Flat-panel display mounting system for portable computer

• US 7,310,222 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes Limited
• Inventors: Frame, Robert C., Bovio, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pape; Zachary M
• Application Number:
  US11/007,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 345/905, 248/917, 248919-924, 349/58, 349/59, 349/60, 362632-634, 211/169
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A flat-panel display with fixtures in its sidewalls to enable support by lateral mounting members is disclosed. The advantage of this approach, in which the fixtures are essentially rotated around to the sides of the flat-panel display, is the reduction in the portion of the portable computer'"'"'s top cover that is not the active display. In practice, this results in an increase in the size of the display that may be housed in the same-sized top cover. In order to accommodate the lateral mounting of the flat-panel display, metal brackets are used. These brackets extend from the base unit hinges and cradle the display. This adds torsional rigidity, but also removes the requirement that the back must be structural. Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top cover may be achieved by extending the ends of the display'"'"'s fluorescent back-light beyond or through the metal rim that surrounds the display.

Claims

1. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system comprising:

a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back;

a bracket member including a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and extending along a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display back having a hole formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and engaging the hole formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the bracket member.

2. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and extending along a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover, and the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display back having a cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right sidewall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and having a portion extending into the cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom sidewall, the left sidewall, and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the bracket member.

3. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and extending along a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover, the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending round a portion of the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display back having a cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and having a portion extending into the cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the bracket member, and a bezel having a portion covering a portion of the display.

4. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and extending along a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover, the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around a portion of the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display back having a cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and having a portion extending into the cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the bracket member, and a bezel having a portion covering a portion of the display, the bezel having a portion for abutting a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover.

5. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display comprising:

a bracket member including a first portion for mounting a flat-panel display in a cover, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through the first portion thereof and extending along a portion of the wall of the cover; and

the flat-panel display including a display panel, a back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the back, the flat-panel display including a plurality of side walls, the flat-panel display having a hole formed laterally in the rim and one of the plurality of side walls of the back thereof, the flat-panel display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using. a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into the hole formed laterally in the rim and one of the plurality of side walls of the back of the flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member.

6. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a hole formed laterally therethrough, the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around a portion of the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed in the rim and having a recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member, having a portion extending through the hole in the rim, and having a portion extending into the recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

7. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion extending in a first direction having a bole formed laterally therethrough, the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around a portion of the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed through the rim and a recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall and the right side wall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member, through the hole in the rim, and having a portion extending into the recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member, and a bezel, a portion of the bezel covering at least a portion of the display panel of the display.

8. A mounting system for a display for a computer, the mounting system having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion extending in a first direction having a hole formed laterally therethrough, the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around a portion of the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed through the rim and a recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall and the right side wall, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member, using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member, through the hole in the rim, and having a portion extending into the recess formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wallof the display for mounting the, display to the bracket member, and a bezel, a portion of the bezel covering at least a portion of the display panel of the display, the bezel having a portion for abutting a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover.

9. A mounting system for a display for a computer having a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer and a base unit, the cover and the base unit having the same dimensions, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, a bracket member having a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and extending along a portion of a side wall of the wall of the cover, and the display having a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display having a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side waIl, the display secured to a portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

10. A display mounting system for a display for a computer having a rectangular base unit having two long sides and two short sides comprising:

a bracket member having a first portion for mounting the display in a rectangular cover having two long sides and two short sides having the same dimension as the two long sides and two short sides of the rectangular base unit, a long side of the cover pivotally attached adjacent a long side of the rectangular base unit, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through a first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a left side wall and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the left side wall and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the hole in one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the display back of the display for mounting the display to the first portion of the bracket member.

11. An assembly for mounting a display for a computer having a rectangular base unit comprising:

a bracket member including a first portion for mounting the display in a cover having the same dimensions as the rectangular base unit, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through the first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the back, the display including a plurality of side walls, one of the plurality of side walls having a hole formed laterally therein, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the hole formed laterally in one of the plurality of side walls of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

12. A mounting system for a display for a computer having a base unit having a length and a width, the mounting system comprising:

a cover for covering the base unit having the same length and width as the base unit and for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back;

a bracket member including a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into the hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display back of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

13. A display mounting system for a display for a computer having a base unit having a length and a width comprising:

a bracket member having a first portion for mounting the display in a cover having a length and a width the same as the base unit and having a removable bezel attached thereto, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through a first portion thereof and extending along a portion of the wall of the cover; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a left side wall and a right side wall, the display having a hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the left side wall and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the hole formed laterally in the display back in one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the display for mounting the display to the first portion of the bracket member.

14. An assembly for mounting a display for a computer having a base unit comprising:

a bracket member including a first portion for mounting the display in a cover having the same dimensions as the base unit of the computer for the base unit to be covered thereby, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through the first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the back, the display including a plurality of side walls, one of the plurality of side walls having a cavity formed laterally therein, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the cavity formed laterally in one of the plurality of side walls of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

15. A mounting system for a display for a computer having a base unit, the mounting system comprising:

a cover for housing a portion of the display for the computer, the cover having the same dimensions as the base unit and including a cover back having a wall extending around a portion of the cover back;

a bracket member including a first portion having a hole formed laterally through a portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, the display back having a cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into the cavity formed laterally in one of the top side wall, the bottom side wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the bracket member.

16. A display mounting system for a display for a computer having a rectangular base unit having adjacent sides of unequal length comprising:

a bracket member having a first portion for mounting the display in a cover, the cover pivotally attached to the base unit adjacent a longer side thereof, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through a first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a display back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the display back, the display including a left side wall and a right side wall, the display back having a hole formed laterally in one of the left side wall and the right side wall, the display secured to a portion of the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the hole in one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the display back for mounting the display to the first portion of the bracket member.

17. An assembly for mounting a display having a back for a computer having a rectangular base unit having a keyboard extending from near one short side of the rectangular base unit to near another short side of the rectangular base unit and extending near a long side of the rectangular base unit comprising:

a bracket member including a first portion for mounting the display in a cover having the same size as the rectangular base unit, the cover pivotally attached along the long side of the rectangular base unit having the keyboard extending therealong, the cover including a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through the first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a back, and a rim extending around the display panel and the back, the display including a plurality of side walls, the back having a recess formed in one of the plurality of side walls, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member and into a portion of the recess formed in one of the plurality of side walls in the back of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.

18. An assembly used for mounting a display for a computer comprising:

a bracket member having a first portion for mounting a display in a cover, the cover having a cover back and a wall extending around a portion of the cover back, the bracket member having a hole formed laterally through the first portion thereof; and

the display including a display panel, a back, and a rim having a hole formed laterally therein and extending around the display panel and the back, the display including a plurality of side walls, one of the side walls having a hole formed laterally therein, the display secured to the first portion of the bracket member using a mounting member extending through the hole formed laterally through the first portion of the bracket member, through the hole in the rim, and into the bole formed laterally in one of the side walls of the display for mounting the display to the bracket member.