Exterior structure for display device having display-cover serving as part of stand and not removed from main body

• US 5,682,182 A
• Filed: 09/29/1994
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tsubosaka, Yukihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US08/313,593
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1, 345/905, 345/173, 361/681, 361/683, 361/696, 361/702, 361/709, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

There is provided an exterior structure which can enhance operability of display devices, reduce the number of parts, shorten time for assembly of products, and improve its productivity, and yet which allows reduction in cost, reduction in weight of products, and moreover which can prevent loss of a display-section cover and the like. A display section is present on a first surface of a main body, and a display-section cover is provided on a second surface adjacent to the first surface. The display-section cover is made up of a generally rectangular hinge plate attached in a hinge fashion with one edge of the hinge plate parallel to the first surface, and a display lid having such a shape as to be able to cover a display section of the first surface and being attached in a hinge fashion to the other edge of the hinge plate opposite to the one edge. A support plate is attached in a hinge fashion with one edge thereof parallel to the second surface to a third surface of the main body opposite to the first surface. The display lid is provided with slots capable of captively holding the support plate.

Claims

1. An exterior structure for a display device having a display section for displaying an image on a first surface of a main body of a generally box shape, comprising:

a display-section cover which comprises a generally rectangular hinge plate that includes a first tubular portion located at an edge surface, said rectangular hinge plate attached in a first hinge fashion to a second surface of the main body adjacent to the first surface, with one edge of the hinge plate parallel to the first surface, and a display lid attached in a second hinge fashion to the other edge of the hinge plate opposite to the one edge of the hinge plate; and

a support plate having a generally rectangular shape and being attached in hinge fashion to a third surface opposite to the first surface of the main body with one edge of the support plate parallel to the second surface;

wherein the display lid comprises an engaging portion capable of captively holding the outer edge of the support plate opposite to the one edge.

2. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the one edge of the hinge plate is attached substantially within the second surface of the main body at a generally center portion with respect to a direction vertical to the first surface, and

a dimension between the one edge and the other edge of the hinge plate is set to substantially half a dimension of the second surface of the main body in the direction vertical to the first surface of the main body.

3. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the engaging portion of the display lid is at least a slot formed in parallel to the other edge of the hinge plate.

4. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the slot of the display lid is provided in a plural number with a spacing from one another.

5. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the slot of the display lid is penetrating through the display lid and an inner surface of the slot farther from the hinge plate is curved in a convex shape in cross section inward of the slot;

and

an end of the other edge side of the support plate is curved in a concave shape in cross section so as to fit the inner surface of the slot.

6. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a lock mechanism for captively holding the display lid is provided on the first surface or a third surface of the main body opposite to the first surface or both the first and third surfaces of the main body.

7. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein

the lock mechanism is provided on the first surface of the main body and is provided at a position on one side of the first surface opposite to the second surface side with respect to the display section, the lock mechanism comprising a lock slidable toward the display section along the first surface and an elastic member for biasing the lock toward the display section.

8. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein

the lock mechanism is provided on the third surface of the main body and is provided on a peripheral portion of an inner area of the third surface, with which the display lid will be brought into contact, the lock mechanism including a plate-shaped projection being separated from the surface of the inner area and projecting into the inner area by a specified extent.

9. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 1, including a second tubular portion located at an edge surface of the hinge plate opposite said first tubular portion.

10. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein pins extend into said first tubular portion at opposite ends thereof.

11. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 10, wherein pins extend into said second tubular portion at opposite ends thereof.

12. The exterior structure for a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid includes two spaced-apart pin holders located at a lower edge of the lid.

13. The exterior structure of a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body includes two spaced-apart pin holders.