PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8387928-B2
Application Number: US-201213400471-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Flat panel display including a hinge assembly

Abstract:
An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount. A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner.

Claims:
1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a flat panel assembly; 
 a hinge mechanism directly coupled to the flat panel assembly, wherein the hinge mechanism is configured to attach to a mount that is non-VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)-compliant; 
 a mount adapter having a first interface coupled to the non-VESA-compliant hinge mechanism, the mount adapter having a second interface rigidly coupled to the first interface and configured for attachment to a mount that is VESA-compliant; and 
 a bumper coupled to the mount adapter. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism is completely external to the flat panel assembly. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism includes a same fastening mechanism for removing and attaching both the mount adapter and the non-VESA compliant mount onto the hinge mechanism. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the fastening mechanism consists of screws. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper is configured to interface with the flat panel assembly to stabilize the mount adapter against the flat panel assembly. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first interface comprises a generally tubular member. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second interface comprises a generally flat surface. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the generally flat surface comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising a first arm and a second arm each extending from the second interface. 
     
     
       10. A device comprising:
 a first interface configured to be coupled to a non-VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)-compliant hinge mechanism; 
 a second interface configured to be coupled to a VESA-compliant mount, wherein the second interface comprises a generally flat surface; 
 a first arm and a second arm each extending from the second interface; and 
 a first bumper coupled to the first arm and a second bumper coupled to the second arm, wherein the first bumper and the second bumper are configured to interface with a flat panel assembly to stabilize device when in contact with the flat panel assembly. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first interface is disposed between the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the generally flat surface comprises one or more apertures each configured to receive a fastening mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Under 35 USC §120, this application is a divisional application and claims benefit of priority to commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/476,182, filed on Jun. 1, 2009, and currently issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,269; which is a continuation application and claims the benefit of priority to commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,177, filed Apr. 22, 2005, entitled “Flat Panel Display Including A Hinge Assembly”, all the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to displays and more particularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated system environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flat panel displays have advanced to the point of being comparable with CRTs with respect to resolution, color capabilities and image quality. In most environments, flat panel displays are more desirable than CRTs due to their compact, portable size and low weight. 
     In an integrated computer system environment it is desirable to be able to mount and remove the display from an integrated computer system in an easy and convenient manner. In addition, due to the proliferation of different and incompatible flat panel display interfaces, it is difficult, costly and time consuming to integrate flat panel displays into notebook computers, instrumentation and other devices with integrated displays. 
     The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has developed a flat panel display interface standard that standardizes mounting specifications. Accordingly, it is desirable that a flat panel display have a VESA compliant mounting system and also be able to be adapted to a non-VESA compliant mounting system. 
     Accordingly, what is desired is a flat panel display which can rotate in a variety of directions, be easily mounted in an integrated computer environment, and which is also VESA compliant yet able to be adapted to a non-VESA compliant mounting system. The flat panel display should be cost effective, easily adapted to existing integrated computer environments and be easily removed from and mounted in such an environment. The present invention addresses such a need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount. 
     A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the display mechanism which allows for replacing a display mount with a VESA-compliant display mount in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the display and stand of  FIG. 1  and the hinge mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter attached to the back cover of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the back of a display when removing the stand in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  shows the back of the panel display to illustrate the external hinge mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  shows snapping the bumpers into place on each side of the VESA-compliant mount adapter. 
         FIG. 6  shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter being attached to the hinge mechanism in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the display assembly. 
         FIG. 8  shows the front cover and the metal shield attached together to form a single unit before the hinge mechanism is put in place. 
         FIG. 9  shows the attached front cover and the metal shield attached to the hinge mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view which shows the metal shield and the front cover coupled to each other. 
         FIG. 11  shows an assembled display which includes a back cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates generally to displays and more particularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated system environment. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the display mechanism which allows for replacing a display mount with a VESA-compliant display mount in accordance with the present invention. In this first embodiment a stand  102  is coupled externally to the display  104  utilizing a hinge assembly (not shown).  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the display  104  and stand  102  of  FIG. 1  and the hinge mechanism  106 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter  302  attached to the back cover of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
     A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for mounting either a conventional display or an integrated computer display to either a VESA compliant mount or to a non-VESA compliant mount or stand. 
     Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner. The system and method can be implemented in a display wherein the attachment hinge mechanism is completely external to the display or the mechanism can be partially internal to the display. 
     To describe these two embodiments, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     First Embodiment 
     In a first embodiment of the present invention, an external hinge mechanism is provided which allows for a pivoting joint for a display utilizing either a VESA compliant mount or non-VESA compliant mount or stand. The hinge mechanism utilizes a combination of tension springs and friction hinges for counterbalancing the weight of the display. To describe the features of the present invention in more detail, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the back of a display  104  when removing the stand  102  in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a hex tool  402  is utilized to loosen and remove the screws  404  from the hinge assembly  106  that attach the stand  102  to the back of the display  104 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the back of the panel display to illustrate the external hinge mechanism  106 . The VESA-compliant mount adapter  302  is also shown. 
       FIG. 5  shows snapping the bumpers  502  into place on each side of the VESA-compliant mount adapter  302 . After removing the stand  102  the VESA-compliant mount adapter  302  can be attached to the display  102  in the following manner. Screws and bumpers  502  are obtained for the appropriate style of display. The bumpers  502  can be snapped into place on each side of a VESA-compliant mount adapter  302 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter  302  being attached to the hinge mechanism  103  in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The mount adapter  302  is placed over the hinge mechanism  103  on the back of the display  104 . The hex tool  602  is utilized to screw the mount adapter  302  to the display  104 . 
     Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6  the attachment hinge mechanism  103  is external to the display. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, a hinge mechanism which is partially internal and partially external to the display is provided which allows for a pivoting joint for a display. The second embodiment comprises a metal shield, plastic back cover and a hinge mechanism, all of which form part of the integrated computer display. In this type of display the processing system electronics are inside the display. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the display assembly  700 . As is seen the display assembly  700  includes a hinge mechanism  703 , a metal shield  704  and a front cover  706 .  FIG. 8  shows the front cover  706  and the metal shield  704  attached together to form a single unit before the hinge mechanism  703  is put in place. 
       FIG. 9  shows the attached together front cover  706  and the metal shield  704  attached to the hinge mechanism  703 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view which shows metal shield  704  and the front cover  706  coupled to each other. The hinge mechanism  703  is positioned on the metal shield  704 . The external portion  1004  of the hinge mechanism  703  which is attached to the VESA-compliant mount adapter (not shown) is shown exploded away from the hinge mechanism  703 . In the front of this assembly would be located the electronic components (not shown) and the display (not shown). 
       FIG. 11  shows an assembled display which includes a back cover  1102 . As is seen, the external portion  1004  protrudes from a slot  1104  in the back cover  1102 . The VESA-compliant mount  302  is shown separately. The removal and attachment of the mount whether VESA-compliant or non-standard could be accomplished by utilizing the two screws as described in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     Accordingly, in the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-11  the resulting display would look like that shown in  FIG. 1-3 . In this second embodiment the hinge mechanism  703  is partially internal to the display assembly. 
     A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner. 
     Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although the metal shield is depicted with a specific design and shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the metal shield can be of a different design and shape and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, although the flat panel display assembly is disclosed in the context of a VESA standard, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the assembly could be any industry standard assembly and its use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Finally, the front and back covers of the assembly could be made of a variety of materials and their use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120220
Publication Date: 20130305
Grant Date: 20130305
Priority Date: 20050422
Inventors: TERNUS JOHN
KNOPF ERIC
CORBIN SEAN
DEGNER BRETT
DE IULIIS DANIELLE
NISHIBORI SHIN
HAN AMY AIMEI
HILLMAN MICHAEL DAVID
MCBROOM DANIEL LYNN
MCBROOM MICHAEL DAVID
SUDDERTH BRIAN THOMAS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M13/022", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/041", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49963", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49963", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/041", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S248/923", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S248/923", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37185867