Abstract:
A height adjusting structure for a stand of a display device is provided. The stand includes a guide rail, base, supporting unit, and guide unit. The guide rail is fixedly installed to a rear surface of the display device. The base is supported on a horizontal surface. The supporting unit extends upward from the base. The guide unit is fixedly installed on the supporting unit, to be guided and moved along the guide rail. The height adjusting structure uses a minimum number of parts, is easy to assemble, is highly resistant to external shocks, is able to securely support a display device, operates quieter, and has improved operating reliability.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a height adjusting device for a display device, and more particularly, to a height adjusting device for a display device that allows height adjustment of the display device using a simple configuration, and to a stand for a display device having the same.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A display device according to the related art uses a stand to rest on a flat surface. Here, the stand supporting the display device has an adjusting structure that allows the display device to be moved up and down or pivoted to the left and right, depending on the user&#39;s requirements.  
         [0005]     Height adjusting structures for display devices according to the related art employ a hinge assembly coupled to the rear of the display device allowing pivoting of the display device, a sliding assembly connected to the hinge assembly, and a sliding assembly height adjusting unit formed on a supporting unit for moving the sliding assembly up and down.  
         [0006]     However, this height adjusting structure is formed of metal and uses screws to join the structure, and is therefore susceptible to damage incurred from external collisions and has a complex assembly structure.  
         [0007]     Also, in the above metal height adjusting structure, a separate component is required to cover the sliding assembly and the height adjusting unit, so that more components and a higher manufacturing cost are needed.  
         [0008]     Another problem with the above height adjusting structure using many components and metal ingredients is that it takes up a lot of space.  
         [0009]     Also, the height adjusting unit that adjusts the height of the display device in the above height adjusting structure is formed on a supporting unit erected on a base unit of the stand, so that the center of gravity of the main body of the display is disposed forward of the center of the supporting unit. Thus, the stand is unstable due to the weight of the display device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a height adjusting structure and a stand for a display device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.  
         [0011]     An object of the present invention is to provide a height adjusting structure and a stand for a display device that uses a minimum number of components and a simple configuration.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a height adjusting structure and a stand for a display device that does not use screws for fasteners and is therefore highly resistant to external shocks.  
         [0013]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a height adjusting structure and a stand for a display device that puts the center of gravity of the display device close to the supporting unit, for a more secure height adjusting structure and stand for a display device.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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 guide rail fixedly installed to a rear surface of the display device; a base supported on a horizontal surface; a supporting unit extending upward from the base; and a guide unit fixedly installed on the supporting unit, for being guided and moving along the guide rail.  
         [0016]     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a height adjusting structure for a display device, including: a display device; a vertical moving assembly formed on a rear surface of the display device, for adjusting a height of the display device; a supporting unit connected to the vertical moving assembly, for supporting the display device; and a base disposed at a lower portion of the supporting unit, wherein the vertical moving assembly includes: a rear surface fixing unit fixed to the rear surface of the display device; a spring fixed at an end thereof to the rear surface fixing unit; a guide unit coupled to the supporting unit, for contacting an other end of the spring and contracting and expanding the spring during the adjusting of the height of the display device; and a guide rail disposed behind the rear surface fixing unit, for guiding the guide unit.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a height adjusting structure for a display device, including: a display device; a vertical moving assembly formed on a rear surface of the display device, for adjusting a height of the display device; a supporting unit coupled to the vertical moving assembly, for supporting the display device in an upward direction; and a base disposed at a lower portion of the supporting unit, wherein the vertical moving assembly includes: a coil-type spring fixed at an end thereof to the rear surface of the display device; and a guide unit connected to the supporting unit at one end thereof and to an other end of the spring at an other end of the guide unit, for expanding and contracting the spring when the height of the display device is adjusted.  
         [0018]     In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stand for a display device, including: a guide rail fixedly installed on a display device; a guide unit guided by the guide rail and moving in one path; a base contacting a horizontal surface; a supporting unit extending upward from the base and coupled to the guide unit at an upper portion thereof; and an elastic member interposed between the display device and the supporting unit, for imparting a force to push the display device upward.  
         [0019]     By being configured as in the above, a height adjusting structure for a display device has fewer components and a simpler configuration. Also, the center of gravity of the display device formed on the height adjusting structure is closer to the supporting unit, so that the display device can be more securely supported.  
         [0020]     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  
       [0021]     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:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand using a height adjusting structure for a display device according to present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a vertical moving assembly and a supporting unit of a height adjusting structure for a display device according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an inner surface of a supporting unit for supporting a height adjusting structure according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a supporting unit of a stand for a height adjusting structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a vertical moving assembly of a height adjusting structure according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the vertical moving assembly in  FIG. 5  in an assembled state, taken along line I-I′; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the vertical moving assembly in  FIG. 5  in an assembled state, taken along line II-II′. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     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.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand using a height adjusting structure for a display device according to present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a vertical moving assembly and a supporting unit of a height adjusting structure for a display device according to the present invention.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the height adjusting structure for a display device according to the present invention includes a vertical moving assembly  10  fixed to a rear surface  2  of the display device  1 , a supporting unit  50  for supporting the vertical moving assembly  10 , and a base unit  60  for resting on a horizontal surface and supporting the supporting unit  50  on the horizontal surface.  
         [0032]     Here, when referring to  FIG. 2 , the vertical moving assembly  10  includes a guide rail  20  fixed in a vertical direction to the lower portion of the rear surface  2 , a guide unit  40  moving in a vertical direction within the guide rail  20 , and a plate spring  30  formed between the guide rail  20  and guide unit  40 , that expands and contracts according to the movement of the guide unit  40 .  
         [0033]     The outer side of the guide unit is fixed to the upper portion of the supporting unit  50 .  
         [0034]     Here, the guide rail  20  and the guide unit  40  may be formed of a plastic material.  
         [0035]     The operation of the above-configured height adjusting structure will be described in the following.  
         [0036]     When a user wishes to move the display device  1  in a vertical direction, the main body of the display device  1  is moved vertically. Here, the guide unit  40  fixed to the supporting unit  50  moves along the guide rail  20 .  
         [0037]     When the guide unit  40  moves, the plate spring  30  located at the top of the guide unit  40  is either elongated or contracted by the guide unit  40 .  
         [0038]     Here, when the vertical movement of the display device  1  is ceased, the guide unit  40  stops moving, and the expanding or contracting plate spring  30  stops moving as a result.  
         [0039]     The plate spring  30  provides elasticity for supporting the weight of the display device  1  at the position that the plate spring  30  stops moving, so that the cessation of movement of the plate spring  30  stops the movement of the display device  1 . The plate spring  30  may be provided with a spiral spring having a portion fixed to the display device and other portion coming in contact with the guide unit  40 , so that the spiral spring may be expanded or contracted by a movement of the guide unit  40 .  
         [0040]     Thus, in this way, the display device  1  may be moved up and down.  
         [0041]     Here, the height adjusting structure of the display device  1  according to the present invention has the vertical moving assembly  10  fixed to the rear surface  2  thereof.  
         [0042]     The guide rail  20  of the vertical moving assembly  10  is fixed to the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 , and the guide unit  40  moving along the guide rail  20  is fixed to the supporting unit  50 . Accordingly, the center of gravity of the main body of the display device  1  is formed in proximity to the supporting unit  50 . Therefore the stability preventing from the falling of the display device can be enhanced.  
         [0043]     Also, the height adjusting structure for the display device according to the present invention is formed of plastic, so that the height adjusting structure itself forms the outer structure of the display device, negating the need for a separate component for covering the height adjusting structure.  
         [0044]     Thus, when compared to a height adjusting structure for a display device according to the related art, a fewer number of components can be used.  
         [0045]     Below, the structure of the supporting unit supporting the vertical moving assembly will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  
         [0046]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an inner surface of a supporting unit for supporting a height adjusting structure according to the present embodiment.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the supporting unit  50  includes a supporting stand  51  fixed to the base unit  60  resting on a horizontal surface, for supporting the display device  1  on the horizontal surface.  
         [0048]     A spring receptacle  54  is formed at the upper portion of the supporting stand  51 , in which the top of the plate spring  30  protrudes outward from the vertical moving assembly  10 , is disposed.  
         [0049]     One or more coupling protrusion(s)  58  are formed below the spring receptacle  54  for fastening the outer surface of the guide unit  40  on the supporting unit  50 . The coupling protrusions  58  are coupled to coupling holes  49  (in  FIG. 5 ) formed in the outer surface of the guide unit  40 , so that the supporting stand  51  is coupled to the guide unit  40 . Accordingly, the supporting unit  50  is connected to the vertical moving assembly  10  without using separate screws or other fasteners.  
         [0050]     The supporting unit  50  is formed to be fixed to the guide unit  40  of the vertical moving assembly  10  formed on the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 , so that the guide unit  40  can move along the guide rail  20  when the display device  1  is moved vertically.  
         [0051]     The above supporting unit  50  may include a hinge unit at its top end that not only allows the display device to be moved vertically, but to also be pivoted upward and downward.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the supporting unit  50  with such a hinge unit formed thereon.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a hinge unit  70  is provided at the top of the supporting unit  50 . The hinge unit  70  has pivoting members  71  and  72  and a pivoting center portion  75 .  
         [0054]     In further detail, a pair of pivoting members  71  and  72  is pivotably installed on the outer surface of the guide unit  40 .  
         [0055]     The guide unit  40  is fixed to one side of the pivoting members  71  and  72 , and a hinge axis  73  is coupled with the other side thereof. Accordingly, the pivoting members  71  and  72  are formed to pivot around the pivoting center portion  75  formed at above the supporting stand  51 . The display device  1 , fixed to a side of the pivoting members  71  and  72 , can be pivoted up and down around the central pivoting center portion  75 .  
         [0056]     By forming the hinge unit  70  above the supporting unit  50  and coupling the height adjusting structure for the display device according to the present invention to a side of the hinge unit  70 , the stand of the display device can be adjusted in height and tilted up and down.  
         [0057]     In the above embodiment, a supporting unit with a hinge unit that pivots up and down has been described. However, the supporting unit may be formed to be capable of pivoting to the left and right as well as up and down.  
         [0058]     A description of the above vertical moving assembly coupled to the supporting unit will now be provided in more detail.  
         [0059]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a vertical moving assembly  10  of a height adjusting structure according to the present invention,  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the vertical moving assembly  10  in  FIG. 5  in an assembled state, taken along line I-I′, and  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the vertical moving assembly  10  in  FIG. 5  in an assembled state, taken along line II-II′.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the height adjusting structure according to the present invention includes a guide rail  20  formed vertically along the rear surface  2  of the display device  1  and a guide unit body  42  that moves vertically within and along the guide rail  20 .  
         [0061]     The guide rail  20  is coupled to a rear surface fixing unit  11  fixed to the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 , and is thus fixed to the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 .  
         [0062]     Here, an elastic member  30  is fixed to the inner surface of the rear surface fixing unit  11 . In this embodiment, the elastic member used is a plate spring  30 , for example spiral spring. The plate spring is positioned to be expanded and contracted by the guide unit body  42 .  
         [0063]     In further detail, the guide rail  20  includes a pair of rails  21  disposed vertically on the rear surface  2  of the display device  1  and an upper section  23  formed at the top of the rails  21  for restricting the upper limit of the guide rail.  
         [0064]     The lower end of the guide rail  20  is open. Because the guide rail  20  is closed at the top and open at the bottom, it forms an inverted ‘u’ shape. The reason for the open bottom end is to provide space for some portion of the guide unit to reside.  
         [0065]     Each of the pair of rails  21  has a guide surface  22  on its inner side that contacts the side surfaces of the guide unit  40  and is vertically disposed against the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 .  
         [0066]     The guide surfaces  22  of the guide rail  20 , which are provided in a parallel pair of mutually facing inner surfaces of the guide rail  20 , contact the sides of the guide unit so that the guide unit can move along the guide surfaces  22 .  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lower portion at the rear of the guide surface  22  does not contact the rear surface fixing unit  11 , but is spaced a predetermined distance therefrom.  
         [0068]     Inclined surfaces  48  having a predetermined incline are formed on the sides of the guide unit body  42  between the lower end of the guide surface  22  and the rear surface fixing unit  11 , for helping to guide the guide unit body  42  along the guide rail  20 .  
         [0069]     A rail support  24 (refer to  FIG. 7 ) is formed parallel to the inclined surface within the guide rail  20 . The guide rail support  24  acts as a skeleton for supporting the rails  21  when the rails  21  are made of plastic.  
         [0070]     The width between the rails  21  is wider at the portion contacting the rear surface than at the top, recessing outward towards the bottom, as shown in  FIG. 7 . This is so that the rails  21  form an outer portion of the display device  1  in order to refine the outer appearance of the rails  21 .  
         [0071]     Coupling protrusions  26  are formed along the length of the guide rail  20  on the inner surface of the rails  21 . These coupling protrusions  26  couple to guide rail fastening holes  29  formed on the rear surface fixing unit  11 , to fix the guide rail  20  to the rear surface fixing unit  11 .  
         [0072]     The rear surface fixing unit  11  is a component that fixes to the rear surface  2  of the display device  1 , and is shaped in rectangular plate configuration. A plurality of fastening holes  29  are formed in the inner side of the rear surface fixing unit  11 , for coupling with the coupling protrusions  26  of the rails  21 .  
         [0073]     A side of the plate spring  30  is fixed to a spring mount  32  at the lower inner portion of the rear surface fixing unit  11 .  
         [0074]     As an element for fixing a side of the plate spring  30  to the rear surface fixing unit  11 , the spring mount  32  may be formed of an adhesive or other bonding material. Also, the spring mount  32  may take any other form as a structure that is able to fix one side of the plate spring to the rear surface fixing unit.  
         [0075]     The rear surface fixing unit may be omitted from the present invention. That is, the plate spring and guide rail may all be directly fixed to the rear surface of the display device.  
         [0076]     However, when such a rear surface is separately formed, the vertical moving assembly can be formed as a single operating component, so that it can be fixed to a variety of rear surface shapes of display devices.  
         [0077]     The plate spring  30 , that is the elastic member used in the present invention, is a spiral spring that is wound. When the display device is raised, the wound spring is unwound; and when the display device is lowered, the wound spring is recoiled. Different from a tension spring that imparts elastic force when stretched, the plate spring imparts a constant elastic force whatever its position.  
         [0078]     One end of the plate spring  30  is fixed to the inner surface of the guide rail  20 , and the other end extends along the guide rail  20 .  
         [0079]     The elasticity of the extending plate spring is used to support the weight of the display device, so that the plate spring exerts the same elasticity for supporting the display device, regardless of the spring&#39;s extended position. Therefore, a separate stopping device is not required for the plate spring to come to a rest at whatever height the display device is positioned. A spring operating in this way can be called a coil-type plate spring.  
         [0080]     An alternate elastic member that performs the same function as the plate spring may be substituted for the plate spring.  
         [0081]     In order to extend the plate spring  30  with the above structure, a guide unit  40  is disposed within the guide rail  20  for moving vertically along the guide rail  20 .  
         [0082]     The guide unit  40  includes a spring guide  46  extending upward from either side of the guide unit body  42 , and an inclined surface  48  protruding outward from either side of the guide unit body  42  at a slant and disposed within the guide rail  20 .  
         [0083]     The guide unit  40  moves up and down along the guide rail  20 , and acts as a pusher that pushes and extends the plate spring  30  disposed below it.  
         [0084]     The upper portion of the spring body, as shown in  FIG. 6 , has a convex-shaped spring pushing portion  44  formed thereon to contact and push the lower portion of the plate spring  30  upward.  
         [0085]     The spring pushing portion  44  may be formed in the same width as the plate spring  30  or have a wider width.  
         [0086]     A pair of spring guides  46  extends upward from the guide unit body  42  on either side of the spring pushing portion  44 .  
         [0087]     The plate spring  30  is disposed between the pair of spring guides  46 . The protruding length of the spring guides  46  may be roughly equal to the diameter of the plate spring  30 . The spring guides  46  guide the sides of the plate spring  30  during compression and expansion of the plate spring  30 .  
         [0088]     The inclined surface  48  is formed on either side of the guide unit body  42 . The inclined surface  48  protrude in a decline from the centers of the side portions downward.  
         [0089]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the side surfaces  43  of the guide unit body  42  contacts the guide surfaces  22  of the guide rail  20 .  
         [0090]     The inclined surfaces  48  at the bottom portions of the side surfaces  43  are located below the guide surfaces  22  of the guide rail  20 . Therefore, when the guide rail  20  is erected in an upright position, and the guide unit body  42  moves vertically along the guide rail  20 , the guide unit body  42  is prevented from being displaced outside the guide rail  20 .  
         [0091]     When the guide unit body  42  is located at the lower portion of the guide rail  20 , the lower portions of the guide surfaces  48  are formed to catch on the inside of the guide rail  20 . Thus, when the guide unit body  42  is installed in the rails  21 , it is prevented from escaping out from the rails  21 .  
         [0092]     Coupling holes  49  are formed on the outer, upper surface of the guide unit body  42  to couple with coupling protrusions  58 .  
         [0093]     The coupling protrusions  58  on the supporting unit  50  are inserted and coupled in the coupling holes  49 , in order to couple the guide unit body  42  to the supporting unit  50 .  
         [0094]     As described above, in order to adjust the height of the display device with the vertical moving assembly according to the present invention, plastic rails and a plastic guide unit, and a plate spring fixed between the guide rail and the guide unit make up a minimum of components. By using plastic, noise caused by the plate spring contacting the guide unit can be reduced, and noise of the overall structure is reduced during its operation, while its operation is reliably performed.  
         [0095]     Also, assembly of the rails and the guide unit does not require separate screws, and is easily performed by coupling the plastic protrusions and holes.  
         [0096]     Additionally, because screws are not used, even when shaking caused by externally-inflicted shocks occurs, there is not danger of screws unloosening and causing vibration within the structure.  
         [0097]     The operation of the vertical moving assembly will now be described.  
         [0098]     The height adjusting structure according to the present invention has the display device  1  at its highest position when the guide unit body  42  is disposed at the lower portion of the rails  21 .  
         [0099]     Here, when a user wishes to adjust the height of the display device  1 , the body of the display device  1  is pushed downward.  
         [0100]     When the body of the display device  1  is pushed downward, the guide unit body  42  fixed above the supporting unit  50  moves up along the guide rail  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0101]     When the guide unit body  42  moves up along the guide rail  20 , the guide unit body  42  pushes the plate spring  30  upward. As the plate spring  30  is pushes upward, the guide unit body  42  rises, and the display device  1  body descends.  
         [0102]     Here, when the user ceases pushing the body of the display device  1  downward, the display device  1  comes to a standstill at the position where it was released.  
         [0103]     This is because in this position, the elasticity of the plate spring  30  providing force for supporting the display device  1  is equal to the weight of the display device  1 , so that equilibrium is achieved. By achieving equilibrium in this state, the height of the display device  1  can be fixed. Of course, friction between the respective components also plays a role in stopping movement.  
         [0104]     Thus, the height of the display device can be adjusted in a range corresponding to the height of the guide rail installed on the display device.  
         [0105]     The above height adjusting structure for a display device according to the present invention allows a simple assembly using few components.  
         [0106]     Also, the height adjusting structure for a display device according to the present invention does not use screws as fasteners, so that the structure is more resistant to external shocks.  
         [0107]     Additionally, because the stand according to the present invention puts the center of gravity of the display device close to the supporting unit, the display device can be more securely supported.  
         [0108]     Furthermore, because the respective components forming the height adjusting structure are made of plastic, noise during operation of the structure is reduced and operational reliability is increased.  
         [0109]     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.