Abstract:
A triaxial hinge for supporting a flat panel display device on an external member includes a first member, a second member, a third member and a supporting member. The first member is fixed to the external member. The second member is pivotally connected to the first member for defining a first pivot. The third member is pivotally connected to the second member for defining a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot. The supporting base is pivotally connected to the third member for defining a third pivot perpendicular to the first and second pivots. The flat panel display device is attached to the supporting base and can be pivoted on the first, the second, and the third pivots, respectively, with respect to the first member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a triaxial hinge, and more particularly to a triaxial hinge for supporting a flat panel display on a desk or hanging a flat panel display on a wall.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Liquid crystal display (“LCD”) has been used widely, and a typical liquid crystal display can be rotated or tilted according to a user&#39;s need. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,493, entitled “LCD Support System” issued to Chen on Aug. 24, 1999 discloses a support structure for supporting an LCD. However, in this support structure, the LCD may just be rotated in one direction within a predetermined angle. Also, Taiwan Patent Publication No. 327460, entitled “Liquid Crystal Display Device Capable Of Being Inclined Forward Or Backward” published on Feb. 21, 1998, discloses an LCD capable of being inclined forward or backward in accordance with the required inclined angle. However, this LCD can be rotated only in one direction and cannot be rotated in other direction, so the need of a user may not be fully satisfied.  
           [0005]    Further, Taiwan Patent Publication No. 465656, entitled “Dual-axial Hinge For Liquid Crystal Display” published on Nov. 11, 2001, discloses a dual-axial hinge for a liquid crystal display comprising a lower bracket, a lower bearing, a supporter, a connection bracket, an upper bearing, and an upper bracket. However, the structure of the connection bracket for connecting the lower bearing and the upper bearing is complex and occupies certain space. Also, the hinge has to be provided with the projection and the restriction mechanism to restrict the rotation angle, such that the cost of manufacturing is increased.  
           [0006]    Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,288, entitled “Tilting hinge” issued to Saito on Aug. 6, 2002, discloses a tilting hinge for frictionally pivotably vertically, horizontally, and swingably supporting a display device. However, the friction washer of the tilting hinge will be worn out or broken during the repeating rotation of the display device, so the rotation of the display device is not restricted within a desired angle.  
           [0007]    Besides, the above-mentioned hinge apparatus of large dimensions occupies large space and thus cannot be widely adapted to various displays. These hinge apparatus can only support the LCD on a desk, but cannot be used to hang the LCD on a vertical wall, thereby limiting the uses of the hinge apparatus.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a multi-direction hinge which is simply structured and compact so as to be adapted to support varied displays.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In one aspect, the present invention relates to a triaxial hinge which is simply structured and compact, and is widely adapted to various flat panel displays.  
           [0010]    In another aspect, the present invention relates to a triaxial hinge of a display, and the triaxial hinge is provided with restriction elements of rotation angles formed inside the hinge so as to reduce the volume of the hinge.  
           [0011]    In yet another aspect, the present invention relates a triaxial hinge for supporting a flat panel display device on an external member. The triaxial hinge includes a first member, a second member, a third member and a supporting member. The first member is fixed to the external member. The second member is pivotally connected to the first member for defining a first pivot. The third member is pivotally connected to the second member for defining a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot. The supporting base is pivotally connected to the third member for defining a third pivot perpendicular to the first and second pivots. The flat panel display device is attached to the supporting base and can be pivoted on the first, the second, and the third pivots, respectively, with respect to the first member.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, the triaxial hinge according to the present invention is simply structured, and the cost and the dimension of the triaxial hinge are reduced for being adapted to various displays.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a triaxial hinge of an embodiment according to the present invention for supporting an LCD on a holder frame.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the triaxial hinge of an embodiment according to the present invention and a bracket.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first member.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 a  is a perspective view of a second member.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 b  is a side view of a second member.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 a  is a perspective view of a third member.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 b  is a side view of a third member.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 a  is a perspective view of a supporting base.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 b  is a side view of a supporting base.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 a  is a perspective view of the triaxial hinge at a view angle.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 b  is a cross sectional view of the triaxial hinge along the line A-A′ in FIG. 7 a.    
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 a  is a perspective view of the triaxial hinge at another view angle.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 b  is a cross sectional view of the triaxial hinge along the line B-B′ in FIG. 8 a.    
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the triaxial hinge at still another view angle.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a liquid crystal display mounted on a bracket of a vertical wall by the triaxial hinge.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]    Referring to FIG. 1, a triaxial hinge  5  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown for mounting a liquid crystal display (hereinafter refer to as “LCD”)  1  on a holder frame  10 . Referring to FIG. 2, among other things, the triaxial hinge  5  has a first member  20 , a second member  30 , a third member  40 , and a supporting base  50 .  
         [0030]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first member  20  includes a first main board  22 , two fins  24 , and two connection plates  26 . The first main board  22  is substantially rectangular in shape and has holes  22   a . The fins  24  are substantially perpendicular to the main board  22  and are respectively disposed on the opposite ends of one edge of the first main board  22 . The connection plates are substantially triangular in shape and substantially perpendicular to the first main board  22 , and are respectively disposed on the central portions of the opposite edges of the first main board  22 .  
         [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 a - 4   b , the second member  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second member  30  has a second main board  32 , two first connection plates  34 , and two second connection plates  36 . The second main board  32  is substantially rectangular in shape and has two rectangular slots  32   a ,  32   b . The first connection plates  34 , which are trapezoid in shape, are respectively disposed on two short edges of the second main board  32  and perpendicular to the second main board  32 . The first connection plates  34  further comprise connection holes  34   c ,  34   d . The second connection plates  36 , which are trapezoid in shape, are respectively disposed on two long edges of the second main board  32  and perpendicular to the second main board  32 . The first connection plates  34  and the second connection plates  36  are extending toward opposite directions. The second connection plates  36  further comprise projections  36   a ,  36   b  and connection holes  36   c ,  36   d.    
         [0032]    Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and  4   a - 4   b , the first member  20  is mounted on the second member  30  by means of the two bolts  31   a ,  31   b  which pass through the connection holes  26   c ,  26   d  of the first member  20  and the connection holes  34   c ,  34   d  of the second member  30 , and the two self-locking nuts  35   a ,  35   b . The projection  26   a ,  26   b  of the first member  20  are inserted into the slots  32   a ,  32   b  of the second member  20 . Also, spring washers  23   a ,  23   b  and spring washers  33   a ,  33   b  are disposed between the bolts  31   a ,  31   b  and the first member  20 , and between the second member  30  and the self-locking nuts  35   a ,  35   b , respectively.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 a - 5   b , the third member  40  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The third member  40  has a third main board  42  and two connection plates  44 . The third main board  42  is substantially rectangular in shape and has two rectangular slots  42   a ,  42   b  and a connection hole  42   c . The connection plates  44 , which are trapezoid in shape, are respectively disposed on two long edges of the second main board  32  and perpendicular to the second main board  32 . The connection plates  44  further comprise connection holes  44   c ,  44   d . Besides, a projection  46  is formed on the short edge of the third main board  42  and substantially perpendicular to the main board  42 . The projection  46  and the connection plates  44  are extending toward opposite directions.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 a - 4   b  and  5   a - 5   b , the second member  30  is mounted on the third member  40  by means of the two bolts  41   a ,  41   b  which pass through the connection holes  36   c ,  36   d  of the second member  30  and the connection holes  44   c ,  44   d  of the third member  40 , and the two self-locking nuts  45   a ,  45   b . The projection  36   a ,  36   b  of the second member  30  are inserted into the slots  42   a ,  42   b  of the third member  40 . Also, spring washers  33   a ,  33   b  disposed between the bolts  41   a ,  41   b  and the second member  30 , and spring washers  43   a ,  43   b  are disposed between the third member  40  and the self-locking nuts  45   a ,  45   b.    
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 a - 6   b , the supporting base  50  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The supporting base  50  has a forth main board  52 , a central thread recess  54 , an arc slot  56 , and four hole  58 . The arc slot  56  is concentric with the thread recess  54 .  
         [0036]    The relationship between the supporting base  50  and third member  40  can be further described referring to FIGS. 2, 5 a - 5   b  and  6   a - 6   b . The third member  40  is mounted on the supporting base  50  by means of the bolt  41   c , which pass through the connection hole  42   c  of the third member  40  and is screwed into the central thread recess  54 . The projection  46  of the third member  40  is inserted into the arc slot  56  of the supporting base  50 . Also, spring washers  43   c  are disposed between the bolt  41   c  and the third member  40 , and spring washers  53  are disposed between the third member  40  and the supporting base  50 .  
         [0037]    As mentioned above and shown, for example, in FIG. 2, the first member  20  can be pivoted relative to the second member  30  by the bolts  31   a ,  31   b . The second member  30  can be pivoted relative to the third member  40  by the bolts  41   a ,  41   b . The third member  40  can be pivoted relative to the supporting base  50  by the bolt  41   c.    
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 7 a - 7   b , when the first member  20  is pivoted relative to the second member  30 , the two ends of the slots  32   a ,  32   b  of the second member  30  interfere with the movement of the projections  26   a ,  26   b  such that the pivot or rotation angle is restricted within the range from about +20 degree to about −20 degree, i.e. within about 40 degree. In FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b , when the first member  20  is pivoted relative to the second member  30 , the two ends of the slots  42   a ,  42   b  of the third member  40  interfere with the movement of the projections  36   a ,  36   b  such that the pivot or rotation angle is restricted within the range from about +20 degree to about −20 degree, i.e. within about 40 degree. In FIG. 9, when the third member  40  is pivoted relative to the supporting base  50 , the two ends of the arc slot  56  of the supporting base  50  interfere with the projection  46  such that the pivot or rotation angle is restricted within about 90 degree.  
         [0039]    Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the LCD  1  is mounted on the supporting base  50  by means of the fasteners, such as bolts, rivets, which pass through the holes  58  of the supporting base  50  and the back housing of the LCD  1 .  
         [0040]    Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the LCD  1  is attached to the holder frame  10  by the triaxial hinge  5  according to the present invention, and the LCD  1  is able to be pivoted or rotated upward and downward within 20 degree (on X-axis), leftward and rightward within 20 degree (on Y-axis), and counterclockwise or clockwise within 90 degree (on Z-axis).  
         [0041]    In another arrangement according to the present invention, an LCD is mounted on a vertical wall by the triaxial hinge according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the LCD  1  is mounted on a bracket  60  of a vertical wall  65  (shown as the phantom line). Alternatively, without the bracket  60 , the LCD  1  is directly mounted on the vertical wall  65  by the fasteners which pass through the holes  22   a  of the first member  20 .  
         [0042]    Additionally, between the bolts and the corresponding nuts and between the bolt  41   c  and the corresponding central thread recess  54 , a predetermined torque can be applied by a torque wrench. By varying the torque, the friction force between the washers and the bolts and between the washers and the nuts can be varied so as to adjust the force of turning the LCD  1  relative to the triaxial hinge  5 . In the embodiment according to the present invention, the torque is preferably 20 kg·m. Further, in the embodiment according to the present invention, there are the two bolts  31   a ,  31   b  and the two bolts  41   a ,  41   b  disposed between the first member  20  and the second member  30  and between the second member  30  and the third member  40 , respectively, so the torque on the bolts can be individually adjusted, if desired.  
         [0043]    Further, the above-mentioned force can be adjusted to a suitable value by varying the number of the washers. Also, the first, second, third members  20 ,  30 ,  40  of the triaxial hinge  5  according to the present invention are formed by the process of punching the sheet material. Therefore, the limiting elements, i.e. the projections  26   a ,  26   b , the projections  36   a ,  36   b , the projection  46 , the slots  32   a ,  32   b , the slots  42   a ,  42   b , and the arc slot  56  are integrally formed with the members of the triaxial hinge  5 , so the limiting elements are strong and durable.  
         [0044]    In addition, the triaxial hinge  5  is compact in volume. As shown in FIG. 9, the height H of the triaxial hinge  5  is about 42 mm. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the triaxial hinge  5  can be adapted to support other type of flat panel display, such as plasma or light-emitting diode display. Besides, the triaxial hinge  5  can be easily covered with a figurative housing element for providing the aesthetic and hidden function.  
         [0045]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the invention. It is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.