WO2000073697A1

WO2000073697A1 - Support arrangement for a display device

Info

Publication number: WO2000073697A1
Application number: PCT/DK2000/000284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Søren Rasmussen
Original assignee: Bang & Olufsen A/S
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-26
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: AU5390200A; DK199900212U3

Abstract

Support arrangement for a display device, especially for a monitor (1). The support arrangement comprises a base part (3) and means for positioning the monitor in relation to the base part. The means for positioning the monitor (1) is activated by driving means which may be electrically, magnetically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically activated. The driving means is arranged in such a manner that the display device may be rotated in a plane substantially parallel with a front plane of the display device in relation to the base part (3). Further, the support arrangement provides adjustment means for inclination of the monitor and for height and direction of the image screen.

Description

SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a support arrangement for a display device and in particular to a support arrangement for a monitor. Further, the invention relates to the use of such a support arrangement.

Background of the invention

Display devices, such as monitors for television systems, video systems and computer systems or display devices for advertising systems, are usually supported in a fixed position in relation to for example tables, floors, walls etc. In many instances, though, it is possible to adjust the position of the monitor manually.

In connection with television systems, e.g. television sets, it will often be possible to move the monitor physically, for example when the monitor is mounted on a table with wheels, but it will not be possible to adjust the inclination of the image screen, which may cause trouble for the viewer in relation to incoming sunlight, reflexes, glare etc.

Further, support of television monitors by a support arrangement is known where the support arrangement is mounted on a wall and allows for a minor rotational adjustment, i.e. to the left or to the right, in order to direct the screen towards the viewer. These adjustments, however, must be performed manually, and the room for adjustment is rather limited. An example of a support of this type is described in FR 2 650 110 A.

In connection with monitors for computer systems, it is customary to provide support in the form of a base on which the momtor is placed. In relation to this base, the position of the monitor may be adjusted by tilting the monitor over a limited range of angles. Further, the monitor may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane, e.g. in order to direct the screen image towards the user and/or to avoid reflections etc. from the screen. These adjustments, however, must be done manually, and the range of adjustment is limited in practise. An example of support of this kind is described in US 5,895,022 A.

It is an object of the invention to provide a support arrangement for a display device, which is more flexible in use than prior art support arrangements and which allows the user or viewer to adjust the position of the display device in an easy and user- friendly way.

Summary of the invention

When, as stated in claim 1, the position of the display device is adjusted by driving means, a number of advantages are achieved. The manual adjustments, which may include a great deal of effort, are avoided, and the adjustments may be done automatically. Further, it will be possible to perform adjustments in a more flexible manner and to achieve a position of the display device, which suits the user or viewer better than that which could be achieved by a manual adjustment with prior art support arrangements.

A stated in claim 2, the driving means may be arranged as electrically, magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulicaUy driven means or as a combination of these driving means.

The driving means may be arranged in such a manner that the display device may be rotated in a plane that is substantially parallel with the screen of the display device as stated in claim 3. In this manner, it will be possible to turn the image of the display device in relation to a horizontal plane. Optionally, as stated in claim 4, the driving means may be arranged in such a manner that the display device may be rotated ap- proximately 90°, by which it will be possible to rotate a display device, which is substantially rectangular in shape, from a horizontal position to a vertical position, for example when the display device is not in use. Hereby, the display device, which may be voluminous, in particular in the hoπzontal direction, will occupy less space

Further, as stated in claim 5, the driving means may be arranged in such a manner that the screen of the display device may be tilted. Hereby, it will be possible for the user to arrange the display device in a position which suites the viewer and whereby annoying reflexes from incoming daylight may be avoided

Also, as stated in claim 6, the driving means may be able to perform a rotation of the display device to the πght or to the left in order to achieve a suitable view of the image of the display device, and the height of the display device may also be adjusted by the dπvmg means as claimed in claim 7

Advantageously, as stated in claim 8, the driving means may be activated and/or controlled by input means for the display device or for an apparatus, e g a tuner, a receiver, an amplifier, a computer etc which may be connected to or used in connection with the display device As stated in claim 9, the input means may be in the form of a remote control, whereby the flexibility and the user-friendliness of the positioning of the support system is enhanced.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is descπbed in claim 10. and the embodiment is characterized by allowing for the possibility of defining a preferred or personal position, for example a position which suits the regular user of the display device. As stated m claim 11 , it may be possible to define more than one of these preferred or preset positions, which makes it possible for a user to define a number of preferred positions suitable for a number of different viewing positions, and/or which makes it possible for a plurality of users to define one or more individual positions of the display device

As stated m claim 12, the display device may be moved to the preferred preset position or one of the preferred preset positions when power or an input signal or signals is led to the display device or to an apparatus connected to or used in connection with the display device, e.g. a tuner, a receiver, an amplifier, a computer etc. In this way, the display device, e.g. the monitor, will automatically be moved to the preferred position once the image screen is activated.

As stated in claim 13, a pre-selected position may be chosen as a reference point in relation to the way in which all other positions may be defined. Further, as stated in claim 14, a preselected position may be a position to which the display device is moved once the display device is brought to an inactive state, i.e. when no image appears on the screen or when power to the display device is off.

Further, the invention pertains to a number of use possibilities of the support device. As stated in claim 15, the support arrangement may be used in connection with an ordinary television system, or, as stated in claim 16, in connection with a television system which is combined with a separate system for audio reproduction. Hereby, it will be possible to enjoy both video and audio in an optimal manner.

As stated in claim 17, the support arrangement may also be used in connection with an audio/video system, for example a multi-media system, or, as stated in claim 18, in connection with a computer system, for example a PC.

Finally, the support arrangement may be used in connection with advertising and/or information presentation means as stated in claim 19, which advertising and/or information presentation means includes a display device such as a monitor.

The figure

The invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings, of which

fig.l shows in a perspective view a support arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a support according to the invention in a side view, fig.3 shows the embodiment shown in fig. 2 from the front, fig. 4 shows the same embodiment as in fig. 3, but with the display device rotated to a vertical position, fig.5 shows a further embodiment of the support arrangement and display device from the side, fig. 6 illustrates a side view some of the adjustments which may be achieved by the invention, and fig. 7 shows a large-scale, detailed view of a section of the driving means for a support arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention for illustrative purposes.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows a display device 1 in the form of a monitor which is supported by a support arrangement according to the invention. The monitor 1 is substantially rectangular in shape and has an upper and a lower frame part la and two frame side parts lb. The front part of the monitor is occupied by an image screen 2 on which an image can be provided in any suitable way, e.g. by a cathode ray tube (CRT), by a liquid crystal display (LCD), by a plasma display etc. In a preferred form, the image screen is supplied with a relatively flat screen construction.

The monitor 1 is connected to a base part 3 in the form of a support post or column, which is connected to a support plate 4 at its lower end. This construction is thus intended to support the monitor on a horizontal surface such as the floor or, if the height of the support post 3 is appropriate, on a table or desk.

As will be described later, the monitor 1 may be rotated on the base part 3, meaning that the image screen 2 may be rotated in its own plane. Further, the height of the monitor 1 above the support plate 4 may be adjusted as the monitor 1 may be transported up and down on the base part or base post 3. The image screen 2 may be turned or rotated to the left or to the right, just as the monitor 1 can be turned or rotated around the base part or post 3. Finally, the image screen 2 can be tilted in relation to the vertical plane, as the monitor can be inclined in relation to the base part or base post 3, i.e. the upper part of the monitor can be moved closer to or further away from the base part 3 and vice versa for the lower part of the monitor. Thus, the monitor can be moved with four degrees of freedom.

In fig. 2, another embodiment is seen from the side. The support base part 3 is connected to a table or desk 5 by suitable and commonly used means not shown in the figure. The back lc of the monitor 1 is connected to the support base part 3 by a connecting piece 6. As illustrated by the upper arrows, the monitor can be tilted or inclined in relation to the support base part 3, and the level of the monitor 1 above the table 5 can be adjusted in the vertical direction as shown by arrows. This upwards and downwards adjustment is achieved by moving the position of the connecting piece 6 in relation to the support base part 3, by moving the monitor 1 in relation to the connecting piece 6 or by changing the position of the support base part 3 in relation to the table 5.

A front side view of an embodiment according to the invention is shown in fig. 3. Upper arrows illustrate the possibility of rotating the image screen in relation to the support base part 3, and the possibility of adjusting the height of the monitor 1 is also illustrated by arrows.

Fig. 4 corresponds to fig. 3. However, in fig. 4 the monitor 1 has been rotated ap- proximately 90°. As the monitor 1 is rectangular and has side frame parts lb, which are smaller than the upper and lower frame parts la, the monitor 1 and the support arrangement do not occupy as much space in the lateral direction as in the position shown in fig. 3. This will be useful, in particular in connection with monitors of large dimensions, as the support arrangement can automatically rotate the monitor 90° to the left or to the right, when the monitor is inactivated, i.e. when power is off or when there is no signal input to the monitor, thus bringing the monitor to a position occupying less space. Fig 5 shows a side view of another embodiment, which may be mounted onto a wall 7 or any other suitable vertical construction.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment descπbed in connection with fig. 2 in order to illustrate the tilting of the monitor 1 in relation to the support base part 3 The solid lines show the monitor being inclined downwards, and the punctuated lines show the monitor being inclined upwards Any other position between these two positions may be selected by the user or may be chosen as preferred preset positions whereto the monitor will be brought once power or an input signal is supplied to monitor or to an apparatus connected to the monitor

The base part 3 may be configured in any suitable manner depending on the actual use of the support It may be m the form of a column or post, as shown in figures 1-4 and 6 The column or post may be placed on a base plate 4 on the floor or on a desk or it may be mounted on a table or desk as shown in figures 2 and 6 The column may instead be embedded in a wooden, concrete or any other floor at its lower end, or it may be fastened to the floor at its lower end by suitable fastening means, e g bolts, screws etc. A further way of positioning the post or column is to lean it against a wall or any other suitable vertical construction, e g by placing or fastening the lower end of the post or column onto or m the floor and supporting or fastening the upper end against the wall or the vertical construction. A column or post may also be constructed extending from the floor to the ceiling in a room, if appropπate The cross section of the column or post shown is quadrangular and uniform from top to bottom, but any other shapes may be selected. The cross section may decrease from bottom to top or vice versa, which may be advantageous m relation to the possibilities of adjusting the inclination of the image screen. Further, the cross section may be rectangular in shape, and the post may even be so broad that it will have approximately the same dimension in the lateral direction as the monitor or even incorporate the monitor Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of an example of a connecting part 6, by which the rotation/turning and the tilting of the monitor can be achieved. The connecting part 6 compπses two main parts, a first stub 8 connected to the back lc of the monitor 1, and a second stub 9 connected to the base part 3 These two parts can be rotated in relation to one another, resulting in the rotation of the monitor 1 as illustrated by the arrows The rotation can be achieved by rotation of an axle piece, illustrated by the axis of rotation 10 The axle piece may be rotated by suitable dπving means, e g. an electπcal motor or other motoπzed dπving means

The tilting of the monitor may be achieved by inclining the first stub 8 in relation to the base pan 3 This can be done by means of actuators 1 1, connected at the base part 3 and the end of the first stub 8. By extending the length of the uppermost actuator 11 and optionally also reducing the length of the lowermost actuator 11, the monitor 1 will be inclined downwards and vice versa. Evidently, this involves some flexibil- lty between the two stubs 8 and 9

As shown in the cross section in fig. 7b, similar actuators 11 may be provided to the left and to the πght of the axis 10 With these actuators, the rotational movement of the monitor to the left and/or to the πght can be achieved by extending the length and/ or reducing the length of these actuators in a similar manner

The actuators 11 may be electπcally, magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulicaUy activated or dπven or may be dπven in any other suitable way Instead of the illustrated linear actuators, any other means of providing the dπving or motor power from the support base 3 to the monitor may be used Such elements or systems are commonly used in appropπate technical fields, and will thus not be further descπbed in this connection

Instead of the configuration shown in figure 7b, the actuators 1 1 may be placed in any other suitable configuration, e g rotated approximately 45° in relation to the positions shown in figure 7b, or more or less than four actuators may be used, e.g. two or three, as the extension/reduction of one actuator is sufficient to create an inclination in one plane.

The example shown in figure 7 is only an example of a construction providing the adjustable arrangements according to the invention. Any other suitable arrangements may be used. For example, a ball and socket arrangement for the connecting part may be chosen, or the adjustable arrangements may comprise one or more hinge means, each enabling rotational movement in one plane, in combination with suitable means for providing the rotational adjustment in the plane of the image screen. Fur- ther, the driving means may incorporate one or more gearing means to provide the necessary power and/or movement.

The movement of the connecting part 6 in relation to the base part 3 may similarly be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the connecting part 6 may be moved up and down by an electrical motor, e.g. an linear motor or a spindle motor, or by other electrically, magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulicaUy driven motor means. Further, the connecting part 6 may be turned in relation to the base part 3, or the base part 3 may be turned in relation to the mounting arrangement, e.g. the base plate 4 or a table 5, by electrically, magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulicaUy driven motor means.

The position of the monitor 1 may be adjusted or selected by control means placed on the monitor 1 or on any other apparatus (not shown) connected to or used in connection with the monitor, e.g. a tuner part, an amplifier, a receiver, a video or audio player etc. Further, the positions may be adjusted or selected by remote control means.

When the monitor is not in an active state, the monitor may be positioned in a preselected position, e.g. a neutral state. When power is provided or when input signals are led to the monitor or to an apparatus connected to the monitor, the monitor may automatically move to a preset or pre-selected position selected by the user. The user may off course define more than one preset position, e.g. a position for a number of different viewing positions which may be selected by the control means, for example a remote control. If the monitor is used by more than one person, each of these persons may define one or more preset or pre-selected positions, which may be identified in any suitable manner, e.g. by codes or numbers known to/defined by the persons.

Evidently, there has to be some form of electrical connections and/or communication lines between the monitor and the base part. These are not shown in the drawing but may be in the form of flexible wiring or any other form of electrical connections between the moving parts. Further, the communication signals may be provided in the form of wireless connections, e.g. by optical or radio communication.

While the invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as characterized in the claims.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Support arrangement for a display device, especially for a monitor, comprising a base part and means for positioning the monitor in relation to the base part, char- acterised in that the means for positioning the monitor is activated by driving means.

2. Support arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the driving means is electrically, magnetically, pneumatically and/or hydraulicaUy acti- vated.

3. Support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the driving means is arranged to rotate the display device in a plane substantially parallel with the front plane of the display device.

4. Support arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the driving means is arranged in such a manner that the display device may be rotated substantially 90°, e.g. from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position and/or vice versa.

5. Support arrangement according to claims 1,2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the driving means is arranged in such a manner that front plane of the display device may be placed in relation to the vertical position, e.g. the display device may be tilted in relation to a vertical axis.

6. Support arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 - 5, characterised in t h a t the driving means is arranged in such a manner that the display device may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane, i.e. the display device may be rotated around a substantially vertical axis.

7 Support arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 -6, character- is e d in t h a t the dπving means may control the elevation of the display device, e g the height of the monitor along a substantially vertical axis

8 Support arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 - 7 characterised in t h a t the position of the display device can be adjusted by input means for the display device and/or for an apparatus connected to the display device

9 Support arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that the input means is a remote control

10 Support arrangement according to claim 8or9characteπsed in that the position of the display device may be preset and in that the display device may assume the preset position upon activation of input means for the display device or apparatus connected to the display device

11 Support arrangement according to claims 8, 9 or 10, characterised in that the position of the display device may be preset to a number of positions and in that the display device assumes one of the preset positions upon activation of input means for the display device or apparatus connected to the display device

12 Support aπangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the display device is positioned in the preset position or one of the preset positions once power or an input signal/signals is led to the display device or to an ap- paratus connected to the display device

13 Support arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 - 12, characterised in that a preselected position of the display device is chosen as a reference point

14 Support arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 - 13, characterised in that a preselected position of the display device is chosen, e g by a user, to be in an inactive position, i.e. a position assumed by the display device when in an inactive state.

15. Use of a support arrangement for a display device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14 in connection with a monitor for a television system

16. Use of a support arrangement for a display device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14 in connection with a monitor for a television system, the television system being connected to a system for audio reproduction, e.g. an audio surround system

17. Use of a support arrangement for a display device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14 in connection with a monitor for an audio/video system.

18. Use of a support arrangement for a display device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14 in connection with a monitor for a computer system, especially a personal computer

19 Use of a support arrangement for a display device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14 in connection with a display device or a monitor for an electronic advertising and/or information presentation system.