Monitor as a door

• US 8,313,072 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bakkom, Jeff, Elkins, Todd, Curtis, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US12/199,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20090065667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 248917-923, 248/341, 248/276.1, 248/281.11, 248/289.11, 248/299.1, 248/282.1, 248/283.1, 361/679.02, 361/679.04, 361/679.05, 361/679.06, 361/679.07, 361/679.22, 361/681
• US Class Current: 248/289.11
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• 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 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/20 for adjustably mounting

Abstract

A multiple monitor array includes a support structure; a plurality of monitors supported by the support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind the at least one monitor; a hinge structure interposed between the support structure and the at least one monitor allowing the at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot about the hinge structure; a releasable fastener configured to secure the at least one monitor serving as a door to the support structure; and an alignment mechanism configured to return the at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to the monitor array when the at least monitor serving as a door is closed.

Claims

1. A multiple monitor array comprising:

a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure;

a plurality of monitors supported by said support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

a hinge structure interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot about said hinge structure between an open position and said closed position;

a releasable fastener configured to secure said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure; and

an alignment mechanism configured to return said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed, wherein said alignment mechanism includes a plurality of cones attached to said at least one monitor and a plurality of receptacles attached to said support structure, and wherein said plurality of receptacles are configured to detachably receive said plurality of cones.

2. The multiple monitor array of claim 1, further comprising:

a fine adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge structure.

3. The multiple monitor array of claim 2, wherein said fine adjustment mechanism comprises:

a plurality of jack screws configured to adjust an elevation and roll degrees of freedom of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge structure.

4. The multiple monitor array of claim 3, wherein said fine adjustment mechanism further comprises:

a bracket attached to a rear of said at least one monitor; and

a screw threaded through said bracket such that when said screw is threaded into or out of said bracket a tilt of said at least one monitor is adjusted.

5. The multiple monitor array of claim 4, wherein said fine adjustment mechanism further comprises a plurality set screws, said set screws configured to be engaged as locking devices to secure said monitor.

6. The multiple monitor array of claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to restrict access to said objects disposed behind said at least one monitor.

7. The multiple monitor array of claim 6, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises:

a captive screw, a first tab, said first tab attached to said monitor, said first tab being configured to receive and retain said captive screw; and

a second tab, said second tab attached to said support structure, said second tab having a threaded hole configured to receive said captive screw.

15. The multiple monitor array of claim 1, wherein said plurality of monitors are arranged contiguously.

16. The multiple monitor array of claim 1, wherein said hinge structure is arranged on one side of said opening to facilitate access to said objects behind the exterior of said support structure through said opening.

8. A method of providing a multiple monitor array comprising:

arranging a plurality of monitors supported by a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure, wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

installing a hinge structure interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot about said hinge structure between an open position and said closed position;

providing a releasable fastener configured to secure said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure, wherein said releasable fastener includes a plurality of ball studs connected to said at least one monitor and a plurality of spring clips connected to said support structure and said plurality of spring clips being configured to detachably receive said plurality of ball studs;

and providing an alignment mechanism configured to return said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a fine adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge structure.

10. A multiple monitor array comprising:

a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure;

a plurality of monitors supported by said support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

a hinge means, interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor, for allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot between an open position and said closed position;

a securing means for securing said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure, wherein said securing means includes a plurality of ball studs connected to said at least one monitor and a plurality of spring clips connected to said support structure, and wherein said plurality of spring clips are configured to detachably receive said plurality of ball studs;

and an alignment means for returning said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed.

11. The multiple monitor array of claim 10, wherein said hinge means comprise:

an arm segment;

a first joint disposed between said arm segment and said support structure; and

a second joint disposed between rigid arm segment and said at least one monitor.

12. The multiple monitor array of claim 10, wherein said alignment means comprise:

a plurality of cones attached to said at least one monitor, a plurality of receptacles attached to said support structure, said plurality of receptacles being configured to detachably receive said plurality of cones.

13. The multiple monitor array of claim 10, further comprising:

a fine adjustment means for adjusting a position of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge means.

14. The multiple monitor array of claim 13, wherein said fine adjustment means comprise:

a plurality of jack screws configured to adjust an elevation and roll degrees of freedom of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge structure;

a bracket attached to a rear of said at least one monitor; and

a screw threaded through said bracket such that when said screw is threaded into or out of said bracket a tilt of said at least one monitor is adjusted.

17. A multiple monitor array comprising:

a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure;

a plurality of monitors supported by said support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

a hinge structure interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot about said hinge structure between an open position and said closed position such that said hinge structure includes an arm segment, a first joint disposed between said arm segment and said support structure, and a second joint disposed between rigid arm segment and said at least one monitor;

a releasable fastener configured to secure said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure, wherein said releasable fastener includes a plurality of ball studs connected to said at least one monitor and a plurality of spring clips connected to said support structure, said plurality of spring clips being configured to detachably receive said plurality of ball studs; and

an alignment mechanism configured to return said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed.

18. A method of providing a multiple monitor array comprising:

arranging a plurality of monitors supported by a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure, wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

installing a hinge structure interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot about said hinge structure between an open position and said closed position;

providing a releasable fastener configured to secure said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure;

and providing an alignment mechanism configured to return said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed, wherein said alignment mechanism includes a plurality of cones attached to said at least one monitor and a plurality of receptacles attached to said support structure, wherein said plurality of receptacles are configured to detachably receive said plurality of cones.

19. A multiple monitor array comprising:

a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure;

a plurality of monitors supported by said support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

a hinge means, interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor, for allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot between an open position and said closed position;

a securing means for securing said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure;

and an alignment means for returning said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed, wherein said alignment means includes a plurality of cones attached to said at least one monitor and a plurality of receptacles attached to said support structure, wherein said plurality of receptacles are configured to detachably receive said plurality of cones.

20. A multiple monitor array comprising:

a support structure comprising an opening providing access to objects behind an exterior of said support structure;

a plurality of monitors supported by said support structure wherein at least one monitor serves as a door for accessing objects disposed behind said at least one monitor, said at least one monitor that serves as a door covering at least a portion of said opening when in a closed position;

a hinge means, interposed between said support structure and said at least one monitor, for allowing said at least one monitor serving as a door to pivot between an open position and said closed position;

a securing means for securing said at least one monitor serving as a door to said support structure;

an alignment means for returning said at least one monitor serving as a door to an aligned orientation and position with respect to said monitor array when said at least monitor serving as a door is closed;

and a fine adjustment means for adjusting a position of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge means, said fine adjustment means including a plurality of jack screws configured to adjust an elevation and roll degrees of freedom of said at least one monitor with respect to said hinge structure, a bracket attached to a rear of said at least one monitor, and a screw threaded through said bracket such that when said screw is threaded into or out of said bracket a tilt of said at least one monitor is adjusted.