Tilting display with cabinet seal

• US 5,825,613 A
• Filed: 07/17/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strongarm Designs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Strongarm Designs, Inc.
• Inventors: Holden, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/896,136
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/682, 361/683, 361/517, 361/518, 361/610, 248/917-923, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 345/905, 364/708.1, 49/67, 49/393, 49/392
• US Class Current: 361/679.22
• 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 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A tiltable viewing screen includes a display screen bezel used in conjunction with a special seal which permits the screen to be pivoted without losing the sealing effect between the environment and a sealed cabinet in which the screen is mounted. The bezel is provided with axles at each side located at the midpoint between top and bottom of the bezel which permit rotation about a horizontal midline. In order to provide a constant gap between the rectangular bezel and the cabinet wall as the bezel is tilted about its axis, the bezel is shaped along its top and bottom surface in a constant radius arcuate contour. The radius is defined by the distance between the outer surface of the bezel and the axis of rotation. Various sealing materials, including pile seal or an elastomeric gasket, may be used. The preferred embodiment includes an LCD computer monitor, however, different viewing panels may be mounted within the bezel.

Claims

1. A tilt frame display screen, comprising:

a sealed enclosure having a front wall with a cutout therein;

a bezel mounted within said cutout rotatable about an axis, said bezel having arcuately formed top and bottom surfaces with a radius of curvature taken from the axis of rotation;

seal means mounted to said front wall which completely fills all spaces between said bezel and said front wall when said bezel is tilted throughout a limited range of rotation defined by the edges of said top and bottom surfaces; and

a display screen mounted within said bezel.

2. The tilt frame display screen of claim 1, wherein said axis is horizontal.

3. The tilt frame display screen of claim 2, wherein said horizontal axis is located across the middle of said cutout.

4. The tilt frame display screen of claim 1, further including two axles, one affixed to each vertical side surface, said axles rotatably secured to said front wall.

5. The tilt frame display screen of claim 4, wherein said seal means is pile seal.

6. The tilt frame display screen of claim 5, wherein said seal means is an elastomeric gasket.

7. The tilt frame display screen of claim 5, further including a groove in said wall encircling said cutout, said pile seal being located within said groove.

8. The tilt frame display screen of claim 1, wherein said display screen is a LCD display screen.

9. The tilt frame display screen of claim 5, wherein said elastomeric gasket is located within a recess in the back side of said wall.

10. The tilt frame display screen of claim 9, wherein said elastomeric gasket is secured to the back side of said wall by clamp means.

11. A tiltable viewing element, comprising:

a sealed enclosure having a front wall with a cutout therein;

a bezel mounted within said cutout rotatable about a horizontal axis located across the middle of said cutout, said bezel having arcuately formed top and bottom surfaces with a radius of curvature taken from the axis of rotation;

seal means mounted to said front wall which completely fills all spaces between said bezel and said front wall when said bezel is tilted throughout a limited range of rotation defined by the edges of said top and bottom surfaces; and

a viewing element mounted within said bezel.

12. The tiltable viewing element of claim 11, wherein said element is a window.

13. A tilt frame display screen, comprising:

a flat panel having a cutout therein forming a stationary outer bezel intended for installation into the wall of a sealed enclosure;

a second bezel mounted within said cutout rotatable about a horizontal axis located across the middle of said cutout, said second bezel having arcuately formed top and bottom surfaces with a radius of curvature taken from the axis of rotation;

seal means mounted to said outer bezel which completely fills the spaces between said outer bezel and said rotatable second bezel when said outer bezel is tilted throughout a limited range of rotation defined by the top and bottom surfaces of said second bezel; and

a display screen mounted within said second bezel.

14. The tilt frame display screen of claim 13, wherein said seal means is pile seal.

15. The tilt frame display screen of claim 14, further including a groove encircling said cutout in said panel, said pile seal being located within said groove.