US5420710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal display apparatus with detachable light source
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-07
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Granted: 1995-05-30
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Expires: 2013-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal display apparatus has a first supporting member for containing and supporting a liquid crystal display plate and a light guiding plate and a second supporting member for containing and supporting a light source. The first supporting member is provided separately from the second supporting member. When a coupling chip of the second supporting member is inserted in a coupling hole of the first supporting member, the first and second supporting members are integrated with each other. Since the second supporting member can be easily installed to and removed from the first supporting member, the changing of the light source can be done with ease. Additionally, since it is not required to directly handle the light source, the changing and transportation of the light source can be done with safety. Moreover, since the first supporting member is provided separately from the second supporting member, it is easier to cut off a heat generated by the light source so as not to conduct to a liquid crystal display plate and light guiding plate. Accordingly, the non-uniform displaying due to the heat of the light source can be avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hajime Nanbu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133308; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133602; G02F1/133608; G02F1/133615; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display plate; light guiding means for guiding light to a rear surface of said liquid crystal display plate, the light guiding means having a first side face for receiving the light incident thereon; light source means for projecting the light toward said first side face, said light source means being placed beside said light guiding means; first supporting means for supporting said light guiding means; second supporting means for supporting said light source means in a surrounding manner around said light source means, the second supporting means being provided with an opening through which the light passing from said light source means to said first side face is transmitted; and coupling means for coupling said first and second supporting means so as to freely install and remove with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display plate; light guiding means for guiding light to a rear surface of said liquid crystal display plate, the light guiding means having a first side face for receiving the light incident thereon; light source means for projecting the light toward said first side face, said light source means being placed beside said light guiding means; first supporting means for supporting said light guiding means; second supporting means for supporting said light source means in a surrounding manner around said light source means, the second supporting means being provided with an opening through which the light passing from said light source means to said first side face is transmitted; and coupling means for coupling said first and second supporting means so as to freely install and remove with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes a coupling chip which is formed in one of said first and second supporting means so as to couple to a coupling hole, the coupling hole being formed in the other of said first and second supporting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling means is made of a thermally insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light guiding means includes a light transmitting plate, said first side face being provided on said light transmitting plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said light transmitting plate is disposed in a rear surface of said liquid crystal display plate so as to be parallel to said liquid crystal display plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a diffusion sheet is adhered to a front surface of said light transmitting plate facing to said liquid crystal display plate while a reflecting sheet is adhered to a rear surface of said light transmitting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first supporting means includes a frame for containing said liquid crystal display plate and light guiding means therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said frame is provided with a displaying window having a size which corresponds to a regional area of an effective displaying area of said liquid crystal display plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said frame includes upper and lower sections which catch therebetween said liquid crystal display plate and light guiding means, said frame being divisible into said upper and lower sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first supporting means has a first slit facing to said first side face, and said light source means projects the light toward said first side face through said first slit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first supporting means includes a light transmitting plate for sealing said first slit therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light source means includes a cold cathode ray tube of straight pipe type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light source means includes a thermal cathode ray tube of straight pipe type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second supporting means includes a frame for containing said light source means therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said light source means includes a cold cathode ray tube of straight pipe type, leads, and harnesses, each top end of said leads being provided with the corresponding harness, wherein said respective harnesses are taken outside said frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second supporting means has a second slit formed on a position corresponding to said first side face, and said light source means projects the light toward said first side face through said second slit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second supporting means has a second slit formed on a position corresponding to said first slit, and said light source means projects the light toward said first side face through said first and second slits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said second supporting means includes a light transmitting plate for sealing said second slit therewith.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said second supporting means includes a light transmitting plate for sealing said second slit therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first supporting means, said second supporting means and said coupling means are formed by a same thermal insulating material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second supporting means includes upper and lower sections which catch therebetween said light source means, said upper and lower sections being divisible with each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said frame includes upper and lower sections which catch therebetween said light source means, said upper and lower sections being divisible with each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said second supporting means includes connecting means for coupling an end portion of said upper section and an end portion of said lower section, the end portions facing with each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said coupling means includes a metalic member which can bend upon closing of said upper and lower sections.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein one end portion of said upper section and said lower section has a click and the other end portion of said upper and lower sections has a concave section such that said click couples to said concave section upon closing of said upper and lower sections, the end portions facing with each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first supporting means and said coupling chip are formed by a same thermal insulating material so as to be integrated with each other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second supporting means and said coupling chip are formed by a same thermal insulating material so as to be integrated with each other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said coupling chip has a small hole around a center thereof, the coupling hole having a protrusion of a hemispherical shape thereinside, whereby said protrusion couples to said small hole upon installing of said coupling chip to said coupling hole.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second supporting means includes dissipating means for dissipating a heat generated by said light source means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein said second supporting means includes a box frame for containing said light source means therein, and said dissipating means has a dissipating member in a rear side of said box frame from said light guiding means view.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a clearance is provided between said first supporting means and said second supporting means so as to cut off a heat generated by said light source means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The liquid crystal display apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein respective shapes of said coupling chip and coupling hole are adjusted such that a clearance, for cutting off a heat generated by said light source means, is provided between said first supporting means and said second supporting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-29 | 1998-11-28 | 1999-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-11-28 | 2003-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-29 | 2006-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |