Abstract:
A display device is provided for use, for example, on a vehicle. The display device has a removable frame that is snap fit onto the display cluster housing. The frame can be interchangeable with frames having different aesthetic attributes. Removal of the frame does not affect the water resistance of the display device.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/394,880 titled “INTERCHANGEABLE FRAME FOR A DISPLAY CLUSTER”, filed on Jul. 11, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to display devices, especially for vehicles. In particular, this invention relates to display devices and frames for finishing the edges of display devices.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art  
           [0005]    Prior art display devices used on vehicles, particularly watercraft, are typically sealed units that are installed on the vehicle in one piece. As such, the appearance of the display unit cannot be changed. This limits the design aesthetics available to the vehicle manufacturer.  
           [0006]    To vary the appearance of the display device, typically a manufacturer would have to produce entirely different display devices for installation on different models, for example, that have different aesthetic design schemes. This is costly for the manufacturer.  
           [0007]    Thus, there is a need for a versatile display device that can adapt to different design schemes and offer aesthetic alternatives.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    An aspect of the invention is to provide a frame for a display device that is removable and interchangeable with frames having different aesthetic attributes.  
           [0009]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide a frame for a display device that removes easily from the display casing.  
           [0010]    A further aspect of the invention is to provide a display device having interchangeable parts, which reduces manufacturing cost.  
           [0011]    The invention is directed to a display device, comprising a casing, at least one gauge disposed in the casing, a connector port supported by the casing and connected to the at least one gauge, a window on the casing over the at least one gauge, and a frame removably attached to the casing.  
           [0012]    The invention is also directed to a vehicle having a display device, comprising a vehicle body, an operator seat carried on the body, an engine supported by the body configured for driving the vehicle, an electronic control unit connected to the engine, and a display device connected to the electronic control unit and positioned within visual proximity to the operator seat. The display device includes at least one gauge that displays a sensed condition of the vehicle, a casing that houses the at least one gauge, a window on the casing over the gauge, and a display frame removably coupled to the casing.  
           [0013]    The invention is additionally directed to a frame for use on a display device, comprising an annular member formed of plastic and having a generally L-shaped cross sectional configuration with two legs. Each leg has at least one hook formed thereon for engaging an edge of a self contained display device.  
           [0014]    These aspects and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings, which disclose preferred embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    Referring to the figures:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the display device in accordance with this invention showing the display cluster housing and removable frame;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a front view of the display device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the display device of FIG. 2;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a top view of the display device of FIG. 2;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is bottom cross sectional view of the display device taken along line CC of FIG. 2;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of the display device taken along line B-B of FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a side cross sectional view of the display device taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of section G-G of FIG. 5;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of section H-H of FIG. 6;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a side view of a personal watercraft with the display device in accordance with the invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a top view of the personal watercraft of FIG. 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    This invention is described with reference to a display device for use on a vehicle. The display device according to this invention can be used on any type of vehicle, including but not limited to personal watercraft, sport boats, all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and automobiles. It is also contemplated that the display device according to this invention can be used on any type of article of manufacture that utilizes displays, such as machinery and stationary devices.  
         [0028]    According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device is implemented on a personal watercraft. An example of a suitable personal watercraft  100  is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 with display device  10 . In general, the personal watercraft  100  has a hull  102  that buoyantly supports a deck  104  with a seat  106 . An engine  108  mounted within the hull  102  is connected to a jet propulsion system  110  that generates thrust to propel the watercraft  100  through a body of water. A steering and control assembly  112  is disposed in front of the seat  106  and includes handle bars  114  and throttle control  116 . In front of the steering and control assembly  112 , the display device  10  is mounted to the deck  104  where it can be easily viewed by the watercraft operator. The display device  10  is preferably connected to the electronic control unit (ECU)  118  of the watercraft  100 .  
         [0029]    The display device  10  is shown in detail in FIGS.  1 - 9 . The display device  10  is preferably in the form of a display cluster in which several indicators are supported as a unit. The display device  10  includes a cluster casing  12  that houses a plurality of display units, in this case gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18 , which are described in detail below. The cluster casing  12  can be formed of any rigid, preferably water resistant material, such as metal or plastic. Preferably, the casing  12  is made of acrilonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The shape of the cluster casing  12  can be modified depending on the types, number, and sizes of the gauges retained therein. In this embodiment, the cluster casing  12  is shaped in a generally “B” shape to accommodate a pair of analog dial gauges  14  and  18  and a rectangular liquid crystal display  16 . Any dimensions represented in the drawings are shown as exemplary design possibilities and are not intended to be limiting.  
         [0030]    A connection port  20 , seen in FIGS.  3 - 6 , is provided on the back of the cluster casing  12  to provide electrical connection from various sensors and controllers carried on the vehicle, in this case the watercraft  10 , to the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18 . Any type of connection port  20  can be provided that provides a signal communication path. A gauge harness  22  mounted on the watercraft  10  connects to the connection port  20  as represented by FIG. 1. Preferably, the gauge harness  22  is a conventional port connector that is press fit in place and secured through screws, clamps, or friction fit. The gauge harness  22  can extend from the electronic control unit (ECU)  118  of the vehicle  100 , shown schematically in FIG. 10. Any known type of control system can be used, especially a microprocessor.  
         [0031]    The cluster casing  12  is supported by the vehicle by any known support mechanism. Preferably, the watercraft  100  has an opening in the deck  104 , as seen in FIG. 11, into which the cluster casing  12  fits. For assembly, the gauge harness  22  can be connected to connection port  20 , and the cluster casing  12  can be snap fit into place in the deck  104  of the watercraft  100 . Of course, any suitable mount can be used, including a dashboard or retractable monitor.  
         [0032]    Referring back to FIG. 1, the cluster casing  12  is covered by a window or lens  24  (FIG. 4) that is secured over the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18  and covered by a frame  26 . The window  24  is transparent to allow the gauges retained in the cluster casing  12  to be viewed. The window  24  can be clear or tinted to assist in viewing in direct sunlight. Preferably the window  24  is made of impact resistant plastic, but glass may also be used.  
         [0033]    If desired, a double glazed window  24  may be provided, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. This provides additional protection to the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18  retained within the cluster casing  12  and prevents fogging. The outside window  28  is preferably fixed to the cluster housing  12 , by bonding for example. The inside window  30  is sandwiched between the outside window  28  and the cluster casing  12 . A seal  32  is disposed between the window  30  and the cluster casing  12  to provide a watertight connection and to cushion the window  24  during operation of the vehicle  100 . Additional seals can be used at various connection locations if desired. The seal  32  can be made of any conventional sealing material, including a rubberized sealing ring.  
         [0034]    The cluster casing  12  has expansion openings  34 , seen in FIG. 3, formed in the bottom. The openings  34  have resilient inserts  36 , preferably made of rubber. Since the cluster casing  12  is sealed, the pressure can vary within the display device  10  due to temperature fluctuations. The inserts  36  move in response to pressure inside the cluster casing  12  to vary the internal volume. This protects the casing  12  and window  24  from breaking due to temperature and hence internal pressure fluctuations.  
         [0035]    The cluster casing  12  with the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18  and window  24  installed functions as a self contained and sealed unit. By the above sealing arrangement, the display device  10  can be made water resistant, which facilitates use on the watercraft  100 . This design is advantageous for other vehicles, as well, particularly other types of watercraft, all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 2, the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18  are shown in detail. Gauge  14  is an analog gauge that displays the measured vehicle speed. Gauge  18  is also an analog gauge that displays the engine revolution per minute (RPM). The gauges  14  and  18  have needles  38  and  40 , respectively, that move in response to signals output by the ECU  118  by electrical actuators, as is known. The gauges  14  and  18  have appropriate indicia  42  and  44 , respectively, that represent the measured values. The needles  38  and  40  point to the appropriate value shown by the indicia  42  and  44  on the face of the gauges  14  and  18 . Gauge  16  is a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays various sensed conditions, including, for example, time, mileage, gas level, temperature, and operator warnings. The gauge  16  can be configured to operate according to several different modes, if desired.  
         [0037]    FIGS.  4 - 9 , refer more specifically to the frame  26  and the connection between the frame  26  and the cluster casing  12 . As noted above, the cluster casing  12  with the window  24  installed over the gauges  14 ,  16 , and  18  is a sealed unit. The frame  26  is installed onto the cluster casing  12  to finish the edge connection of the casing  12  and the window  24 .  
         [0038]    As seen in FIG. 4, the cluster casing  12  has an outer lip  46  that extends around the outer surface of the casing  12 . The lip  46  is spaced inwardly of the edge of the casing  12  and can extend entirely around the perimeter or be formed of disparate sections. The lip  46  has a beveled edge  48  that facilitates sliding the cluster casing  12  into a support on the vehicle. This enables the display device  10  to be snap fit into a vehicle support.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the cluster casing  12  also has an L-shaped flange  50  formed at the edge. The flange  50  extends outward from the outer surface of the casing  12 , which forms an inner ledge  52  and a perimeter  54 . The perimeter  54  supports the outer window  28 . As noted above, the outer window  28  is fixed to the perimeter  54 , by bonding for example. A bond  56  between the outer window and the perimeter  54 . The inner ledge  52  supports the inner window  30  with the sealing ring  32  disposed around the edge of the inner window  30 . By this, the inner window  30  is clamped between the cluster casing  12  and the outer window  28  with the sealing ring  32  disposed between the contacting surfaces. This forms a watertight connection that seals the gauges  14 ,  15 ,  18  within the casing  12 .  
         [0040]    A snap tab  58  is disposed on the outer surface of the flange  50 . The snap tab  58  has a beveled edge  60  and a stop surface  62 . The snap tab  58  can be formed as an annular protrusion around the outer surface of the flange  50  or as disparate sections.  
         [0041]    The outer window  28  is also formed with a groove  64  around its edge that has a stop surface  66 . The frame  26 , which is slightly flexible, as it is preferably made of plastic or other thin pliable material, snaps onto the outer edge of the casing  12  and the window  24  as follows.  
         [0042]    The frame  26  is shaped to conform to the outer edge of the cluster casing  12 , as seen in FIG. 1. In cross section, as seen in FIGS.  5 - 9 , the frame  26  has a generally L-shaped cross section. At the end of each leg of the L, a hook  68  and  70  is formed. Each hook  68  and  70  has an outer beveled surface  72  and  74 , respectively, to facilitate sliding. Hooks  68  and  70  can be formed as discrete, spaced hooks disposed around the perimeter of the frame  26  or as a hooked edge or a combination thereof. Any number of hooks  68  and  70  can be used. For example, in a preferred embodiment, hook  68  is formed as a hooked edge that extends substantially around the inner perimeter of the frame  26  with spaced breaks, and hook  70  is formed as a plurality of short tabbed hooks that extend around the inner periphery of the frame  26  aligned with the breaks. By this, the frame  26  may be easily removed by flexing the edge to disengage the hooks  70 .  
         [0043]    As seen clearly in FIG. 8, beveled surface  72  of hook  68  fits into groove  64  and engages stop surface  66 . Beveled surface  74  of hook  70  slides over beveled edge  60  of snap tab  58  and engages stop surface  62 . To remove the frame  26 , hook  70  is flexed outwardly to disengage stop surface  62  to easily remove the frame  26  from the casing  12 . Alternatively, the frame  26  can be made to press fit around cluster casing  12 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 shows an additional insert  78  that may be provided between the outer window  28  and the frame  26  to accommodate different shapes of the display device  10 . For example, as seen in FIG. 1, the casing has a central depression. To accommodate the depression and maintain a flush surface between the edge of the frame  26  and the window  24 , as seen in FIG. 6, the insert  78  can be placed at the edge of the window  24  to extend the frame  26  outwardly. Preferably, the insert  78  is bonded or otherwise secured to the window  24 . This portion of the frame  26  has a modified L-shaped with an extra extension to better conform to the shape of the window  24 . Inserts of this type may be used where desired to accommodate different design configurations of the display device  10 .  
         [0045]    In a preferred design, the frame  26  is formed as an interchangeable piece that may be formed of a variety of colors and finishes. For example, one frame  26  may be made of black plastic, while another frame  26  may be made of chrome color painted plastic. As the frames  26  are made of lightweight plastic, frames  26  having different aesthetic qualities may be interchanged by the manufacturer, assembler or even the user of the vehicle cheaply and easily. As each cluster casing  12  will have the flange  50  and snap tab  58 , the basic design for the cluster casing  12  can remain the same, which is a cost savings.  
         [0046]    Of course, other shapes and configurations can be used and remain within the scope of the invention. The particular design parameters can be varied to suit the application of the display device.  
         [0047]    While advantageous embodiments have been described herein to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.