WO2006009405A1

WO2006009405A1 - Controller for monitor

Info

Publication number: WO2006009405A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002367
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sam-Hyeon Lee
Original assignee: Mameden Inc.
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2005-07-21
Publication date: 2006-01-26
Also published as: JP2008507444A; CN1989475A; CN1989475B; US20070114342A1; KR200364292Y1

Abstract

An apparatus for adjusting a tilting angle of a monitor is disclosed. The apparatus is capable of supporting a monitor and adjusting a tilting angle of the same and includes a monitor side support member for supporting one side of a monitor, a base side support member for supporting a base surface, an upper side connection member for connecting an upper side of the monitor side support member and an upper side of the base side support member, and a lower side connection member for connecting a lower side of the monitor side support member and a lower side of the base side support member.

Description

Tilt Controller For Monitor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor, and in particular to a monitor fixing apparatus

which is capable of stably supporting and adjusting an inclination angle of a

monitor.

Background Art

As the use of a thin flat type display monitor such as a PDP (Plasma

Display Panel), a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor, etc. rises, a thin flat

panel type monitor has been fixed using a vertical stand of which upper end is

fixed at the back surface of the monitor, as compared to a conventional method

in which a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor is supported using a leg type stand

fixed at a lower surface of the monitor.

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a conventional monitor support apparatus.

As shown therein, a back surface of a monitor 110 is engaged with a stand 120

and is positioned at a certain height from a floor. Here, the stand 120 includes a

support122 contacting with the floor, and a base 124 vertically integral with the support 122. The monitor 110 is hinge-engaged (132) with the base 124 of the

stand 120 using an engaging device 130. With the above construction, the

monitor 110 is inclined at a certain angle θ with respect to a vertical surface.

A certain friction force is applied to the hinge 132 in order to stably

maintain an inclination angle θ. This method is capable of preventing the

monitor 110 from being tilted downwards due to gravity force, but when it is

needed to change an inclination angle, a certain force exceeding a stop friction

force should be applied, so that tilting the monitor using hands is difficult.

In order to overcome the above problems, a reverse direction torque is

generated using a spring, so that the generated torque is balanced with gravity

force. Here, the spring is additionally used, the construction gets complicated. In

the case that the size of torque changes, a balancing operation may be difficult.

When it is needed to use the monitor tilted in a horizontal state, since the spring

continuously operates, the monitor automatically rises and returns to a vertical

state.

In the case of monitor support devices, they should be designed to

support many monitors having different weights, so that the elastic forces of the

springs adapted thereto should be differently determined depending on the

weights of the monitors. A certain spring having a high elastic force should be

used in order to support a heavy display apparatus such as PDP. In this case, it is impossible to change the angles with hands.

According to a conventional monitor support method, the weight center

G of the monitor 110 is sharply moved up based on the change of an inclination

angle θ. In particular, in the case of the monitor 110 which is used for a long

time in an office, school, etc, the center height of the monitor 110 may largely

change even when the inclination angle of the monitor 110 is slightly changed.

When the center height of the monitor 110 largely changes, the user of the

monitor may feel pain at neck or eyes.

There may be a certain method of overcoming the above problems by

additionally providing a height adjusting apparatus at the stand 120 and further

adjusting the height after the inclination angle is adjusted. However, this method

may give the user harder work. Since the weight center G of the monitor 110 is

distanced from the hinge 132, with the hinge 132 being adapted to adjust the

inclination angle of the monitor, the inclination angle may easily change due to

the torque generated by the weight of the monitor 110. In order to prevent the

above problems, a friction force should be disadvantageously provided or a

spring should be additionally provided.

Therefore, a method and apparatus, which are capable of preventing

the inclination and inclination angles of a monitor from being changed and

capable of changing the height of the center of the monitor at a minimum degree even when the inclination angle of the monitor is changed, are urgently

needed.

Disclosure of invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the

problems encountered in the conventional art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for

adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor, which is capable of stably supporting

a monitor and easily changing an inclination angle of the monitor.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide an

apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor in which a change of an

inclination angle of a monitor due to a weight of the monitor is minimized.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided an apparatus for

adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor, comprising a monitor ward support

member for supporting one side of a monitor; a base ward support member

which is engaged and supported by a base surface; an upper connection

member which connects an upper side of the monitor connection member and

an upper side of the base ward support member, with the upper connection

member being rotatable; and a lower connection member which connects a

lower side of the monitor ward support member and a lower side of the base ward support member, with the lower connection member being rotatable.

A monitor ward line length corresponding to a straight line length

between a point B and a point C, with the point B corresponding to a side

surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the upper

connection member are engaged, and with the point C corresponding to a side

surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the lower

connection member are engaged, is shorter than a base ward line length

corresponding to a straight line length between a point E and a point D, with the

point E corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support

member and the upper connection member are engaged, and with the point D

corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support member

and the lower connection member are engaged.

An upper side line length corresponding to a straight line length

between a point B and a point E, with the point B corresponding to a side

surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the upper

connection member are engaged, and with the point E corresponding to a side

surface center at which the base ward support member and the upper

connection member are engaged, is the same as a lower side line length

corresponding to a straight line between a point C and a point D, with the point

C corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged, and with the point D

corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support member

and the lower connection member are engaged.

An upper side line length corresponding to a straight line length

between a point B and a point E, with the point B corresponding to a side

surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the upper

connection member are engaged, is longer than a lower side line length

corresponding to a straight line length between a point C and a point D, with the

point C corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the lower connection member are engaged, and with the

point D corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support

member and the lower connection member are engaged.

An upper side line length corresponding to a straight line length

between a point B and a point E, with the point B corresponding to a side

surface center at which the monitor ward support member and the upper

connection member are engaged, is shorter than a lower side line length

point C corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the lower connection member are engaged, and with the

point D corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged.

The base surface, which supports the base ward support member, is a

wall surface or one surface of a stand member.

The base surface, which supports the base ward support member, is a

floor.

The base ward support member has an elongated column shape.

The base ward support member and lower connection member include

support parts, which are extended downwards, respectively.

The monitor ward support member or the base ward support member

includes two elongated support parts, with the upper connection member or the

lower connection member being engaged between the elongated support parts

of the monitor ward support member or the base ward support member.

The upper connection member or the lower connection member

includes two elongated support parts, with the monitor ward support member or

the base ward support member being engaged between the elongated support

parts of the upper connection member or the lower connection member.

The monitor ward end of the upper connection member or the lower

connection member contacts with one surface of the monitor and is pressurized

for thereby generating a certain friction force.

A back surface groove corresponding to the shape of an end of the upper connection member or the lower connection member is formed at a

portion at which the monitor contacts with the upper connection member or the

lower connection member.

A monitor ward end of the upper connection member or the lower

connection member contacts with the plate attached to one surface of the

monitor and is pressurized for thereby generating a certain friction force.

A back surface groove corresponding to the shape of an end of the

upper connection member or the lower connection member is formed at a

portion at which the plate contacts with the upper connection member or the

lower connection member.

There are further provided a protrusion engaging part protruded

backwards from one surface of the monitor; an elastic member which passes

through the protrusion engaging part; and an engaging member which is

engaged with the protrusion engaging part and pressurizes the elastic member

toward the monitor, whereby the monitor is engaged by passing through the

protrusion engaging part into the monitor ward support member.

There are further provided a plate which includes a protrusion engaging

part protruded backwards from one surface of the monitor; an elastic member

which passes through the protrusion engaging part; and an engaging member

which is engaged with the protrusion engaging part and pressurizes the elastic member toward the plate, whereby the plate is engaged by passing through the

protrusion engaging part into the monitor ward support member.

There is further provided a rotation plate, which is provided in front of

the elastic member and passes through the protrusion engaging part.

A back surface groove corresponding to the shape of an end of the

upper connection member or the lower connection member is formed at a

portion at which the rotation plate contacts with the upper connection member

or the lower connection member.

A rim of the monitor ward support member is formed in a circular or arc

shape, with a ring being inserted onto the rim of the monitor ward support

member and being engaged at one surface of the monitor.

There is further provided a plate, which is provided between the ring

and one surface of the monitor, with the plate being engaged at one surface of

the monitor, and with the plate being engaged with the ring.

A guide pad is provided at an end contacting with the upper connection

member or the lower connection member.

The guide pad is pressurized by an elastic member supported by the

monitor, with the guide pad being pressurized toward the end of the upper

connection member or the lower connection member. Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will become better understood with reference to

the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus

are not limitative of the present invention, wherein;

Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a conventional apparatus for adjusting

an inclination angle of a monitor;

Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating a length ratio in the apparatus of

Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a graph of a weight center G expressed as an inclination

angle θ of a monitor ward line BC and a horizontal distance V of Figure 4 are

changed according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a graph expressed as a height of a weight center G is

changed with a variable of an inclination angle θ of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a graph expressed a height of a weight center G is changed

with a variable of an inclination angle θ in the case that an included angle α of a

base ward line ED of Figure 4 is 30°; Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are graphs illustrating the movements of a

weight center G when the size of a triangle AED is changed in a state that a

triangle ABC is fixed in a similar isosceles triangle of Figure 4;

Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are graphs illustrating the movements of a

weight center G when a vertical angle of an apex A is changed in a state that a

length ratio of lines AB and BE is fixed at 1 :0.5 in a similar isosceles triangle of

Figure 4;

Figures 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating a movement state of a

weight center G in a rectangular hinge structure of another structure;

Figure 11 is a graph illustrating a trajectory of a weight center G in the

case that a vertical distance u of a weight center G is not 0 in Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination

angle of a monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination

angle of a monitor according to further another embodiment of the present

invention;

Figures 14A, 14B, and 14C are views illustrating various examples of an

apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor;

Figure 15 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a constriction

that an apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor is engaged according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side cross sectional view illustrating a state that each

element is engaged in an apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a

monitor according to the present invention; and

Figures 17A and 17B are disassembled perspective views illustrating

another state that each element is engaged in an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor and a side cross sectional view illustrating an

engaged state of the apparatus.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described

with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention. As shown

therein, a monitor 10 is attached at a base 24 at an upper side of a support 22

of a stand 20 using a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30. With the above

construction, an inclination angle θ of the monitor 10 can be adjusted.

A monitor ward support member 32 is a plate shaped member, with a

back surface of the monitor 10 being engaged at the monitor ward support

member 32. A base ward support member 34 is a plate shaped member attached to the base 24. An upper connection member 36 and a lower

connection member 38 are engaged at the upper and lower sides of the monitor

ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34. A certain

engaging plate member (not shown) may be adapted between the monitor ward

support member 32 and the monitor 10 for an easier attachment.

The both ends of each of the upper connection member 36 and the lower

connection member 38 are hinged at the upper and lower ends of the monitor

ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34. The center

axis points of the hinged portions are indicated by B, C, D and E. Namely, the

center point of the lateral side, in which the monitor ward support member 32

and the upper connection member 36 are hinged, is indicated by the point B,

and the center point of the lateral side, in which the monitor ward support

member 32 and the lower connection member 38 are hinged, is indicated by the

point C, and the center point of the lateral side, in which the lower side

engaging member 38 and the base ward support member 34 are hinged, is

indicated by the point D, and the center point of the lateral side, in which the

base ward support member 34 and the upper connection member 38 are

engaged, is indicated by the point E.

In the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30, the monitor ward

support member 32, the base ward support member 34, and the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member are linked in a

rectangular shape. With the above construction, it is called a rectangular hinge

structure.

According to the structure in which four members are linked with each

other for supporting the monitor and adjusting the inclination, various movement

characteristics can be obtained by adjusting the length and length ratio of each

member. Namely, a certain support function well adapted to each user can be

implemented by properly amending the length of each member.

Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an

inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention. Namely, Figure

3 is a schematic view of a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 of Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the line connecting the points B and C is called a monitor

ward line, and the line connecting the points C and D is called a lower side line.

The line connecting the points D and E is called a base ward line. The line

connecting the points E and B is called an upper side line.

In the drawings, the point G represents the weight center of the monitor,

and a relative horizontal distance from the center point "a" of the monitor ward

line BC is "v", and a vertical distance from the same is "u". Here, the reference

character α is an included angle between the base ward line and the vertical

line. A relative height value of the weight center G is "z". Variables, which meet different conditions, can be searched by setting

each variable in the drawings. For example, even when the inclination angle θ

of the monitor is changed, when it is needed to make the height "z" of the

weight center of the monitor lower, a certain condition can be searched by

changing part of the monitor ward line, lower side line, base ward line or upper

side line. The above condition searching procedure is called a characteristic

condition determination of a rectangular hinge structure.

Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating a length ratio of Figure 3. As

shown therein, a certain method is disclosed in order to minimize the movement

of the height of the weight center among the characteristics of the rectangular

hinge structure. This method is called an isosceles triangle chart method.

The isosceles triangle ABC consists of the points B and C with respect to

the apex A. A similar shape isosceles triangle AED is formed by extending the

lines AB and AC. As shown in Figure 3, "α" is set "0", and the upper line BE and

the lower line CD are made same. With the above condition, the position of the

weight center G of the monitor is changed by increasing the inclination angle θ

by 10°, 20°, 30°, etc. or decreasing the same by -10°, -20°, -30°, etc. The

above movements are shown in the graphs.

Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the changes of the weight center G in

which the inclination angle of the monitor ward line BC of Figure 4 is changed with the horizontal distance "v" as a variable. As shown therein, the position of

the weight center G of the monitor is changed by increasing the inclination

angle θ by 10°, 20°, 30°, etc. or decreasing the same by -10°, -20°, -30°, etc.

The vertical distance "u" is set 0, and the length of the line BC is set 4,

the length of the line ED is set 8, the height of the triangle ABC is set 5, and the

height of the triangle AED is set 10. Since the movement characteristic is

determined only based on the length ratio of each line, the units are omitted.

In the case that the horizontal distance "v" is 4 (numbers indicated at the

sides of each trajectory represent horizontal distance), the position of the weight

center G is changed along the trajectory formed in a shape of "α" as the

inclination angle θ is changed. In the case that the horizontal distance "v" is 6,

the loop drawn by the trajectory of the weight center G gets small with a shape

that a front side of the loop is thin, with the entire shape being longitudinal.

When the inclination angle θ is 0, the dots are formed at the horizontal position

with respect to the apex A. When the inclination angle θ is increased by 10°, the

dots are formed at the upper sides, and when the inclination angle θ is

decreased by 10°, the dots are formed at the lower side.

In the case that the horizontal distance "v" is 8, a cusp is drawn with

respect to the apex A of the triangle. A curve shaped trajectory, which is similar

with an inclined straight line l-l, is drawn at the upper and lower sides. When the horizontal distance "v" increases, exceeding 8, the inclination angle θ gets

smoother at an angle of 0°. As it is distanced from the angle 0°, a trajectory

similar with a straight line is drawn.

Namely, the portion, which has a certain movement similar with the

straight line among the trajectories of the weight center G when the horizontal

distance "v" is above 8, may be used for achieving a constant position of the

weight center G of the present invention. Figure 6 is a graph when the

movement of the weight center G is expressed with the inclination angle θ

adapted as a variable.

Figure 6 is a graph in which the changes of the height of the weight

center of Figure 5 are expressed with an inclination angle θ which is adapted as

a variable. As shown therein, "z" represents the vertical height of the weight

center G, which is expressed with a reference point 0 determined when the

inclination angle θ is 0. In the graph, the number indicated beside "z" represents

the horizontal distance "v".

The curves of the functions z, _v, (θ) will be described. The inclination is

smooth in a section in which the inclination angle is -20 °through +20°. When

the horizontal distance "v" is 6, 7 or 8, the inclinations are small, and a changed

range is less.

In the ranges of the inclination angle, and horizontal distance, since the height of the weight center does not change, the monitor is not tilted down only

when there is less friction force, so that the monitor can be stably fixed in place.

More efficient effects can be obtained by adjusting the included angle α of the

base ward line ED.

Figure 7 is a graph in which the changes of the height of the weight

center G are expressed with an inclination angle θ, which is adapted as a

variable, in the case that the included angle a of the base ward line ED is 30°.

As shown in Figure 7, when the angle α is 30°, the movements of the function z',

v, (θ) are not changed between 30° and 100°.

Namely, the trajectories formed near the straight line l-l of Figure 5 can

be horizontally inclined by adjusting the included angle α, so that there are no

changes in the height of the weight center G. In the case that the horizontal

distance V is 6, the inclination angle θ is between 0° and 70°. In the case that

the horizontal distance "v" is 8, the height "z" of the weight center G is constant

between 25° and 105°.

Therefore, in the case that the base ward line is inclined at a certain

angle, it is possible to more easily maintain the fixed weight center height of the

monitor, so that the monitor can be prevented from being tilted forwards, moving

down and having a sharply changing height by changing the angle of the base

ward line. The operations that the above advantages are obtained even when the rectangular hinge structure is changed in various structures will be

described.

Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are graphs of the movements of the weight

center G when the size of the triangle AED is changed in a state that the

triangle ABC is not changed in the similar isosceles triangle of Figure 4. In a

state that the angle α is set 0, Figure 8A is a graph when the length ratio of the

lines AB and BE is 1 :0.25, and Figure 8B is a graph when the length ratio of the

same is 1 :0.5, and Figure 8C is a graph when the length ratio of the same is 1 :1 ,

and Figure 8D is a graph when the length ratio of the same is 1 :2.

As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, the trajectory of the weight

center G forms the apex A (v is 8). When the horizontal distance "v" is less than

8, a α-shaped curve is formed. When the horizontal distance "v" is larger than 8,

a convex curve having an apex is formed. As the length ratio of the line BE gets

increased, the size of the loop increases, and the apex gets sharp.

In the hinge structure, as the inclination angle θ increases, the angle

CBE increases. When the angle CBE becomes 180°, the monitor or object

installed at the monitor ward line BC contacts with the point E. In this case,

since it does not change the inclination angle θ anymore, the range of the angle

θ is determined. As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, the inclination angle θ

is limited within a range of 17°, 27°, 39° and 50°, which angles are indicated as a small circle in the trajectory of the drawing. As the length ratios of the lines AB

and BE increase, the limiting range of the inclination angle θ increases.

In the case that the length ratio of the lines AB and BE increase, the

range of the inclination angle is advantageously widened. Here, the lengths of

the upper line and the lower line should be extended. The conditions of the

range of the inclination angle and the installation position of the monitor may be

properly selected based on a user's demand.

For example, in the apparatus for attaching a flat panel monitor, it is

enough when the inclination angle is adjusted within a range of -10° to +10°. In

the case that the monitor is installed near a wall, as shown in Figure 8A, it is

needed to decrease the length ratio of the lines AB and BE, and the horizontal

distance "v" is set 6. In the case that it is needed to adjust the monitor within a

wider range of -50° to +50° (for example, when the monitor is mounted on a

ceiling), as shown in Figure 8D, it is needed to increase the length ratio of the

lines AB and BE, and the horizontal distance "v" is set 8.

Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are graphs illustrating the movements of the

weight center G when the apex angle of the apex A is changed in a state that

the length ratio of the lines AB and BE is set 1 :0.5 in the similar isosceles

triangle of Figure 4. In Figure 9A, the apex angle is 8.96°, and in Figure 9B, the

apex angle is 17.98°, and in Figure 9C, the apex angle is 6.42°, and in Figure 9D, the apex angle is 77.36°.

As a result, the trajectories of the weight center G as shown in Figures

9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are same. Namely, the movements are performed in the

same ways even though there are significant differences in the rectangular

structures each having four hinges. If the length ratio of the lines AB and BE

changes, the above same phenomenon may occur.

The movements of the rectangular hinge structures change based on the

values of the length ratio of the lines AB and BE, but do not change based on

the apex angle of the apex A. In the case that the rectangular hinge structure

having the above characteristics is used, the user can save time needed for

designs and has many conveniences. As described above, the inclination angle

θ is limited within a range of 42°, 33°, 27° and 18° as shown in Figures 9A, 9B,

9C and 9D.

Figures 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating the movements of the weight

center G in a different rectangular hinge structure. As shown in Figure 10A,

there is shown a graph illustrating the movements of the weight center G in a

state that the lengths of the lines BE and CD are same, and the line ED is

vertical. As shown in Figure 10B, there is shown a graph illustrating the

movements of the weight center G in a state that the lengths of the lines BE and

CD are different, and the line ED is inclined at an inclination angle α with respect to the line ED.

As shown therein, in a range of the inclination angle from -30° to +30°,

the orbit curves of Figure 10B are very similar with the orbit curves when the

rectangular hinge using the rectangular structure of Figure 10A are inclined at

an angle α.

In the case that the inclination angle θ is out of the range, as the absolute

value is increased, the orbit curves of Figure 10B get similar with the trajectories

of the movements of the orbit curves. Since almost needs are met in a range of

-30° to +30° in an actual adaptation, it is preferred to tile the line CD at a certain

angle as shown in Figure 10B.

For example, in the case that the horizontal distance "v" is 8 at the curve

of Figure 10B, the inclination angle has a horizontal orbit in a range of -10° to

+30°, and the inclination angle of the range corresponds to the inclination angle

which is most common when using the flat panel monitor. As shown in Figure 6,

the changes of "z" may be expressed like z', s, (θ) in accordance with the

conditions of the rectangular hinge structure. The height is constant in a state

that the inclination angle θ is in a range of -10° to +30°.

Figure 11 is a graph illustrating the trajectories of the weight center G

when the vertical distance "u" of the weight center G of Figure 4 is not 0. As

shown therein, the position of the line BC decreases by 10° with respect to the position 5 (in which the inclination angle θ is 0°). In addition, the position of the

same is inclined towards the positions 4, 3, 2, and 1 or increases by 10°. When

the position of the same is inclined toward the positions 6, 7, 8 and 9, the

trajectories drawn along the horizontal distance "v" are expressed by numbers

corresponding to each position.

For example, in the case that the vertical distance "u" is 4, the weight

center G point moves as shown in Figure 10B. As shown in Figure 11 , the curve

having the horizontal distance "v" of 8 advantageously has a wider range for

maintaining more horizontal states as compared to the trajectories. The

apparatus of Figure 10B is installed, with the line DE being inclined at a certain

angle. As shown in Figure 11 , it is advantageously possible to make the line DE

vertical. As described above, the rectangular hinge apparatus is constituted

using an isosceles triangle. With the above construction, an inclination angle

adjusting apparatus, which operates with many different movements, may be

constituted by adjusting length ratio, inclination angle, included angle, horizontal

length, vertical length, etc.

Figure 12 is a view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination

for a monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention. As

shown therein, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection

member 38 engaged at the monitor ward support member 32 are longitudinally extended, and the base ward support member 34 is contacted with the base

surface of the floor.

The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38

are preferably bent at intermediate portions so that they don't contact with the

monitor 10. A thin panel shaped support 34a is preferably attached to a lower

surface of the base ward support member 34.

The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38

are extended, and the base ward support member 34 is contacted with the floor

base surface, so that the monitor 10 can move in a big angle range. When

pulling the monitor 10, the upper connection member 36 and the upper

connection member 38 move down along an arc line, so that the inclination

angle of the monitor can increase.

When pulling the monitor 10 forwards, the monitor 10 lies down. In this

case, the monitor 10 can be used in a digital note mode. When the monitor 10

has a touch screen, it can be more efficiently used in the digital note mode.

The flat panel monitor, which has recently been developed, has a digital

note function using the touch screen. It is needed to develop the monitor having

both a viewing function and a digital note function. In the viewing mode, the

monitor preferably has an inclination angle in a range of -5° to +45° and is

installed away from a user at a certain higher height "z". In the digital note mode, the monitor preferably has an inclination angle in a range of +45° to +90° and is

installed not away from a user at a certain lower height "z".

Since the conventional monitor fixing ^• apparatus is independently

adjusted because the inclination angle and the position of the weight center do

not cooperatively operate, it is needed to disadvantageously adjust various

conditions whenever the user selects the digital note mode or the viewing mode.

The conventional monitor fixing apparatus with a ball mount cannot support a

large weight, so that the position may be easily moved when a certain weight is

applied to the monitor in the digital note mode.

However, in the case that the monitor is changed into the digital node

mode or the viewing mode using the rectangular hinge structure according to

the present invention, various conditions may be adjusted at one time, so that

easier and quicker mode conversions are achieved. In addition, even when a

certain weight generated during the use of the digital note is applied, each

support member can fully support the weight, so that the positions cannot easily

change.

As shown in Figure 12, the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30

includes an extended support 34a, so that the monitor inclination adjusting

apparatus 30 does not fall down in the digital note mode. The support 34a does

not have an important role in the viewing mode of the monitor. As shown in Figure 13, even when the support 34a may be removed, the same functions are

performed.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus

according to further another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in

Figure 13, the lower connection member 38 and the base ward support member

34 are crossed downwards, and the support parts 38a and 34b of the lower side

support the floor base surface.

The principles of the rectangular hinge structure are adapted in the same

manner. Namely, the support parts 38a and 34b of the lower connection

member 38 and the base ward support member 34 are crossed downwards, so

that the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 can be stably supported.

Here, a friction force between the support part 38a of the lower

connection member 38 and the floor surface is adjusted larger than the friction

force between the support part 34b of the base ward support member 34 and

the floor surface, so that only the support part 34b of the base ward support

member 34 of the front side is moved in a state that the support part 38a of the

lower connection member 38 of the back surface is fixed. A rubber member may

be covered on the support part 38a of the lower connection member 38 of the

bask surface or wheels may be installed at the support part 34b of the base

ward support member 34. Figures 14A, 14B and 14C are views illustrating various constructions of

the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown therein, various constructions may be adapted in order to constitute

the rectangular hinge apparatus.

Figure 14A is a view illustrating a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus

30 in which the monitor ward support member 32 includes two parallel

elongated support parts 32a, and the base ward support member 34 includes

two parallel elongated support parts 34c. The upper connection member 36 and

the lower connection member 38 are inserted between the elongated support

parts 32a and 34c of the monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward

support member 34.

As shown in Figure 14B, the upper connection member 36 and the lower

connection member 38 include two parallel elongated support parts 36a and

38a, respectively. The monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward

support member 34 are inserted into the same.

As shown in Figure 14C, the monitor ward support member 32 and the

base ward support member 34 are arranged in a Y-shape, and the upper

connection member 36 is inserted into the upper side, and two elongated

support parts 38a are inserted into the lower side.

Figure 15 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating the constructions of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to the

present invention, and Figure 16 is a lateral cross sectional view illustrating an

engaged state of each element according to the present invention. As shown in

Figures 15 and 16, the plate 40, which engages the monitor (not shown),

includes a protrusion engaging part 42 at the center of the back surface, and

the protrusion engaging part 42 is engaged, passing through the monitor ward

support member 32 of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30.

The protrusion engaging part 42, which passes through the monitor ward

support member 32, is engaged using a bolt 62 through an elastic member 60.

Here, the elastic member 60 is preferably formed of a plate spring, with the

elastic member 60 being adapted to pull the protrusion engaging part 42, so

that the plate 40 and the monitor ward support member 32 get closer from each

other.

The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38

are engaged at the lateral side of the monitor ward support member 32. The

ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38

are extended a little and are protruded toward the plate 40. The plate 40 and

the monitor ward support member 32 get closer from each other using the

elastic member 60, so that the back surface of the plate 40 contacts with the

ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38. The ends, which contact with the back surface of the plate 40, of the

upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 do not

easily move due to friction force. When the elastic member 60 pulls the plate 40

as the bolt 62 is tightened, with the bolt 62 being adapted to tighten the elastic

member 60, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection

member 36 do not rotate, so that the plate 40 is prevented from being naturally

tilted forwards or being fallen downwards,

The rotation plate 50 is further provided between the plate 40 and the

monitor ward support member 32, so that the plate 40 can be more smoothly

rotated. A back surface groove 52 may be formed at a back surface of the

rotation plate 50, with the back surface groove 52 corresponding with the

shapes of the ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower

connection member 38. Here, it is preferred that the back surface groove 52 of

the rotation plate 60 contacts with the ends of the upper connection member 36

and the lower connection member 38 at wider surfaces. Here, the back surface

groove 52 may be formed at the back surface of the plate 40 in a state that the

rotation plate 50 is not provided.

Figure 17A is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a monitor

inclination adjusting apparatus according to still further another embodiment of

the present invention, and Figure 17B is a side cross sectional view illustrating an engaged state of the present invention. As shown therein, the plate 40 is

engaged at the monitor ward support member 32 having a circular or arc

shaped rim, and a ring 80 is inserted thereinto. Here, the plate 40 is engaged at

the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 and is rotatable. The ring 80

rotates along the rim of the monitor ward support member 32.

The ring 80 and the plate 40 are engaged using a bolt, etc. A pad 70 is

provided at an inner side of the ring 80 and contacts with the upper connection

member 36 and the lower connection member 38, respectively. An elastic

member 60 is inserted between the outer end of the guide pad 70 and the plate

40.

Here, the elastic member 60 is a plate spring capable of transferring an

elastic force in a direction that the plate 40 pushes the guide pad 30 in an

opposite direction, so that the guide pad 70 is pushed in a direction of the

monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30, and the ends of the upper

connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are pressurized. A

friction force inhibits the pressurized upper connection member 36 and lower

connection member 38 from rotating, with the upper connection member 36 and

the lower connection member 38 being fixed in place.

Here, the ring 80 and the monitor ward support member 32 closely

contact at a certain inclination angle. Adjusting the direction of the inclination allows the ring 80 and the plate 40 to become closer with the monitor ward

support member 32, so that with one element of the elastic member 60, it is

possible to tighten each element.

The plate spring may be installed at the base ward support member 34

or at both sides. Here, the upper connection member 36 is moved along a

downward curve, and the lower connection member 38 is moved along an

upward curve, so that it does not contact with the tapered inner surface of the

ring 80. In the case that the upper connection member 36 and the lower

connection member 38 are moved along straight lines, the upper connection

member 36 and the lower connection member 38 contact with the inner side of

the ring 80, so that there is a certain limit in the movements of the upper and

lower connection members 36 and 38.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the monitor inclination angle adjusting apparatus

according to the present invention is able to stably support the monitor, with the

inclination angle of the monitor being easily adjusted.

Changing the inclination angle of the monitor due to the weight of the

monitor is minimized in the present invention.

The present invention is directed to minimizing the changes of the height of the weight center of the monitor even when the inclination angle

changes.

In the present invention, the monitor is designed to be rotatable. The

monitor is stably supported without movements.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without

departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be

understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the

details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather

should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the

appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within

the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds

are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor, comprising:

a monitor ward support member for supporting one side of a monitor;

a base ward support member which is engaged and supported by a

base surface;

an upper connection member which connects an upper side of the

monitor connection member and an upper side of the base ward support

member, with the upper connection member being rotatable; and

a lower connection member which connects a lower side of the monitor

ward support member and a lower side of the base ward support member, with

the lower connection member being rotatable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a monitor ward line length

corresponding to a straight line length between a point B and a point C, with the

point B corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the upper connection member are engaged, and with the

point C corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the lower connection member are engaged, is shorter than

a base ward line length corresponding to a straight line length between a point

E and a point D, with the point E corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support member and the upper connection member are

engaged, and with the point D corresponding to a side surface center at which

the base ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an upper side line length

corresponding to a straight line length between a point B and a point E, with the

point B corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the upper connection member are engaged, and with the

point E corresponding to a side surface center at which the base ward support

member and the upper connection member are engaged, is the same as a

lower side line length corresponding to a straight line between a point C and a

point D, with the point C corresponding to a side surface center at which the

monitor ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged,

and with the point D corresponding to a side surface center at which the base

ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an upper side line length

point B corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the upper connection member are engaged, is longer than a lower side line length corresponding to a straight line length between a point

C and a point D, with the point C corresponding to a side surface center at

which the monitor ward support member and the lower connection member are

engaged, and with the point D corresponding to a side surface center at which

the base ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an upper side line length

point B corresponding to a side surface center at which the monitor ward

support member and the upper connection member are engaged, is shorter

than a lower side line length corresponding to a straight line length between a

point C and a point D, with the point C corresponding to a side surface center at

which the monitor ward support member and the lower connection member are

engaged, and with the point D corresponding to a side surface center at which

the base ward support member and the lower connection member are engaged.

6. The apparatus of one claim among claims 1 through 5, wherein said

base surface, which supports the base ward support member, is a wall surface

or one surface of a stand member.

7. The apparatus of one claim among claims 1 through 5, wherein said

base surface, which supports the base ward support member, is a floor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said base ward support member has

an elongated column shape.

9. The apparatus of one claim among claims 1 through 5, wherein said

base ward support member and lower connection member include support parts,

which are extended downwards, respectively.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said monitor ward support member

or said base ward support member includes two elongated support parts, with

the upper connection member or the lower connection member being engaged

between the elongated support parts of the monitor ward support member or the

base ward support member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said upper connection member or

said lower connection member includes two elongated support parts, with the

monitor ward support member or the base ward support member being

engaged between the elongated support parts of the upper connection member or the lower connection member.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the monitor ward end of the upper

connection member or the lower connection member contacts with one surface

of the monitor and is pressurized for thereby generating a certain friction force.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a back surface groove

corresponding to the shape of an end of the upper connection member or the

lower connection member is formed at a portion at which the monitor contacts

with the upper connection member or the lower connection member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a monitor ward end of the upper

connection member or the lower connection member contacts with the plate

attached to one surface of the monitor and is pressurized for thereby generating

a certain friction force.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a back surface groove

corresponding to the shape of an end of the upper connection member or the

lower connection member is formed at a portion at which the plate contacts with

the upper connection member or the lower connection member.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a protrusion engaging part protruded backwards from one surface of the

monitor;

an elastic member which passes through the protrusion engaging part;

and

an engaging member which is engaged with the protrusion engaging

part and pressurizes the elastic member toward the monitor,

whereby the monitor is engaged by passing through the protrusion

engaging part into the monitor ward support member.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plate which includes a protrusion engaging part protruded backwards

from one surface of the monitor;

an elastic member which passes through the protrusion engaging part;

and

an engaging member which is engaged with the protrusion engaging

part and pressurizes the elastic member toward the plate,

whereby the plate is engaged by passing through the protrusion

engaging part into the monitor ward support member.

18. The apparatus of either claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising a

rotation plate, which is provided in front of the elastic member and passes

through the protrusion engaging part.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a back surface groove

corresponding to the shape of an end of the upper connection member or the

lower connection member is formed at a portion at which the rotation plate

contacts with the upper connection member or the lower connection member.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a rim of the monitor ward support

member is formed in a circular or arc shape, with a ring being inserted onto the

rim of the monitor ward support member and being engaged at one surface of

the monitor.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a plate which is provided

between the ring and one surface of the monitor, with the plate being engaged

at one surface of the monitor, and with the plate being engaged with the ring.

22. The apparatus of either claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein a guide pad is provided at an end contacting with the upper connection member or the lower

connection member.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said guide pad is pressurized by an

elastic member supported by the monitor, with the guide pad being pressurized

toward the end of the upper connection member or the lower connection

member.