Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multifunction image display device and, more particularly, to a multifunction image display device having an image display device (such as televisions, computer monitors, billboards etc.) and an integrated retractable static visual display, arranged in front of display panel of said image display device, for displaying a static visual image while said image display device is not in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image display devices such as televisions, computer monitors, billboards, etc. provide visual information when in use. They, however, leave blank area and serve little purpose when not in use. The blank area becomes much duller and aesthetically undesirable as screen size increases in recent years.
There have been attempts to cover television screen in particular.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,987 entitled furled decorative covering apparatus and method to Graham discloses a frame with furled decorative cover. The frame can be used to cover objects such as flat screen television. This invention provides an external means to cover the display and the said means takes additional space, adds additional parts and costs, and alters the environment for which the display unit was designed for.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,462 entitled TV-set having screen covering means to Skovgaard discloses a television set with a cabinet, a picture screen accommodated in the cabinet, a cover element connected to the cabinet. The cover is positioned over a front of the picture screen for covering the same when the set is not in use along with a control means to actuate, in response to the switching on of the television set, a removal of the cover element from the picture screen with such a delay that the actuation is initiated only after a picture has been fully established on the picture screen. This invention requires the screen cover to be connected to and contained within the cabinet that limits its use.
As a result, there is a need for a multifunction image display device that can fully address the dull idle screen problem by utilize the frame of the image display device and an integrated retractable and replaceable visual display to serve as a conventional picture-frame while the image display device is not in use, and served as a image screen while the image display device is in use. Such a device is simple and cost effective, and aesthetically appealing.
This invention discloses a multifunction image display device that consists of an image display device and an integrated retractable static visual display to utilize the display panel area to present static visual image such as decorative art works while the image display device is not in use. The static visual display is made of a sheet material having decorative art works. It not only eliminates the dull look of the idle screen but also enhances the visual appearance of the image display device with the static visual display. Another advantage of this device is that the front portion of the housing can be designed to possess desired style and characteristics.
In additional to the basic components of an image display device, this device comprises a base, a replaceable static visual display and features such as gap and channels defined between the front portion of the housing and the display panel.
The base acts as the carrier for the sheet material having static visual image, and the sheet material is detachably attached to the base by two coupling means, such as conventional zippers. The base comprises a shaft driven by a motor, strings and guiding shafts and rollers, two pieces of fabric and one or two rigid bars. One piece of fabric with one end connecting to the shaft, the two opposite sides connecting to portion of the two strings at one end and the other end detachably connecting to the sheet material is used as a connecting member for the sheet material. The other ends of the strings are connected to and looped around the shaft. A rigid bar and another piece of fabric are connected together with the piece of fabric detachably connecting to the sheet material by a coupling means and the rigid bar connecting to the strings to ensure the sheet material having uniform tension. The rigid bar is detachably connected to the two strings by the connecting means. The guiding rollers and shafts are used to support the base and ensure the portion of the base moves parallel to the display panel when it moves in front of the display panel.
A sheet material with static visual image is detachably attached to the base through the two coupling means on the opposite sides. The length of the sheet material is slightly shorter than the distance between the two coupling means on the base; therefore, certain amount of tension is imposed to the sheet material to ensure acceptable flatness of the sheet material as it is rolled down and revealed in front of the display panel.
A retracting mechanism is used for storing the sheet material in a wrapped orientation on the shaft when the sheet material is in the retracted position as well as for positioning the sheet material between the extended and retracted positions. In a particular embodiment of this invention, the strings of the base are connected to and looped around the shaft. The strings can be extended or retracted based on the direction of the rotation of the shaft. In another particular embodiment of this invention, the strings of the base are connected to and rolled around two spring-tensioned rollers. These tensioned rollers collect the excess strings as the sheet material is moved to cover the display panel and provide proper tension to the sheet material and strings.
To ensure aesthetical presentation of the static visual display, the front portion of the housing with features such as a gap and channels defined between the front portion of the housing and the display panel to conceal the strings, coupling and tensioning means and to allow the base and sheet material passing through is also disclosed in this invention. What is exposed is only the sheet material having static visual display and the front portion of the housing.
The range of the rotational motion of the shaft is defined through either the rotational travel of the shaft or by limit switches. The activation of the rotation is by internal signal from the image display device or by external wireless signal from a remote control. The deactivation of the rotation is by internal signal from the image display device or by rotational travel encoder or by the limit switches triggered by the base.
In a particular embodiment of this invention, position switches are placed at the “retracted” and “extended” positions to deactivate the rotational movement of the shaft. These switches can be located in the front portion of the housing and are contact sensitive. The rigid bar can be used to trigger the switches as the retractable display changes positions.
In a particular embodiment of this invention, a rotational encoder is coupled at the first rotational shaft to provide the position of the sheet material and the ability for the motor to stop at “extended” and “retracted” positions and any positions in between.
There are two modes of operation: a normal operation mode and a sheet material replacement mode. 1) In the normal operation mode, the motor is controlled by a switch on the image display device and/or external wireless signal. When “extend” signal is received, the motor is activated and starts rotation in the first direction. The motor will stop operation automatically when the switch designed for the “extended” position is triggered by the rigid bar or the rotational encoder reaches the “extended” position. When “retract” signal is received, the motor is activated and starts rotation in the second direction. The motor will stop operation automatically when the switch designed for the “retracted” position is triggered by the rigid bar or the rotational encoder reaches the “retracted” position. 2) In the sheet material replacement mode, the motor is controlled manually. When manual control signal is received from the switch or the control unit of the display or external wireless signal, the motor will rotate in the direction based on the signal and will stop operation when the control signal is off. In this mode, the sheet material can be placed at any location and the coupling means of the sheet material and the rigid bar can be exposed for replacing the sheet material.
The shaft is mounted on the supporting member of the image display device. A side access panel is allocated on the outer housing of the image display device for maintenance and repair of the retractable display system.
This invention provides a means to conceal the idle image screen with a retractable static visual display as an integral part of the image display device. It eliminates the dull appearance of an idle image screen and beautifies the surrounding with decorative static image of choice. The static visual display is replaceable through convenient attachment means.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
A retracting mechanism 40 is disposed inside the housing 2. The retracing mechanism 40 is for storing the sheet material 4 in a wrapped orientation when the sheet material 4 is in the retracted position as well as for positioning the sheet material 4 between the extended and retracted positions. The retracting mechanism 40 comprises the first shaft 8 disposed inside the housing 2 allowing rotation of the shaft 8, the top end of the first connecting member 5 is coupled to the first shaft 8. The sheet material 4 wraps around the first shaft 8 as the sheet material 4 moves from the extended position towards the retracted position. The shaft 8 is able to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The shaft 8 moves in the first direction as the sheet material moves towards an extended position. The shaft 8 moves in a second direction as the shaft 8 moves towards a retracted position.
Ideally, the retracting mechanism 40 further comprises a motor 10 mounted either inside the shaft 8 (illustrated in
The motor 10 can also be controlled by a remote controller 50 as shown in
There are three positions for the sheet material 4. 1) Retracted position (illustrated n
Replacement of the sheet material 4 can be achieved by taking the following steps:
First, rotate the shaft 8 so that the sheet material 4 is between the extended and retracted position (illustrated in
Second, tilt the rigid bar 7 at the end of the sheet material 4 and dislocate the rigid bar 7 out of the channels 204 (illustrated in
Third, rotate the sheet material 4 down so that the first connecting means 19 at the top of the sheet material 4 is accessible, then detach the sheet material 4 from the base 60 by detaching means 19 such as zipper. This step is possible since the rigid bar 7 that serves as a stopper for the travel of the base 60 is detached from the base 60. After detaching the sheet material 4 from the first connecting means 19, a new sheet material 4 can be attached to the already exposed first connecting means 19. The sides of the new sheet material 4 can be inserted into the side channels 204.
Fourth, rotate the sheet material 4 up so that the second connecting means 19 and the attachment points for the rigid bar 7 are exposed. The new sheet material 4 then can be attached to the second connecting member 20 that is connected to the rigid bar 7. The rigid bar 7 then can be attached to the attachment points on the strings 18.
Fifth, further rotate the sheet material 4 down to the end of the range as the rigid bar 7 triggers the range switch. Normal operation then can be restored.
The orientation related descriptive words such as “up”, “upwardly”, “down”, “downwardly”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, etc. are relative to each other. The retractable static visual display can be arranged in left-right or up-down orientations, and all these words shall be substituted among them to maintain the same relative orientation.
While this invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. Many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.