Display enclosure

• US 8,350,984 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ciil Technologies, LLC. (Peerless Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CII Technologies, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Perry, Michael C., Moscovitch, Jerry, Yap, Luther V. Diaz, Wilk, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US13/331,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 349/56, 349/58, 349/59, 349/60, 349/72
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133311 Environmental protection, e.g. against dust or humidity
• 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: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/00 Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

A low profile display enclosure system for enclosing a display device for viewing that protects the display device from environmental effects. The substantially sealed display enclosure comprises a rigid bezel, a substantially transparent front cover coupled to the bezel, and a rear cover assembly that may include a heat sink portion. A liquid organic coating is applied to portions of the display enclosure and cured in place in order to provide a protective surface.

Claims

1. A protectively enclosed flat panel display device having a display region viewable from outside thereof, comprising:

a protective enclosure substantially impervious to liquid ingress under ambient conditions encountered in an outdoor environment, the protective enclosure including a rigid bezel defining a viewing region, a substantially transparent front cover coupled to the rigid bezel and covering the viewing region and a rear cover assembly operatively connected to a rear portion of the rigid bezel; and

a sealant coating that coats at least a portion of the rigid bezel, the sealant coating rendering the rigid bezel substantially impervious to liquid ingress.

2. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the sealant coating comprises an organic coating configured to adhere to the rigid bezel.

3. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 2, wherein the sealant coating comprises a polyurea material.

4. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 3, wherein the polyurea material comprises a sprayable material capable of being applied to the rigid bezel as a liquid and curable on the rigid bezel.

5. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 4, wherein the polyurea material comprise a plurality of components catalytically curable at about room temperature on the rigid bezel.

6. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 2, wherein the polyurea material is preheated before being applied to the rigid bezel.

7. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the sealant coating possesses a thickness of about 0.060 inches after application on the rigid bezel.

8. A display enclosure for enclosing a flat panel display device for viewing in an outdoor environment, comprising:

a bezel defining a perimeter surface describing an enclosure area having a display opening;

a substantially transparent front cover coupled to the bezel and covering the display opening; and

a rear cover assembly operatively coupled to the bezel, the rear cover cooperating with the rigid bezel and the substantially transparent front cover to enclose flat panel display device contained therein; and

an organic coating disposed on an outer surface of the bezel and forming a weather resistant seal over the bezel, wherein the display enclosure is resistant to liquid ingress in an outdoor viewing environment.

9. The display enclosure of claim 8, wherein the organic coating comprises a polyurea material.

10. The display enclosure of claim 9, wherein the polyurea material comprises a sprayable material capable of being applied to the bezel.

11. The display enclosure of claim 9, wherein the polyurea material comprises a two-component material curable at room temperature.

12. The display enclosure of claim 9, wherein the polyurea material is preheated before being applied to the rigid bezel.

13. The display enclosure of claim 8, wherein the sealant coating possesses a thickness of about 0.060 inches after application on the rigid bezel.

14. A method of preparing a substantially sealed protective enclosure for a display device, comprising:

assembling a rigid bezel by joining a plurality of frame members, the rigid bezel characterized by a display opening, the rigid bezel including a plurality of lateral surfaces substantially defining an outer peripheral surface of the protective enclosure;

applying a liquid sealant on the outer peripheral surface;

curing the liquid sealant to form a protective coating on the rigid bezel;

attaching a front cover to the rigid bezel, the front cover covering the display opening; and

attaching a rear cover assembly to the rigid bezel,

wherein the protective enclosure is substantially impervious to precipitation in an outdoor environment.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sealant is applied after the assembly of the rigid bezel.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sealant is applied by spraying onto the outer peripheral surface.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sealant, when applied to the rigid bezel, conceals seams formed between individual frame members of the rigid bezel.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sealant comprises a two-component polyurea having a catalyst component configured to effectuate curing at room temperature.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sealant is preheated prior to being applied to the rigid bezel.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the sealant coating possesses a thickness of about 0.060 inches after application on the rigid bezel.