Adjustable mounting mechanism for an optical filter screen

• US RE35,691 E
• Filed: 02/23/1995
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Theirl, Scott G., Drake, Gerald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US08/393,344
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/609, 359/610, 359/613, 359/742, 348/834, 348/842
• US Class Current: 359/609
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/006 Filter holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1609 to support filters or lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 29/896 Anti-reflection means, e.g. eliminating glare due to ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/65 Holding-devices for protective discs or for picture masks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/72 Modifying the appearance of television pictures by optical filters or diffusing screens

Abstract

An optical filter screen for a visual display monitor includes an optical filter supported by a support frame. A pair of adjustable mounting members support the support frame from the visual display monitor such that the optical filter is positioned adjacent a display area of the display monitor. Each mounting member includes a latch member that is movable between an unlatched state wherein the filter can be moved relative to the display area of the display monitor and a latched state wherein the filter is held in a desired position relative to the display area. Each mounting member further includes a movable latch operator for moving the latch member between the latched state and the unlatched state.

Claims

1. An optical filter screen for a visual display monitor, comprising:

a support frame defined by a top member, first and second side members and a bottom member;

an optical filter supported by the support frame; and

an adjustable mounting means for supporting the support frame from a visual display monitor such that the filter is positioned adjacent a display area of the display monitor, the mounting means including;

a latch means movable between an unlatched state wherein the filter can be moved relative to the display area of the display monitor and a latched state wherein the optical filter is held in a desired position relative to the display area of the display monitor; and

a movable latch operating means for moving the latch means between the unlatched state and the latched state.

2. The filter screen of claim 1 wherein the latch means is movable in a first direction between the latched state and the unlatched state, and the latch operating means is movable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to actuate the latch means between the latched and unlatched states.

3. The filter screen of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes:

first and second mounting members engageable with the first and second side members, respectively of the support frame, each mounting member including a latch means defined by a movable latch member and a latch operating means defined by a movable latch operator.

4. The filter screen of claim 3 wherein each mounting member includes:

a stem element having a first end and an opposite second end; and

a support element extending outwardly from the first end of the stem element, the support element being adapted to engage a top surface of the visual display monitor for supporting the support frame of the filter screen.

5. The filter screen of claim 4 wherein each of the first and second side members includes a longitudinal channel, and wherein each mounting member further includes:

a leg member extending outwardly from the second end of the stem element, the leg member having a ledge portion that is adapted to engage the longitudinal channel of the respective side member of the support frame, the longitudinal channel allowing longitudinal movement of the mounting member relative to the side member of the support frame.

6. The filter screen of claim 5 wherein each of the first and second side members further includes a longitudinal slot, and wherein the latch operator of each mounting member includes:

a ledge element that is adapted to engage the longitudinal slot of the respective side member of the support frame, the longitudinal channel allowing longitudinal movement of the mounting member relative to the side member of the support frame.

7. The filter screen of claim 6 wherein each of the first and second side members of the support frame further includes a cutout section along the longitudinal slot, that permits the ledge element of the respective mounting member to be disengaged from the slot to allow the mounting member to be removed from the support frame of the filter screen.

8. The filter screen of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second side members of the support frame includes a plurality of linearly aligned latch recesses, and wherein the latch member of the respective mounting member is selectively engageable with a desired latch recess, in the latched state of the latch member, to define the desired position of the antiglare filter relative to the display area of the display monitor.

9. The filter screen of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second side members includes a longitudinal slot, and wherein the latch operator of each mounting member includes:

a ledge element that is adapted to engage the longitudinal slot of the respective side member of the support frame, the longitudinal channel allowing longitudinal movement of the mounting member relative to the side member of the support frame.

10. The filter screen of claim 9 wherein each of the first and second side members of the support frame further includes a cutout section along the longitudinal slot, that permits the ledge element of the respective mounting member to be disengaged from the slot to allow the mounting member to be removed from the support frame of the filter screen.

11. The filter screen of claim 3 wherein the latch operator of each mounting member incudes a cam member and wherein the latch member is movable between a disengaged state, wherein a cam member is spaced from the latch member, and an engaged state, wherein the cam member is engaged with the latch member so as move the latch member from the latched state to the unlatched state and thereby permit the respective mounting member to be moved relative to the support frame.

12. The filter screen of claim 11 wherein the latch member is movable in a first direction between the latched state and the unlatched state, and the latch operator is movable in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the engaged state and the disengaged state. .Iadd.

13. An optical filter screen for a visual display monitor, comprising:

a support frame defined by a top member, first and second side members and a bottom member;

an optical filter supported by the support frame;

mounting means for supporting the support frame from a visual display monitor such that the filter is positioned adjacent a display area of the display monitor, the mounting means including releasably sliding engagement means for releasably slidably engaging the first and second side members of the support frame..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The optical filter screen of claim 13 wherein the first and second side members of the support frame each include front, back and side outer surfaces, and wherein at least one of the outer surfaces of at least one of the side members carries a plurality of latch recesses, and wherein the mounting means includes at least one movable latch member having a portion thereof releasably engageable with the latch recesses..Iaddend..Iadd.15. The optical filter screen of claim 14, wherein the releasably engageable portion of the latch member may be flexed between an unlatched state, wherein the releasably engageable portion is disengaged from the latch recesses and the optical filter may be vertically positioned relative to the display area of the display monitor, and the latched state, wherein the releasably engageable portion is engaged to the latch recesses and the optical filter is held in the desired vertical position..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The optical filter screen of claim 15, wherein the mounting means further comprises latch operator means for disengaging the latch member from the latch recesses in the flexed unlatched state of the latch member..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The optical filter screen of claim 14, wherein the mounting means further comprises;

a stem element having a first end and an opposite second end; and

a support element extending outwardly from the first end of the stem element, the support element display monitor for supporting the support frame of the filter screen..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The optical filter screen of claim 17, wherein said sliding engagement means comprises;

longitudinal channels on the front and back surfaces of each of the first and second side members; and

leg members extending outwardly from the second end of the stem element, each leg member having a mating member that is adapted to engage the longitudinal channel of the respective side member of the support frame, the longitudinal channels allowing longitudinal movement of the mounting member relative to the side member of the support frame..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The optical filter screen of claim 18, wherein the leg members are flexibly attached to the stem element for facilitating engagement to the support frame..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The optical filter screen of claim 14, wherein the latch recesses are separated by latch ridges, the latch ridges having angled top surfaces and perpendicular bottom surfaces..Iaddend..Iadd.21. An optical filter screen for a visual display monitor, comprising;

a support frame defined by a top member, first and second side members and a bottom member, the first and second side members each including front, back and side outer surfaces, the front and back outer surfaces of the first and second side members having longitudinal channels and the first and second side members having a plurality of latch recesses;

an optical filter supported by the support frame;

a stem element having a first end and an opposite second end;

a support element extending outwardly from the first end of the stem element, the support element being adapted to engage a top surface of the visual display monitor for supporting the support frame of the filter screen;

a flexible latch member integrally formed within the stem element, the latch member having at least one tooth member for releasably engaging with the latch recesses; and

leg members extending outwardly from the second end of the stem element, each leg member having a mating member that is adapted to engage the longitudinal channel of the respective side member of the support frame, the longitudinal channels allowing longitudinal movement of the stem element relative to the side member of the support frame..Iaddend.