Liquid crystal display

[0002] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from my application entitled Monitor Having A Display Angle Control Cam and Monitor Having Stand Structure Within Speaker filed with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Mar. 18, 1998 and there duly assigned Serial No. P98-09299 and P98-09300 by that Office.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a monitor, more particularly to a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display unit displaying images, a place of which and a distance of which from a user can be adjusted by a cam so that a user could easily see it, and having a speaker installed within a stand.

[0005] 2. Discussion of Related Art

[0006] In general, a monitor consists of a display unit displaying images in accordance with signals for displaying and a stand holding up the display unit. Conventionally, a hinge is used to adjust the place or orientation of a display in order for a user to easily see images of the display and is used to connect the display to the stand.

[0007] This conventional hinge has a swiveling function to adjust the angle of right-left orientation of a display of a display unit as well as a tilting function to adjust the angle of front-rear orientation of the display. Swiveling refers to the display unit rotating around the hinge in the right-left direction while tilting refers to the display unit rotating around the hinge in the upward-downward direction. Therefore, adjusting an angle of right-left and upward-downward directions of the display unit, a user is able to adjust the place of the display unit so as to easily watch displayed images.

[0008] However, such a conventional hinge has a relatively complicated structure to adjust the angles of right-left and upward-downward directions of the display unit. This contributes to increased cost of the monitor.

[0009] Further, when a user adjusts an angle of the display unit, an excessive force is given to the display unit and the hinge operates hastily, catching and slipping. That makes line adjustment of the display unit difficult. Consequently, the adjustment of an angle of the display unit must be repeated several times to achieve accurate adjustment.

[0010] In addition, a conventional monitor also suffers from a difficulty in accurately adjusting an angle of the display unit because the stand supporting the display unit is not able to maintain stability and moves together with the display unit when a user adjusts an angle of the display unit, owing to the light weight of the liquid crystal display unit. Furthermore, as the audio function of the monitor is important as well as the video function and the conventional monitor uses an attached external speaker, a disorganized arrangement of the user's space results from the external speaker.

[0011] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved monitor.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a monitor designed for use with a liquid crystal display.

[0013] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a less expensive monitor.

[0014] It is a still further object to provide a monitor which allows fine adjustment of the display angle.

[0015] It is another object to provide a monitor which makes angle adjustment of the display easy.

[0016] It is still another object to provide a monitor which allows for a more organized desktop.

[0017] It is yet another object to provide a monitor whose base does not slip on the desktop when the display is adjusted.

[0018] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a liquid crystal display comprising: a display unit displaying images in accordance with signals for displaying; a stand supporting the display unit, being provided with a plurality of speakers in a front side as well as both sides, and including a curved front part, a rear part having a lower height than the front part and an inclined part between the front part and the rear part; a support supporting the display unit to the stand, having one end portion rotatably connected to a rear side of the display unit and the other end portion rotatably connected to the rear part of the stand; and a means located in the inclined part of the stand for adjusting an angle of the display unit.

[0019] Herein the means is rotatably installed in the inclined part of the stand and includes a cam shaft having a knob in one side and a cam provided in a middle of the cam shaft to actuate the support. The support has a concave surface being contacted with the cam so as to support the display unit and an upper portion thereof being located in front of the cam. The cam, when rotated, is rotatably received in a concavity provided in the inclined part of the stand and is stopped by being contacted with a bottom surface of the concavity and the cam shaft is closely combined with a shaft hole formed in the stand.

[0020] A speaker provided in the front surface of the stand is for outputting a high-pitched sound while speakers provided in both sides of the stand are for outputting a middle-low pitched sound.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a liquid crystal display comprising: a display unit displaying images in accordance with signals for displaying; a stand supporting the display unit, being provided with a plurality of speakers in a front side as well as both sides, and including a curved front part, a rear part having a lower height than the front part and an inclined part between the front part and the rear part; a support supporting the display unit to the stand, having one end portion rotatably connected to a rear side of the display unit and the other end portion rotatably connected to the rear part of the stand; and a means for adjusting an angle of the display unit, the means positioned in the inclined part to be located behind an upper end of the support.

[0022] A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols represent the same or similar components, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a monitor according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view separating representative assembling parts of a monitor according to the present invention and illustrating a rear side thereof;

[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cam and a cam mechanism according to the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a grossly enlargement sectional view of the line IV—IV′ of FIG. 3,

[0027] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view illustrating another embodiment of the cam mechanism according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 6a-6bare sectional side views illustrating an adjustment of a first display angle of the monitor according to the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 6ais a sectional side view illustrating a forward moving operation state of a support by the cam;

[0030] FIG. 6bis a sectional side view illustrating a backward moving operation state of a support by the cam;

[0031] FIG. 6cis a sectional side view illustrating a halfway moving operation state of a support by the cam;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a sectional side view illustrating an adjustment of a second display angle of the monitor according to the present invention.

[0033] A monitor according to the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the monitor according to this invention and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear side of the monitor in the separated state of a display unit and a stand supporting the display unit from the monitor illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1-2, the display unit 10 displays images according to signals for displaying and a stand 20 supports the display unit 10. The stand 20 is provided with a front section 21 having a shape, in cross-section, of a circular arc and a rear section 22 having a lower height than the front section 21 and an inclined section 23 between the front section 21 and the rear section 22. The inclined section 23 is provided with a means for adjusting an angle of the display 11. The stand 20 has such a shape in order to cover up a means for adjusting an angle of the display 11 with the front section 21 from the front perspective, as the means is installed on the inclined section 23.

[0035] The means for adjusting an angle of the display 11 includes a cam 50 being rotatably installed in a concavity 24 formed in a middle part of the inclined section 23 and a cam mechanism 51 (See FIG. 3) upholding the rotation of the cam 50.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, 6 and 7, the stand 20 is provided with speakers 34, 34′ within the front section 21 and both sides. Parts for installing speakers are provided with speaker holes 25 consisting of a large number of holes. The speaker 34 provided within the front section 21 is for outputting a high-pitched sound and the speaker 34′ provided within both sides is for outputting a middle low-pitched sound. A sound level of these speakers 34, 34′ is adjusted by a speaker volume switch 26 provided in the front section 21 of the stand. This speaker volume switch 26 is provided as a rotating switch in order to be readily handled. However, other switches may be also used. In addition, one side of the stand 20 is provided with a speaker power input port 27 for supplying power to the speakers 34, 34′ and a speaker signal input port 28 for inputting signals to the speakers 34, 34′.

[0037] The speaker power input port 27 is connected with a power plug 29aconnected to an external power and a connector 29cof a power cable 29 having an adapter 29b.The speaker signal input port 28 is connected with a jack 30aof a speaker signal cable 30 and the speaker signal cable 30 is connected with a device for generating image signals such as a computer or a television transmitting images as well as sound signals.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the stand 20 is provided with an image signal connection port 31 for transmitting image signals to the display 11 on the rear portion and the image signal connection port 31 is connected with an image signal cable 32 connected to a computer. Signals for displaying are inputted to the display 11 from the image signal connection port 31 through a cable 33 which is connected to the display unit 10 from the stand 20 through a support 40 joining the display unit 10 with the stand 20.

[0039] The support 40 allows the display unit 10, connected to the upper portion of the support, to be located in front of a front section 21 of the stand 20 and the support 40 is formed in a curved shape so as to be operated easily when the support 40 is operated by the cam 30. The curved shape allows the display unit to be located in front of the front section 21 of the stand.

[0040] In addition, hinges 41, 41′ are provided on the upper and lower portion of the support 40 respectively. Further, the hinges 41, 41′ are connected rotatably to the display unit 10 and the stand 20 according as the display unit 10 and a hinge protrusion 41aformed in the stand 20 as well as a hole 41bformed in the support 40 are combined. However, the hinge according to the present invention is not restricted thereto but can be constructed by a shaft as well as another means.

[0041] Consequently, the support 40 can be rotated forward and backward centering around the hinge 41 connecting the stand 20. Likewise, the display unit 10 can be rotated forward and backward by the hinge 41′ connecting the support 40 to the display unit 10.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the stand 20 includes a concavity 24 formed in the middle of the inclined section 23 and a shaft hole 53 formed in both sides of the concavity 24 while the cam mechanism 51 is installed in the concavity 24 and the shaft hole 53. The cam 30 is mounted rotatably on the concavity 24 and respective cam shafts 54, 54′ combined with the cam 50 are inserted into the shaft hole 53. As a key 55 formed in the cam shaft 54 is inserted into a key hole 56 formed in the cam 50 and the cam shaft 54′ respectively, the cam 50 is rotated by the rotation of the cam shaft 54. Further, as a hook 57 formed in the end portion of the cam shaft 54 is combined with a hole 58 of the cam shaft 54′ the cam shafts 54, 54′ are connected to each other. One of the cam shafts 54, 54′ is provided with a knob 52 for rotating the cam 50.

[0043] Accordingly, if this cam mechanism 51 is provided with the knob 52 and the cam 50 can be rotated by the rotation of the knob 52, there can be alternative embodiments than those previously described in the specification and illustrated in the preceding drawings. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam shaft 54 can be located in the shaft hole 53, with cam shaft 54 regarded as one member and the cam 50 is provided in the middle of the cam shaft 54, and this whole cam shaft 54 is inserted into the semicircular shaft hole 53 opened by one side, and the part of the opened shaft hole 53 is closed by a part such as a cover 59.

[0044] The monitor can be adjusted in first and second display angles. Use of the terms “first” and “second” here is for clarity only. The first and second angles can be adjusted independently in any order.

[0045] FIGS. 6a-6bshow the adjusting state of the first display angle of the monitor according to the present invention. That is, the cam 50 is rotated by the knob 52 in a side of the stand 20. When the cam 50 is rotated, the cam 50 comes in contact with the support 40 only between a middle dead point a and a top dead point b of the cam 50. That is to say, a rotation range of the cam 50 is 180 degrees and the cam 50 stops rotating as the nose of the cam 50 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the concavity 24.

[0046] FIG. 6ashows how the cam 50 is rotated clockwise and the support 40 is contacted with the middle dead point a. Here, as the support 40 comes in contact with a lower point of the cam 50 (the middle dead point), the upper portion of the support 40 and the display unit 10 connected to the hinge 41 come down. In this state, the height of the display 11 is adjusted and this height adjustment can also be explained as an angle adjustment.

[0047] In addition, when the cam 50 is rotated, the support 40 is rotated centering around the first hinge 41 located in the lower part of the support 40 and the second hinge 41′ of the support 40 connected to the display unit 10 is located before the cam 50. Consequently, the support 40, as shown in FIG. 6aalways gives force to the cam 50 by the weight of the display unit 10.

[0048] Therefore, when the cam 50 is rotated, the support 40 is rotated pivoting around the first hinge 41 always in contact with the cam 50. As a result, when the cam 50 is rotated clockwise, the angle of the display unit 10 is adjusted to come down and such state makes the display angle be adjusted downward. Further, the display unit 10 is moved forward and comes closer to a user.

[0049] FIG. 6bshows how the top dead point b of the cam 50 comes in contact with the support 40 according as the knob 52 is rotated counterclockwise. Here, as the top dead point b of the cam 50, that is, the nose of the cam 50, pushes the support 40 backward and the support 40 is rotated backward pivoting around the first hinge 41, the display unit 10 goes upward. In addition, the display unit 10 is adjusted to move a greater distance from a user.

[0050] FIG. 6cshows how the support 40 and a position between the middle dead point a and the top dead point b are adjusted to come into contact. In such an adjusted state too, the support 40 can maintain that state as it is. The cam 50 does not rotate as long as the knob 52 is not purposely rotated even if the cam shafts 54, 54′ in both sides of the cam 50 are rotated in the closely combined state within the cam hole 53 and the weight of the display unit 10 gives pressure to the cam 50 through the support 40 in the state that the cam 50 is adjusted to be contacted with the support 40 between the middle and the top dead point.

[0051] Accordingly, the display angle can be adjusted upward and downward in the adjustment of the first display angle by the cam 50. Besides, a distance of the forward and backward direction between a user and the display can be appropriately adjusted by the adjustment of the first display angle.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows how the second display angle is adjusted. Here, the display unit 10 is rotated centering around the second hinge 41′ by a user. In addition, the display angle can be so minutely adjusted by the adjustment of the second display angle as a user pleases.

[0053] As explained above, the present invention provides a new type of monitor, a display angle of which can be adjusted by the cam as precisely and minutely as a user pleases.

[0054] A Further, the present invention enables a display angle as well as a distance between the display and a user to be adjusted. Furthermore, as many speakers are installed within the stand, the disorganization surrounding the stand which is caused by outside installed speakers can be prevented.

[0055] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications as well as variations thereof, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.