and a movable unit to which the other member of the telescopic unit is fixed, the movable unit being capable of being translated in left and right directions of the base and being rotated.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a base to which the display device is fixed; a swivel hinge provided between the base and the display device, for allowing rotation of the display device with respect to the base; and a telescopic unit provided between the base and the display device, for allowing translation of the display device in one direction with respect to the base.  
         [0015]     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a base; a swivel hinge having a lower portion fixed to the base; a fixed plate fixed to an upper portion of the swivel hinge for rotation; a telescopic unit having one member fixed to an upper portion of the fixed plate; a sliding plate to which the other member of the telescopic unit is fixed and capable of translation with respect to the fixed plate; and a support fixed to an upper portion of the sliding plate for supporting the display device.  
         [0016]     The stand for the display device according to the present invention allows the viewing angle of the display device to be adjusted more widely—especially when there is a restriction imposed on the pivoting angle of the display device—to increase a user&#39;s convenience.  
         [0017]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand for a display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the stand in  FIG. 1 , taken along line I-I′;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a movable unit and a fixed unit according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the lower portion in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top view showing a pivoted display device;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top view showing a pivoted and translated display device;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a stand according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a movable unit, fixed unit, and their surrounding structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the lower portion of the stand in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a plan view showing a display device that has not been pivoted, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a plan view showing a display device that has been pivoted and in a position beginning lateral translation, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a plan view showing a display device that is in the midst of lateral translation, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a stand according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the stand in  FIG. 13  taken along line II-II′. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand for a display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a stand for a display device according to the present invention includes a display device  1 , a supporting stand  5  supporting the display device  1  at a bottom thereof, a movable unit  4  disposed below the supporting stand  5 , a fixed unit  3  disposed below the movable unit  4 , and a base  2  for supporting the weight of the display device  1  while preventing it from falling over. An upper housing  7  is provided on the outside of the movable unit  4 , and a lower housing  6  is provided on the outside of the fixed unit  3 . The housings  6  and  7  form the exteriors of the movable unit  4  and fixed unit  3 .  
         [0036]     The movable unit  4  and the fixed unit  3  pivot together. However, when the display device  1  is translated laterally, the fixed unit  3  remains fixed, while the movable unit  4  moves laterally. Thus, the fixed unit  3  only pivots, while the movable unit  4  pivots as well as translates laterally. Because the movable unit  4  is capable of lateral translation, the pivotable angle of the display device  1  increases. Therefore, the adjustable range for the viewing angle is broadened.  
         [0037]     Below, the inner structure of the moving and fixed portions  4  and  3  will be described in further detail.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the stand in  FIG. 1 , taken along line I-I′, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a movable unit and a fixed unit according to the present invention.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a stand for a display device according to the present invention includes a base  2  for supporting the screen, a supporting stand  5  fastened to the display device, a movable unit  4  that is an inner component of the upper housing  7  and performs lateral translation and pivoting simultaneously with the supporting stand fixed thereto, and a fixed unit  3  that pivots while fixed to the base  2  and is an inner component of the lower housing  6 . Because a mounting unit  21  is provided on top of the base  2 , and a swivel hinge  8  is provided on top of the mounting unit  21 , the components above the swivel hinge  8  can pivot with respect to the components under the swivel hinge  8 .  
         [0040]     In further detail, the fixed unit  3  is fixed to the top of the swivel hinge  8 , and has a fixed plate  31  that swivels, and the lower housing  6  that covers the fixed plate  31 . A telescopic unit  9  is disposed on top of the fixed plate  31 . The telescopic unit is retractable device and has bearings interposed for sliding the two components of the telescopic unit against one another.  
         [0041]     The telescopic unit  9  includes a lower member  32  fixed to the fixed plate  31 , an upper member  42  fixed to a sliding plate  41 , a bearing  33  for allowing the upper member  42  and the lower member  32  to slide, and a friction member  34  provided at a contacting portion between the upper and lower members  42  and  32 . The friction member  34  prevents the upper and lower members  42  and  32  from sliding along the bearing  33  until a predetermined force is applied. In detail, the lower member  32  of the telescopic unit  9  can be said to be a part of the fixed unit  3 , and the upper member  42  can be said to be a connecting component for the moving and fixed units  4  and  3 .  
         [0042]     The movable unit  4  includes a sliding plate  41  fixed to the top of the upper member  42 , a mounting plate  43  fixed to the top of the sliding plate, and an upper housing  7  covering the mounting plate  43 .  
         [0043]     From the above configured structure, there are dispensable components. For example, the mounting plate  43  may be formed integrally with the sliding plate  41  to eliminate the need for a separate component, and the housings  6  and  7  are not required items as well.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the lower portion in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the connecting structure of the mounting unit  21 , swivel hinge  8 , fixed plate  31 , and telescopic unit  9  may be more clearly understood.  
         [0045]     Referring to the above-described structure, the operation of the stand for the display device according to the present invention will now be described in detail.  
         [0046]     First, when a user wishes to adjust the viewing angle of the display device, force is applied to pivot the display device to the clockwise or counterclockwise. When the force is applied, the swivel hinge  8  acts as a pivoting point, and the components above the swivel hinge  8  pivot, while the mounting unit  21  and the base  2  remain fixed. Even if the force that the user applies is not in a pivoting direction of the display device, but in a pushing direction of the display device laterally, the friction imparted by the friction member  34  can prevent the telescopic unit  9  from operating and keep it fixed.  
         [0047]     When the pivoting of the display device  1  exceeds a certain angle, the display device  1  contacts the wall behind it and can no longer pivot. The display device in  FIG. 5  illustrates this condition.  
         [0048]     Here, the user changes the direction of force applied to cease the pivoting movement of the display device, while applying force pushing the display device to the left or the right. When such a force pushing the display device left or right is increased, the telescopic unit  9 , which was previously prevented from moving by the friction provided by the friction member  34 , operates. In other words, the upper member  42  slides along the bearing  33  against the lower member  32  in a translation movement. This is shown clearly by the plan view of a display device in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0049]     As seen clearly in  FIG. 6 , the display device  1  translates laterally by the telescopic unit  9 , so that the angle that the display device  1  is able to pivot to the left and right increases. Thus, the display device  1  may be pivoted further in accordance with the increased pivotable angle.  
         [0050]     Of course, the range that the display device  1  can be pivoted is limited by the swivel hinge  8 . Furthermore, the distance that the display device  1  is able to move by means of the telescopic unit  9  is limited by the telescopic unit  9  itself, so that the display device  1  does not travel a prolonged distance (whereupon its own weight causes it to keel over easily) because it is not properly supported by the base  2 .  
         [0051]     As shown, when the display device according to the present invention is installed close to a wall, a user located in a direction to one side of the display device can comfortably view the screen by pivoting the display device an adequate amount. In this way, having to move the entire stand to increase the viewing angle of the display device can be avoided.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0052]     In the first embodiment, the pivoting angle enabling a view to comfortably view the display, can be increased without needs to move the entire display device. However, a user must apply a force for pivoting the display device over a certain duration, and push the display device laterally after bumping the display device on the surface of the wall. In other words, the direction of force applied to the display device must be changed, depending on the situation. Thus, if a user is not familiar with using the stand, the user may not be able to fully exploit its functions.  
         [0053]     In order to solve these problems, a second embodiment is proposed.  
         [0054]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a stand according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a movable unit, fixed unit, and their surrounding structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the lower portion of the stand in  FIG. 8 . Components that are the same as those in the first embodiment use the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail in the second embodiment, but deemed already addressed by the first embodiment description.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 through 9 , the fixed plate  31  has a cylindrical protruding portion  38  formed at the front, and a cylindrical gear  35  on the cylindrical protruding portion  38 . Pinion gears  36  are formed to protrude upward from the mounting unit  21  around the cylindrical gear  35 , and spaced a predetermined distance from each other. Also, a rack  37  is fixed to the inner side of the mounting plate  43 . Because the rack  37  is fixed to the mounting plate  43 , when the rack  37  moves, so do the mounting plate  43 , and resultantly, the movable unit  4  in its entirety moves in a translating movement. Although  FIGS. 8 and 9  show the rack  37  as a separate component for the sake of simplifying the diagram, it is in fact, fixed to the inner surface of the mounting plate  43 . Of course, it may be fixed to another component of the movable unit  4 , and not to the mounting plate  43 .  
         [0056]     To explain the structure of the above components, the cylindrical gear  35  is cylindrical and symmetrical on at least the left and right sides, and turns together with the fixing plate  31  when the fixing plate  31  rotates. It can thus turn to the left and right at any position. The pinions  36  are installed symmetrically around the cylindrical gear  35  to the left and right thereof, and are separated from the cylindrical gear  35  when the display device  1  has not been pivoted past a certain angle. The rack  37  is fixed on the inside of the mounting plate  43 , and is disposed to the left and right of the cylindrical gear  35  apart from each other. When the display device is not pivoted beyond a certain angle, the rack  37  is separated from the pinions  36 .  
         [0057]     A brief description of the pivoting and translating of the above-structured display device will now be given.  
         [0058]     When the display device  1  is pivoted, the fixing plate  31  and the sliding plate  41  pivot together. When the display device  1  is pivoted at a certain angle, the cylindrical gear  35  meshes with the pinions  36 , and the rack  37  also meshes with the pinions  36 . In this state, when the cylindrical gear  35  is turned further, it turns the pinions  36 , which in turn, translate the rack  37 . The rack  37  translates the moving unit  4  laterally. Of course, the moving unit  4  and the fixing unit  3  pivot against the base  2  on the swivel hinge  8 .  
         [0059]     The rotating angle at which the rack  37  and pinions  36  mesh may be the same as the rotating angle at which the cylindrical gear  35  and the pinions  36  mesh. Also, the rotating angle at which the rack  37  and the pinions  36  mesh can be occur earlier than the rotating angle at which the cylindrical gear  35  and the pinions  36  mesh, so that the rack  37  and pinions  36  may rotate idly. Furthermore, the rotating angle at which the rack  37  and the pinions  36  mesh can be occur later than the rotating angle at which the cylindrical gear  35  and the pinions mesh, so that the cylindrical gear  35  and the pinions  36  may rotate idly. However, it is essential that the rack  37 , pinions  36 , and the cylindrical gear  35  all mesh between at least a certain range of angles, so that rotating of the cylindrical gear  35  prompts the rack  37  to translate.  
         [0060]     The rack  37 , pinions  36 , and cylindrical gear  35  may respectively mesh when the display device pivots to at least the rear portion of the base  2 , which is the point where the display device contacts the wall behind it.  
         [0061]      FIG. 10  is a plan view showing a display device that has not been pivoted, according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 11  is a plan view showing a display device that has been pivoted and in a position beginning lateral translation, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 12  is a plan view showing a display device that is in the midst of lateral translation, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0062]     Referring first to  FIG. 10 , the cylindrical gear  35  is separated by a predetermined distance to the pinions  36 , and the rack  37  is separated by a predetermined distance to the pinions  36 . In this condition, when a user pivots the display device  1 , the movable unit does not translate laterally with respect to the fixed unit  3 .  
         [0063]     Here, when the user further pivots the display device, the structure shown in  FIG. 11  is attained. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the cylindrical gear  35  meshes with the pinions  36 , and the rack  37  also meshes with the pinions  36 . In this way, when the user further pivots the display device to be configured as in  FIG. 11 , the cylindrical gear  35  and the pinions  36  translate the rack  37  laterally. When the rack  37  is translated, the mounting plate  43  and the movable unit  4  also translate laterally.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , when the user pivots the display device still further, the rack  37  moves to the right and the display device can be seen rotating in a clockwise direction.  
         [0065]     When this occurs, the display device can avoid the restrictions imposed by the rear wall, and can easily be pivoted to a further degree. Moreover, even if a user imparts force in only a rotating direction of the display device, the display device simultaneously translates laterally and pivots, to increase user convenience.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0066]     According to the second embodiment, a user need only to pivot the display device in a pivoting direction to achieve both pivoting and translation of the display device. However, in order to achieve simultaneous pivoting and translation, considerable force needs to be exerted, so that the product is unsuitable for seniors. Furthermore, over prolonged use of the device, foreign substances may lodge therein and discrepancies in tolerances may arise, causing the above task to be more arduous.  
         [0067]     To overcome this problem, a third embodiment is put forth.  
         [0068]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a stand according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the stand in  FIG. 13  taken along line II-II′. In the description of the third embodiment, components that have already been described in the first and second embodiments and have the same reference numbers will be deemed described herein.  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a position sensor  100  is further installed on the rear surface at either side of the display device  1 . The position sensor  100  is a proximity or contact sensor that senses when the rear of the display device  1  is close to touching a wall when the display device pivots toward the wall.  
         [0070]     Thus, the position sensor  100  senses when the display device has pivoted to its maximum limit, and transmits the data to a control unit that automatically activates the moving unit  4  in a lateral translating direction.  
         [0071]      FIG. 14  shows a mechanism for automatically actuating the movable member.  
         [0072]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the pinion  36  is connected to a shaft of a motor  25 . When the detecting unit  100  detects that the display device  1  comes into contact with a wall, the controller of the display device  1  controls the motor  25  to drive the pinion  36 . It will be easily understood that the pinion  36  is driven by the motor  25  in engagement with the rack  37 .  
         [0073]     When the pinion  36  is driven automatically by the motor  25 , the rack  37  engaged with the pinion is moved such that the whole movable unit  4  can be translated right or left. It is not required for a user to push the display device  1  to translate the display device  1 . The display device  1  can be translated by only rotating the display device  1  to engage the pinion  36  with the rack  7 . Then, the display device  1  is automatically translated by the driving force of the motor  25  transmitted through the pinion  36  and the rack  37 .  
         [0074]     In the current embodiment, a user can rotate or translate the display device  1  conveniently using minimal force.  
         [0075]     In addition to the embodiments thus outlined, various similar embodiments can equally be applied to the present invention. For example, other embodiments in which the display device can be laterally translated by pivoting it, without necessarily using the rack and pinion, may be deemed included in the present invention. The present invention has the ability to sense when the display device is about to collide with a wall during its pivoting, and automatically translate the display device laterally to create a wider range of rotation.  
         [0076]     Also, the swivel hinge and the telescopic unit may be relocated—for example, the telescopic unit may be provided below the swivel hinge.  
         [0077]     Additionally, in the third embodiment according to the present invention, a separately installed position sensor is not required in the display device to automatically translate the display device laterally. This can be done by the user pressing a button to activate the drive motor.  
         [0078]     Furthermore, the stand for a display device according to the present invention can maximally use the pivoting range to the left and right of the swivel hinge of the display device.  
         [0079]     Also, by allowing the display device to be translated laterally through pivoting it, the viewing angle of the display device can be increased.  
         [0080]     In addition, because a user can easily pivot the display device to the left and right, the device is suitable for seniors. Even after long periods of use, the device will not develop operational faults.  
         [0081]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.