Latch system for video monitor

• US 7,124,989 B1
• Filed: 09/17/2003
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KTV USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: KTV USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Baek, Jun Huem, Ha, Myung Ho, Lee, Jong Min
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US10/664,174
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 248/310, 248917-924, 248/288.11, 340/436, 340/903, 340/937, 348/837, 224/311, 224/548, 224/553, 224/929, 296/377, 292/289
• US Class Current: 248/288.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A processor implemented video monitor includes a display housing hinged to an overhead console. The display housing is stowed in an open stowage cavity of the console and is maintained in its stowed position by a latch detent pin which projects through an opening in a cavity wall and engages a recess, aperture or slot in a wall of the housing. The detent pin is retracted by a solenoid mounted within the console for releasing the display housing for deployment to a viewing position. A shallow finger well having exposed touch sensor terminals is formed in the console. Upon placement of a finger in the well and against the terminals, a solenoid driving circuit actuates the solenoid to retract the latch and permit the display housing to lower to a deployed position. The solenoid is optionally actuated through the processor, as by response to a remote control signal sensor or a membrane keypad.

Claims

1. A video monitor, the video monitor comprising a display housing, a console having a storage cavity dimensioned to receive the display housing and a releasable latch system for retaining the display housing in the storage cavity, the display housing being mounted to the console for pivotal movement into and out of the storage cavity, the storage cavity including a cavity wall, the cavity wall having an aperture therethrough, the latch system including a detent pin extending through the aperture, the display housing including a receptacle formed in a wall of the display housing, the receptacle being in registration with the aperture when the display housing is in a stowed position within the storage cavity, the detent pin being normally biased to extend through the aperture and into the receptacle when the display housing is in the stowed position, the latch system further including a solenoid carried in the console, the detent pin being operatively connected to the solenoid, the console including a touch sensor, the latch system further including a circuit operatively connected to the touch sensor and operatively connected to the solenoid for actuating the solenoid to withdraw the detent pin from the receptacle in response to a user touching the touch sensor whereby the display housing may be pivoted out of the storage cavity, the video monitor further including a display driving circuit and a display housing position sensor, the position sensor being carried in the console, the position sensor detecting when the display housing has been released from the storage cavity in response to actuation of the solenoid and generating a signal, the display driving circuit being engaged in response to the position sensor signal.

2. A video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the console includes a concave recess, at least a portion of the touch sensor being positioned in the recess.

3. A video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a processor, the processor being operatively connected to the circuit for actuating the solenoid, at least one processor input device, the processor being operatively connected to the processor input device, the processor receiving a signal from the processor input device and in response thereto, generating a signal for actuating the solenoid, the circuit for actuating the solenoid receiving the processor generated signal and in response thereto, actuating the solenoid.

4. A video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the touch sensor comprises a pair of electrical contacts.

5. A processor implemented video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 3 further including a plurality of processor input devices, the processor receiving a signal from one of the input devices.

18. A video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solenoid includes a slidable core and the detent pin is positioned at the end of the core.

6. In a video monitor having a display housing and a console, a hinge assembly pivotally interconnecting the display housing and the console, the console having a stowage cavity dimensioned to receive the display housing, the improvement comprising a latch system, the latch system including a solenoid mounted within the console, the solenoid carrying a sliding core having a detent pin at an end thereof, the stowage cavity having a wall with an aperture formed therethrough, the detent pin extending through the aperture, the display housing having a wall with a receptacle formed therein, the detent pin extending through the aperture and into the receptacle when the display housing is in a stowed position, the latch system further including a touch sensor having a user engageable portion positioned on the exterior of the console, the touch sensor being actuated to interconnect the solenoid with a power supply, the touch sensor comprising a touch contact terminal projecting from a contact plate, the contact plate being fixed to the interior of the console and the touch contact terminal projecting through an aperture in the console whereby when the user engages the touch sensor, the solenoid withdraws the detent pin from the receptacle, thereby releasing the display housing for pivotal movement from the stowage cavity.

7. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the console includes a concave finger well, at least a portion of the touch sensor being positioned in the finger well.

12. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the console is oriented in a horizontal position and the display housing pivots downwardly from the console when released from the stowage cavity.

13. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the touch sensor comprises a pair of touch contacts, each touch contact projecting from a contact plate fixed to the interior of the console, each touch contact extending from its respective contact plate through an aperture in the console.

14. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the console includes a concave finger well, the apertures in the console being positioned at the finger well, each touch contact extending into the finger well through an aperture in the console.

15. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 6 further including a remote control sensor carried by the console, the remote control sensor being operatively connected to the solenoid for actuation of the solenoid to release the display housing in response to a signal received at the remote control sensor.

16. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 15 wherein the remote control sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

17. The improvement in a video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 6 further including a membrane keyboard carried by the console, the membrane keyboard being operatively connected to the solenoid for actuation of the solenoid to release the display housing.

8. A processor implemented video monitor, the video monitor comprising a display housing, a console having a storage cavity dimensioned to receive the display housing, a hinge assembly pivotally interconnecting the display housing and the console, a processor, an input device operatively connected to the processor, a display driving circuit operatively connected to the processor and a releasable latch system for retaining the display housing in the storage cavity, the storage cavity including a cavity wall, the cavity wall having an aperture therethrough, the latch system including a detent pin extending through the aperture, the display housing including a receptacle formed in a wall of the display housing, the receptacle being in registration with the aperture when the display housing is in a stowed position within the storage cavity, the detent pin being normally biased to extend through the aperture and into the receptacle when the display housing is in the stowed position, the latch system further including a solenoid carried in the console, the detent pin being operatively connected to the solenoid, the latch system further including a solenoid driving circuit operatively connected to the processor and operatively connected to the solenoid for actuating the solenoid to retract the detent pin from the receptacle in response to a signal generated by the input device.

9. A processor implemented video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 8 further including a touch sensor, the solenoid driving circuit being operatively connected to the touch sensor for actuating the solenoid in response to a user touching the touch sensor.

10. A processor implemented video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the input device comprises a remote control sensor.

11. A processor implemented video monitor as constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the input device comprises a membrane keyboard.