Display apparatus

Abstract

A display apparatus including a display having a stand groove, a stand, tiltably connected to the stand groove, having a first end formed with a ratchet, and a stopper connected into the stand groove and engaging with the ratchet to allow a tilt of the stand to be selectively adjusted. The present invention provides a display apparatus which is improved in assembling efficiency and productivity by a simple connecting structure of a stand, and is convenient to carry, keep and package the display apparatus by a compact outer appearance. Further, the present invention provides a display apparatus, which is economical by reducing a material cost, a physical distribution cost, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-57667, filed Aug. 20, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus comprising a display and a stand hingedly connected to a rear of the display, thereby tiltably supporting the display.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a display apparatus collectively refers to a device displaying data on a display panel, using graphics, characters, etc. Particularly, as one of flat panel display apparatuses, a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus is widely used in monitors for computers, televisions (TVs), etc., and thus a demand for the LCD apparatus is on the rise.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional display apparatus comprises a display 2 displaying a picture thereon, a stand 4 supporting the display 2, and a hinge 6 connecting the display 2 with the stand 4 to allow the display 2 to be tilted at a predetermined angle.

However, in the conventional display apparatus, the hinge 6 is relatively complicated, and thus the number of components becomes increased and assembling processes thereof are complicated, so that not only assembling efficiency and productivity are decreased but also a production cost and a manufacturing cost of the display apparatus is increased.

Further, since the stand is relatively large, it is inconvenient to carry, keep and package the display apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a display apparatus having a compact outer appearance with a simple connecting structure of a stand.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a display apparatus comprising a display having a stand groove; a stand tiltably connected to the stand groove and having a first end formed with a ratchet; and a stopper connected into the stand groove and engaging with the ratchet to allow a tilt of the stand to be selectively adjusted.

According to an aspect of the invention, the stopper comprises a base supported by the stand groove; an elastic part being extended from the base; and a holder formed in the elastic part and selectively engaging with the ratchet, depending on the tilt of the stand.

According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic part comprises a body which is elastically deformed together with the holder; and a pusher laterally protruding from the body and temporarily releasing from the ratchet 33 from the holder when pushed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the stopper comprises a synthetic resin.

According to another aspect of the invention, the stand groove has a depth which is deep enough to completely accommodate the stand without protruding the stand.

According to another aspect of the invention, the stand grooves are respectively formed in rear opposite sides of the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional display apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a stand of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stopper of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate operations of the stand according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the display apparatus when packaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a display 20 having a stand groove 22 on a rear of the display 20, a stand 30 tiltably connected to the stand groove 22 and having a first end formed with a ratchet 33, and a stopper 40 engaging with the ratchet 33 and allowing a tilt of the stand 30 to be selectively adjusted.

The display 20 is employed to display a picture thereon, and a structure of the stand groove 22 formed on the rear of the display 20 may vary according to the size and the shape of the stand 30.

In an embodiment of the invention, the stand grooves 22 are respectively formed in the rear opposite sides of the display 20. This arrangement gives the stand grooves 22 a supporting capability and allows the stand 30 to provide stability. That is, the display 20 leans against the stand.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stand 30 is employed to support the display 20, and comprises a supporter 32 shaped like a bar in which the first end is formed with the ratchet 33, including grooves 33a. A hinge 34 is transversely inserted in the first end of the supporting stand 32 and is connected to the stand groove 22, to allow the supporting stand 32 to be selectively accommodated in the stand groove 22. The ratchet 33 and the stopper 40 have a structure allowing the stand 30 to be tilted in only one direction (e.g., a clockwise direction), that is, preventing the stand 30 to tilt in the reverse direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction).

In an embodiment of the invention, the stand 30 forms a pair, and the pair of stands 30 may be separate or may be connected to each other by a connector (not shown). In the case where the pair of stands 30 is connected to each other by the connector, a connector groove (not shown) is formed in the rear of the display 20 to accommodate the connector.

The hinge 34 is integrally provided in the supporting stand 32 and is also conveniently and easily accommodated in the stand groove 22. The structure of the hinge 34 may vary as long as the hinge 34 allows the stand 32 to be tilted at a predetermined angle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 40 comprises a base 42 supported by the stand groove 22, an elastic part 44 being extended from, and, in an embodiment of the invention, bent from the base 42, and a holder 46 formed in the elastic part 44 and selectively engaging with the gears 33a of the ratchet 33, depending on the tilt of the stand 30.

The elastic part 44 comprises a body 43, which is elastically deformed together with the holder 46, and a pusher 45, laterally protruding from the body 43, to temporarily release the ratchet 33 from the holder 46 when pushed.

Thus, when the stand 30 is tilted forward, the stand 30 is allowed to tilt because the holder 46 of the stopper 40 is elastically deformed while engaging with the gears 33a of the ratchet 33. On the other hand, when the stand 30 is tilted in reverse, the stand 30 is allowed to tilt only when the ratchet 33 is temporarily released from the holder 46 because the structure of the ratchet 33 prevents the stand 30 from being tilted. Releasing the ratchet 33 from the holder 46 is accomplished by pushing the pusher 45, formed in the body 43, away from the ratchet such that the holder escapes from the grip of the gears 33a of the ratchet 33. the pusher 45 protrudes laterally from the body 43, and can be easily pushed using a finger or a similar object. To help a user easily push the pusher 45, in an embodiment of the invention, a predetermined space 47 is formed in the stand groove 22. Thus, when in use, the predetermined space 47 in the stand 30 is accommodated in the stand groove 22.

The shape and the position of the pusher 45 may vary as long as a user may easily push the pusher 45.

The stopper 40 is made of a material having enough elasticity to be deformed when pushed, and in an embodiment of the invention, is made of a synthetic resin which is economical and has good physical properties.

As described above, the display 20 includes a stand 30 of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a Television, etc., and should therefore be placed on a suitable surface. In this regard, the reference numeral 50 indicates a seating place. In an embodiment of the invention, the seating place 50 is flat and smooth.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a base of the display 20 and a bottom of the stand 30 are fitted with soles 51 to cushion the display 20 and the stand 30 as well as to protect the surface of the seating place 50.

In the above-described display apparatus, operations of the stand will be described hereinbelow.

First, the ratchet 33 is temporarily released from the stopper 40 by pushing the pusher 45 towards the predetermined space 47 in stand groove 22, or into the stand groove 22 . The stand 30 is then tilted as desired. The pusher 45 of the stopper 40 is then released from being pushed, so that the stopper 40 elastically returns to its original shape and engages with the ratchet 33. Hence, the display 20 and the stand 30 securely maintain their connection at a predetermined angle.

Further, when the stand 30 is tilted forward, the stopper 40 is elastically and selectively engaged with the ratchet 33, being deformed as the stand 30 is tilted at a predetermined angle. Hence, the display 20 can be freely tilted.

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the display apparatus when packaged.

As shown therein, each of the stand grooves 22 formed in the rear opposite sides of the display 20 has a depth of “d”, which is deep enough to completely accommodate the stand 30 without causing the stand 30 to protrude beyond a rear surface of the display 20.

Therefore, the package of the display apparatus is designed in consideration of the size of the display 20 regardless of the stand 30. Here, when the stand 30 is accommodated in the stand groove 22, the stand 30 and the stopper 40 are disposed in parallel to each other, being engaged with the ratchet 33.

As described above, the present invention provides a display apparatus which is improved in assembling efficiency and productivity by a simple connecting structure of a stand, and is convenient to carry, keep and package the display apparatus by a compact outer appearance.

Further, the present invention provides a display apparatus which is economical by reducing a material cost, a physical distribution cost, etc.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising:

a display having a stand groove;

a stand, tiltably connected to the stand groove, having a first end formed with a ratchet; and

a stopper, connected to the stand groove, to engage with the ratchet to allow a tilt of the stand to be selectively adjusted.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stopper comprises:

a base supported by the stand groove;

an elastic part being extended from the base; and

a holder, formed in the elastic part, to selectively engage with the ratchet, depending on the tilt of the stand.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elastic part comprises:

a body which is elastically deformed together with the holder; and

a pusher, laterally protruding from the body, to temporarily release the ratchet from the holder when pushed.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stopper comprises a synthetic resin.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stopper comprises a synthetic resin.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stand groove has a depth which is deep enough to completely accommodate the stand without having the stand protrude from the display.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rear side of the display, wherein the stand groove is formed in the rear side of the display.

8. A display apparatus, including a display, comprising:

a display, having a stand groove;

a stand, having a first end, tiltably connected to the stand groove at the first end;

a ratchet, having a gear formed at the first end of the stand; and

a stopper in the stand groove to engage with the gear of the ratchet to allow a tilt angle of the stand to be adjusted.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stand groove is shaped to selectively accommodate the stand.

10. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stand comprises:

a bar shaped supporter; and

a hinge at an end of the bar shaped supporter corresponding to the first end of the stand.

11. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stand is plural in number and the stands are connected to each other via a connection member.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the stand groove is shaped so as to selectively accommodate the stands.

13. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stopper comprises:

a base connected to the stand groove;

an elastic part extended from the base; and

a holder formed in the elastic part to selectively engage with the gear of the ratchet.

14. The display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the elastic part is bent perpendicular to a plane of the base.

15. The display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the elastic part comprises:

a body, which is elastically deformed together with the holder; and

a pusher laterally protruding from the body to temporarily release the holder from the gear of the ratchet when pushed.

16. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the gear of the ratchet and the holder are formed such that:

when the stand is tilted in a first direction, the stopper is elastically deformed while engaging with the gear of the ratchet, and

when the stand is tilted in a second direction, the stand may only tilt when the pusher is pushed such that the holder is disengaged from the gear of the ratchet.

17. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stand groove comprises a space into which the stopper may selectively fit.

18. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stopper is made of synthetic resin.

19. The display apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

seating surfaces where the stand and the display contact each other; and

soles to prevent damage to the seating surfaces.

20. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stand groove has a depth which is at least equal to a depth of the stand when the stand is tilted so as to extend parallel to a plane of the display.