Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/374,951, filed on Apr. 24, 2002, entitled “Quick Interconnection System for Electronic Devices”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates in general to a quick interconnection system for electronic devices, and more particularly, to an electrical connector system for flat screen displays and the like. 
   A flat screen display is an electronic device which displays alphanumeric characters, pictures and graphic images. Often, flat screen displays use liquid crystal technology for producing high quality picture images. The flat screen display is most often associated with a computer having extensive industrial and residential application. The flat screen display has become increasingly popular for industrial applications in view of its small size and reduced weight compared to conventional CRT monitors. In this regard, flat screen displays are only a few inches thick as compared to conventional monitors which are often 12 inches in thickness or greater. For this reason, flat screen displays require a supporting bracket in order to support the flat screen display in a user orientation. 
   One known bracket is an articulating arm to which the flat screen display is mounted at one end via a mounting bracket. The articulating arm allows the user to position the flat screen display in multiple horizontal and vertical positions covering a three dimensional space. 
   The flat screen display is connected to a desktop or a notebook computer via a number of electrical cables to supply, for example, DC power, digital video signals, analog video signals, etc. It is known in the computer industry to provide various types of pin connectors, both male and female, as well as other types of connectors to provide the requisite input and output signals to the flat screen display, as well as DC power. In the event of failure of the flat screen display, it is required that each of the connectors be disconnected, followed by removal of the flat screen display, and then reconnection of the connectors and attachment of the flat screen display to its mounting or supporting bracket. This process of replacing a flat screen display is time consuming and can potentially cause damage to one of the connectors if improperly aligned. 
   In certain applications, the flat screen display is used to display ongoing process information. In medical applications, the flat screen display may be used to display conditions of the patient during and after surgical procedures such as in the operating room and intensive care unit. In addition, in financial markets, the flat screen display may be used to display real time stock values during stock trading. In the event of failure of the flat screen display, it is essential that the display be replaced with the minimum of down time. 
   There is therefore an unsolved need for a quick interconnection system for electronic devices, and in particular, flat screen displays, to allow replacement of inoperative displays in a quick and easy manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an interconnection system for an electronic device having a first connector, the system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an electronic device, a connector plate, a second connector coupled to the plate, and an attachment device in operative association with the mounting bracket and the plate, the first and second connectors connecting with each other when the mounting bracket and the plate are attached to one another by the attachment device. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an interconnection system for an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors, the system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the electronic device, the mounting bracket having a plurality of pins extending therefrom; a plate having a plurality of openings adapted to receive a corresponding one of the pins for releasably securing the mounting bracket to the plate; a connector block coupled to the plate, the connector block including a plurality of openings each adapted to secure a second connector therein, the connector block coupling the second connectors with the first connectors when the mounting bracket is secured to the plate. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an interconnection system for a flat screen display having a plurality of first connectors, the system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the display, the mounting bracket including a plurality of pins having enlarged ends extending outwardly therefrom; a plate having a pair of spaced apart openings and a key hole shaped opening, the openings alignable with a corresponding one of the pins for receiving the pins therein whereby the mounting bracket is releasably attached to the plate; a connector block coupled to the plate, the connector block having a plurality of openings each adapted to secure a second connector therein matable with one of the first connectors, the second connectors simultaneously connecting with a corresponding one of the first connectors when the mounting bracket is secured to the plate; and a locking device releasably locking the mounting bracket to the plate. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for mounting an electronic device while simultaneously mating at least a pair of connectors, the method comprising attaching a mounting bracket to an electronic device having at least one first connector, attaching at least one second connector to a connector plate, and attaching the connector plate to the mounting bracket while simultaneously mating the first and second connectors together. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for coupling an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors with a corresponding plurality of second connectors, the method comprising mounting a mounting bracket to an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors, attaching a plurality of second connectors to a connector plate, displacing the mounting bracket relative to the connector plate, and attaching the mounting bracket to the connector plate while simultaneously mating the plurality of first and second connectors together. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flat screen display incorporating a quick interconnection system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a bracket adapted for use in the quick interconnection system; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the bracket; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector block constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a flat screen display attached to an articulating arm using the quick interconnection system; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a connector block constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the connector block as shown in FIG.  6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a flat screen display system generally designated by reference numeral  100 . The system  100  includes an electronic device such as a flat screen display  102 , a quick interconnection system generally designated by reference numeral  104  and an articulating support arm generally designated by reference numeral  106 . Other electronic devices include notebook computers, CRT displays, VCR&#39;s or the like. 
   The articulating support arm  106  includes a support bracket  108  adapted to rotationally support the support arm  106  on a supporting surface. One suitable support bracket  108  for this purpose is disclosed in Applicant&#39;s copending patent application Ser. No. 09/406,531 entitled “Configurable Mount” filed on Sep. 27, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The other end of the support arm  106  includes, by way of example, a tilter  110 . The tilter  110  is adapted to be coupled to the flat screen display  102  to enable its rotation and tilting about two perpendicular axes. One known tilter  110  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,988, entitled “Tilter For Positioning Electronic Device”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Known articulating arms  106  are disclosed in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,134 entitled “Arm Apparatus For Mounting Electronic Devices With Cable Management System”; application Ser. No. 10/061,880 entitled “Modular Mounting Arm” filed on Feb. 1, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,274 entitled “Arm Apparatus For Mounting Electronic Devices”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,785, entitled “Ergonomic Sit/Stand Keyboard Support Mechanism”; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   The quick interconnection system  104  generally includes three components, an electronic device mounting bracket  112 , a quick release plate  114  and a connector block  116 . The mounting bracket  112  is, by way of one example, a U-shaped bracket having a pair of upstanding side walls  118 ,  120  spaced apart by a flat plate  122 . In the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 1 , an attachment device in the nature of, for example, three pins  124  having enlarged heads or ends are attached to extend outwardly from the plate  122  in a triangular orientation. The mounting bracket  112  is attached to the back of the flat screen display  102  by means of the side walls  118 ,  120 . Typically, the side walls  118 ,  120  will have lateral flanges through which a bolt, screw or other fastening device may attach to a threaded opening provided within the back of flat screen display  102 . 
   The quick release plate  114 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is constructed from a rectangular member having a short leg  125  and a long leg  126  arranged parallel thereto by a short transversely arranged connecting leg. The short leg  125  is provided with a number of openings which allow the short leg to be fixedly attached to the connector block  116  using bolts, screws and the like received within corresponding threaded openings within the connector block. The long leg  126  is also provided with a plurality of openings  127  to allow the plate  114  to be attached to the tilter  110 , also using suitable bolts or screws. 
   The long leg  126  is provided with a key hole-shaped opening  128  and a pair of spaced apart U-shaped openings  130 ,  132  disposed along the leading edge  133  of the long leg  126 . The key hole-shaped opening  128  and U-shaped openings  130 ,  132  are spaced apart in a triangular arrangement to correspond to the spaced apart arrangement of the connector pins  124  which protrude from the mounting bracket  112 . The plate  114  is also provided with a spring biased locking pin  134  which, in the preferred embodiment, is normally biased to extend outwardly. The locking pin  134  is alignable with a hole  136  provided within the mounting bracket  112 . 
   The connector block  116  is shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connecting block  116  includes a front wall  138  and spaced apart top and bottom walls  140 ,  142 . In the embodiment shown, three recessed openings  144 ,  146 ,  148  are cut into the front wall  138  and extend to corresponding openings provided in the top and bottom walls  140 ,  142 . The number of openings  140 ,  146 ,  148  will depend upon the number of connectors required for the particular electronic device to be used with the quick interconnection system  104  in accordance with the present invention. In the case of the flat screen display  102 , it is contemplated that three openings will be provided. In this regard, opening  144  is adapted to receive connector  150  for supplying DC power to the flat screen display  102 . Opening  146  is adapted to receive connector  152  for supplying digital video signals to the flat screen display  102 . Opening  148  is configured so as to accept connector  154  for supplying analog video signals to the flat screen display  102 . Each of the connectors  150 ,  152 ,  154  have corresponding protruding portions  156 ,  158 ,  160  which extends above the top wall  140 . The protruding portions  156 ,  158 ,  160  are configured to mate with corresponding connectors  162 ,  164 ,  166  provided on the back of the flat screen display  102  as shown in FIG.  1 . By way of example, the connectors may be in the nature of RCA connectors, male pin connectors, female pin connectors and the like. Each of the connectors  150 ,  152 ,  154  are provided with electrical cables  168  which extend outwardly through the openings provided in the bottom wall  142 . Each of the cables  168  will be provided with an end connector (not shown) at its terminal end for connection to the computer for operation of the flat screen display. 
   The connectors  150 ,  152 ,  154  may be secured within the openings  144 ,  146 ,  148  by any suitable means. By way of example, a plurality of small clips  170  are secured to the front wall  138  of the connector block  166  using suitable screws or bolts. Each of the clips  170  have a portion which extends overlying a portion of the connector  150 ,  152 ,  154  so as to secure same within its corresponding opening  144 ,  146 ,  148 . If desired, the front wall  138  may be provided with a recessed portion sized and shaped to receive a corresponding clip  170  thereby orienting the location of the clip at a predetermined location. 
   As previously described, the connector block  116  is attached to the plate  114 , which in turn, is connected to the tilter  110 . The mounting bracket  112  is attached to the back of the flat screen display  102 . The flat screen display  102  is coupled to the quick connection system  104  by first aligning the connecting pins  124  with a corresponding one of the U-shaped openings  130 ,  132  and key hole-shaped opening  128 . At the same time, the locking pin  134  is aligned with its corresponding hole  136  within the mounting bracket  112 . The flat screen display  102  is advanced until the mounting bracket  112  is approximate or in contact with the plate  114 . At this point, the connecting pins  124  will be extended through a corresponding one of the openings  128 ,  130 ,  132 , with the connectors  162 ,  164 ,  166  on the flat display screen  102  overlying and in alignment with the connectors  150 ,  152 ,  154  within the connector block  116 . The downward movement of the flat screen display  102  will result in mating of the connectors with the locking pin  134  engaging the hole  136  thereby locking the flat screen display in electrical and mechanical connection to the connector block  116  as shown in FIG.  5 . The key hole-shaped opening  128  ensures that the connectors on the flat screen display  102  and connector block  116  mate during downward displacement of the flat screen display. The U-shaped openings  130 ,  132  are used for alignment purposes so as to effect the alignment with the connecting pins  124 . 
   The flat screen display  102  can be detached from the connector block  116  using the reverse procedure. In this regard, the locking pin  134  is retracted from its spring biased position so as to withdraw same from within the hole  136  within the mounting bracket  112 . The flat screen display  102  is then raised vertically to disconnect the connectors as well aligning the enlarged head of the connector pin  124  with the enlarged opening in the key hole-shaped opening  128 . The flat screen display  102  is now disconnected whereupon a new flat screen display may be replaced and electrically connected to the computer via the quick interconnect system  104  as previously described. It should be appreciated that replacing a defective flat screen display  102  using the quick interconnection system  104  of the present invention is relatively quick and takes a minimal amount of time. 
   Referring now  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is disclosed a quick interconnection system  172  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the interconnection system  172 , the previously described plate  114  and connector block  116  are integrally formed into a single connector mounting bracket  174 . The connector mounting bracket  174  includes a generally flat rectangular plate  176  having a similarly arranged key hole-shaped opening  128 , a pair of spaced apart U-shaped openings  130 ,  132  and a locking pin  134  as thus far described. An elongated connector support plate  178  is attached to the bottom edge  177  of the plate  176 . The connector support plate  178  which functions as a connector block can be integrally formed with the plate  176  being arranged traversely thereto by bending. However, the connector support plate  178  may be formed as a separate component from plate  176 , being joined thereto by, for example, welding, brazening or other suitable means. The connector support plate  178  is provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings  180 ,  182 ,  184  which communicate with the front edge  186  of the connector support plate. The openings  180 ,  182 ,  184  are sized and shaped to accommodate passage of cables  168  and to receive the body portion of connectors  188 ,  190 ,  192 . A peripheral portion of the connectors  188 ,  190 ,  192 , via a respective flange  194 , overlies a portion of the connector support plate  178 . Each of the flanges  194  are provided with openings for attaching the connectors  188 ,  190 ,  192  to the connector support plate  178  using suitable screws or bolts threadedly engaging corresponding openings. It should therefore be appreciated that the configuration, shape and number of openings  180 ,  182 ,  184  will be so determined based upon the construction and nature of the connectors  188 ,  190 ,  192  to be used with respect to the electronic device, and in particular, the flat screen display  102 . 
   The connector mounting bracket  174  is attached to the tilter  110  in a manner as previously described. The flat screen display  102  can be electrically coupled to the connectors  188 ,  190 ,  192  in the manner as previously described with respect to the operation of the quick interconnection system  104 . 
   Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. For example, although the attachment device has been described as constructed of three pins  124  and corresponding openings; other arrangements are contemplated to provide the same function, for example, posts and restricted ball sockets and the like. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: 4