Flat-panel display mounting system for portable computer

• US 20060198090A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Inventors: Frame, Robert C., Bovio, Michele
• Application Number:
  US11/417,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20060198090A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A flat-panel display with fixtures in its sidewalls to enable support by lateral mounting members is disclosed. The advantage of this approach, in which the fixtures are essentially rotated around to the sides of the flat-panel display, is the reduction in the portion of the portable computer'"'"'s top cover that is not the active display. In practice, this results in an increase in the size of the display that may be housed in the same-sized top cover. In order to accommodate the lateral mounting of the flat-panel display, metal brackets are used. These brackets extend from the base unit hinges and cradle the display. This adds torsional rigidity, but also removes the requirement that the back must be structural. Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top cover may be achieved by extending the ends of the display'"'"'s fluorescent back-light beyond or through the metal rim that surrounds the display.

Claims

1. A flat-panel display comprising:

a top window;

a metal rim around a periphery of the top window;

a plastic back behind the top window; and

fixtures in the plastic back that are positioned to receive mounting members into a sidewall of the flat-panel display.

2. A flat-panel display comprising:

a top window;

a metal rim around a periphery of the top window having at least one cutout portion formed therein; and

a back-light for the flat-panel display, at least one end of which extends through the at least one cutout portion of the metal rim.

3. The flat-panel display described in claim 2, wherein both ends of the back-light extend through the at least one cutout portion in the metal rim.

4. A flat-panel display assembly for a cover comprising:

a bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover, the bracket member having at least one first hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and at least one second hole formed therethrough; and

the flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally therein, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of the bracket member using at least one mounting member extending through the at least one first hole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of the flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member.

5. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 4, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

6. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one first hole is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket member.

7. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 6, wherein the cover includes a sidewall.

8. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 7, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for extending in the direction of the sidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

9. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 8, wherein the bracket member further includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.

10. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 9, further comprising another mounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

11. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 10, wherein the another mounting member is for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover having a portion thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

12. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 11, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-panel display.

13. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 12, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for abutting a portion of the sidewall of the cover.

14. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 13, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover.

15. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 14, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover to be located between the sidewall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.

16. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 4, wherein the flat-panel display includes a display panel.

17. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 16, wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.

18. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 4, wherein the flat-panel display includes a display panel and a rim extending around the display panel and the back.

19. A flat-panel display assembly for a cover comprising:

a flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally therein and a display panel, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of a bracket member by using at least one mounting member extending through a first hole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of the flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display assembly in a cover for a computer.

20. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 19, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

21. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 20, wherein the first hole is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and at least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket member.

22. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover includes a sidewall.

23. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 22, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for extending in the direction of the sidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

24. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 23, wherein the bracket member further includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion and at least one second hole located in the second portion.

25. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 24, further comprising another mounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

26. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 25, wherein the another mounting member is for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover having a portion thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

27. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 19, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-panel display.

28. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 27, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.

29. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 28, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover.

30. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 19, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover to be located between a sidewall thereof and a first portion of the bracket member.

31. The flat-panel display assembly of claim 19, wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.

32. A flat-panel display assembly in a cover, a mounting system comprising:

a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around at least a portion of the back, the sidewall having at least one hole extending therethrough, the cover configured for housing the flat-panel display therein;

a bracket member having a first hole and a second hole;

the flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting the flat-panel display in the top cover using mounting members engaging at least a portion of the first hole in the bracket member and at least a portion of the hole of the flat-panel display and engaging the hole in the cover.

33. A flat-panel display in a cover, the mounting system comprising:

a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around at least a portion of the back, the sidewall having at least one hole extending therethrough, the cover configured for housing the flat-panel display therein; and

the flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover using a mounting member engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of the flat-panel display and engaging the at least one hole in the sidewall of the cover.

34. A flat-panel display in a cover for a computer, a mounting system comprising:

the flat-panel display having a plurality of edges including at least a hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover of a portable computer, the cover having a back and a sidewall extending therearound having at least a hole therethrough; and

a lateral mounting member extending laterally from the at least one hole in the sidewall of the top cover engaging at least a portion of the hole in the plurality of edges of the flat-panel display.

35. The flat-panel display of claim 34, wherein the flat-panel display has another hole formed laterally therein and another mounting member extending thereinto.

36. The flat-panel display of claim 34, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a bolt that engages a boss in the flat-panel display.

37. The flat-panel display of claim 34, wherein the back comprises a plastic back, and the cover further comprises pivotal couplings connecting the cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting member engaging the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back.

38. The flat-panel display of claim 37, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a bolt that passes through the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back to engage a boss in the flat-panel display.

39. The flat-panel display of claim 37, wherein the plastic back does not substantially contribute to the rigidity of the cover.

40. The flat-panel display of claim 34, wherein

the flat-panel display comprises a display panel, a display rim extending around a perimeter of the display panel, and a display back;

and

the lateral mounting member comprises a bolt that engages a boss in the display back of the flat-panel display, behind the display rim.

41. A flat-panel display in a folding top cover of a computer, a mounting system comprising:

lateral mounting members extending from the folding top cover to engage sidewalls of the flat-panel display, wherein the folding top cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the folding top cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back.

42. A flat-panel display in a folding top cover of a computer, a mounting system comprising:

lateral mounting members extending from the folding top cover to engage sidewalls of the flat-panel display, wherein the folding top cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the folding top cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back, and, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise bolts that pass through the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back to engage bosses in the flat-panel display.

43. A flat-panel display in a folding top cover for a portable computer, a mounting system comprising:

lateral mounting members extending from the folding top cover to engage sidewalls of the flat-panel display, wherein the folding top cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the folding top cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging the at least one metal bracket and the plastic back, wherein the plastic back does not substantially contribute to the rigidity of the folding top cover.

44. A flat-panel display in a cover for a base of a computer, a mounting system comprising:

a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around at least a portion of the back, the sidewall having at least one hole extending laterally therethrough, the cover configured for closing over the base of the computer; and

a display including at least one hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting the display in the cover using mounting members engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the sidewall of the cover and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the display.

45. The flat-panel display of claim 44, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display.

46. A flat-panel display in a top cover for a base of a computer, a mounting system comprising:

a display having an active area and having a plurality of sidewalls, the display including a plurality of holes formed laterally in the plurality of sidewalls, the display configured for mounting in the top cover to cover the base of the computer; and

lateral mounting members extending laterally between the top cover and the display, the lateral mounting members engaging the plurality of holes formed laterally in at the plurality of sidewalls of the display.

47. The flat-panel display in claim 46, wherein the lateral mounting members extend through at least two holes of the plurality of holes in one of a sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls of the top cover.

48. The flat-panel display in claim 46, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise bolts that engage bosses in the display.

49. The flat-panel display in claim 46, wherein the top cover comprises:

a back having a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, pivotal couplings connecting the top cover to a base unit, and at least one bracket having a portion that extends from the pivotal couplings; and

the lateral mounting members engage portions of the at least one bracket and the back.

50. The flat-panel display in claim 49, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise thread fasteners configured for passing through the at least one bracket and the back to engage bosses in the display.

51. The flat-panel display in claim 49, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise pins configured for passing through the at least one bracket and the back to engage bosses in the display.

52. The flat-panel display in claim 49, wherein the sidewall of the back substantially contributes to the rigidity of the top cover.

53. The flat-panel display in claim 46, wherein the display comprises:

a display panel;

a display rim extending around a perimeter of the display; and

a display back.

54. The flat-panel display in claim 53, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise threaded fasteners configured to engage bosses in the back of the display.

55. The flat-panel display in claim 53, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise pins configured to engage bosses in the display back of the display.

56. The flat-panel display in claim 53, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise pins configured to engage the display and a sidewall of the top cover.

57. The flat-panel display in claim 46, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display.

58. A flat-panel display in a cover for a base unit of a computer comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a hole extending laterally into a sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, the sidewall having a hole extending laterally therethrough, the cover for closing over a base unit of a computer; and

a lateral mounting member configured for engaging at least a portion of the hole in the sidewall of the cover and engaging at least a portion of the hole of the display panel.

59. The flat-panel display of claim 58, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a screw.

60. The flat-panel display of claim 58, wherein a plurality of edges of the display panel are located within the sidewall extending around a portion of the cover.

61. The flat-panel display of claim 58, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel, the rim having a hole therethrough.

62. The flat-panel display of claim 61, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a member configured for engaging at least a portion of the hole in the sidewall of the cover, configured for extending through the hole in the rim, and configured for engaging at least a portion of the hole of the display panel.

63. The flat-panel display of claim 58, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a threaded fastener.

64. The flat-panel display of claim 58, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a pin.

65. The flat-panel display of claim 58, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

66. A flat-panel display in a cover for a base unit of a computer comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, the sidewall having a plurality of holes extending laterally therethrough, the cover covering a base unit of a computer; and

a plurality of lateral mounting members configured for engaging at least portions of the plurality of holes in the sidewall of the cover and engaging at least portions of the plurality of holes of the display panel.

67. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprises threaded fasteners.

68. The flat-panel display system of claim 66, wherein the plurality of holes in a plurality of edges of the display panel are located within the back of the display panel.

69. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.

70. The flat-panel display of claim 69, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members include each member configured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes in the sidewall of the cover, configured for extending through a hole of the plurality of holes of the rim, and configured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display panel.

71. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise threaded fasteners.

72. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise members engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel.

73. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the cover includes pivotal couplings configured to connect the cover to the base unit of the computer, at least one other lateral mounting member, and at least one bracket configured to have a portion extending from a pivotal coupling, the at least one other lateral mounting member engaging at least a portion of the at least one bracket.

74. The flat-panel display of claim 66, wherein the cover includes at least one bracket including at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into a plurality of edges of the back of the display panel.

75. The flat-panel display of claim 66, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

76. A flat-panel display in a cover for a base unit of a computer comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least two opposed edges of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

the cover including a back having a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, the sidewall having a plurality of holes extending laterally therethrough, pivotal couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of a computer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each bracket having a hole extending laterally through a portion thereof, each bracket configured to have a portion to connect with a portion of the pivotal couplings; and

a plurality of lateral mounting members, each lateral mounting member of the plurality configured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes in the sidewalls of the cover, engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display panel, and extending through the one hole in each bracket of the plurality of brackets.

77. The flat-panel display of claim 76, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprise threaded fasteners.

78. The flat-panel display of claim 76, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.

79. The flat-panel display of claim 76, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel.

80. The flat-panel display of claim 76, wherein the cover includes a bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into a plurality of edges of the back of the display panel.

81. The flat-panel display of claim 76, wherein the sidewall of the cover includes a sidewall configured to extend around a plurality of sides of the back.

82. The flat-panel display of claim 76, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

83. The flat-panel display of claim 82, wherein the bezel includes a portion extending between the plurality of brackets.

84. A flat-panel display in a cover for a base unit of a computer comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least two opposed edges of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

a cover including a back having a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of a computer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each bracket of the plurality having a hole extending laterally through a portion thereof, each bracket of the plurality configured to have a portion to connect with a portion of the couplings; and

a plurality of lateral mounting members, each lateral mounting member of the plurality configured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display panel and extending through the hole in each bracket of the plurality of brackets.

85. The flat-panel display of claim 84, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprise threaded fasteners.

86. The flat-panel display of claim 84, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.

87. The flat-panel display of claim 84, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel.

88. The flat-panel display of claim 84, wherein the cover includes a bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into a plurality of edges of the back of the display panel.

89. The flat-panel display of claim 84, wherein the sidewall of the cover includes a sidewall configured to extend around a plurality of sides of the back.

90. The flat-panel display of claim 84, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

91. The flat-panel display of claim 90, wherein the bezel includes a portion extending between the plurality of brackets.

92. A flat-panel display for a computer in a cover comprising:

a bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover, the bracket member having at least one first hole extending through a portion thereof and at least one second hole formed therethrough; and

the flat-panel display including a back having at least one mounting member extending laterally therefrom, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of the bracket member using at least one mounting member extending through the at least one first hole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member.

93. The flat-panel display of claim 92, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

94. The flat-panel display of claim 93, wherein the at least one first hole is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket member.

95. The flat-panel display of claim 92, wherein a cover includes a sidewall.

96. The flat-panel display of claim 95, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for extending in the direction of the sidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.

97. The flat-panel display of claim 96, wherein the bracket member further includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.

98. The flat-panel display of claim 97, further comprising another mounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

99. The flat-panel display of claim 98, wherein the another mounting member is for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover having a portion thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.

100. The flat-panel display of claim 99, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-panel display.

101. The flat-panel display of claim 100, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for abutting a portion of the sidewall of the cover.

102. The flat-panel display of claim 101, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover.

103. The flat-panel display of claim 102, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover to be located between the sidewall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.

104. The flat-panel display of claim 92, wherein the flat-panel display includes a display panel.

105. The flat-panel display of claim 104, wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.

106. The flat-panel display of claim 92, wherein the flat-panel display includes a display panel and a rim extending around the display panel and the back.

107. A display in a cover for a computer comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least two opposed edges of the a plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

a cover including a back having a sidewall extending around a portion of the back, couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of a computer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each of the plurality of brackets having a hole extending laterally through a portion thereof, each bracket of the plurality configured to have a portion to connect with a portion of the couplings; and

a plurality of lateral mounting members, each lateral mounting member of the plurality configured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display panel using an interference fit therewith and extending through the hole in each bracket of the plurality of brackets.

108. The display of claim 107, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprise pins.

109. The display of claim 107, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.

110. The display of claim 107, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel.

111. The display of claim 107, wherein the cover includes a bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into a plurality of edges of the display panel.

112. The display of claim 107, wherein the sidewall of the cover includes a sidewall configured to extend around a plurality of sides of the back.

113. The display of claim 107, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

114. A display in a back covering a portion of the display comprising:

a display panel including an active area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel, and a hole extending laterally into an edge of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel;

a back including a sidewall extending around a portion of the back;

a support having a hole extending laterally through a portion thereof; and

a lateral mounting member configured for engaging at least a portion of the hole of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel and extending through the hole in the support.

115. The display of claim 114, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a pin.

116. The display of claim 114, wherein the display panel further comprises:

a rim extending around the circumference of the display panel.

117. The display of claim 114, wherein the lateral mounting member includes a member configured for engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel.

118. The display of claim 114, wherein the back includes a support having at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of a hole extending laterally into a plurality of edges of the display panel.

119. The display of claim 114, wherein the sidewall of the back includes a sidewall configured to extend around a plurality of sides of the back.

120. The display of claim 114, further comprising:

a bezel configured for covering a portion of the display panel.

121. The display of claim 120, wherein the bezel includes a portion extending between the bezel and the back.