CA2916514A1 - Mobile electronic display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile electronic display apparatus comprising an electronic display, such as a flat panel touch screen monitor, a cabinet comprising a housing defining an enclosure for receiving the display, wherein the housing comprises an opening to permit movement of the display between a stowed position located within the enclosure and an extended position at least partially removed from the enclosure, and a support secured to the housing for adjustably supporting the display for movement between the stowed and extended positions. In some embodiments, the display may be oriented in a plurality of adjustable display orientations in the extended position and is optionally lockable within the enclosure in the stowed position. The apparatus may be used at a work site to enable on-site document reading, drawing mark-up and communication with a remote office. The apparatus preferably has a narrow profile so it can easily traverse through doorways, hallways, into elevators and the like.

Description

MOBILE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY APPARATUS
Technical Field [0001] This application is in the field of mobile cabinets for receiving and supporting electronic displays, such as flat panel monitors.
Background

[0002] Workers at construction sites or other work environments commonly refer to printed building plans, for example when constructing new structures or modifying existing installations.
The plans may consist of printed blueprints which identify the position and dimensions of the subject matter of the construction work. Often changes are made to the plans by designers, architects, engineers or the like during the course of a project. This often necessitates editing and reprinting of the plans which increases costs and may result in construction delays.

[0003] It is known in the prior art to create digital representations of construction plans for display on tablet computers, mobile phones and the like. Such plans have the advantage that they can be electronically transmitted to remote locations and can be readily edited and updated.
However, tablet computer and mobile phone screens are significantly smaller than conventional building plans and cannot easily be viewed by multiple construction workers simultaneously.
Moreover, tablet computers and phones are prone to being lost or stolen if they are left unattended or shared by large numbers of users.

[0004] Full size blueprint display devices are known in the prior art for displaying architectural, engineering and construction plans. For example, US 2014/0362512 Al published 11 December 2014 discloses a modular display device for providing a digital representation of a blueprint.
The device employs a retractable, flexible display which is more complex and expensive than conventional rigid flat panel screens. The display is intended to be physically carried from site to site.

[0005] Some cabinets and display cases for housing and supporting a flat panel video display are also known in the prior art. However, often the display is only viewable in a vertical or near vertical orientation. Such cabinets are not adapted for adjustably supporting a blueprint size touch screen display in a horizontal orientation to simulate the experience of working from a paper blueprint laid flat on a table or the like. Further, some prior art devices are not adapted for securely locking the electronic display within an interior of the cabinet when not in use or when being moved to a different display location. Many prior art cabinets are not easily moveable and do not have a sufficiently narrow profile for passage through doorways, into elevators and the like.

[0006] The need has therefore arisen for a mobile electronic display apparatus for use at construction sites and the like that overcomes some of the deficiencies in the prior art.

[0007] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
Summary

[0008] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

[0009] In one embodiment, a mobile cabinet for receiving and supporting an electronic display is provided, the cabinet comprising a housing defining an enclosure for receiving the display, wherein the housing comprises an opening to permit movement of the display between a stowed position located within the enclosure and an extended position at least partially removed from the enclosure; and a support secured to the housing for adjustably supporting the display for movement between the stowed and extended positions. In some embodiments the support supports the display in a plurality of adjustable display orientations in the extended position, including vertical, inclined and/or horizontal orientations.

[0010] In another embodiment, a mobile electronic display apparatus is provided comprising an electronic display; a cabinet having a housing defining an enclosure for receiving the display, wherein the housing comprises an opening to permit movement of the display between a stowed position located within the enclosure and an extended position at least partially removed from the enclosure; and a support secured to the housing for adjustably supporting the display for movement between the stowed and extended positions.

[0011] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Brief Description of Drawings

[0012] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the mobile electronic display apparatus configured with the display in a stowed position and the cover closed.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cover partially opened.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. lwith the cover further partially opened.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cover fully opened.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 taken along section lines 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing the display in the stowed position in solid lines and in an extended position in dashed lines.

[0018] Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cover fully opened and the display adjusted to an extended position, showing the display in a vertical orientation.

[0019] Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 6 showing the display in an inclined orientation.

[0020] Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 6 showing the display in a horizontal orientation.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the mobile electronic display apparatus configured with the display in a stowed position and the cover closed.

[0022] Fig. 10 a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 9.

[0023] Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 9 taken along section lines 11-11 of Fig. 9 showing the display in the stowed position in solid lines and in an extended position with the cover open in dashed lines.

[0024] Fig. 12 is an enlarged front perspective view of an upper portion of the apparatus of Fig.
9 showing the display in a stowed position shown in solid lines and partially adjusted to an extended position shown in dashed lines.

[0025] Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 12 showing the display adjusted to a further extended position.

[0026] Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 13.

Description

[0027] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.
Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0028] This application relates to a mobile electronic display apparatus generally designated 10.
Apparatus 10 includes a cabinet 12 for receiving and supporting a display 14.
In some embodiments display 14 may be a flat panel LCD screen. In other embodiments display 14 may be any visual interface device suitable for electronically displaying viewable content, such as building plans and the like.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments cabinet 12 includes a housing 16 and a plurality of wheels 18 for enabling rolling movement of cabinet 12 over a support surface. In some embodiments housing 16 includes a front panel 20, a rear panel 22, first and second spaced-apart side panels 24, a top panel 26 and a bottom panel 28. Panels 20-28 together defined an enclosure 30 within the interior of housing 16 for receiving display 14 as discussed below. In one embodiment panels 20-28 may be constructed from aluminum, e.g. 10 gauge aluminum. Wheels 18 may be mounted in corner sections of bottom panel 28 and may comprise swivels and brakes/locks.

[0030] As shown in the drawings, display 14 is adjustable between a stowed position received within enclosure 30 (shown in solid lines in Fig. 5) and an extended position at least partially removed from enclosure 30 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 5 and in Figs. 6-8).
In one embodiment apparatus 10 may include a counterbalance (not shown) to aid in manually raising display 14 from the stowed to the extended positions. An opening 32 may be formed in an upper portion of housing 16 to permit movement of display 14 between the stowed and extended positions. For example, the opening 32 may be a slot formed in top panel 26.
As shown in Figs.
1-5, a separate cover 34 may be provided for adjustably covering top panel 26.
Cover 34 may comprise a first panel 36 and a second panel 38 connected by a hinge 40. First cover panel 36 may be coupled to front panel 20 of housing 16 by means of a hinge 40. In one embodiment cover 34 may be adjusted between closed and open positions as shown in Figs. 2-4. In the open position an edge of cover panel 38 may be supported on a rib 42 projecting from front panel 20.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) cover 34 may be omitted and top panel 26 may be adjustable between a closed position covering opening 32 and an open position exposing opening 32. For example, top panel 26 may be foldable between the closed and open positions.

[0032] In one embodiment display 14 is securely lockable within enclosure 30 when display 14 is in the stowed position and cover 34 and/or top panel 26 is in the closed position.

[0033] As best shown in Figs. 5 and 7, apparatus 10 also includes a support 44 for adjustably coupling display 14 to housing 16. In one embodiment support 44 includes a pair of spaced-apart support rails 46 extending within enclosure 30. For example, rails 46 may be mounted to a support structure 48 within enclosure 30 (Fig. 5). In other embodiments rails 46 could be mounted to an inner surface of front panel 20 or rear panel 22.

[0034] In one embodiment support 44 further includes a support panel 50 which is slidably movable relative to rails 46. For example, elongated ribs 52 may be mounted on support panel 50 for sliding in rails 46 (Fig. 7). In one embodiment a mounting plate 54 may be mounted on a rear portion of display 14 for pivotably coupling display 14 to support panel 50. For example, mounting plate 54 may be coupled to support panel 50 by means of a hinge 56 (Fig. 5 and 7).

[0035] Support 44 supports sliding movement of display 14 between a stowed position within enclosure 30 and an extended position at least partially removed from enclosure 30. In the extended position, display 14 is pivotable relative to support panel 50 to adjust the orientation of display 14. For example, in the extended position display 14 is selectively pivotable between a vertical orientation (Fig. 6), a partially inclined position (Fig. 7) and a horizontal orientation (Fig.

8). In one embodiment support 44 may include a locking means for locking display 14 in the desired orientation.

[0036] Figs. 9-14 illustrate another embodiment of apparatus 10. In this embodiment cover 34 comprises a single panel 36 which is coupled to top panel 26 by means of a hinge 40. In the illustrated embodiment top panel 26 may comprise a slightly inclined forward portion and a rear portion disposed at a slightly lower elevation so that cover 34 rests flush with the forward portion of top panel 26 when cover 34 is closed (Figs. 9-10). Alternatively, the forward and rear portions of top panel 26 could be flush and cover panel 36 could overlie top panel 26.

[0037] As shown best in Figs. 11-14 a slot may be formed in a rear portion of top panel 26 to form opening 32. As in the embodiment described above, this permits adjustment of display 14 between stowed and extended positions. In the embodiment of Figs. 9-14, support 44 for supporting display 14 for movement between the stowed and extended positions comprises an automatic lift mechanism. For example, a suitable lift mechanism is an automatic television lift mechanism sold by Firgelli Automations of Ferndale, Washington. More particularly, support 44 may comprise a lifting column 60 which is mounted on mounting brackets 62 secured to a rear surface of display 14. Column 60 may comprise telescoping segments 60A
and 60B (Fig.
11). A wheel assembly 64 is mounted on an upper surface of lifting column 60.
When lifting column 60 is raised, wheel assembly 64 contacts an undersurface of cover panel 36 and raises cover 34 from a substantially horizontal closed position (Figs. 9-10) to a substantially vertical raised position (Figs. 12-14). Opening 32 may include a cut-out portion for accommodating lifting column 60 as it is raised and lowered. As shown best in Fig. 11, lifting column 60 may be secured within the interior of enclosure 30 on or near rear panel 22.

[0038] As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, support 44 may be actuated by a cabinet-mounted control and/or a remote control to automatically raise and lower display 14 between the stowed and extended positions. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 12-14, display 14 is deployed in a vertical orientation in the extended position.
However, in alternative embodiments support 44 may be adapted to additionally or alternatively deploy display 14 in inclined and/or horizontal orientations.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 10, cabinet 12 may include a door 70 formed in rear panel 22 for gaining access to enclosure 30. A handle 72 may be provided for opening and closing door 70.
In other embodiments door 70 could be formed in front panel 20 or another panel of housing 16.

[0040] In some embodiments display 14 may comprise a touch-screen panel.
Display 14 may be operatively coupled to electronic equipment 74 positioned within enclosure 30 (Fig. 11). As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, many types of local or remote electronic equipment could be employed for communicating with and/or controlling operation of display 14. For example, in some embodiments equipment 74 could comprise a computer processor, modem, router and/or other electronic device located within enclosure 30 or elsewhere and connected to display 14 with wired connectors or by means of a wireless connection. In some embodiments apparatus 10 could include other equipment housed within enclosure 30, such as a GPS tracking device for monitoring and tracking the location of apparatus 10.

[0041] Cabinet 12 preferably has a relatively narrow profile so it can easily traverse through standard size doorways, hallways, into elevators etc. In one particular embodiment cabinet 12 has a width less than approximately 32 inches (approximately 80 cm). Wheels 18 allow rolling movement of cabinet 12 over different terrain. Wheels 18 may be lockable for immobilizing cabinet 12 at a desired location.

[0042] In operation, apparatus 10 may be used, for example, at a construction site. Cabinet 12 may be rolled to the desired location at the site with display 14 in the stowed position within enclosure 30 and with cover 34 closed. Wheels 18 may then be locked to immobilize apparatus at the desired location. A user could then open cover 34 as described above to expose opening 32. Next, the user could adjust display 14 from the stowed position to the extended position removed from housing 16. Depending upon the particular application and user preference, display 14 may be deployed in different orientations in the extended position, such as a vertical orientation, a partially inclined orientation and/or a horizontal orientation (Figs. 6-8).
In one embodiment display 14 may be used to electronically display construction plans/blueprints and the like. This would enable workers to consult display 14 at the construction site to review plans, renderings, photographs models and the like rather than conventional printed blueprints. As mentioned above, display 14 could include touch screen or other interactive functionalities. For example, display 14 could receive input in real time from designers or architects working at remote locations. By way of a specific example, designers or architects, or construction workers on-site, could read, mark-up and transmit construction drawings electronically to speed-up and streamline the drawing revision process. This would permit the drawings to be updated and transmitted directly to the work site, thereby avoiding the need to print updated blueprints and enabling real-time collaboration between a work site and a head office. By way of another example, safety or material handling information could be transmitted to display 14 for convenient review and acknowledgement by workers on-site.

[0043] At the end of the construction day, or when display 14 is otherwise not in use, display 14 may be adjusted from the extended to the stowed position as described above.
Optionally, cover 34 may be closed and display 14 may be securely locked within enclosure 30.
When display 14 is stowed and cabinet 12 is locked as aforesaid display 14 is protected from dust, debris or other potentially harmful conditions at the construction site. Also, display 14 and any other related electronic equipment such as computer processors is protected from theft.
[00441 At the end of the construction project, apparatus 10 may be easily moved to another construction site or other desired location. The user would simply unlock the wheels 18 and roll cabinet 12 to a transport vehicle or directly to a new site.
[0045] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims (48)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mobile cabinet for receiving and supporting an electronic display, said cabinet comprising:
(a) a housing defining an enclosure for receiving said display, wherein said housing comprises an opening to permit movement of said display between a stowed position located within said enclosure and an extended position at least partially removed from said enclosure;
and (b) a support secured to said housing for adjustably supporting said display for movement between said stowed and extended positions.

2. The cabinet as defined in claim 1, wherein said support supports said display in a plurality of adjustable display orientations in said extended position.

3. The cabinet as defined in claim 2, wherein said display orientations are selected from the group consisting of vertical, inclined and horizontal orientations.

4. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said opening is located in an upper portion of said housing.

5. The cabinet as defined in claim 4, wherein said housing comprises an upper panel which is adjustable between a closed position covering said opening and an open position exposing said opening.

6. The cabinet as defined in claim 4, wherein said housing comprises an upper panel and wherein said opening is an elongated slot formed in said upper panel, said housing further comprising a cover adjustable between a closed position covering said opening and an open position exposing said opening.

7. The cabinet as defined in claims 5 or 6, wherein said display is lockable within said enclosure when said display is in said stowed position and said opening is covered.

8. The cabinet as defined in claim 5, wherein said upper panel is foldable to enable adjustment between said closed and open positions.

9. The cabinet as defined in claim 6, wherein said cover is foldable to enable adjustment between said closed and open positions.

10. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-9, wherein said display is vertically slidable between said stowed and extended positions.

11. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-10, wherein said display is entirely removed from said enclosure in said extended position.

12. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-11, wherein said display is a flat panel LCD screen.

13. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-12, wherein display is an interactive touch screen.

14. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-13, wherein said cabinet is rollable over a support surface.

15. The cabinet as defined in claim 14, wherein said cabinet is releasably lockable to restrain movement relative to said support surface.

16. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-15, wherein said cabinet is less than approximately 32 inches (approximately 80cm) in width.

17. The cabinet as defined in claim 4 or 5, wherein said housing comprises front, rear, side and bottom panels and said upper panel, wherein at least one of said panels comprises a door for accessing the interior of said enclosure.

18. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-17, wherein said housing is constructed from aluminum.

19. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-18, wherein said support is mounted within said enclosure for coupling said display to said housing.

20. A mobile electronic display apparatus comprising:
(a) an electronic display;
(b) a cabinet comprising a housing defining an enclosure for receiving said display, wherein said housing comprises an opening to permit movement of said display between a stowed position located within said enclosure and an extended position at least partially removed from said enclosure; and (c) a support secured to said housing for adjustably supporting said display for movement between said stowed and extended positions.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said support supports said display in a plurality of adjustable display orientations in said extended position.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said display orientations are selected from the group consisting of vertical, inclined and horizontal orientations.

23. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-22, wherein said opening is located in an upper portion of said housing.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said housing comprises an upper panel which is adjustable between a closed position covering said opening and an open position exposing said opening.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said housing comprises an upper panel and wherein said opening is an elongated slot formed in said upper panel, said housing further comprising a cover adjustable between a closed position covering said opening and an open position exposing said opening.

26. The apparatus as defined in claims 24 or 25, wherein said display is lockable within said enclosure when said display is in said stowed position and said opening is covered.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said upper panel is foldable to enable adjustment between said closed and open positions.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein said cover is foldable to enable adjustment between said closed and open positions.

29. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-28, wherein said display is vertically slidable between said stowed and extended positions.

30. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-29, wherein said display is entirely removed from said enclosure in said extended position.

31. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-30, wherein said display is a flat panel LCD screen.

32. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-31, wherein display is an interactive touch screen.

33. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-32, wherein said cabinet is rollable over a support surface.

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said cabinet is releasably lockable to restrain movement relative to said support surface.

35. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-34, wherein said cabinet is less than approximately 32 inches (approximately 80cm) in width.

36. The apparatus as defined in claim 24 or 25, wherein said housing comprises front, rear, side and bottom panels and said upper panel, wherein at least one of said panels comprises a door for accessing the interior of said enclosure.

37. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-36, wherein said housing is constructed from aluminum.

38. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-37, wherein said support is mounted within said enclosure for coupling said display to said housing.

39. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-38, further comprising a computer processer located within said enclosure for controlling operation of said display.

40. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-39, further comprising communication means for connecting said display to a remote computer.

41. The cabinet as defined in any one of claims 1-19, or the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 20-39, wherein said support comprises an automatic lift system.

42. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein said lift system comprises a lifting column coupled to said display.

43. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein said lifting column comprises telescoping segments.

44. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in claim 42, comprising a wheel assembly mounted on an upper portion of said lifting column.

45. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in any one of claims 41-44, wherein said automatic lift mechanism comprises a microprocessor controller.

46. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in any one of claims 41-45, wherein said automatic lift mechanism is remotely controllable.

47. The cabinet as defined in claim 6, or an apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein adjustment of said display between said stowed and said extended positions causes adjustment of said cover between said closed and said open positions.

48. The cabinet or apparatus as defined in claim 47, wherein said support comprises a wheel assembly mounted on an upper portion thereof for contacting an undersurface of said cover.