Patent Document

This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/109,668 filed Nov. 20, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to electronic displays having dual display screens used with computers and CAD design equipment, and more particularly to a display system permitting positioning of dual display screens in an infolded “booking” mode, and to a novel dismountable joint for mounting articles, such as display screens. Also disclosed is an interchangeable display screen and mounting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Computers are readily adapted to operate multiple displays. Paired monitors and screens are useful when large amounts of related information, such as data or graphics, must be compared. Paired monitors can be inconvenient, however, where limited desk space is available. Monitors may be horizontally aligned, or vertically aligned. It is especially desirable to permit swinging of the monitor orientations together into a “booking” mode. 
     The invention also relates to a novel swingable mounting, which is suitable for mounting a variety of different pieces of equipment and instruments particularly for example video cameras, telescopes, mirrors, and any number of different articles, which it may be desired to swing into a position from which the article is not easily displaced. 
     The invention also relates to an interchangeable computer display screen, in which one or more of a variety of screen configurations can be connected or disconnected in various configurations with a computer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a display system having two screens and comprising a base, a pair of electronic displays mounted on the base and means for swingably mounting the display screens, for swinging towards one another for convenient viewing. The swinging means includes an arm assembly which supports the display screens on the base. The support for the arm assembly from the base may have an orientation relative to the base in which the display screens are positioned in vertically stacked screen relationship and may also have a different orientation in which the display screens are positioned in a horizontal, side by side relationship. Each display screen has a swingable joint connecting it to the arm assembly to permit adjustment of its angular orientation relative to the other screen. The angular orientation of each of the display screens relative to the arm assembly can thus be set by the user so as to orient each display screen in the desired angular orientation for that operator. 
     In one implementation of the invention, the arm assembly can be set in one position about a generally horizontal axis relative to the base, and the display screens can be swung together relative to the arm assembly. The arm assembly may be locked in either orientations, typically vertical or horizontal. Each display screen may be permitted to swing only between a pair of angular positions relative to the arm assembly by controls in the swingable joints. 
     The displays will often be horizontally arranged side by side in their operative angular orientation. It will generally be desirable to minimize the spacing between edges of the display screens whether vertically registered or horizontally registered. To that end, the center-to-center spacing between the display screens is preferably reduced when the screens are swung together. 
     The swingable mounting joints connecting the display screens to the arm assembly are preferably formed in such a way that they can be preconfigured either for a side by side orientation or for a vertically stacked orientation of the screens, with means being provided on the swingable joints to guide the assembly in one fashion or the other, and the arm assembly is preferably provided with connecting means connecting to the swingable joints, which cooperate with the means guiding the assembly. 
     The swingable joints are preferably provided with control abutments by means of which the swinging of the displays can be guided and controlled both when in their horizontal side-by-side arrangement and when in their vertically stacked arrangement, and the position and angular displacement of the two screens can be preset by adjustment of such positional controls during assembly. 
     A further feature of the invention is the provision of a unique form of spring-loaded pivot mount for mounting equipment, such as the display screen. The pivot mount is capable of adjusting the spring pressure on the pivot so that the article mounted on the pivot mount, in this case a screen can be adjusted, when grasped with both hands and moved, but which is otherwise highly resistant to movement due to frictional locking of the pivot mount. 
     The pivot mount has numerous other uses, other than mounting display screens as will be apparent from the following description. 
     Further aspects of the invention provide for the interchangeability of screens one with the other, so that larger or smaller screens may be used with the same computer, and so that screens may be used in various different positions. 
     In some cases the screens may simply be stood on a table. In other cases the screens may be wall-mounted or mounted on some form of base separate from the computer. In other cases the screens may be interchangeably and releasably mountable for example in a vehicle, and they may be configured in pairs so that they may be portable and set up for a multi screen display, for example, for viewing by a number of persons simultaneously. 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a dual display screen system, showing swinging movement of the two screens towards one another; 
         FIG. 2  is a side-elevation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front-elevation of the dual display screens of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the dual display screens of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of dual display screen shown with the screens in vertical arrangement one above the other; 
         FIG. 6  is a side-elevation of  FIG. 5  showing the screens tilted towards one another; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the pivot mount and ball joint used in this embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a section along the line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a section along the line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective illustration of an arm assembly, and showing cut away portions of the swingable joints; 
         FIG. 11  is a section along the line  11 — 11  of  FIG. 10 , showing the two components assembled; 
         FIG. 12  is a section along the line  12 — 12  of  FIG. 10  showing the two parts assembled; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective partly exploded illustration showing an alternative interchangeable mounting system for mounting the screens; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded rear perspective illustration of a complementary portion of the mounting system, which is fitted to the back of each screen; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective illustration showing the interchangeable mounting system of the invention coupled with a ball joint similar to that shown in  FIG. 12 , to enable a screen to be mounted on a stand separately from the computer; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevation of the complementary portion of the interchangeable mounting system mounted on the back of a screen; 
         FIG. 17  is a section along the line  17 — 17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective illustration partly in phantom of a modified form of stand for a computer screen; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective illustration of a stand somewhat similar to  FIG. 18 , with a collapsible stand arm nesting in a base; 
         FIG. 19a  is a perspective of the unit of  FIG. 19  folded and nested for storage or carrying; 
         FIG. 20  is a rear perspective illustration partly exploded showing a modified form of computer together with a display releasible mounted on an arm extending from the computer; 
         FIG. 21  is a front perspective illustration of a wall-mounted form of interchangeable display screen together with a control panel; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic illustration showing an interchangeable mounting of a display screen in a vehicle; 
         FIG. 23  is an illustration of another vehicle mounting of the interchangeable displays screen, in the rear compartment of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 24  is an illustration of a computer with a rear mounted support arm, and a greatly enlarged display screen fitted to the arm; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective illustration of a table-mounted screen; 
         FIG. 26  shows a computer having two screens mounted one above the other, with a rotatable mount between the two screens; 
         FIG. 27  is a view of the same computer as shown in  FIG. 26  showing the two screens folded outwardly, so that the display can be viewed by two persons sitting opposite one another; 
         FIG. 28  is an illustration of a portable dual display screen with a hinging mount, the two screens being shown folded together in a stored or carrying position; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective illustration showing a plurality of the display screens of  FIG. 28  opened up so that they may stand on the table and face in opposite directions, and coupled to a computer; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective illustration of an alternate form of tripod display stand for holding three displays for example, on a conference room table or the like; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective illustration of the tripod support of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a rear perspective partially exploded view of another form of dismountable display leg for a display screen; 
         FIG. 33  is a rear perspective illustration of a typical lap top computer, having two display screens, the one being slidable relative to the other for nesting, or extendable for use; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective illustration of the lap top computer with dual display screens of  FIG. 33  showing the display screens in another configuration; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective illustration of another form of lap top computer having two display screens, and showing a slidable cover panel for one of the two display screens; 
         FIG. 36  is a rear perspective view of another form of display screen, showing attachment recesses for various components; 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective illustration of, for example, a lap top computer showing two display screens such as that illustrated in  FIG. 36 , being attachable to a hinge mounting on the computer; 
         FIG. 38  is a front elevational view of a pair of display screens as illustrated in  FIG. 36  shown side by side; 
         FIG. 39  is a front elevational view corresponding to  FIG. 38 , but showing the two display screens one above the other; 
         FIG. 40  shows an illustration of a further embodiment of invention with a computer having two display screens joined along the side by a hinge; 
         FIG. 41  shows the computer of  FIG. 40  with the two display screens swung out side by side; 
         FIG. 42  shows the same computer with the two screens swung back to back, so as to display in opposite directions; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of a laptop computer system incorporating a center LCD panel and a pair of half-width LCD panels on each side thereof, wherein the half-width panels may be folded over the center LCD panel and the entire display portion then folded down onto the keyboard portion of the laptop to form a compact assembly; 
         FIG. 44  is a side elevational view of a display system of the present invention incorporating a telescoping and pivoting upper support arm for positioning an upper LCD panel adjustably at a desired height above a lower LCD panel or in an orientation facing away from the lower LCD panel; 
         FIG. 45  is a side elevational view of the display system of  FIG. 44  showing the upper support arm in an extended position; 
         FIG. 46  is a side elevational view of the display system with the upper LCD panel adjusted at an angle relative to the lower LCD panel; 
         FIG. 47  is a side elevational view of the display system with the upper LCD panel folded over backward relative to the lower LCD panel; 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of the display system in use at an airline ticket counter; 
         FIG. 49  is a perspective view of the display system in a folded orientation for easy handling; 
         FIG. 50  is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a display system of the present invention incorporating a rotating support member to enable a LCD panel to be rotated about a vertical axis; 
         FIG. 51  is a perspective view illustrating an upper LCD panel mounted for swiveling movement relative to a lower LCD panel using the system shown in  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a perspective view of the display system shown in  FIG. 51  showing the two LCD panels facing in opposite directions; 
         FIG. 53  is an exploded perspective view of a modular, multi-panel LCD display system in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 54  is a perspective view of the display system shown in  FIG. 53  in assembled form ready to accept four LCD panels; 
         FIG. 55  is a front view of the display system of  FIG. 54  with four LCD panels attached thereto; 
         FIG. 56  is a rear view of the display system of  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view of the display system of  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 58  is an exploded perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 53  but without one of the support arms such that a three LCD panel display system is formed; 
         FIG. 59  is an exploded perspective view of the display system shown in  FIG. 58  illustrating how a single LCD panel is attached at an uppermost end of one of the support arms; 
         FIG. 60  is a front elevational view of three LCD panels supported on the display system shown in  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 61  is a front elevational view of three LCD panels being supported such that the single LCD panel is below an upper pair of LCD panels; 
         FIG. 62  is a perspective view of a base assembly for supporting three LCD panels in the configuration shown in  FIG. 62 ; 
         FIG. 63  is a front elevational view of a four LCD panel system with two of the panels disposed in portrait orientation and two disposed in landscape orientation; and 
         FIG. 64  is a front elevational view of a three LCD panel system with two LCD panels disposed in a landscape orientation and one in a portrait orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As already explained, the invention in this particular embodiment illustrated, has its application to the use of dual display screens, which can be used to display two different computer images simultaneously. This may have application for example in CAD computer design application. For these and other purposes it is particularly useful if the two screens or displays can be tilted towards one another so that they appear in the form more or less of two pages of an open book. The screens are preferably arranged side by side, in horizontal alignment, but may also be arranged vertically one above the other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the invention is there illustrated as in the form of a pair of video display screens  10  and  12 , each of which may be of known construction, but which may typically be liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for example. They are each provided with video terminal connectors  14  ( FIG. 2 ) by means of which they may be connected to a computer. 
     Each of the screens  10  and  12  comprises a central rectangular display portion  16 , and a rectangular marginal frame  18 . 
     The two display screens  10  and  12  are mounted at opposite ends of a mounting arm  20 . The mounting arm  20  is itself supported on an upright stand  22  and a base  24 . The arm  20  may be connected to the base  22  by a coupling means  26  ( FIG. 4 ) by means of which the arm may be attached during assembly, either horizontally, or vertically ( FIG. 6 ) prior to delivery to the customer. 
     In some cases the manufacturer may simply make the arm permanently attached in one position, i.e. horizontal or the other i.e. vertical, to reduce expense. 
     As will be noted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , each of the displays  10  and  12  is mounted on respective free ends of arm  20 , by means of a swingable mounting means  28  and  30  respectively. 
     The swingable mounting means  28  and  30  are so constructed as to permit the two screens  10  and  12  to be swung together towards one another, into the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in which they both remain in the same upright planes, and in which they are both swung towards one another by equal angles. In this way, as the two screens  10  and  12  are swung towards one another into this configuration, the angular displacement of one screen is equal to the angular displacement of the other screen, so that the two frames  18  of the screens  10  and  12  substantially meet at a central point indicated generally as P, thus bringing the two screens  16 — 16  as close as possible together and at the same time, as far as possible, simulating the appearance of two pages of a book opened up. 
     It will be observed that when the arm  20  is fastened in its vertical position as shown in  FIGS. 5 , the lower one of the two screens  10  and  12  is moved up the arm, because in the vertically stacked orientation, the rectangular screens have a shorter vertical dimension, and it is desirable that they should be as close to one another as possible when they are swung together, so that the longer sides meet at point P. 
     From the foregoing description it will be understood that it is desirable that the two screens can be swung together into their inwardly angled relation as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , or  FIG. 6 , but that the screens should be capable of being tilted only to a limited degree in any other direction relative to one another, since this might reduce the clarity of the dual display. However, the two screens may be tilted slightly upwardly, or downwardly by similar angular displacements. In this way the simulation of an open book arrangement is maintained. 
     For these reasons, the two display screens  10  and  12  are mounted on the arm  20  by means of the swingable mountings  28  and  30 . These mountings will now be described in greater detail with regard to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the mounting  28  or  30  in an exploded perspective view. The swingable joint consists essentially of a ball  32 , and a socket  34 , with the ball  32  being preferably cast out of a suitable material preferably a metallic material and the socket  34  being cast preferably of a somewhat resilient material such as a thermoplastic. The ball  32  is mounted on a neck  36 , which extends from a generally rectangular junction block  38 . The block  38  is formed with a plurality, in this case four, rectangular guide members  40 , spaced apart at 90 degrees from one another around the block  38 . 
     One of the guide members  40 A, is wider than the other three guide members  40 , to provide guidance when the guide members are assembled in a manner to be described below. 
     The block  38  and guide members  40  are designed to fit into suitable recesses in the arm  20  (described below). 
     A collar member  42  of generally semi-arcuate shape, is designed to fit over the block  38  and around the socket  34 , for reasons to be described below. Collar  42  is formed with fastening flanges  44  by means of which it may be secured in position as described below. 
     In this particular embodiment, the arm  20  is provided at each end with three mounting recesses  46 A,  46 B and  46 C. Each mounting recess  46  has four channel shaped grooves  48  formed therein spaced at ninety degrees therearound. The channel shaped grooves  48  are intended to receive the rectangular guide members  40  of the swingable joints. 
     One of the guide channel grooves  48 A is wider than the others, to receive the wider one  40 A of the rectangular guide members. In this way the guide members provide a keying function, which controls the positioning of the swingable joints and the display screen. 
     Bolts  50  align with the blocks  38 , and are received in suitable threaded bores  51  ( FIG. 7 ) and secure the assemblies in position. 
     The ball  32  is provided with a plurality, in this case four screw receiving bores  52 , adapted to receive screws  54  therein. The sockets are spaced around the widest part of the ball  32 , and are radially spaced apart by 90 degrees from one another. It will be appreciated that while there are four such bores  52 , in certain circumstances only two or three screws  54  will be inserted, for reasons to be described below. 
     The heads of the screws  54  are cylindrical and protrude outwardly from the ball  32 , and are received in respective slots  56  formed in socket  34 . The ball  32  is a snug frictional fit within the interior of socket  34 , so that a significant twisting moment is required to rotate the ball within the socket. 
     Clearly depending on the number of screws  54  in position, the actual movement of the ball in the socket is restricted. Thus for example if there are three such screws  54  in position, two of the screws  54  will simply limit the movement of the ball  32 , so that the ball  32  can virtually be moved only around the axis of the two screws  54 . If a third screw  54  is inserted then it will restrict movement of the ball so that it can be rotated only in such a fashion that the screw  54  rides along its respective groove  56 , but that it will not be able to move significantly in the reverse angular direction. 
     For reasons to be described below, two of the slots  56 A and  56 B are wider and the other two slots  56  are narrower. 
     The socket  34  has a generally annular base  58 , and a spring loaded plate  60  abuts against the annular base  58 . The shape of the socket  34  is such that a small cylindrical boss  59  project through a registering opening in the spring plate  60 , (FIG.  9 ). 
     The spring plate  60  is secured in position by means of screws  62  passing through suitable registering openings  61  on the flange  44  of the collar  42 , and secured in threaded openings  63  in plate  60 . 
     By tightening or loosening the screws  62 , it is possible to apply greater or lesser pressure by flexing the plate  60  against the rear surface of socket  34 , and thus adjust the friction between the surface of the ball  32  in the socket  34 . In this way it is possible to preset the rotational force or torque that would be require to rotate the ball in the socket. 
     Additional control of the friction on the ball is provided by means of the frusto-conical collar  42 . This mates with frusto-conical bevels  64  on the exterior of collar  34 . Thus by tightening or loosening the screws  50  in the sockets  48 , the collar  42  can be made to squeeze and wedge the four sides of the socket  34  together tightly around the ball  32  and thus still further control the friction applied by the socket  34  to the ball  32 . 
     In order to further control and limit the swinging of the ball  32  and stem  36  relative to the socket  34 , limiting screws  70 — 70  are provided, which can be inserted or removed in suitable threaded inserts  72 — 72  in annular base  58  of socket  34 . 
     One or more such screws  70  can be inserted ( FIG. 9 ) and can be adjustably positioned, so as to abut against the cylindrical heads of screws  54 , and thus limit swinging of the ball  32 . 
     Access to screws  70  can be obtained through registering opening  74  in plate  60 . 
     As mentioned, all of these settings would be preset in the factory before shipment, so that in use the actual scope of movement of the display screen, by means of rotating the ball  32  in the socket  34  is substantially restricted or limited. 
     It will thus be seen that the novel ball and socket joint described provides a great degree of control on the angular position of the article attached to it, in this case the screens  10  or  12 . In fact, by suitable adjustments in the factory, the friction on the ball  32  can be made sufficiently tight that it is substantially impossible to manually move the arm  36  on which the ball  32  is mounted, simply by grasping the block  38 . 
     However, the friction can be so adjusted that by grasping the two edges of the display screen, the position of the display screen can be manually adjusted to the most suitable position, and once adjusted it will remain substantially fixed in that position. 
     Thus, once the block  38  is inserted in position in its socket in the arm, and locked in position, then by grasping the two side frames of the screen, sufficient torque can be applied, to adjust the position of the screen and rotate the ball  32  in the socket  34  until the screen is in the desired position. 
     In accordance with various further embodiments of the invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 through 29 , the invention provides for a still greater range of interchangeability either as between one screen and another screen for computer, which may facilitate either the use of a small portable screen or a much larger screen, or the use of a plurality of screens, or the ready interchangeability of simple forms of screen mountings. 
       FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  indicate one form of interchangeable screen attachment, being a further embodiment of the ball and socket joint as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 12 . In this further embodiment, a modified form of plate  80  is secured to the ball and socket joint  28 - 30 . The plate  8  in this case is formed with a generally V-shaped socket  82 , the edges of the V-shaped socket being formed with flanges. A complementary attachment plug  84  is mounted on a plate  86  which is secured to the back of the screen  18 . In this embodiment the arm  20  is shown mounted on an independent base stand  88 , and the actual computer and keyboard may be located elsewhere and simply connected by suitable coupling cables (not shown) so that the entire arrangement of displays and mounting arm can be positioned wherever it is most convenient. 
     In this embodiment, for added security, locking screws  90  may be provided in either side of the V-shaped recess  82 . The flexibility of the interchangeable screen system according to the invention is further illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . In this case, a portable mounting base for a single display screen may be provided. In this case a base  92  is formed with a groove  94 . A swingable upright arm  96  is swingable into and out of the groove  94 . The arm  26  may have a telescopic ability, and may be provided with a V-shaped retaining slot  98  at its upper end, for retaining a display screen shown in phantom as  12 , having a mounting plug  84  formed to fit the slot  98 . If desired the slot  94  may also be arranged to hold a manual computer “mouse” device of a type well known in computer art indicated generally as M, giving a limited device of control over the display on the screen.  FIG. 19a  illustrates the device with the arm  94  swung downwardly into the groove  92  and nested. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a modification of this concept, in which for example a computer of the lap-top type indicated generally as C may be provided with a swingable support arm  100 , having a V-shaped slot  102  at its upper end similar to the slot  98 . A display screen indicated generally as  12  may have a mating groove or recess  104  adapted to receive the arm  100 , and within the groove  104  there is a V-shaped locking flange  106  shaped to mate with the V-shaped slot  102 . The locking flange  106  can be provided with electrical contacts  107 . Contacts  107  can be arranged to contact matching contacts  108  (FIG.  19 ), in the V shaped slot  102 . This arrangement can be used in all these embodiments to avoid the use of cables wherever possible. 
     In this way the entire combination of lap-top computer and display  12  can be fitted together and swung down into a closed position for carrying or storage and can be swung upwardly for use, and if desired, the screen  12  as illustrated can be easily removed and a screen having different characteristics or a larger screen can simply be snapped in position, if desired. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates the adaptability of the system for use in for example the removable mounting of a display screen on a wall, or the side of a booth for example. In this case a wall mounting block  110  can be attached by any suitable fastening means (not shown) for securing the same to a vertical surface. The mounting block  110  may have finger operated controls similar to a computer “Mouse” for limited control of the display on the screen for demonstration or presentation purposes and may have speakers for combined audio and visual effects. 
     The display screen  12  itself can again simply be mounted on an upright arm  112  having at its upper end a generally V-shaped recessed body  114 , preferably on a hinged mount  116 . The screen  12  will be supplied with a suitable V-shaped locking flange on its rear surface (not shown) of the type already described. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates the same concept for the mounting of a display screen indicated as  12  in a vehicle. This may have application particularly for sales persons and for displaying maps of cities and the like, to assist drivers of delivery vehicles. In this case the display screen  12  can be mounted on an arm  120  secured at a suitable position on the front of the interior compartment of the vehicle. Again a releasable mount of the V-shaped slotted type shown as  122  is provided on the arm  120 , and the screen  12  would be provided on its rear with a suitable inverted V-shaped locking flange fitting in the recess  122 . There would also be provided matching electrical contacts, described above, in these components, to avoid the use of cables. In this way, the screen  12  could be placed and locked in position when it was required, and when the vehicle was parked the screen  122  could simply be easily dismounted and placed in the trunk, or taken out of the vehicle altogether, for greater security. 
     The screen  12  would be connected to a suitable small computer (not shown) again being of the portable type so that it could readily be removed from the vehicle. 
     A somewhat similar arrangement could be made for the rear compartment of the vehicle illustrated in FIG.  23 . In this case a swingable arm  126  is shown mounted in the rear surface of each of the front seats indicated as S in a vehicle. 
     A suitable V-shaped slotted mounting recess  128  would be mounted on the arm  126 . The arm  126  could be swung out from the seat, and a display screen  12  could be mounted on the V-shaped recess. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a typical laptop computer C, having an enlarged display screen  12  mounted on a hinged arm  130 , which is hinged to the rear of the computer. This illustrates the adaptability of the interchangeable screen mounting using the V-shaped recess and plug, so as to adapt a smaller laptop type computer C, with use with a much larger screen  12 . 
       FIG. 25  illustrates the use of a free-standing screen  12  having a rearwardly mounted hinged leg  132 , which can be swung rearwardly to support the screen at an angle somewhat in the manner of an easel. Again, the hinging leg  132  can be connected to the back of the screen  12  by interchangeable means such as the V-shaped recess and plug, if desired. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates another configuration, in which a computer indicated generally as C may be provided with two screens  12 A and  12 B swingably and hingeably mounted to the rear edge of the computer C. The lower screen  12 A is hinged along the line  134 . The upper screen  12 B is hinged to the lower screen  12 A by means of the generally cylindrical tubular hinge bar  136 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the uppermost screen  12 B can be swung into an obtuse angle relative to the lower screen  12 A so that the two screens  12 A and  12 B can be viewed by at least two persons sitting opposite to one another. By means of suitable software, when the upper screen  12 B is swung into the obtuse angle shown, the image on the screen  12 B will be reversed, so that the images on screens  12 A and  12 B are both viewed the right way up. 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  illustrate forms of free-standing dual screens indicated generally as  140  and  142 , connected together by a tubular hinge bar  144 . 
     The pairs of screens  140  and  142  can be swung open at obtuse angles to one another and stood on a surface such as a table as illustrated in FIG.  29 . They may be connected to a computer C by means of daisy chain cables  146 , which plug into opposite ends of the tubular hinge bar  144 . As in the embodiment of  FIGS. 26 and 27 , the computer will contain suitable software the nature of which is to invert the image as between one screen and the other so that both screens show their respective images the right way up. 
     Various other modifications and adaptations can also be made using the principles of the invention. 
     Thus,  FIG. 30  is a perspective illustration of an alternate form of tripod display stand  145  for holding three displays  12  for example, on a conference room able or the like. 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective illustration of the tripod support  145  of FIG.  30 . 
       FIG. 32  is a rear perspective partially exploded view of another form of dismountable display leg  130  for a display screen  12 . 
       FIG. 33  is a rear perspective illustration of a typical lap top computer C, having two display screens  12 A and  12 B, the one being slidable relative to the other for nesting, or extendable for use on arms  150 . 
       FIG. 34  is a perspective illustration of the lap top computer C with dual display screens  12 A and  12 B of  FIG. 33  showing the display screens in another configuration. 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective illustration of another form of lap top computer C having two display screens  12 A and  12 B, and showing a slidable cover panel  152  for one of the two display screens. 
       FIG. 36  is a rear perspective view of another form of display screen  154 , showing attachment recesses  156  for various components. Electrical connections  157  are incorporated in the recesses  156  for interconnection with matching contacts (not shown) in suitable accessories. Accessories may include audio speakers, and video cameras for direct feed back, to give only two examples. 
       FIG. 37  is a perspective illustration of, for example, a lap top computer C showing two display screens  154 — 154  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 36 , being attachable to a hinge mounting  158  on the computer. 
       FIG. 38  is a front elevational view of a pair of display screens  154 — 154  as illustrated in  FIG. 36  shown side by side by audio speakers  158  and video cameras  159  attached. 
       FIG. 39  is a front elevational view corresponding to  FIG. 38 , but showing he two display screens  154 — 154  one above the other. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 40 ,  41  and  42 , a further embodiment of the invention may provide for a typical computer C having two display screens  160  and  162 . The screen  160  is hinged to the computer by means of a hinge  164 . The second screen  162  is hinged to the first screen by means of a vertical hinge along one side indicated as  166 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42 , the two screens  160  and  162  may either be swung out so that they are side by side with one another facing the operator of the computer C, or, as shown in  FIG. 42 , the two screens may be swung so that screen  162  is back to back with screen  160 , thereby displaying the display both to the operator of the computer and to somebody sitting facing him. In this form of the invention special software and the like will not be required for the reversing software and the like will not be required for the reversing of the images, since both images will be shown the right way up. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 43 , a computer  168  in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The computer incorporates a center LCD panel  170  pivotably mounted by a hinge  172  to a base portion  174  of the computer. Pivotably supported on opposite sides of the center LCD panel  170  are a pair of LCD panels  176  which are each about one-half the width of the center LCD panel  170 . The outer LCD panels  176  are supported by hinges  178 , which may be identical in construction to hinge  172 . The outer LCD panels  176  may be folded over the center LCD panel  170  and the entire display portion comprising panels  170  and  176  then folded down against the base  174  to form a compact unit that may be easily carried. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 44-49 , a display system  180  in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The display system  180  includes a base  182  and a support column  184 . Secured to the support column  184  is a lower support arm  186  and a telescoping upper support arm  188 . Attached to each support arm is a mounting assembly  190 , which preferably comprises a ball joint such as that described herein. Secured to each mounting assembly  190  is a LCD panel  192 . 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 45-47 , the lower support arm  186  comprises a tubular construction and the upper support arm  188  comprises a neck portion  194  which enables the upper support arm  188  to be extended (i.e., telescoped) relative to the lower support arm  186 . The upper support arm  188  further includes a hinge  196  which enables the upper LCD panel  192  to be angled relative to the neck portion  194  so as to place it at a convenient viewing angle. As is apparent in  FIG. 47 , the upper LCD panel  192  can even be rotated into position to face away from the lower LCD panel  192 . This orientation is particularly well suited for retail applications where a sales person needs to view information while inputting product or other information, and where it is desirable to display to the customer various items of information as the transaction is conducted. Advantageously, the telescoping upper support arm  188  and the hinge  196  enable the two LCD panels  192  to be placed at separate heights to accommodate airline ticket counters, hotel registration counters and other like structures where an employee&#39;s counter is frequently at a different height from a surface or counter useable by a customer. 
       FIGS. 47 and 48  illustrate the display screen  180  in use at an ailine ticket counter  198  having a first counter  200  at a lower height than a second counter  202 . In this application it will be appreciated that suitable software will be required to “flip” the image displayed on the upper LCD panel  192 . The telescoping upper support arm  188  inherently provides a degree of adjustability to accommodate a range of counter heights without modification to the either of the support arms  186 , 188  or the support column  184 . 
       FIG. 49  illustrates the two LCD panels  192  folded together such that the display system  180  forms a compact assembly which may be easily transported if needed. In this regard it will be appreciated that any form of conventional clasp may be included to secure the folded LCD panels  192  to one another or to the base. Also, a handle could easily be attached to a portion of the display system  180 , such as the support column  184 , to enable the system  180  to be easily transported. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 50 and 51 , still another display system  200  is shown. With specific reference to  FIG. 50 , the display system  200  includes a support column  202  and an upper support member  204  having a neck portion  206 . The support column  202  includes a bore  208  adapted to receive the neck portion and enable the neck portion  206  to rotate or swivel therein such that the upper support member  204  can be swiveled. The support member  204  is secured to a rear surface  212  of a LCD panel  210  through either a fixed arrangement or a pivotable mounting arrangement such as disclosed herein. The neck  206  may be captured by any suitable arrangement in the bore  208  such that the LCD panel  210  is not removable from the support column  202 . Alternatively, it may be releasably disposed in the bore  208  such that the entire upper support member  204  and LCD panel  210  may be lifted out of the column  202  before repositioning the LCD panel  210  as desired. In this manner the clearance between the LCD panel  210  and the support column  202 , which would otherwise be important for allowing the support member  204  to freely rotate with the LCD panel  210  thereon, will not be a concern. 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 51 , the display system  200  is shown with the upper LCD panel  210  rotated to a position perpendicular to a lower LCD panel  212 . The support column  202  is supported on a base  214 . In  FIG. 52  the upper LCD panel  210  is rotated 180 degrees from the lower LCD panel  212  to permit two individuals facing each other to each view one of the LCD panels  210 , 212 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 53 , a modular display system  300  is shown in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display system  300  is intended to support anywhere from one to four independent LCD display panels, but it will be appreciated that the system  300  could easily be expanded to support more than four LCD panels if needed, as will be explained momentarily. 
     Referring to  FIG. 53 , the system  300  includes a base  302 , a support column  304 , a first support arm  306 , a second support arm  308  and a third support arm  310 . Each support arm  306 ,  308  and  310  includes at least two coupling assemblies  312 , and preferably three such assemblies  312 . The support column  304  also includes once such assembly  312 , although this member could also include several assemblies  312  if needed. Support arms  306 ,  308  and  310  each also include a mounting member  314  (with the mounting member of support arm  306  being hidden in  FIG. 53 ) which is disposed preferably at an approximate mid-point along a length of its support arm. Each mounting member  314  is adapted to engage in either one of two positions 90 degrees offset from one another in one of the coupling assemblies  312  is a key-like fashion to hold its associated LCD panel in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. 
     The pair of coupling assemblies closely adjacent each other on each support arms  308  and  310  are provided to space two adjacently positioned LCD panels mounted on each arm slightly farther apart from each other to provide additional clearance needed when the two LCD panels are placed in a landscape orientation. Thus, in a landscape orientation, the two LCD panels supported on either of the arms  308  and/or  310  will be supported at the two outermost coupling assemblies  312  near the very ends of each arm. In a portrait orientation the LCD panels will need to be spaced closer to each other, thus requiring one of the LCD panels to be coupled to the more inwardly positioned assembly  312 a ( FIG. 53 ) of each support arm  308  and  310 . The closely positioned pair of coupling assemblies  312  on support arm  306  enables the third support arm  310  to be mounted in one of two positions on arm  306  depending upon whether the LCD panels are disposed in a landscape or a portrait orientation.  FIGS. 55-57  illustrate four LCD panels  316  supported on the display system  300 . It will be appreciated that each of the LCD panels  316  includes a mounting member identical or similar to members  314  on a rear housing surface thereof such that each can be quickly and easily coupled to one of the coupling assemblies  312 . 
     It will be appreciated that the display system  300  could easily be used to support less than four LCD panels  316  if desired. For example, in the drawing of  FIG. 54  the second support arm  308  could be eliminated and the one LCD panel  316  coupled directly to the vertically uppermost coupling assembly  312 . This arrangement is illustrated in  FIGS. 58-60 . Alternatively, the lower support arm  310  could be eliminated and a LCD panel  316  coupled directly thereto as illustrated in  FIGS. 61 and 62 . 
     It will be appreciated that the display system  300  could be easily modified through the use of additional support arms to support more than four LCD panels  316  if needed. For example, the support arm  306  could be lengthened sufficiently to extend above the second arm  308 , and a fourth support arm identical to arms  308  and  310  could be coupled perpendicularly thereto such that two extra LCD panels could be supported. An even longer support member and still another extra support arm could be incorporated to support eight LCD panels  316 . As can be appreciated, a very large plurality of independent LCD panels can be supported from a single base  302  and support column  304  if needed. Particularly desirable is the feature of being able to orientate the LCD panels  316  in either portrait or landscape mode, or a combination of each, as needed.  FIGS. 63 and 64  illustrate variations of the above described display systems incorporating both landscape and portrait orientated LCD panels  316 . 
     Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification and following claims.

Technology Category: 2