Screen frame and bezel clip system

• US 20060221265A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric US Incorporated (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Incorporated (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Hicks, James E., Chen, Luan Chi, Whitelaw, Jeffrey G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,315,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/825
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/65 Holding-devices for protective discs or for picture masks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 348/904 Separation or joining of side and center panels

Abstract

An apparatus and methods that facilitate efficient and easy installation of a display screen and protective shield onto a cabinet of a display unit such as a projection TV (PTV) and the like. Preferably, a screen frame and bezel clip system includes a bezel clip having a latch arm releaseably coupleable to catch arm extending from or attached to a cabinet side wall of a display unit. The bezel clip further includes one or more receptacles sized and shaped to receive and retain a side or edge portion of one or more screens. The catch arm is preferably deformable under pressure and returns to a pre-stressed orientation when the pressure is removed. Alternatively, a screen frame and bezel mount system includes a stiffener member adapted to couple a bezel member to a cabinet side wall of a display unit. The bezel member includes one or more receptacles sized and shaped to receive and retain a side or edge portion of one or more screens.

Claims

1. A screen frame and bezel clip system comprising

a bezel clip coupled to a screen, the clip having a latch arm, and

a catch arm extending from a cabinet wall of a display unit, the latch arm being releaseably coupleable to the catch arm.

2. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the clip is formed of plastic.

3. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the clip includes one or more receptacles sized and shaped to receive and retain an edge portion of the screen.

4. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the catch arm is formed of plastic.

5. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the catch arm is deformable under pressure and returns to a pre-stressed orientation when the pressure is removed.

6. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the latch arm is deformable under pressure and returns to a pre-stressed orientation when the pressure is removed.

7. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the catch arm is integrally formed with the wall of the display unit.

8. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the catch arm attaches to the wall of the display unit.

9. The clip system of claim 1 wherein the catch arm includes a body extending outwardly from the cabinet wall and including an integrally formed guide member extending from the body.

10. The clip system of claim 9 where in the guide member includes an inclined upper surface.

11. The clip system of claim 10 wherein the guide member is positioned along the body of the catch arm in spaced relation with a forward edge of the cabinet wall with a recess formed there between.

12. The clip system of claim 11 wherein a thinnest region of the catch arm is formed below the recess.

13. The clip system of claim 11 wherein the clip includes a generally L-shaped body formed from molded plastic.

14. The clip system of claim 13 wherein the longer leg of the L-shaped body extends toward the cabinet wall forming a latch arm.

15. The clip system of claim 14 wherein the latch arm includes a latch member extending there from and operably couplable in the catch arm recess.

16. The clip system of claim 15 wherein the shorter leg of the L-shaped body extends generally orthogonally from the latch arm to form a screen frame, and wherein the one or more receptacles are formed therein.

17. A screen mount system comprising

a bezel member extending along two or more sides of a screen opening in a

display unit cabinet, the bezel member having a body with a latch member extending from the body and a frame member extending orthogonally from the body, and a retainer releasably couplable with the latch member to retain a screen abutted against the frame member.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the screen is a protective shield.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the latch member is a J-shaped hook having an elongate leg extending laterally away from the body and cabinet wall, a transition region extending generally orthogonally from the elongate leg and a return leg extending generally orthogonally from the transition member laterally toward the frame member and in spaced relation with a step formed in the frame member.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the return leg includes first and second sloped steps on the side of the return leg that faces the step of the frame member.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the retainer includes an L-shaped body wherein the long leg member of the L-shaped body forms a retaining arm that extends over an edge portion of a screen and the short leg member of the L-shaped body forms a latch arm that extends orthogonally to the retaining arm and across the edge of the screen.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the latch arm includes a sloped step that is operably couplable with the first and second sloped steps of the return leg.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the latch arm is couplable with the return leg to cosmetically cover a space between the return leg and the step and a void in the surface of the bezel resulting from the removal of the screen.

24. A screen mount system comprising

a bezel member mountable to a screen, and

a stiffener member adapted to couple the bezel member to a cabinet wall of a display unit.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the stiffener comprises a body with first and second members extending there from and wherein the bezel member and and cabinet wall include first and second receptacles adapted to releasable retain the first and second members.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein bezel member and cabinet wall include first and second members extending there from and wherein the stiffener comprises a body with first and second receptacles formed therein and adapted to releasable retain the first and second members.