Adapter for various LCD sizes in a computer

• US 6,002,582 A
• Filed: 01/05/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Yeager, Susie, Moore, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/002,696
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/682, 361/681, 345/905, 248/917, 40/530
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133314 Back frames
• 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 1/1616 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

An LCD adapter mounting for a computer cover includes a cover base and an adapter mounted in the base. An LCD panel is mounted in the adapter. The adapter is mounted in the cover base in a first orientation when the LCD panel is of a first size. The adapter is mounted in the cover base in a second orientation, inverted from the first orientation, when the LCD panel is of a second size. A bezel is mounted on the cover base for securing the adapter and LCD panel therebetween.

Claims

1. An LCD adapter mounting for a computer cover comprising:

a cover base;

an invertible adapter, the adapter being mounted in the cover base in a first orientation for securing a first size LCD panel therein, and being mounted in the cover base in a second orientation, inverted from the first orientation, for securing a second size LCD panel therein; and

a bezel mounted on the cover base for securing the adapter therebetween.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover base includes a plurality of tabs extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the adapter includes a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from opposite edges thereof.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the tabs of the cover base are positioned for engagement with the tabs of the adapter when the adapter is in either of the first and second orientations.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the adapter includes a plurality of mounting points formed therein.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the mounting points include top mounting points and side mounting points.

7. An LCD adapter mounting for a computer cover comprising:

a cover base;

an invertible adapter;

an LCD panel mounted in the adapter, the adapter being mounted in the cover base in a first orientation when the LCD panel is of a first size, the adapter being mounted in the cover base in a second orientation, inverted from the first orientation, when the LCD panel is of a second size; and

a bezel mounted on the cover base for securing the adapter and LCD panel therebetween.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the adapter, in the first orientation, includes a frame portion covering an inactive portion of the LCD panel.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the bezel is mounted in abuttment with the frame portion of the adapter.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the cover base includes a plurality of tabs extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the adapter includes a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from opposite side edges thereof.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the tabs of the adapter slidably engage the tabs of the cover.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the adapter includes a plurality of mounting points formed therein.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the mounting points include top mounting points and side mounting points.

15. A computer system comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

at least one input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

at least one mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

at least one display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;

at least one memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;

a cover including a base;

an invertible adapter, the adapter being mounted in the cover base in a first orientation for securing a first size LCD panel therein, and being mounted in the cover base in a second orientation, inverted from the first orientation, for securing a second size LCD panel therein; and

a bezel mounted on the cover base for securing the adapter therebetween.

16. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein the adapter, in the first orientation, includes a frame portion in abuttment with the bezel.

17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the adapter, in the second orientation, includes a frame portion adjacent the cover base.

18. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein a plurality of inwardly extending tabs on the cover base slidably engage a plurality of outwardly extending tabs on the adapter for securing the adapter in the cover base.

19. A method of securing various size LCD panels in a computer cover base comprising the steps of:

mounting an LCD panel in an invertible adapter;

inserting the adapter in the cover base in a first orientation when the LCD panel is of a first size;

inserting the adapter in the cover base in a second orientation, inverted from the first orientation, when the LCD panel is of a second size; and

mounting a bezel on the cover base for securing the adapter and LCD panel therebetween.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of inserting the adapter in the cover base comprises the step of sliding the adapter relative to the cover base so that tabs on the adapter engage tabs on the cover base.