Combination video monitor and detachable picture frame

• US 6,826,863 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digital Spectrum Solutions
• Original Assignee: Pacific Digital Corporation
• Inventors: Goodfellow, Anthony E. B.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US10/659,446
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 407/25, 408/00, 361/710, 361/681, 345/104, 345/156, 345/168, 345/901-905, 345/87, 349/1, 349/2, 349/11, 349/12, 248/917-927, 348/180, 348/184, 348/325
• US Class Current: 40/725
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A standard picture frame detachably connected to a video monitor of the kind having a digital display to receive and display photographic images that are downloaded from a compatible image source so as to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the monitor to match the surroundings in which the monitor will be stationed. In the assembled relationship, the picture frame is attached to the front of the monitor so as to lie in surrounding engagement with a picture frame mount, whereby the digital display is visible through the central window of the frame. In a first embodiment, a pair of slidable locking latches project outwardly and in opposite direction from the monitor for receipt by the existing peripheral groove formed in the picture frame. In a second embodiment, a pivotal locking latch and a stationary locking tab project outwardly and in opposite directions from the monitor for receipt by the existing peripheral groove in the frame.

Claims

1. A video monitor to be connected to a frame having an open window, a border surrounding the open window, and a groove formed in the border, said video monitor comprising:

a display;

a shell within which to enclose said display;

a frame mount extending outwardly from said shell to surround said display, said frame mount having a size and shape to be received within the open window of the frame; and

a locking latch slidable through said shell and into receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby the frame is coupled to said shell so as to surround said frame mount and permit said display to be visible through the open window of the frame.

2. The video monitor recited in claim 1, wherein said locking latch has a push tab projecting outwardly from said shell so as to be manually accessible, said push tab receiving a pushing force by which to cause said locking latch to slide through said shell and into receipt by the groove of the frame.

3. The video monitor recited in claim 2, wherein said locking latch also has a locking finger projecting therefrom, said locking finger moving into receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby the frame and the shell are coupled to one another when said pushing force is applied to said push tab to cause said locking latch to slide through said shell.

4. The video monitor recited in claim 3, wherein said frame mount has an opening formed therein, the locking finger of said locking latch moving through the opening in said frame mount for receipt by the groove of the frame for connecting the frame in surrounding engagement with said frame mount when said pushing force is applied to said push tab to cause said locking latch to slide through said shell.

5. The video monitor recited in claim 4, wherein said locking latch has a seat located between said push tab and said locking finger and said shell has a channel formed there within, said seat sliding along said channel in response to said pushing force applied to said push tab for causing said locking finger to correspondingly move through the opening in said frame mounted for receipt by the groove of the frame.

6. The video monitor recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of said locking latches located at opposite sides of said frame mount and slidable in opposite directions through said shell and into receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby the frame is coupled to said shell.

7. A video monitor to be connected to a frame having an open windows, a border surrounding the open window, and a groove formed in the border, said video monitor comprising:

a display;

a shell within which to enclose said display;

a frame mount extending outwardly from said shell to surround said display, said frame mount having a size and shape to be received within the open window of the frame; and

a pivotal locking latch mounted for rotation within said shell, said pivotal locking latch rotating into receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby the frame is coupled to said shell so as to surround said frame mount and permit said display to be visible through the open window of the frame.

8. The video monitor recited in claim 7, wherein said pivotal locking latch has a push tab projecting outwardly from said shell so as to be manually accessible, said push tab receiving a pushing force by which to cause said pivotal locking latch to rotate within said shell and into receipt by the groove of the frame.

9. The video monitor recited in claim 8, wherein said pivotal locking latch also has a locking finger projecting therefrom, said locking finger moving into receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby the frame and the shell are coupled to one another when said pushing force is applied to said push tab to cause said locking latch to rotate within said shell.

10. The video monitor recited in claim 9, wherein said frame mount has an opening formed therein, the locking finger of said pivotal locking latch moving through the opening in said frame mount for receipt by the groove of the frame for connecting the frame in surrounding engagement with said frame mount when said pushing force is applied to said push tab to cause said pivotal locking latch to rotate within said shell.

11. The video monitor recited in claim 10, further comprising a display support plate extending laterally across said shell so as to lie below said frame mount to support said display within said shell and a pivot pin connected to said display support plate, said pivotal locking latch mounted on said pivot pin and rotatable relative to said display support plate in response to said pushing force applied to said push tab.

12. The video monitor recited in claim 11, further comprising a spring connected to said pivotal locking latch, said spring generating a pulling force for causing said pivotal locking latch to rotate within said shell and towards the groove of the frame.

13. The video monitor recited in claim 11, further comprising at least one locking tab projecting from said display support plate, said frame mount having a second opening formed therein, and said locking tab projecting from said display support plate and outwardly through said second opening in said frame mount for receipt by the groove of the frame for connecting the frame in surrounding engagement with said frame mount.

14. The video monitor recited in claim 11, further comprising at least one locking tab located within said shell and projecting outwardly therefrom through one side of said frame mount for receipt by the groove of the frame, said pivotal locking latch rotating within said shell and projecting outwardly therefrom through the opposite side of said frame mount for receipt by the groove of the frame, whereby said frame is connected in surrounding engagement to said frame mount.