Abstract:
An exemplary flat panel display ( 1 ) includes a main body ( 10 ) and a transparent holding structure ( 12 ) fixed to the main body. The holding structure is configured to hold one or more thin insertions by itself at a side thereof and or by cooperation with the main body wherein one or more thin insertions are held between the holding structure and the main body at a side of the holding structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to flat panel displays (FPDs), and more particularly to a flat panel display having a holding structure for holding thin insertions such as paper notes, cards, photos, etc. 
   GENERAL BACKGROUND 
   Flat panel displays are commonly used as display devices for electronic apparatuses such as personal computers (PCs). Referring to  FIG. 5 , a typical flat panel display  5  includes a front frame  52 , a back cover  54 , and a display panel  56 . The front frame  52  and the back cover  54  cooperatively define a space (not labeled). The display panel  56  is received in the space. 
   Many users of PCs attach small paper notes on the front frame  52  of the flat panel display  5 , in order to conveniently remember or convey written information such as notices, messages, or telephone numbers. Often the paper used is adhesive paper such as, for example, Post-Its. However, these kinds of paper notes are liable to fall off from the front frame  52 . In addition, if the paper used is adhesive paper, residual adhesive may remain on the front frame  52  after the note has been removed. Residual adhesive may build up on the front frame  52  over time, and make the flat panel display  5  somewhat unsightly. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a flat panel display that can overcome the above-described deficiencies. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one preferred embodiment, a flat panel display includes a main body and a transparent holding structure fixed to the main body. The holding structure is configured (i.e., structured and arranged) to hold one or more thin insertions by itself at a side thereof and or by cooperation with the main body wherein one or more thin insertions are held between the holding structure and the main body at a side of the holding structure 
   Other aspects, advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout various views, and all the views are schematic. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a flat panel display according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the flat panel display including a main body and a holding frame separated from the main body. 
       FIG. 2  is an assembled view of the flat panel display of  FIG. 1 , the holding frame being assembled to the main body. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of a flat panel display according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the flat panel display including a main body and a holding frame separated from the main body. 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the flat panel display of  FIG. 3 , the holding frame being assembled to the main body. 
       FIG. 5  is an assembled, isometric view of a conventional flat panel display. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the preferred embodiments in detail. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a flat panel display  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The flat panel display  1  includes a main body  10 , a base  11 , and a holding frame  12 . 
   The main body  10  includes a front frame  13 , a display panel  15 , and a back cover  17 . The front frame  13  and the back cover  17  cooperatively define a space (not labeled). The display panel  15  is received in the space. The main body  10  is supported by the base  11 . 
   The front frame  13  is generally rectangular, and includes four first side walls  132  connected end to end, thus defining a window (not labeled) for allowing viewing of the display panel  15 . Two grooves  134  are respectively defined in two opposite sides of the main body  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves  134  are defined in middle portions of two vertical side walls  132 , and are adjacent the back cover  17 . The front frame  13  should preferably be made from plastic, polymer or other suitable materials. 
   The back cover  17  is generally box-shaped, and a size and a width thereof are respectively greater than those of the front frame  13 . The back cover  17  is preferably made from plastic, polymer, or another suitable material. 
   The holding frame  12  is generally rectangular and transparent, and has a size substantially equal to that of the front frame  13 . The holding frame  12  includes two opposite horizontal walls  122 , and two opposite vertical walls  124  respectively connected end to end with the horizontal walls  122 . A plurality of protrusions  126  extend from a back surface (not labeled) of each vertical wall  124  of the holding frame  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions  126  of each vertical wall  124  are regularly arranged in two columns. The holding frame  12  further includes two blocks  128  (only one shown) respectively outwardly protruding toward the main body  10 . The blocks  128  protrude from central edge portions (not labeled) of the vertical walls  124 , and are each positioned corresponding to their respective grooves  134  in the front frame  13 . Each block  128  and the respective groove  134  are configured (i.e., structured and arranged) so that they can be cooperatively fixed to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the block  128  includes a hooked end (not shown) positioned adjacent to the protrusions  126 , and the groove  134  includes a corresponding hooked inner structure (not shown) that can hook on to the hooked end of the block  128 . Outside corners (not labeled) of the holding frame  12 , the front frame  13 , and the back cover  17  are substantially rounded. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , when the holding frame  12  is assembled to the main body  10 , the blocks  128  are each fittingly received and fixed in their respective grooves  134 , and the protrusions  126  abut or gently press the front frame  13 . Therefore, thin objects (not shown) such as pieces of paper, cards, photos, and so on can be cooperatively held by the front frame  13  and the protrusions  126  of the holding frame  12 . The objects can be adhesive or non-adhesive. Because the holding frame  12  is transparent, the contents of the held objects can be conveniently read by anyone looking at the flat panel display  1 . Thus, the flat panel display  1  can provide desired convenience with a clean appearance. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flat panel display  3  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the flat panel display  1 . However, the flat panel display  3  includes a main body  30  and a transparent holding frame  32 . The holding frame  32  defines two pairs of slim cavities  326  at two opposite vertical sides (not labeled) thereof, and entrances (not labeled) to the slim cavities  326  are rounded. Surfaces (not labeled) of the holding frame  32  facing the main body  30  are essentially smooth. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 4 , when the holding frame  32  is assembled the main body  30 , slim objects (not shown) such as pieces of paper, cards, photos and so on can be inserted into each of the slim cavities  326  via their respective entrances. Because the holding frame  32  is transparent, written contents on the objects received in the slim cavities  326  can be conveniently read. The flat panel display  3  has advantages similar to those of the above-described flat panel display  1 . 
   Further or alternative embodiments may include the following. In one example, the blocks  128  can protrude from the horizontal walls  122  of the holding frame  12 . In this case, the grooves  134  are correspondingly defined in horizontal sides of the front frame  13 . In another example, the slim cavities  326  can be defined in top portions of the holding frame  32 . 
   It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.