APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FRONT SURFACE MOUNTING FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS

• US 20150239572A1
• Filed: 02/26/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence E Tannas Jr
• Original Assignee: Lawrence E Tannas Jr
• Inventors: Tannas, Jr., Lawrence E.
• Application Number:
  US14/633,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20150239572A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/816 Fastening of displays or touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/822 Adjustment of instruments during mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for mounting a flat panel display to an outer surface of a control panel, e.g., over a panel opening therein. In one embodiment, the method includes attaching a flange to the control panel by inserting fasteners through the flange into respective holes in the control panel; electrically connecting the FPD through openings in the flange and the control panel to electronics behind the control panel; inserting the FPD into a recess in the flange; and attaching a bezel to the flange to cover the FPD, the bezel including a view port allowing observation of an active image area of the display

Claims

1. A method for assembling a flat panel display (FPD) on a front surface of a control panel including a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners, the method comprising:

attaching a flange to the control panel by inserting fasteners through the flange into respective holes in the control panel;

electrically connecting the FPD through openings in the flange and the control panel to electronics behind the control panel;

inserting the FPD into a recess in the flange; and

after inserting the FPD into the recess, attaching a bezel to the flange to cover the FPD, the bezel including a view port allowing observation of an active image area of the display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the FPD comprises one of a liquid crystal, OLED, plasma, or electroluminescence display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the bezel comprises one or more switches or knobs to control the FPD.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the FPD may be attached to the bezel before attaching both to the flange.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bezel is attached to the flange by inserting a plurality of fasteners through respective holes in a face of the bezel into respective holes in the flange.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a plurality of side walls surrounding the recess to define a substantially rectangular recess and wherein the FPD is inserted into the recess such that an active area of the FPD is substantially centered in the flange.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a plurality of back walls extend from the side walls to define a back surface of the recess and the opening through the flange.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting an instrument assembly behind the control panel, the instrument assembly carrying the electronics.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the instrument assembly comprises a box and wherein the instrument assembly is mounted by inserting the fasteners inserted through the flange into the respective holes in the control panel and into respective holes in the box.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the instrument assembly is mounted to a back surface of the control panel independent of the flange.

11. A method for assembling a flat panel display (FPD) on a front surface of a control panel where the FPD footprint is larger than an instrument hole in the control panel, the method comprising:

attaching a flange to the panel;

electrically connecting the FPD with one or more cables through a coincident hole in the panel and flange to an instrument assembly mounted behind the control panel;

attaching the FPD to the flange; and

attaching the bezel to the flange to cover the FPD, the bezel including a view port allowing observation of an active image area of the display.

12. A method for assembling a flat panel display (FPD) on a front surface of a control panel where the FPD is assembled separately from associated instrument electronics on a back surface of the control panel, comprising:

attaching a flange to the front surface of the panel;

electrically connecting the FPD to the instrument electronics via one or more electrical cables;

attaching the FPD to the flange; and

attaching the bezel to the flange to cover the FPD, the bezel including a view port allowing observation of an active image area of the display.