Abstract:
Disclosed are systems and methods comprising a display apparatus having at least one integral mounting point, a display enclosure base coupled to the display apparatus via the at least one integral mounting point, and at least one hold-down bracket assembly providing a hold-down point between the display apparatus and the display enclosure base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims benefit of priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/639,111, entitled “Display Hold-Down Systems and Methods, filed Dec. 23, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0002]     Computers and other electronic equipment utilize electronic displays, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, gas plasma panels, and the like. For example, notebook computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cellular telephones often utilize a LCD panel display apparatus or a gas plasma display apparatus disposed in a display enclosure. Similarly, entertainment systems, such as portable digital versatile disk (DVD) systems and flat panel televisions often use a LCD panel display apparatus or gas plasma display apparatus disposed in a display enclosure.  
         [0003]     Typical display apparatus, such as a LCD display apparatus, which may be acquired by an electronic device original equipment manufacturer for integration into an electronic device, such as a notebook computer, comprise a metal frame surrounding the actual display to provide support structure and attachment points. For example, a frame of a typical LCD display apparatus may include integral mounting points, e.g., holes machined therein to accept mounting screws, along sides thereof. Although certain display apparatus, e.g., some 16:9 aspect ratio or “wide screen” displays, provide integral mounting points along 4 sides of a mounting frame, many commercially available display apparatuses provide integral mounting points only along 2 sides of a mounting frame. Accordingly, a display apparatus may be attached to a display enclosure making up a notebook computer display along only 2 sides (e.g., the 2 sides parallel to an X-axis of the display apparatus).  
         [0004]     The display apparatus of such displays are often subject to appreciable motion, shock, and deflection pressure. For example, a notebook computer may be subject to substantial g-forces when transported by a user. Additionally, items, such as cell phones, power adaptors, etcetera, may be transported with a notebook computer which, when disposed in juxtaposition with a portion of the panel display, may cause substantial deflection pressure to be applied thereto.  
         [0005]     Although the display apparatus of the aforementioned displays may be relatively rigid, such display apparatus is prone to planar deflection (e.g., the display surface bowing along the 2 sides parallel a Y-axis of the display apparatus) when exposed to motion, shock, deflection pressure, etcetera. Planar deflection of a display apparatus may result in the display surface contacting other structure, such as the keycaps, pointing stylus, or wrist rests of a notebook computer when the notebook computer is in a closed clamshell configuration. Such contact may result in marks being left on the display surface from dust, organic oil residues, etcetera. Additionally, such contact may result in the notebook computer being unintentionally awakened from a power conserving sleep due to the display apparatus engaging a pointing stylus or other input mechanism during transport. Even more problematic, such contact may result in the display apparatus being permanently damaged. For example, contact between the display surface and a hard surface, such as keycaps, may result in a hole or surface irregularity being worn into one or more layers of the display mechanism. A LCD display may comprise one or more thin membranes, such as polarizing layers, disposed upon a glass or other substrate which, when repeatedly contacted by a hard surface may develop the aforementioned holes or surface irregularity.  
         [0006]     Various techniques have been used in the past to prevent display surfaces of such displays from contacting other structures or to prevent damage resulting therefrom. For example, spacers, such as may be made of rubber or other materials, have been used along the periphery of the display to maintain a spacing between a display surface and other structure sufficient to accommodate planar deflection without contact between the display surface and other structure. As one example, it may be determined that the expected maximum planar deflection associated with a display apparatus of an electronic device will be 2.5 mm. Accordingly, spacers may be implemented, particularly along the sides having no attachment points coupling the display apparatus to a display enclosure, which are sized (e.g., 3 mm) to provide a space accommodating the expected planar deflection without contact between the display surface and other structure. However, size is often an issue with respect to electronic devices, such as notebook computers. For example, the aforementioned spacing may consume 10-15% of the overall size in a corresponding dimension. Therefore, the use of such spacers is not without drawback.  
         [0007]     Resilient pads, such as may be made of rubber or other materials, have been used (often in combination with spacers along the periphery of the display) to interface with one or more portions of a display surface and thereby prevent the display surface from contacting other structure, such as keycaps, pointing stylus, or wrist rests of a notebook computer, which presents a hard surface that may damage the display apparatus. For example, rubber pads have been disposed upon notebook computer wrist rest surfaces to interface with portions of a display surface appreciably toward the middle of the display surface and thus provide sufficient support of the display surface to prevent contact with other structure when a smaller gap is used than with the use of spacers along the edge of the display alone. However, such resilient pads have met with disapproval from some users due to their interfacing with the display surface leaving marks from dirt or oils thereon. Moreover, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the feel of such pads against their hands during use of the notebook computer. Accordingly, the use of such pads is not without drawback.  
         [0008]     Another technique used to prevent the display surface from contacting other structure has been through the use of more rigid materials or material configurations in the display enclosure (often in combination with spacers along the periphery of the display). For example, added plastic material, e.g., in the form of thicker surfaces and/or rib structures, may be used to make more rigid a display enclosure comprised of plastic. Alternatively, special materials, such as magnesium or engineered composites, may be used to provide a more rigid enclosure. The use of such more rigid materials or material configurations reduces the amount of planar deflection experienced, thus allowing smaller spacers (or perhaps no spacers) to be used. However, the foregoing typically results in added cost, weight, and/or size. Accordingly, the use of such more rigid materials or material configurations is not without drawback.  
         [0009]     Although it is possible to manufacture display apparatus in aspect ratios other than the aforementioned 16:9 aspect ratio having integral mounting points along 4 sides of a mounting frame, such display apparatus configurations have heretofore not been widely available. Electronic equipment manufacturers often prefer to integrate widely available components, such as the aforementioned display apparatus, into their products in order to decrease costs and/or to ensure parts availability. Accordingly, display apparatus having integral mounting points only along 2 sides of a mounting frame continue to be used, despite the above-described planar deflection associated with the display surface bowing along the 2 sides having apparatus) and despite the drawbacks associated with the various techniques used to prevent display surfaces from contacting other structure or to prevent damage resulting therefrom. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a partially assembled display assembly adapted according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows detail with respect to a hold-down bracket of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows detail with respect to a hold-down bracket of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a more fully assembled display assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a still more fully assembled display assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     Directing attention to  FIG. 1 , a partially assembled display assembly adapted according to an embodiment of the invention is shown as display  100 . Display  100  comprises a flat panel display, e.g., LCD display, as may be used in an electronic device such as a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a digital versatile disk (DVD) system, and/or the like.  
         [0016]     Display  100  of the illustrated embodiment comprises display apparatus  120 , such as may comprise a LCD display panel, disposed in display enclosure base  130 . Display enclosure base  130  may comprise, for example, a portion of a portable computer clamshell case. Display apparatus  120  comprises frame  121  surrounding the viewing or display surface thereof. Frame  121  has a plurality of integral mounting points along the 2 sides which are parallel to an X-axis of display apparatus  120 . Specifically, integral mounting points  122  are disposed along side  123  of frame  121  and corresponding integral mounting points  122  are disposed along opposite side  124  of frame  121 .  
         [0017]     In a typical display configuration, without any embodiments of the present invention, integral mounting points  122  would provide the only points for fastening display apparatus  120  to display enclosure base  130 . In such a configuration, display apparatus  120  may experience an appreciable amount of planar deflection due to a lack of support along the 2 sides which are parallel to a Y-axis of display apparatus  120 , shown here as sides  125  and  126  (e.g., the display surface may be deformed in a slight “U” shape). For example, a typical display apparatus providing integral mounting points along only 2 opposite sides may deform or sag on the order of 2 mm, which in a notebook configuration presenting an overall thickness of 25-38 mm may be sufficient for a display surface of display apparatus  120  to contact keycaps of the notebook computer base.  
         [0018]     However, the illustrated embodiment of display  100  comprises hold-down bracket assemblies  110 , disposed along sides  125  and  126  of display apparatus  120  (e.g., disposed along the edge of frame  121  at sides  125  and  126 ), of an embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, display apparatus  120  of the illustrated embodiment is provided hold-down points with respect to display enclosure base  130  in addition to integral mounting points  122 .  
         [0019]     Although hold-down bracket assemblies  110  of the illustrated embodiment are shown as being disposed equidistantly spaced along 2 sides of display apparatus  120 , embodiments of the invention may utilize various hold-down bracket spacing and positions. For example, a single hold-down bracket may be utilized at the center of a side of display apparatus  120 , such as where display apparatus  120  is the size of a traditional notebook computer display. Hold-down brackets of embodiments of the present invention may be utilized at any position (e.g., any position not otherwise provided an integral mounting point, at an integral mounting point position, etcetera). However, the presence of other structure, such as latch mechanisms, hinges, signal cables, etcetera, may suggest particular placements and/or prevent particular placements of hold-down brackets of embodiments of the invention. In general, however, the longer the distance between integral mounting points, the larger the number of hold-down points desired.  
         [0020]     Hold-down bracket assemblies  110  of the illustrated embodiment are shown in a symmetrical implementation, e.g., hold-down brackets of a first side are disposed in juxtaposition with hold-down brackets of a second side. However, an asymmetrical arrangement may instead be implemented according to some embodiments of the present invention. For example, a single hold-down bracket may be implemented in the center of a first side while 2 equidistantly spaced hold-down brackets are implemented with respect to a second side of the display apparatus.  
         [0021]     The use of hold-down points, such as those provided by hold-down bracket assemblies  110 , disposed at positions not otherwise corresponding to integral mounting points  122 , provides a more rigid display configuration. For example, a degree of freedom of movement or flexibility is eliminated or minimized through the use of hold-down bracket assemblies  110  of the illustrated embodiment to provide hold-down points with respect to display apparatus  120 . Through the use of such hold-down points appreciably less planar deflection is experienced with respect to display apparatus  120 . Accordingly, smaller spacers, or no spacers, may be utilized in a display configuration implementing hold-down brackets according to embodiments of the invention, thereby facilitating a thinner form factor for electronic devices. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments use no resilient pads to support a surface of display apparatus  120 , thereby avoiding marks left upon display apparatus  120  from interfacing with such pads. Moreover, providing more fastening points (e.g., integral mounting points and/or hold-down points) with respect to display apparatus  120 , and frame  121  thereof, results in a display structure which is overall more rigid, enabling the use of less expensive, lighter, and/or thinner materials (e.g., plastic) in the enclosure material. In addition to facilitating embodiments of electronic devices which are thin (compact) without experiencing permanent damage to or undesired marks on the surface of their respective displays, embodiments of the invention provide increased user satisfaction in providing a low weight solution having a rigid display assembly.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 2 and 3  provide additional detail with respect to hold-down bracket assemblies  110  of an embodiment of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of hold-down bracket assemblies  110  disposed along the lower side of display apparatus  120  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of hold-down bracket assemblies  110  disposed along the upper side of display apparatus  120  of  FIG. 1 . The specific configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are illustrative of hold-down bracket configurations which may be implemented according to embodiments of the present invention. However, various configurations of hold-down brackets, including implementations in which the same configuration of hold-down brackets are used along multiple sides of a display apparatus and/or different configurations of hold-down brackets are used on a same side of a display apparatus, may be implemented according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0023]     Hold-down bracket assembly  110  of  FIG. 2  is shown to include hold-down bracket  211  attached to a portion of display enclosure base  130  by fastener  212 . Fastener  212  illustrated in  FIG. 2  comprises a screw. However, any number of fasteners, such as rivets, bolts, adhesive, etcetera, which provide sufficient fastening strength to provide a hold-down point with respect to display apparatus  120  may be utilized in attaching hold-down bracket  211  to display enclosure base  130  according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0024]     The portion of display enclosure base  130  to which fastener  212  is attached illustrated in  FIG. 2  comprises boss  231  integrated into the material of display enclosure base  130 . Such a configuration provides a convenient and inexpensive technique for accepting fastener  212  because such a boss may be created during molding display enclosure base  130 . However, other configurations of fastener receivers may be formed into display enclosure base  130  for use in a hold-down bracket assembly according to embodiments of the present invention, such as the configuration described below with respect to  FIG. 3 . Moreover, configurations of fastener receivers, such as nuts, washers, etcetera, may be utilized according to embodiments of the present invention which are not formed integral to display enclosure base  130 . However, the use of these latter fastener receivers may require added handling during manufacturing and additional material costs.  
         [0025]     Although various configurations of hold-down bracket  211  may be implemented according to embodiments of the invention, hold-down bracket  211  preferably provides a portion to interface with fastener  212  and a portion to interface with display apparatus  120 . For example, hold-down bracket  211  may comprise a first portion to interface with display apparatus  120  sufficiently to resist substantial movement of display apparatus  120  when exposed to expected forces but which does not result in undesired interference with display apparatus  120 . For example, the portion of hold-down bracket  211  which interfaces with display apparatus  120  of embodiments does not extend into a viewing area of the display apparatus. Moreover, the portion of hold-down bracket  211  of embodiments is sized not only to avoid obscuring a portion of the viewing area of display apparatus  120 , but is further sized and disposed so as to avoid interference phenomena. For example, where display apparatus  120  comprises a LCD display, pressure on or near the viewing surface could cause distortion (referred to as “puddling”). Accordingly, hold-down bracket  211  of embodiments of the invention interfaces with a portion of frame  121  sufficiently removed from the viewing area of display apparatus  120  to avoid image distortion during normal use. Correspondingly, hold-down bracket assembly  110  is configured to provide sufficient pressure with respect to the interface between hold-down bracket  211  and display apparatus  120  to substantially eliminate a degree of freedom of movement without causing image distortion during normal use. Hold-down bracket  211  of embodiments comprises a second portion to interface with fastener  212  which is in the range of 5-6 mm wide in order to accommodate a fastener extended therethrough having a shaft diameter in the range of 2.5-3 mm.  
         [0026]     Directing attention to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of hold-down bracket assembly  110  is shown. The embodiment of  FIG. 3  illustrates a fastener receiver configuration which is different than boss  231  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Specifically, hold-down bracket assembly  110  of  FIG. 3  utilizes receiver  331 , comprised of a block of material of display enclosure base  130  having an interface therein for receiving a portion of fastener  212 . As with boss  231  discussed above, such a configuration provides a convenient and inexpensive technique for accepting fastener  212  because such a receiver may be created during molding display enclosure base  130 . However, such a receiver configuration may be desired over a boss configuration where other structure is disposed in the vicinity, where added strength is desired, etcetera.  
         [0027]     The embodiment of hold-down bracket  311  illustrated in  FIG. 3  presents a slightly larger area with respect to the portion interfacing with display apparatus  120 . Such a configuration is desirable, for example, where display apparatus  120  is expected to be used in a vertical orientation where hold-down bracket  311  is disposed along a top side of display apparatus  120  and hold-down bracket  211  is disposed along a bottom side of display apparatus  120 . For example, it might be expected that display  120  may shift downward slightly when repeatedly used in the above-described vertical orientation. Providing a slightly larger area with respect to the portion interfacing with display apparatus  120  along the top side may be relied upon to accommodate a slight downward shift in the position of display apparatus  120  without disengaging the hold-down apparatus disposed along the top side. Similarly, providing a slightly smaller area with respect to the portion interfacing with display apparatus  120  along the bottom side may be relied upon to accommodate a slight downward shift in the position of display apparatus  120  without causing puddling due to the hold-down bracket assembly interfering with display apparatus  120 .  
         [0028]     Hold-down brackets  211  and  311  may be formed of any material sufficiently strong to interface with display apparatus  120  and resist substantial movement of display apparatus  120  when exposed to expected forces. For example, hold-down brackets  211  and  311  may be comprised of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, composite resins, etcetera.  
         [0029]     Hold-down brackets  211  and  311  of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  comprise an “S”-shaped tab, wherein a first end of the “S” provides an interface for engaging display apparatus  120  and a second end of the “S” provides an interface for fastener  212 . Although an “S”-shaped tab configuration may not be utilized according to embodiments of the invention, in some embodiments the transition area between the first and second ends of the “S” provides a surface against which an edge of frame  121  is engaged (e.g., the illustrated “S”-shaped tab interfaces with display apparatus  120 , including frame  121 , in at least 2 planes). The transition area of the illustrated “S”-shaped tab provides a configuration in which display apparatus  120  is prevented from moving laterally with respect to display enclosure base  130 . This restriction in movement of display apparatus  120  is in addition to the elimination of a degree of freedom of movement by an end of the “S”-shaped tab of  FIGS. 2 and 3  engaging a front surface of frame  121 . Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a hold-down bracket assembly that restricts movement of display apparatus  120  in at least 2 directions or in at least 2 planes.  
         [0030]     Irrespective of the particular configuration of hold-down bracket assembly  110  implemented according to embodiments of the invention, hold-down bracket assemblies  110  provide hold-down points at positions other than the integral mounting points otherwise available with display apparatus  120 . Accordingly, the use of hold-down bracket assemblies according to embodiments of the present invention avoids damage to a display surface of display apparatus  120  even when utilized in a thin or compact profile electronic device, such as a notebook computer. Moreover, use of hold-down bracket assemblies according to embodiments of the present invention provides a more rigid configuration of display assembly  100 .  
         [0031]     Directing attention to  FIG. 4 , a more fully assembled display assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is shown as comprising bezel  430 . Bezel  430  of the illustrated embodiment provides a cover to frame  121  and provides spaces  431 . Spacers  431  may be positioned to maintain a minimum desired spacing between one or more surfaces of display assembly  100 , e.g., a display surface of display apparatus  120 , from other surfaces of an electronic device incorporating display assembly  100 . Spacers  431  may be integral to bezel  430  or may be attached thereto. For example, spacers  431  may comprise a raised portion of a surface of bezel  430  molded from the material forming bezel  430 . Alternatively, spacers  431  may comprise a separate part, such as may be formed of rubber or another material, attached to a surface of bezel  430 , such as by an adhesive or friction fit. Such an embodiment of spacers  431  provides a cover to fasteners attaching bezel  430  to display enclosure base  130 . Although spacers  431  are present in the illustrated embodiment, the use of hold-down bracket assemblies  110  minimizes planar deflection of display apparatus  120  such that spacers  431  are relatively small (thin), thereby facilitating a thinner or more compact electronic device utilizing display assembly  100 .  
         [0032]     Bezel  430  of the illustrated embodiment provides areas corresponding to hold-down bracket assemblies  110  for accepting a cover and/or spacer. Directing attention to  FIG. 5 , a still more fully assembled display assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is shown wherein covers  531  are shown disposed over hold-down bracket assemblies  110 . Covers  531  may provide an aesthetically pleasing means by which hold-down bracket assemblies may be accessed, such as for removal and/or adjusting a pressure applied by hold-down bracket  211 . Additionally or alternatively, covers  531  may provide spacing as described above with respect to spacers  431 . Although covers  531  may be utilized as spacers, the use of hold-down bracket assemblies  110  minimizes planar deflection of display apparatus  120  such that covers  531  are relatively small (thin), thereby facilitating a thinner or more compact electronic device utilizing display assembly  100 .