Field serviceable and replaceable display assembly

• US 10,624,218 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William, O'Connor, Kevin, Diaz, Marcos
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Rockshana D
• Application Number:
  US15/723,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20180315356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133331 Cover glasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133342 for double-sided displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133385 with cooling means, e.g. fans
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/36 Airflow channels, e.g. constructional arrangements facilitating the flow of air
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/044 Signs, boards or panels mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0445 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1488 Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 : within cabinets for removing heat from server blades
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 : for display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 : Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

A field serviceable apparatus includes a first and second display assembly hingedly mounted to a frame in a back to back arrangement. At least one of the display assemblies has a transparent layer, an electronic display, a first channel that receives circulating gas, and a second channel that receives ambient air. A cavity is located in the space between the rear surfaces of the display assemblies and the frame and contains a fixed plate for receiving electronic components. The cavity and the first channel are part of a closed loop pathway, while the second channel is part of an open loop pathway.

Claims

1. A field serviceable apparatus comprising:

a frame having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;

a first and second display assembly, mounted to the frame in a back to back arrangement, wherein at least one of the display assemblies comprises;

a transparent layer;

an electronic display located behind the transparent layer;

a first channel configured to receive circulating gas; and

a second channel configured to receive ambient air;

a cavity defined by rear surfaces of the first and second display assemblies and the upper edge, the lower edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the frame;

a fixed plate attached to said frame and positioned entirely within the cavity, wherein said fixed plate is spaced apart from, the rear surface of said first and second display assemblies, and wherein said fixed plate is configured to receive a plurality of electronic components;

a closed loop pathway comprising said cavity and said first channel; and

an open loop pathway comprising said second channel;

wherein each of said first and second display assemblies are mounted to said frame in a hinged fashion for movement between a closed position where said closed loop pathway, including said cavity, is sealed, and an opened position where said fixed plate is accessible.

2. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first and second frame hinge plate located on the frame; and

a first and second display hinge plate located on each of the first and second display assemblies, wherein the first and second frame hinge plates are configured to interact with the first and second display hinge plates so as to permit the first and second display assemblies to rotate outward.

3. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of fasteners; and

a plurality of apertures or notches located in the first and second frame hinge plates and the first and second display hinge plates, wherein the apertures or notches are so located such that the respective display assembly may be mounted to the frame by way of a single fastener extended through the first or second frame hinge plate and into the first or second display hinge plate.

4. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

the plurality of fasteners are pins; and

the pins are configured to bear substantially the entire weight of the display assembly for which the pins are used.

5. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first channel is located between the transparent layer and the electronic display.

6. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

the second channel is located behind the electronic display.

7. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the apparatus is configured to be mounted to the ground.

8. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the apparatus is configured to be mounted to the roof of vehicle.

9. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a connector configured to be placed in electrical connection with an external power source and a communications network.

10. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the display assemblies is configured to accommodate a static poster.

11. The field serviceable apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the first and second display assemblies are configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position; and

the cavity is configured to remain substantially air tight while the first and second display assemblies are located in the closed position.

13. The field serviceable assembly of claim 4 further comprising:

a number of pass through devices located on the frame and configured to permit cabling to pass into the cavity.

12. A field serviceable assembly for displaying images comprising:

a frame having a rectangular shape;

a first and second display assembly mounted to the frame in a back to back arrangement and in a hinged fashion, wherein each of the first and second display assemblies comprises;

a transparent panel;

an electronic display layer located behind the transparent panel;

a first channel configured to receive circulating gas, wherein said first channel is positioned between the transparent panel and the electronic display layer; and

a second channel configured to receive ambient air, wherein said second channel is located behind the electronic display layer;

a cavity located entirely in the space between a rear surface of the first display assembly, a rear surface of the second display assembly, a top surface of the frame, a lower surface of the frame, a first side surface of the frame, and a second side surface of the frame, wherein said cavity is configured to receive the circulating gas;

a plate extending from said frame and positioned entirely within the cavity between and spaced apart from the rear surfaces of the first and second display assemblies, wherein said plate is configured to receive a plurality of electronic components; and

a sealed closed loop pathway comprising said cavity and said first channel of said first and second display assembly;

wherein the plate is configured to remain in a fixed located upon rotational movement of the first and second electronic display assemblies between an opened position where said plate is accessible and a closed positions where the sealed closed loop pathway, including the cavity, is isolated from ambient air.

14. The field serviceable assembly of claim 12 wherein:

said plate comprises a server rack.

15. The field serviceable assembly of claim 12 further comprising:

a first and second aid device configured to assist in moving the first and second display assemblies, respectively, between the opened position and the closed position.

16. The field serviceable assembly of claim 12 wherein:

the first and second frame hinge plates are located on opposing sides of said frame; and

the first and second display hinge plates are located along an upper edge of said electronic display assemblies such that said electronic display assemblies are configured for rotational movement about a substantially horizontal axis.

17. The field serviceable assembly of claim 12 wherein:

the first and second frame hinge plates are located on the same side of said frame; and

the first and second display hinge plates are located along the same side of said electronic display assemblies such that said electronic display assemblies are configured for rotational movement about a substantially vertical axis.