Patent Document

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2006-121285, filed on Dec. 4, 2006 and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a display apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display apparatus capable of decreasing the overall size thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A liquid crystal display apparatus (“LCD”) includes a backlight assembly providing light and an LCD panel displaying images using the light. 
     The LCD apparatus is widely used because it has relatively small size and is light weight, and is driven by relatively low power consumption and driving voltage. Particularly, the LCD apparatus is becoming more widely used for large-sized electronic devices, such as televisions. 
     The LCD apparatus used for large-sized electronic devices is covered by front and rear cases including plastic material, to protect it from external impact and to provide visual appeal. An outside surface of the LCD apparatus is generally covered by a chassis that is made of a metal material. 
     A bracket is employed at edges of the LCD apparatus to combine its front and rear cases together. In particular, first and second bosses are formed on the bracket in the front and rear cases of the LCD apparatus, and then the front and rear cases are combined using the bracket. The bracket includes the metal material to have the same thermal expansion as that of the chassis. The first and second bosses are integrally formed with the front and rear cases, so they are formed of plastic material. 
     However, the above-mentioned configuration adds to overall size of the display apparatus due to the bracket. In addition, when the first and second bosses are formed from different materials than those of the bracket, thermal expansions of the bosses are different from those of the bracket, so that the bosses and the bracket may come in contact resulting in noise. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a display apparatus having a boss fixing member to decrease the overall size of the display apparatus. 
     In an exemplary display apparatus according to the present invention, the display apparatus includes a display module and a front case. The display module displays images. The display module includes a boss fixing member having a combination hole. The front case covers a first surface of the display module and has a first boss that is inserted into the combination hole to combine the front case to the display module. The first boss is formed at inside edges of the display module. The boss fixing member is positioned within the edges of the display module which define the outdimension of the display module. 
     The display apparatus further includes a rear case covering a second surface of the display module opposite to the first surface thereof, and having a second boss that is formed to a corresponding location of the first boss and is inserted into the combination hole. 
     The boss fixing member is formed at corners of the display module. 
     The display apparatus further includes a boss insertion element surrounding inner part of the combination hole of the boss fixing member. The boss insertion element includes an elastic material. For example, the boss insertion element includes rubber. 
     The boss insertion element includes a combining portion and the boss fixing element includes a hook portion. The hook portion fixes the boss insertion element via the combining portion. 
     The combination hole has a shape corresponding to cross-sectional shapes of the first and second bosses. Each of the first and second bosses may have a conical shape, and the combination hole may have a circular shape. 
     The boss fixing member includes a protrusion portion formed in an inside surface of the combination hole. The protrusion portion may have a hemispherical shape. 
     The first and second bosses may be combined with each other in the combination hole. The boss fixing member may be formed at an outer end of a side of the display module. 
     The combination hole may include a first combination hole to receive and fix the first boss and a second combination hole to receive and fix the second boss. A separation material may be disposed between the first and second combination holes. 
     According to the present invention, the display module includes the boss fixing member having the combination hole in which the first boss in the front case and the second boss in the rear case are flexibly inserted, so that the overall size of the display apparatus may be decreased and noise due to differences of heat expansions may be prevented. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a display module shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of  FIG. 1 , taken along a line I-I′; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a boss fixing member shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a boss insertion element shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a boss insertion element shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view illustrating a display module of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a boss fixing member corresponding to a side region of the display module in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a display module  200  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of  FIG. 1 , taken along a line I-I′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the display apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the display module  200 , a front case  300  and a rear case  400 . 
     The display module  200  includes a display unit  210  displaying an image and a cover chassis  220  covering a peripheral area of the display unit  210 . The display unit  210  is divided into a display area and the peripheral area covered by the chassis  220 . The image is displayed in the display area. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the cover chassis  220  includes a metal material having thermal expansion and thermal contraction rates lower than that of a plastic material, for example. The cover chassis  220  is opened to correspond to the display area of the display unit  210 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover chassis  220  covers the peripheral area. 
     The display module  200  may be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus displaying an image by using a liquid crystal. The LCD apparatus includes an LCD panel displaying the image and a backlight assembly (not shown) providing light to the LCD panel. The LCD panel includes two substrates (not shown) and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed between the two substrates. Alternatively, the display module  200  may include an organic light emitting display (“OLED”) apparatus displaying the image using an organic light-emitting element or a plasma display apparatus displaying the image using plasma. 
     Upon assembly, the front case  300  covers a first surface of the display module  200 . For example, when the display module  200  is the LCD apparatus, the front case  300  may cover an upper surface of the LCD panel. The front case  300  includes a front cover portion  310  disposed substantially parallel with the first surface of the display module  200 , and a front extension portion  320  extended downward from a first edge of the front cover portion  310  to collectively cover the display module  200 . The front extension portion  320  may be formed to extend perpendicular to the front cover portion  310 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the front case  300  has a substantially rectilinear frame shape. The front cover portion  310  of the front case  300  is substantially opened to correspond to the display area of the display unit  210 , so that the image displayed by the display module  200  is exposed to the outside. The front cover portion  310  may cover only an upper surface of the cover chassis  220 . Alternatively, the front cover portion  310  may include a transparent material corresponding to the display area. 
     The front case  300  may further include a front curved portion  330  diagonally extending from a second edge of the front cover portion  310  corresponding to an inner side of the front cover portion  310  and toward the display unit  210 . The front curved portion  330  prevents foreign material from entering into the display module  200 . Additionally, the front curved portion  330  may further include a gasket (not shown) having a sealing material in an end portion of the front curved portion  330 . Alternatively, the front case  300  may include a gasket in lieu of the front curved portion  330 . 
     The front case  300  includes a first boss  312  disposed, e.g., at a corner thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the first boss  312  is protruded from a lower surface of the front cover portion  310  of the front case  300 . The first boss  312  may have a tapered shape in which a diameter of the first boss  312  becomes smaller as a distance from the front cover portion  310  is increased. For example, the first boss  312  may have a conical shape. Alternatively, the first boss  312  may have a poly-prism shape. 
     For example, the first boss  312  has a diameter of about 12 mm at a contacting portion with the front cover portion  310 , and has a diameter of about 8 mm at a portion farthest away from the front cover portion  310 . 
     The first boss  312  may have the above-mentioned shape so that the first boss  312  is more easily inserted into a combination hole  510  as will be explained further herein. The first boss  312  may be integrally formed with the front cover portion  310 . Alternatively, the first boss  312  and the front cover portion  310  may be separately formed, and then combined with each other. In this latter embodiment, a combining element such as a bolt, an adhesive, etc., may be used to combine the first boss  312  and the front case  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, the front case  300  is formed from plastic material having thermal expansion and thermal contraction rates higher than those of a metal material. 
     The rear case  400  covers a second surface of the display module  200  that is opposite to the first surface of the display module  200 , which first surface is covered by the front case  300 . The rear case  400  includes a rear cover portion  410  directly covering the second surface of the display module  200 , and a rear extension portion  420  extending upwardly from an edge portion of the rear cover portion  410  to be combined with the front extension portion  320  of the front case  300 . The rear extension portion  420  may be formed to be substantially perpendicular to the rear cover portion  410 . The rear case  400  substantially has a shape to receive the display module  200 . 
     When the display apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is used in an upright position, one of the rear extension portions  420  may be longer than others of the rear extension portions  420  to enhance stability. In addition, the rear cover portion  410  and/or or one or more of the rear extension portions  420  of the rear case  400  may have a curved shape to provide enhanced visual appeal. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a second boss  412  is formed at corners of the rear cover portion  410  of the rear case  400 . In particular, the second bosses  412  are formed on an upper surface of the rear cover portion extending in a direction toward the display module  200 . In addition, the second bosses  412  may be formed in a location on the rear cover portion  410  that is a corresponding location in which the boss fixing members  500  and first bosses  312  are formed. The second boss  412  may be formed longer than the first boss  312  so that a control main board controlling the display module  200  and electronic devices for enhancing a user&#39;s experience are mounted on the rear surface of the display module  200 , thereby requiring additional space. The second boss  412  may have the same characteristics as those of the first boss  312 , and thus any further repetitive explanation concerning the second boss  412  will be omitted. 
     The display module  200  has a boss fixing member  500  disposed at a corresponding location of the first and second bosses  312  and  412 . For example, the boss fixing member  500  may be disposed at corners of the display module  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, the boss fixing member  500  is formed at outer edges of the display module  200 . The boss fixing member  500  may be formed by removing a portion of the display module  200  at its corner edges. As shown in  FIG. 1 , corners of the display module  200  are removed at substantially 45 degree angles except for a base portion thereof to provide the boss fixing member  500 . Alternatively, the boss fixing member  500  may be separately manufactured and then combined with the display module  200 . 
     When the display module  200  is a liquid crystal display apparatus, the boss fixing member  500  may be formed by changing a shape of a mold frame of the backlight assembly in the LCD apparatus. The cover chassis  220  may have a structure in which a portion of an edge of the cover chassis  220  is cut away to expose the boss fixing member  500  to the outside. 
     The boss fixing member  500  simultaneously fixes the first and second bosses  312  and  412  with respect to the front case  300  and the rear case  400 . The boss fixing member  500  is formed at inside portions of the corners of the display module  200 , and without the use of a bracket, thereby reducing an overall size thereof. 
     The combination hole  510  into which the first and second bosses  312  and  412  are inserted, is formed in the boss fixing member  500 . In an exemplary embodiment, the boss fixing member  500  includes an elastic material around the combination hole  510 . Thus, the boss fixing member  500  may be flexibly adjusted in accordance with heat expansion of the first and second bosses  312  and  412 . Alternatively, the entire boss fixing member  500  may include the elastic material. 
     Since the first and second bosses  312  and  412  generally have tapered outer diameters between about 8 mm to about 12 mm, the combination hole  510  has corresponding an inner diameter to accommodate the first and second bosses  312  and  412 . For example, the inner diameter of the combination hole  510  may be between about 8.5 mm to about 10 mm. In addition, the combination hole  510  may have an elongated shape corresponding to lengths and shapes of respective first and second bosses  312  and  412 . Additionally, the box combination hole  510  may have a circular shape when viewed from a plan view layout. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the boss fixing member  500  has a predetermined thickness to accommodate and simultaneously fix the first and second bosses  312  and  412 , regardless of the thickness of the display module  200 . However, the boss fixing member  500  may have thinner thickness to guide the combination of the first or second boss  312  or  412  with the boss fixing member  500 . According to the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the thickness of boss fixing member  500  may have about half the thickness of the display module  200 . 
     In alternative embodiments, predetermined combination holes such as a hook may be formed in the front extension portion  320  of the front case and the rear extension portion  420  of the rear case  400  in lieu of the boss fixing member  500 , so that the front and rear cases  300  and  400  may be aligned and combined with each other. 
     As indicated above, the display apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the boss fixing member  500  formed at corners of the display module  200 , and the boss fixing member  500  includes the combination hole  510  through which the first boss  312  formed in the front case  300  and the second boss  412  formed in the rear case  400  are flexibly combined with each other, so that noise and cracks due to differences in heat expansion and contraction rates, when the first and second bosses  312  and  412  are fixed by using a conventional bracket having the metal material, may be prevented. In addition, the overall size of the display apparatus  100  may be decreased by eliminating the conventional bracket. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first boss  312  in the front case  300  and the second boss  412  in the rear case  400  are combined with each other in the combination hole  510 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the combination hole  510  may be formed in one of the first and second bosses  312  and  412 , so that the other first and second bosses  312  and  412  may be combined in the combination hole  510 . Alternatively, a push-type hook may be formed in one of the first and second bosses  312  and  412 , and a combination groove combined with the hook may be formed in the other first and second bosses  312  and  412 . Alternatively, magnets may be combined at end portions of the first and second bosses  312  and  412  that face each other. 
     Advantageously, the front and rear cases  300  and  400  are independently combined with each other regardless of the display module  200 , so that the front and rear cases  300  and  400  may be easily controlled. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a first boss  313  and a second boss  413  are combined with each other at the outside of the combination hole  510 . 
     For example, the first boss  313  passes completely through the combination hole  510 , and then is combined with the second boss  413 . Alternatively, the second boss  413  may pass completely through the combination hole  510 , and may then be combined with the first boss  313 . 
     Advantageously, the first and second bosses  313  and  413  are combined with each other at the outside of the combination hole  510 , so that the combination between the first and second bosses  313  and  413  may be visually inspected. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a first boss  314  is separated from a second boss  414  when the front case  300  is combined with the rear case  400 . 
     For example, a predetermined space is formed between the first and second bosses  314  and  414 . The first and second bosses  314  and  414  may be fixed only by the boss fixing member  500  (e.g., via friction induced by the box fixing member  500 ). In other words, the front and rear cases  300  and  400  in  FIG. 3  stably fixed to the display module  200 . 
     Since the first boss  314  is separated from the second boss  414 , although the first and second bosses  314  and  414  are expanded by the heat expansions of the first and second bosses  314  and  414 , cracks formed due to the heat expansions may be prevented. In addition, costs for manufacturing the first and second bosses  314  and  414  may be decreased. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view illustrating still another exemplary embodiment of a combination between first and second bosses shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a first boss  315  is separated from a second boss  415 , and a portion of the boss fixing member  500  is changed to complete a distance between the first and second bosses  315  and  415  when combined. 
     The boss fixing member  500  includes the elastic material to correspond to the heat expansions of the first and second bosses  315  and  415 . For example, the boss fixing member  500  may include a rubber material. Accordingly, the combination hole  510  may be divided into a first combination hole  512  into which the first boss  315  is inserted and a second combination hole  514  into which the second boss  415  is inserted and a material is disposed between the first and second combination holes  512  and  514 , respectively. 
     For example, when the boss fixing member  500  is formed through changing the shape of the mold frame of the display module  200  in  FIG. 1 , the gap between the first and second bosses  315  and  415  may be filled with the mold frame. 
     The gap between the first and second bosses  315  and  415  may be filled to prevent movement of the first and second bosses  315  and  415 , which may result when the first and second bosses  315  and  415  are combined while lacking contact with each other. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a boss fixing element shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a boss insertion element shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  8  and  9 , the boss fixing member  500  includes a boss insertion element  520  in which the combination hole  510  is formed. 
     The boss insertion element  520  is formed to be easily combined with and separated from the boss fixing member  500 . The boss fixing member  500  may include a hook portion  530  to prevent the boss insertion element  520  from being freely separated from the boss fixing member  500 . Accordingly, a combining portion  522  combined to correspond to the hook portion  530  may be formed in the boss insertion element  520 . 
     The combination hole  510  passes through the center of the boss insertion element  520 . The combination hole  510  has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second bosses  312  and  412 . The combination hole  510  has an elongated hole shape. An entrance of the combination hole  510  may be chamfered for the first and second bosses  312  and  412  to be smoothly inserted into the combination hole  510 . 
     Alternatively, two combination holes  510  having a groove shape may be formed at the center of the boss insertion element  520 . For example, a first combination hole  510  may be formed in a direction corresponding to the placement of the first boss  312 , and a second combination hole  510  is formed in a direction corresponding to the placement of the second boss  412 . 
     In addition, when the first and second bosses  312  and  412  have the tapered shapes, a tapered shape opposite to the first and second bosses  312  and  412  may be formed in an inside surface of the combination hole  510 , to enhance combination force. For example, a cross-sectional diameter of the combination hole  510  at a location in which the first and second bosses  312  and  412  first penetrate, may be smaller than a diameter of the opposite end of the combination hole  510  (i.e., an inverse tapered shape). The combination hole  510  may have, e.g., a circular shape when viewed in a plan view layout. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the boss insertion element  520  includes elastic material having good absorptive power. For example, the boss insertion element  520  may be formed of rubber material. Alternatively, the boss insertion element  520  may include foam resin having a plurality of pores. In addition, the boss insertion element  520  may include a silicone material having good oxidation resistance and durability. In addition, the boss insertion element  520  may include a viton material having good corrosion and wear resistance. 
     Advantageously, when the combination hole  510  is broken, only the combination insertion portion  520  of the boss fixing member  500  needs to be changed or repaired. Thus configured, the boss fixing member  500  including the boss insertion element  520  which has the combination hole  510  combined and separated from the boss fixing member  500 , facilitates easy maintenance and repair and reduces manufacturing costs thereof. 
     In addition, although the outer diameters of the first and second bosses  312  and  412  may be changed, only the boss insertion element  520  having combination holes  510  manufactured differently needs to be changed, thereby enhancing workability. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a boss insertion element shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 10 , a boss insertion element  540  includes a combination hole  545 , and a protrusion portion  542  formed on an inside surface of the combination hole  545 . The protrusion portion  542  may also be formed at an entrance portion of the combination hole  545 . 
     The protrusion portion  542  may be simultaneously formed with the boss insertion element  540 . For example, the protrusion portion  542  may be formed of rubber material having good frictional force. The protrusion portion  542  may prevent the first and second bosses  312  and  412  from separating from the combination hole  545  due to frictional force provided by the protrusion portion  542 , when the first and second bosses  312  and  412  are inserted into the combination hole  545 . 
     The protrusion portion  542  may have, e.g., a rounded shape for the first and second bosses  312  and  412  to be smoothly inserted into. For example, the protrusion portion  542  may have a hemispheric shape. Alternatively, the protrusion portion  542  may have a rounded band shape along the inside surface of the combination hole  545 . In addition, the protrusion portion  542  may include a protruded shape, for example, a center portion of the protrusion portion  542  is concaved and a peripheral portion of the center portion is roundly protruded. 
     Advantageously, the boss insertion element  540  includes the protrusion portion  542  having good frictional force formed therein, so that the first and second bosses  312  and  314  are prevented from falling out after being inserted into the combination hole  545 . Thus, the combination force between the first and second bosses  312  and  412  and the boss fixing member  500  having the boss insertion element  540  may be enhanced. 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view illustrating a display module of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a boss fixing member corresponding to an outer edge portion of the side of the display module in  FIG. 11 . 
     The display apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment may be the same as in the display apparatus described in  FIGS. 1 to 10 , except an additional formation of a boss fixing member. Thus, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts as those described in  FIGS. 1 to 10  and any further repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a boss fixing member  550  formed in a display module  250  is formed at corners and outer edges of the sides  260  of the display module  250 . Alternatively, the boss fixing member  550  may be formed at one of the corners and outer edges of the sides  260  of the display module  250 . 
     The boss fixing member  550  corresponding to the corners has been already explained referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , and thus any further repetitive explanation will be omitted. In addition, the boss fixing member  550  that will be explained is defined to correspond to the outer edges of the sides  260 . 
     The side  260  includes a top surface  225  horizontally disposed and parallel with the front and rear cases  300  and  400  and a side portion extending vertically from an edge portion of the top surface  225  to form an L-shape. When the display module  250  is the LCD apparatus, one of the side portions of the side  260  may be relatively longer than another of the side portions of the display module  250 . In an exemplary embodiment, the boss fixing member  550  is formed at the outer edge of the side  260  that has a relatively longer side portion. Thus configured, when lamps of the backlight assembly in the LCD apparatus are disposed along the relatively longer side, the space provided by the longer side portion accommodates the lamps. 
     A portion of a display unit  230  corresponding to the side  260  (e.g., at the top surface  225  and side portion) may be cut away at in a direction toward the inside of the display unit  230 , and thus the boss fixing member  550  may have thinner thickness than that of the side  260  in which the boss fixing member  500  is formed. Accordingly, a portion of the cover chassis  240  that is a corresponding location of the boss fixing member  550  may be partially incised. 
     According to the present invention, the display apparatus includes the boss fixing member formed at the corners of the display module, and the boss fixing member includes the combination hole through which the first boss formed in the front case and the second boss formed in the rear case are flexibly combined with each other, so that the overall size of the display apparatus may be decreased by eliminating the conventional bracket. 
     In addition, when fixing the first and second bosses using the conventional bracket having the metal material, noise and cracks due to differences in heat expansion and contraction rates may be prevented. 
     Having described the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its advantages, it is noted that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by appended claims.

Technology Category: 5