Universal quick connector apparatus for an LCD monitor

• US 7,390,211 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moscovitch, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US10/764,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 439/374, 439/532, 439/929, 248917-919, 248/121, 361681-683
• US Class Current: 439/374
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/043 Allowing translations
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/06 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/066 being part of the head
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/621 Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6335 comprising a handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A universal connector apparatus comprising a first component and a second component. The first component is fixedly secured to a housing of an LCD monitor and includes a wedge shaped projection or protrusion and a first electrical connector. The second component forms a docking station and is fixedly secured to any other support surface where the LCD monitor is to be attached and supported from. The second component includes a second electrical connector intended to matingly engage with the first electrical connector. The LCD monitor is attached to the second component by slid ably engaging the wedge shaped protrusion or projection of the first component into a wedge shaped recess formed in the second component. This automatically centers the two electrical connectors before they matingly engage one another and prevents damage to the male pins of the male electrical connector. The apparatus enables an LCD monitor to be quickly and easily attached and released from a support surface incorporating the second component so that the monitor may be used at a different location as may be needed.

Claims

1. A connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display to a support member disposed within a vehicle, at a wall, or on a rear portion of a seat, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first mounting component for the display, the first mounting component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

(b) a second mounting component for the support member disposed within the vehicle, the second mounting component including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, the second engaging member being configured to engage with the first engaging member to physically support the display on the support member disposed within the vehicle, at the wall, or on the rear portion of the seat, while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to permit electrical communication between the two electrical connectors wherein one of the first engaging member and the second engaging member includes an insertion portion and the other of the first engaging member and the second engaging member includes a recess adapted to receive the insertion portion, the recess having a leading portion for receiving the insertion portion upon insertion thereof into the recess and that is wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the insertion portion subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

2. A mounting component for a support member disposed within a vehicle, at a wall, or on a rear portion of a seat for supporting a display on the support member so as to allow quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of the display to the support member, the mounting component comprising:

(a) a first engaging member; and

(b) a first electrical connector;

wherein the mounting component is configured for selective coupling to a second mounting component mounted on the display and including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, so that when the first engaging member engages the second engaging member, the display will be physically supported on the support member in the vehicle, at the wall, or on the rear portion of the seat while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to also cause electrical communication between the two electrical connectors, wherein the first engaging member includes an insertion portion that is adapted to be received within a recess on the second engaging member having a leading portion for receiving the insertion portion of the first engaging member upon insertion thereof into the recess where the leading portion of the recess is wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the insertion portion of the first engaging member subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

3. A connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display to a support member disposed within a vehicle, at a wall, or on a rear portion of a seat, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first mounting component for the display, the first mounting component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

(b) a second mounting component for the support member disposed within the vehicle, the second mounting component including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, the second engaging member being configured to engage with the first engaging member to physically support the display on the support member disposed within the vehicle, at the wall, or on the rear portion of the seat, while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to permit electrical communication between the two electrical connectors wherein the first engaging member includes a recess for receiving at least part of the second engaging member, the recess having a leading portion for receiving the at least part of the second engaging member upon insertion thereof into the recess, the leading portion of the recess being wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the at least part of the second engaging member subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

4. A connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display to a support member, the apparatus comprising:

(a) the display having a first mounting component, the first mounting component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

(b) a second mounting component for the support member, the second mounting component including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, the second engaging member being configured to engage with the first engaging member to physically support the display on the support member, while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector, whereby as long as the second engaging member is engaged with the first engaging member, electrical communication between the two electrical connectors is possible.

5. The connector apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first engaging member and the second engaging member are shaped to prevent accidental decoupling of the display from the support member.

6. The connector apparatus of claim 4, wherein engagement of the first engaging member and the second engaging member supports substantially all of the weight of the display.

7. The connector apparatus of claim 4, further comprising securing means for securing the first mounting component to the second mounting component when the first engaging member and the second engaging member are engaged.

8. The connector apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first and second electrical connectors mechanically engage one another when the first and second mounting components are mechanically engaged.

9. A connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display to a support member, the apparatus comprising:

(a) the display having a first mounting component, the first mounting component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

(b) a second mounting component for the support member, the second mounting component including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, the second engaging member being configured to engage with the first engaging member to physically support the display on the support member, while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to permit electrical communication between the two electrical connectors, wherein one of the first engaging member or the second engaging member includes an insertion portion and the other of the first engaging member or the second engaging member includes a recess adapted to receive the insertion portion, the recess having a leading portion for receiving the insertion portion upon insertion thereof into the recess and that is wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the insertion portion subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

10. A display substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display, and having a mounting component for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of the display to a support member, the mounting component comprising:

(a) a first engaging member; and

(b) a first electrical connector;

wherein the mounting component is configured for selective coupling to a second mounting component mounted on the support member and including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, so that when the first engaging member engages the second engaging member, the display will be physically supported on the support member while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector, whereby as long as the second engaging member is engaged with the first engaging member, electrical communication between the two electrical connectors is possible.

11. The display of claim 10, wherein the first engaging member is shaped so that, upon engagement thereof with the second engaging member, accidental decoupling of the display from the support member is prevented.

12. The display of claim 10, wherein the first engaging member is adapted to support substantially all of the weight of the display upon engagement of the first engaging member with the second engaging member.

13. The display of claim 10, further comprising securing means for securing the first mounting component to the second mounting component when the first engaging member and the second engaging member are engaged.

14. The display of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrical connectors mechanically engage one another when the first and second mounting components are mechanically engaged.

15. A display substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display, and having a mounting component for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of the display to a support member, the mounting component comprising:

(a) a first engaging member; and

(b) a first electrical connector;

wherein the mounting component is configured for selective coupling to a second mounting component mounted on the support member and including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, so that when the first engaging member engages the second engaging member, the display will be physically supported on the support member while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to permit electrical communication between the two electrical connectors wherein the first engaging member includes an insertion portion that is adapted to be received within a recess on the second engaging member having a leading portion for receiving the insertion portion of the first engaging member upon insertion thereof into the recess where the leading portion of the recess is wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the insertion portion of the first engaging member subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

16. A display substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display, and having a mounting component for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of the display to a support member, the mounting component comprising:

(a) a first engaging member; and

(b) a first electrical connector;

wherein the mounting component is configured for selective coupling to a second mounting component mounted on the support member and including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, so that when the first engaging member engages the second engaging member, the display will be physically supported on the support member while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to permit electrical communication between the two electrical connectors wherein the first engaging member includes a recess for receiving at least part of the second engaging member, the recess having a leading portion for receiving the at least part of the second engaging member upon insertion thereof into the recess, the leading portion of the recess being wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the at least part of the second engaging member subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

17. A mounting component for a support member disposed on a rear portion of a seat for supporting a display on the support member so as to allow quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of the display to the support member, the mounting component comprising:

(a) a first engaging member; and

(b) a first electrical connector;

wherein the mounting component is configured for selective coupling to a second mounting component mounted on the display and including a second engaging member having a shape complementary to the first engaging member and a second electrical connector, so that when the first engaging member engages the second engaging member, the display will be physically supported on the support member on the rear portion of the seat while the first electrical connector concurrently electrically couples the second electrical connector to also cause electrical communication between the two electrical connectors wherein the first engaging member includes a recess for receiving at least part of the second engaging member, the recess having a leading portion for receiving the at least part of the second engaging member upon insertion thereof into the recess, the leading portion of the recess being wider than a non-leading portion of the recess adapted to receive the at least part of the second engaging member subsequent to insertion thereof into the leading portion of the recess.

18. A system allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display monitor to a support member, said system comprising:

the display monitor having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge;

a first component mountable to said display monitor, said first component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

a second component mountable to said support member, said second component having a second engaging member and a second electrical connector, wherein said first and second engaging members have complementary shapes to allow the first engaging member to be lowered onto the second engaging member to engage therewith so that the support member physically supports said display screen, while said first electrical connector concurrently couples with said second electrical connector to permit electrical communication therebetween, and wherein the first component and the second component are devoid of elements for receiving any of the four edges of the display monitor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first component is mounted at the rear surface of the display monitor.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first engaging member includes a protrusion to be lowered onto the second engaging member to engage therewith.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the protrusion is wedge-shaped.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the protrusion is separated from the first electrical connector.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the second component includes a cup-shaped housing having a housing component forming a recess for receiving the first engaging member of the first component, and for necessitating, during removal of the first engaging member from the recess, an upward lifting of the first engaging member to remove the first engaging member from the recess.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein after engagement of the first engaging member and the second engaging member, substantially all of the weight of the display monitor is supported by the second engaging member.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein neither the first engaging member nor the second engaging member are visible to a user facing the front of the display monitor.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the first component is mounted on the rear surface of the display monitor and the first component includes a protrusion that is inserted into a recess of the second engaging member.

37. The system of claim 18, wherein the display monitor is substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display monitor.

27. A connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display monitor to a support member, said connector apparatus comprising:

a first component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

a second component having a second engaging member and a second electrical connector, wherein

a) the first component is mountable to one of the display monitor and the support member and the second component is mountable to the other one of the display monitor and the support member,

b) the first engaging member and second engaging member have complementary shapes to allow the first engaging member and the second engaging member to engage so that the support member physically supports said display screen, while said first electrical connector and second electrical connector concurrently couple to permit electrical communication therebetween,

c) the first engaging member includes the first electrical connector, and

d) the first component and the second component are devoid of elements for receiving any of a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and an opposite second side edge of the display monitor.

28. The connector apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second engaging member includes the second electrical connector.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the first component is mounted at the rear surface of the display monitor.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the first engaging member includes a protrusion that engages with the second engaging member.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the protrusion is wedge-shaped.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the second component includes a cup-shaped housing having a housing component forming a recess for receiving the first mating member of the first component, and for necessitating, during removal of the first engaging member from the recess, an upward lifting of the first engaging member to remove the first engaging member from the recess.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein after engagement of the first engaging member and the second engaging member, substantially all of the weight of the display monitor is supported by at least one of the first engaging member and the second engaging member.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein neither the first engaging member nor the second engaging member are visible to a user facing the front of the display monitor.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the first component is mounted on the rear surface of the display monitor and the first component includes a protrusion that is inserted into a recess of the second engaging member.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the first component is mounted on the rear surface of the display monitor.

38. A system having a connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display monitor to a support member, said connector apparatus comprising:

a first component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

a second component having a second engaging member and a second electrical connector, wherein

a) the first component is mountable to one of i) at least a portion of a rear surface of the display monitor and ii) the support member, and the second component is mountable to the other one of the at least a portion of the rear surface of the display monitor and the support member, the rear surface being opposite a screen of the display monitor, and

b) the first engaging member and second engaging member have complementary shapes to allow the first engaging member and the second engaging member to engage so that the support member physically supports said display screen, while said first electrical connector and second electrical connector concurrently couple to permit electrical communication therebetween.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising the display monitor having the screen, wherein the rear surface of the display monitor is substantially parallel to the screen.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the display monitor has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge and the connector apparatus is devoid of any elements for receiving any of these four edges.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the display monitor is substantially limited to displaying results of computer operations performed remote from the display monitor.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein after engagement of the first engaging member and the second engaging member, substantially all of the weight of the display monitor is supported by at least one of the first engaging member and the second engaging member.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein neither the first engaging member nor the second engaging member are visible to a user facing the front of the display monitor.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the first component is mountable to one of a rear surface of the display monitor and the support member with screws.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the second component is mountable to the other one of the rear surface of the display monitor and the support member with screws.

46. The system of claim 38, wherein the first component is mountable to one of i) the rear surface of the display monitor exclusively and ii) the support member, and the second component is mountable to the other one of the rear surface of the display monitor and the support member.

47. A system having a connector apparatus for allowing quick electrical and mechanical coupling and decoupling of a display monitor to a support member, said connector apparatus comprising:

a first component having a first engaging member and a first electrical connector; and

a second component having a second engaging member and a second electrical connector, wherein

a) the first component is releasably mountable to the to the display monitor with fasteners, and the second component is releasably mountable to the support member with additional fasteners, and

b) the first engaging member and second engaging member have complementary shapes to allow the first engaging member and the second engaging member to engage so that the support member physically supports said display screen, while said first electrical connector and second electrical connector concurrently couple to permit electrical communication therebetween.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the fasteners are screws and the additional fasteners are screws.