Supporting apparatus for display device

• US 8,746,635 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2008
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Sang-Hoon, Kim, Kyung-Wook
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garft, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/524,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20100006725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,043 Days
• Field of Search: 248/324, 248917-924, 248/133, 248/229.1, 248/292.14, 248/286.1, 248/284.1, 248/371, 248/299.1, 248/274.1, 248/276.1, 248/287.1, 248/298.1, 403/113, 403/116, 403/117, 361681-683
• US Class Current: 248/133
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2085 comprising means allowing sideward adjustment, i.e. left-right translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• 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: Y10T 403/32557 for pivotal motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32581 Pin and slot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32591 Opposed stops on one member

Abstract

A supporting apparatus for a display device is provided. The supporting apparatus may include a stationary unit coupled to an installation site, a device supporting unit that supports the display device, a connection unit that connects the stationary unit to the device supporting unit and that guides motion of the device supporting unit, and a tilting frictional unit interposed between the connection unit and the device supporting unit to guide a tilting motion of the device supporting unit. The tilting frictional unit may include a first arc member fixed to the connection unit and a second arc member fixed to the device supporting unit. The first and second arc members contact each other to generate frictional force.

Claims

1. A supporting apparatus for a display device, the supporting apparatus comprising:

a stationary base configured to be coupled to an installation surface;

a device supporter configured to support a display device;

a connection device that connects the stationary device to the device supporter and that guides motion of the device supporter; and

a tilting frictional device interposed between the connection device and the device supporter and that guides a tilting motion of the device supporter, wherein the tilting frictional device comprises;

a first arc guide fixed to the connection device; and

a second arc guide fixed to the device supporter and engaged with the first arc guide, wherein the first arc guide and the second arc guide each include a plurality of frictional projections formed thereon and a plurality of frictional grooves formed therein, wherein the plurality of frictional projections formed on the first arc guide are received in and are configured to move along the plurality of frictional grooves formed in the second arc guide and the plurality of frictional projections formed on the second arc guide are received in and arc configured to move along the plurality of frictional grooves formed in the first arc guide such that a frictional force is generated by contact between inner surfaces of the frictional grooves and corresponding wall surfaces of the frictional projections as the device supporter moves relative to the connection device.

2. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of frictional projections and the plurality of frictional grooves are alternately formed on the first and second arc guides, and wherein respective contact surfaces the plurality of frictional projections and the plurality of frictional grooves of the first and second arc guides have an arc-shape.

3. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a frictional force adjustor that adjusts the frictional force between contacting surfaces of the first and second arc guides.

4. The supporting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frictional force adjustor comprises:

a bar;

a spring provided around the bar, wherein the spring adjusts a normal force between the first and second arc guides; and

a tightening device supported on the bar, wherein the tightening device contacts the spring and applies a tightening force to the spring.

5. The supporting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the device supporter and the first and second arc guides respectively include arc slots through which the bar passes to guide movement of the device supporter, wherein the bar is connected to the connection device.

6. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arc guide or the second arc guide is formed of plastic.

7. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection device comprises:

a plurality of first connectors each having a first end rotatably connected to the stationary base; and

a second connector, wherein second ends of the plurality of first connectors are movably connected to the second connector.

8. The supporting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second connector is slidably coupled to the second ends of the plurality of first connectors.

9. The supporting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first arc guide is connected to the second connector.

10. The supporting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the each of the plurality of first connectors comprises:

a first link rotatably connected to the stationary base; and

a second link rotatably connected to the first link and to the second connector.

11. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device supporter comprises:

at least one hook that selectively engages a seating device coupled to the display device; and

a height adjusting device that selectively moves the seating device to adjust a height of the display coupled to the device supporter.

12. A supporting apparatus for a display device, the supporting apparatus comprising:

a stationary base;

a plurality of first connectors each having a first end rotatably connected to the stationary base;

a second connector, wherein second ends of the plurality of first connectors are slidably connected to the second connector;

a device supporter rotatably coupled to the second connector; and

a tilting frictional device that couples the second connector to the device supporter and that guides a tilting motion of the device supporter relative to the second connector, wherein the tilting frictional device comprises;

a first arc guide fixed to the second connector; and

a second arc guide fixed to the device supporter and engaged with the first arc guide, wherein frictional projections and frictional grooves are formed on contact surfaces of the first and second arc guides, with the frictional projections respectively received in the frictional grooves, such that a frictional force is generated between inner surfaces of the frictional grooves and corresponding wall surfaces of the frictional projections, wherein the frictional projections comprise a first frictional projection integrally formed with the first arc guide and a second frictional projection integrally formed with the second arc guide.

13. The supporting apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a stopper provided at a middle portion of the second connector, wherein the stopper limits a sliding motion of the plurality of first connectors.

14. The supporting apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of sliders slidably connected to the second connector; and

a plurality of fasteners respectively connecting the plurality of sliders to the plurality of first connectors.

15. The supporting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second connector comprises a guide for guiding a sliding motion of the plurality of sliders.

16. A supporting apparatus for a display device, the supporting apparatus comprising:

a stationary base;

a plurality of first connectors rotatably connected to the stationary base;

a second connector to which the plurality of first connectors are rotatably connected;

a device supporter rotatably coupled to the second connector; and

a tilting frictional device that couples the second connector to the device supporter and that guides a tilting motion of the device supporter relative to the second connector, wherein the tilting frictional device comprises;

a first arc guide fixed to the second connector; and

a second arc guide fixed to the device supporter, wherein frictional projections and frictional grooves are formed on contact surfaces of the first and second arc guides, with the frictional projections respectively received in the frictional grooves, such that a frictional force is generated between inner surfaces of the frictional grooves and corresponding wall surfaces of the frictional projections, wherein the frictional projections comprise a first frictional projection formed on the first arc guide and a second frictional projection formed on the second arc guide, and the frictional grooves comprise a first frictional groove formed in the first arc guide and a second frictional groove formed in the second arc guide, and wherein the first frictional projection is configured to move in the second frictional groove and the second frictional projection is configured to move in the first frictional groove as the device supporter moves relative to the second connector.

17. The supporting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of first connectors comprise a plurality of links.

18. The supporting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of first connectors and the second connector are folded against each other at a predetermined location of the second connector.

19. The supporting apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising protrusions provided at a rear surface of the device supporter, and stoppers fitted around the protrusions so as to prevent an impact as the device supporter moves toward the installation surface.