GB2140073A

GB2140073A - Display connecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2140073A
Application number: GB08408890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Lindahl; Allen Darrell Mcnoughton
Original assignee: GAVILAN COMPUTER CORP
Current assignee: GAVILAN COMPUTER CORP
Priority date: 1983-04-08
Filing date: 1984-04-06
Publication date: 1984-11-21
Also published as: IT8467350A0; IT8467350A1; DE3413111A1; JPS606986A; FR2544112A1; IT8453244V0; GB8408890D0; IT1180041B

Abstract

Apparatus for connecting a display panel (22) to a housing (24), particularly a housing of a computer system is described. The apparatus comprises connection means (52, 54) for housing (24) pivotally connecting the panel (22) to the housing so that the display surface (34) of the panel is rotatable upwards to positions suitable for displaying computational messages. Friction means are provided, to generate sufficient frictional force between the housing (24) and panel (22) to support the panel in at least two different predetermined display positions, comprising interengaging grooves and projections (172b, 172c). Preferably, the connection means comprises two connectors (52, 54) each comprising a hinge bracket attached to the housing and a hinge pivotally connected to the panel. The hinge may slide relative to the hinge bracket so that the panel may be caused to first slide away from the housing and then rotate so that the keyboard and other controls in the housing are more accessible. A latch device may also be provided for connecting the display panel (22) to the housing (24) when the panel (24) when the panel (22) is in the closed position for convenient transportation of the panel together with the housing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display connecting apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for connecting a display to a housing and more particularly to apparatus for connecting a display to other parts of a computer system.

Much computer equipment includes a display panel for displaying computational messages such as results of the computations performed by the computer, or commands typed in by the user, or other messages from the software author. It is desirable for the display screen to be attached to the main computer body at an angle convenient for the user. It is also desirable to provide a connecting mechanism which enables the display panel to be transported conveniently with computer equipment without having to disconnect the panel from the equipment.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for connecting a display to a housing, comprising: connection means for providing a pivotal connection between the housing and the display; and friction means for maintaining the display in at least two predetermined different angular positions relative to the housing when the display is pivoted relative to the housing.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides apparatus for connecting a display to a housing, the apparatus comprising: means for providing a slidable connection between the display and the housing so that the display is slidable in a direction substantially parallel to a given surface of the housing for a predetermined distance.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides apparatus for connecting a display panel suitable for displaying computational messages to a computer system housing having a control plane which is at an angle to the horizontal plane and which is suitable for installation of computational controls, the apparatus comprising: a first connector part attached to the housing, the first connector part defining a groove substantially parallel to the control plane and further defining a channel therein; a second connector part attached to the display panel, wherein the second connector part has a guiding projection adapted to fit into the groove, so that the second connector part is slidable with respect to the first connector part, the second connector part having also a shoulder portion facing one of the two directions of sliding movement of the second connector part; a spring connected to the two connector parts urging the second connector part to slide with its projection in the groove of the first connector part in such direction that it causes the display panel to slide away from the computer housing in a direction substantially parallel to the control plane; and a release rod adapted to fit into the channel in the first connector part, the rod having a pawl adapted to contact the shoulder portion of the second connector part so as to prevent the second connector part from sliding with respect to the first connector part as urged by the spring, unless the rod is moved with respect to the first connector part to disengage the pawl and the shoulder portion.

The present invention also provides a latch device for connecting a first and a second object in abutting relationship, wherein the two objects have been coupled so that they are brought in abutting relationship by moving the first object towards the second object along a predetermined line with reference to the second object, and/or by rotating the first object towards the second object, the latch device comprising: a femal connector in the second object comprising an elongate recepta- cle substantially parallel to the predetermined line; and a male connector including a locking member coupled to the first object so that it is slidable substantially along the predetermined line when the two objects are brought together in abutment, the locking member having a locking end extending beyond the first object, the locking end being shaped to fit into the receptacle of the female connector, and the locking member being so located relative to the first object that when the first object is moved towards the second object along the predetermined line, the locking end of the locking member will enter the receptacle to connect the two objects, and when the first object is rotated towards the second object the locking end will contact the second object near the rim of the receptacle, causing the locking end to slide towards the first object until it scales and clears the rim of the receptacle and aligns with the receptacle, and a spring connected to the locking member urging it to slide away from the first object, so that when the locking end is aligned with the receptacle, the force of the spring will cause the locking end to enter the receptacle to connect the two objects, thereby substantially restraining the first object from rotating away from the second object.

Apparatus embodying the invention is particularly suitable for connecting a display panel to the housing of a computer as well as the housings of computer peripherals if the need arises.

In a preferred embodiment, the display comprises a display panel having a display surface suitable for displaying computational messages and the display panel is pivotally connected to the housing by connection means to that the display surface is rotatable away from the housing and towards a vertical plane. Friction means are coupled to the connector such that friction forces generated by the friction means will maintain the display surface in at least two different predetermined detent positions which are at two different angles to the horizontal plane. The pivotal connection preferably comprises a first connector attached to the housing and a second connector connected to the display panel.The second connector is adapted to be coupled slidably with the first connector so that when the display panel is caused to slide away from the housing before the display surface is rotated, the display panel is rotated to a position further away from the housing which allows greater access to parts of the housing such as the keyboard. A latch device for connecting two objects, in this case the computer system housing and the display, where they have already been coupled may be provided so that the housing and display are brought to an abutting relationship by either one of two movements: (i) by moving the first object towards the second object along a predetermined line in reference to the second object, and (ii) by rotating the first object towards the second object.The latch device comprises a female connector in the second object comprising an elongate receptacle substantially parallel to the predetermined line. The latch device further comprises a male connector which includes a spring and a locking member coupled to the first object. The locking member of the male connector is so coupled to the first object that it is slidable substantially along the predetermined line when the two objects are brought together in abutment.

The member has a locking end extending beyond the first object. Such end is shaped to fit into the receptacle of the female connector.

The locking member of the male connector is so located relative to the first object that (i) when the first object is moved towards the second object along the predetermined line, the locking end of the member will enter the receptacle to connect the two objects; and (ii) when the first object is rotated towards the second object, the locking end will contact the second object near the rim of the receptacle causing the locking end to slide towards the first object until it scales and clears the rim of the receptacle and aligns with the receptacle.

The spring of the male connector is connected to the member urging it to slide away from the first object so that when the locking end is aligned with the receptacle, the force of the spring will cause such end to enter the receptacle to connect the two objects.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a computer with a display panel thereof in an open position, the display panel being connected to the computer system housing by apparatus the embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the computer of Fig. 1 with the display panel shown in different open, closed and raised positions to illustrate the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3A is a partially cross-sectional and Partially elevational view of part of the computer of Fig. 1 and a computer housing illustrating, in detail, the connection means of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, Figure 3B is a partially cross-sectional and partially elevational view of part of the computer of Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 38, but showing a hinge of the connection means moved with respect to a hinge bracket thereof.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the hinge and part of the hinge bracket but showing the hinge slid upwardly relative to the bracket; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hinge and bracket of the connection means of Fig.

3A and a portion of the display panel where parts of the display panel and of the hinge part of the connection means have been cut away; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of portions of the display panel and computer housing and of a latch device for connecting the display panel and housing to keep the display panel in the closed position during transporation.

Figure 7 is an elevational view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 6; Figures SA and 8B are cross-sectional views of the portions of the display panel and computer housing and of the latch device of Fig.

6 illustrating the operation of the latch device; and Figures 9A and 9B are side elevational views of the computer housing and display panel showing two different positions of the panel when it is rotated towards the housing; Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a computer 20 incorporating apparatus in accordance with the invention connecting a display panel 22 and computer housing 24 of the computer 20. The electronic components in the display panel 22 and computer housing 24 are connected by cable 26. As shown in Fig. 1, the display panel 22 includes a display screen 34 for displaying computational messages such as the results of computations, commands of the user or messages from the software author.

The computer 20 has a keyboard 36 protruding through a window 38 in housing 24. The outer rim of the window is in a plane 40. For convenience of description, the base plane 42 of the computer housing 24 will be referred to as the horizontal plane. Both the keyboard 36 and plane 40 are at a slight angle to the horizontal plane. The Computer 20 has a control panel 44 on a control plane 48 for solid state controls.

The display panel 22 is connected to computer housing 24 by connection means in the form of two substantially similar connectors 52 and 54. Since the two connectors are substantially similar, only one of the connectors will be discussed below. The two connectors 52 and 54 are such that they allow the entire display panel 22 to slide upwards in a direction substantially parallel to control plane 48 and allow the panel 22 to be rotated about its edge, away from the computer housing (in the position as shown in Fig. 1) to allow access to the keyboard 36 and control panel 44. Rotating the display panel 22 upwards, after it is caused to slide upwards, provides greater access to the keyboard and the control panel.The two connectors are such that they can support the display panel 22 at different angles to the horizontal plane so that the position of display screen 34 may be adjusted to suit the user's height and position or to avoid glare from the glass window pane covering screen 34. The detailed functions of the connectors are described below.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the computer 20 of Fig. 1 with its display panel shown in different open, closed and raised positions to illstrate the preferred embodiment of this invention. The closed position of the display panel 22 is shown in solid lines in Fig.

2. After panel 22 has been slid upwardly along line 56 substantially parallel to plane 48 of the housing, the new position 22a of the display panel, hereafter referred to as the raised position, is indicated in dotted lines.

The display panel is then rotated upwards.

The five different display positions 22b to 22f of the display panel are illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The sliding function provided by the two connectors will now be described with reference to Figs. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B. Fig. 3A is a partially cross-sectional and partially elevational view of a portion of the display panel 22 and a portion of the computer housing 24 and connector 54. Cable 26 has been omitted to simplify the Figure. Connector 54 comprises connector parts 72 and 74 slidably connected to each other. Preferably, part 72 is a hinge bracket and part 74 a hinge. The individual configurations of parts 72 and 74 are more clearly shown in Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 4A, 4B and 5, a groove 76 is provided in each of two sides of the hinge 74 slidably to receive a member 78 of the hinge bracket 72, allowing the hinge 74 to slide along the guiding members. Thus, hinge 74 is slidable with respect to bracket 72.Bracket 72 is enclosed within housing 24 and attached to it by a conventional means such as screwing two brackets 79 of the hinge bracket to housing 24. Hinge 74 is connected to the display panel 22 so that when the hinge slides with respect to the bracket 72, the display panel 22 will slide with respect to the housing 24. Display panel 22 abuts a back portion 80 of hinge 74 (see Figs. 3A, 3B) so that as the hinge slides upwards, the entire display panel 22 is lifted off plane 40 of the computer housing along the direction 56.

As shown in Fig. 5, bracket 72 comprises two generally triangular plates 86, 88 connected at the top by a rod 90 and a plate 92.

As also shown in Fig. 5, hinge 74 has rod 96 in its lower portion which is connected by springs 100 to the rods 90. Hinge 74 is prevented from sliding upwards unless it is released as explained below. When hinge 74 is so prevented from sliding upwards, springs 100 are stretched so that when hinge 74 is released, the potential energy stored in the springs will cause hinge 74 to move upwards against gravity along the direction of guiding members 78 until the forces exerted by springs 100 are balanced by the weight of panel 22 and hinge 74. Bracket 72 is so connected to housing 24 that the plane of the two members 78 is substantially parallel to plane 48 so that the action of the springs will cause hinge 74 and display panel 22 to move in a direction 56 substantially parallel to plane 48 (see Figs. 2, 3A and 3B).

Referring to Fig. 5, a release mechanism 110 prevents hinge 74 from sliding upwards as urged by springs 100 unless a button 112 of the release mechanism is pushed. Release mechanism 110 comprises button 112, a rod 114 connected to button 112 at one of its ends, pawl 116 mounted on rod 114 and spring 118 which coils around rod 114 and pushes against pawl 116 on one side and plate 88 on the other. Pawl 116 is generally cylindrical in shape with part of the cylinder fitting into a hole 120 in plate 86. The cylindrical portion of pawl 116 has two projections 112 and hole 120 is shaped to accommodate the two projections. Projections 122 will prevent pawl 116 from rotating.

Pawl 116 has a tongue 124 adapted to engage hinge 74 and to stop it from sliding upwards. Spring 118 urges pawl 116 into hole 120 in plate 86. Hinge 74 has a shoulder 130, beneath the top part of one of the grooves 76. Unless button 112 is pushed, the force of spring 118 will cause tongue 124 to be positioned under the elongate member 78 and in position to engage shoulder 130.

When pawl 116 is in this position, protruding portion 124 engages shoulder 130 to prevent part 74 from sliding upwards. These positions of the pawl and the shoulder are also shown in Figs. 3A and 4A. Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the hinge with the tongue of the pawl abutting the shoulder of the hinge and preventing the hinge from sliding upwards.

Fig. 48 is a perspective view of the hinge of Fig. 4A with the tongue of the pawl not abutting the shoulder of the hinge, and with the hinge in the raised position reached by sliding along arrow 56. When button 112 is pushed along direction 132 as shown in Fig.

4B against the force of spring 118, rod 114 moves towards housing 24 (moves to the right in reference to Fig. 4B and to the left in reference to Fig. 5) thereby moving tongue 124 to be out of the way of shoulder 130 so that hinge 74 may slide upwards along arrow 56. These positions of the pawl and shoulder are shown in Figs. 3B and 4B. The dotted line in Fig. 38 shows the position of the hinge before it has slid upwards. Hinge 74 and the display panel 72 may be restored to their original positions by pushing hinge 74 downwards (opposite to arrow 56) so that it slides in the direction of elongate member 78 until shoulder 130 clears tongue 124. Spring 118 then pushes tongue 124 (in a direction opposite to arrow 132 in Fig. 4B) to abut shoulder 130 and to keep hinge 74 in a down position until button 112 is again pushed.

It should of course, be understood that other configurations and constructions may be used for the hinge 74 and hinge bracket 72.

Moreover, while two connectors 52, 54 are used in the described arrangement, one such connector located in the centre of the display panel and computer housing would sufficient.

In the preferred embodiment, connector 54 is attached to computer housing 24 and pivotally connected to display panel 22. Hence, display panel 22 may be rotated about connector 54 and housing 24. The pivotal connections between connector 54 and display panel 22 are illustrated in Fig. 5. Thus, the top portion of hinge 74 defines a horizontal channel 140 therein adapted to receive a pivot means for pivotally engaging the display panel 122.

As shown in Fig. 5, channel 140 is shaped to receive a pivot means 142 comprising two generally cylindrical members 144, two circular rubber pads 146 and spring 148. The two cylindrical members 144 fit into opposite ends of the channel 140. Each cylindrical member 144 has a bore facing the other cylindrical member into which spring 148 fits.

Thus, spring 148 urges the cylindrical members 144 outwardly viewing from inside channel 140. Each cylindrical member 133 has a cylindrical tip portion 144a protruding from the hinge 74 and adapted to engage display panel 22 to act as pivots. Each member 144 has projections 144b on its cylindrical surfaces that fit into corresponding grooves in channel 140. Projections 144b prevent members 144 from rotating with respect to the display panel as display panel 22 rotates about the cylindrical tip portions 144a of the members. As shown in Fig. 5, display panel 22 defines a recess 160 into which the top portion of hinge 74 fits. A cylindrical hole 164 is provided in each of two side surfaces 1 62 of the recess 160 to receive a respective cylindrical tip portion 144a.Thus, spring 148 urges the tip portions 144a into the cylindrical holes 164 to pivotally connect hinge 74 and display panel 22. Rubber pads 146 are placed between the tip portions 144a and the ciruclar surface of the holes 164 to increase the friction between display panel 22 and hinge 74. A screw 150 shaped to fit into holes 152 in the circular surfaces of holes 64 passes through the pads 146 and spring 148 and serves to strengthen pivot means 142.

Therefore, if display panel 22 is allowed to fall under the force of gravity, the frictional forces between rubber plates 146, hinge 74 and display panel 22 will develop a drag force against the force of gravity and will reduce the forces arising on impact of the display panel on the computer housing.

Channel 140 is also shaped to receive a detent mechanism 170. Detent mechanism 170 includes two detent members 172 and a spring 174. Each detent member 172 has a cylindrical portion 172a for housing spring 1 74. Detent members 172 are placed in channel 140 with the cylindrical portions 172a facing inwardly and the spring 174 urges the detent members 172 outwardly from channel 140 and towards the side surfaces 162 of recess 160 in the display panel.

Each member 172 has elongate projections 172b facing the side surface 162 of the display panel 22. The elongate projections 172b of each detent member are located so as to extend in a substantially radial direction from the centre of cylindrical tip portion 1 44a. Each pair of adjacent elongate projections 172b defines a groove 1 72c therebetween. A pin 180 is fitted into a respective hole 182 in each side surface 162. Each pin 180 has an elongate head 184, a part of which also fits into the respective hole 182.

The heads 184 are oriented to extend in radial directions with respect to the centre of the cylindrical holes 164. Holes 182 are positioned so that when the display panel and hinge 74 are pivotally connected (by pivots 142 to hole 164), the heads 184 fit into corresponding grooves 1 72c on each side of hine 74. Heads 184 and grooves 1 72c are so shaped that the frictional forces developed therebetween are sufficient to support display panel 22 in the positions 22c, 22d, 22e in Fig. 2 as explained below. The frictional forces, however, are not excessive so that display panel 22 may be rotated manually to a different desired position. When display panel 22 is manually rotated, the heads 184 of the pins 180 will scale respective elongate projections 172b so that the display panel may reach a new desired position.

In the preferred embodiment, each detent member 172 has four elongate projections 172b defining the grooves 172c. As shown in Fig. 2, display panel 22 may be supported in any of five display positions 22b through 22f.

When head 184 is in one of the three grooves 1 72c, display panel 22 is in one of the three positions 22c, 22d or 22e. When display panel 22 is in position 22b or 22f, head 184 is not in any of the grooves. Thus when the display panel is in position 22b, it is supported through head 184 by the first of projections 172b reached when the display panel is rotated from the raised position 22A.

When the panel is in position 22f, it is supported by the surface 176 of computer housing 24 (see Fig. 2). It will be understood that any number of detent positions can be provided for by choosing the number of elongate projections 172b. The angle between any two adjacent detent positions of the panel is approximately 15 therefore allowing the display screen to be placed in five different positions varying over an angular range of 60'. It will be understood that such angle may be changed by changing the angles between pairs of adjacent elongate projections 172b and their locations on member 172.

The detent members 172 also have projec-tions 172d which fit into grooves in the channel 140 to prevent the detent members 172 from rotating in the channel 140. While the above structure of the detent mechanism 170 is used in the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that other structures may be used.

In the preferred embodiment, hinge bracket 72 is connected to housing 24 and hinge 74 to display panel 22. It will be understood, however, that the hinge and bracket may be switched in position so that the hinge is connected to housing 24 and the bracket to display panel 22 and the connector 54 will function in a similar manner as described above.

In the preferred embodiment, the control plane 48 and plane 40 of the window for the keyboard in the computer housing form a recess and display panel 22 is shaped to fit into this recess so that the display panel is in the closed position, the housing and the panel together may be transported conveniently. A latch device is used to connect the display panel to the computer housing so that the display panel will remain in the closed position during transportation.

The latch device is illustrated in Figs. 6. 7, 8A, 88, 9A and 9B. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display panel 22, a portion of the computer housing 24 and the latch device 200. Latch device 200 comprises a female connector which is an elongate receptacle 202 in the computer housing. Receptacle 202 is substantially parallel to the line 56 of sliding movement of display panel 22 determined in reference to the computer housing. The line of such sliding movement is shown in Fig. 6. The latch device 200 also includes a male connector comprising locking member 212 and spring 214. The locking member 212 is so coupled to the display panel that it is slidable substantially along a line parallel to line 56 when the display panel is brought to contact with the computer housing.In the preferred embodiment, locking member 212 is a plate which is generally Hshaped in cross-section. The shape of plate 212 is shown more clearly in Fig. 7. Two plates 222 connected to the display panel have edges fitting into the grooves of Hshaped plate 212 defining the direction of sliding movement of plate 212. Plate 212 has a locking extension or end 21 2a which is flat and not H-shaped (shown also in Fig. 1) and which is shaped to fit into the receptacle 202.

The bottom part of the H-shaped portion of plate 212 rests on a shoulder 224 of the display panel which prevents plate 212 from sliding downwards beyond the shoulder. In the preferred embodiment, spring 214 may be a spring wire, shown more clearly in Fig.

7. In the preferred embodiment, spring 214 is connected to one of the plates 222 and contacts the top portion of plate 212, urging the plate to move downwards. For a more secure connection, the top portion of plate 212 has a hook 212b into which one end of spring 214 fits.

Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate the functions of the latch device shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Thus, when display panel 22 is pushed downwards towards computer housing 24 along the line 56 in Fig. 6, the operation of the latch device 200 is illustrated in Fig. 8B.

Since both the receptacle 202 and the locking end end 212a of plate 212 are aligned and are both substantially parallel to line 204, locking end 21 2a will simply slide into receptacle 202 to connect the display panel to the computer housing and to prevent the panel from being rotated upwards.

As explained above, when display panel 22 is pushed downwards against the urging of springs 100, the tongue 124 of pawl 11 6 will abut shoulder 130 to prevent hinge 74, and therefore the display panel, from sliding upwards. Display panel 22 is then locked to the computer housing on one side by pawl 116 and connected on the other side by latch device 200. Pushing button 112 will allow springs 100 to move hinge 74 upwards along member 78 as explained above. Since line 56 is substantially parallel to control plane 48 and thus to guiding member 78, when display panel 22 slides upwards along member 78, locking extension 212a automatically slides upwards with the display panel along a line parallel to member 78, withdrawing from receptacle 202.Therefore, to release display panel 22 from the closed position, pushing button 112 is sufficient so that it is unnecessary to release the panel separately from the latch device.

Figs. 9A and 9B are side elevational views of the computer housing and display panel showing two positions of the panel when it is rotated towards the computer, to illustrate the function of the latch device. Latch device 200 is so constructed that even if the display panel is not pushed downwards along direction 56, but is rotated towards the computer housing, latch 202 will still operate to connect them.

Thus, when display panel 22 is rotated towards computer housing in the direction of arrow 250 from the position in Fig. 9A to that in Fig. 9B, the latch operation is illustrated by Fig. 8A. The tip of the locking extension 21 2a will land not in receptacle 212 but on a portion of computer housing near the rim of receptacle 202. As the display panel is rotated further downwards, reaction force exerted by the computer housing will cause plate 212 to slide upwards against the urging of spring 214 while the tip of locking end 21 2a scales a portion of the rim of the receptacle. Plate 212 will continue to slide until display panel 22 is about to contact computer housing 24 at which time the locking end has scaled and cleared a portion 202a of the rim of receptacle 202 so that the extension and the receptacle are again aligned.When this happens, there is no longer a reaction force acting on plate 212 and spring 214 causes portion 212a to enter receptacle 202 to connect the display panel and computer housing. To make it easier for extension 212a to scale and clear portion 202a of the rim, the sharp edge of such portion has been cut away so that the portion has a truncated surface.

In the above description, the male connector is connected to the display panel and the female connector to the computer housing. It will be understood, however, that the male connector may be connected instead to the computer housing and the female connector to the display panel and the latch device will function in a similar manner. In the preferred embodiment, the line of sliding movement 56 of the panel is at an acute angle to surface 40 of the computer housing. It will be understood that the latch device will function in a similar manner, even if the sliding movement is at right angles or an obtuse angle to such surface. Member 212 of the male connector need not be an H-shaped plate and its sliding engagement with the display panel need not be as shown.For example, a rod fitting into a hole in a display panel urged downward by a spring in the upper portion of the hole will serve the same purpose.

Preferably, the display panel and computer housing including the portions adjacent and connected to the hinge bracket, and the hinge and the latch device are all made of a plastics material preferably by an injection moulding process. Alternatively, a die cast metal such as aluminium may also be used to construct the display panel and computer housing. The hinge bracket 72 and hinge 74 may also be made of injection molded plastics material or a die cast metal. In the release mechanism 110, button 112 is made of a plastics material, shaft 114 is made of metal, and pawl 11 6 may be made of either a plastics material or metal. Plate 212 in the latch device may also be constructed from a plastics material or a die cast metal. The springs used in the preferred embodiment such as springs 100, 118, 148, 174 and 214 are made from spring wire or music wire. The springs may be constructed from any one of the many conventional materials for constructing springs such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, steel or stainless steel.

In the discussion above the connecting mechanism connects a display panel to a computer housing. It will be understood, however, that such connecting mechanism may be used to connect a display panel to the housing of a computer peripheral unit or in fact to any other object.

Claims

1. Apparatus for connecting a display to a housing, comprising: connection means for providing a pivotal connection between the housing and the display; and friction means for maintaining the display in at least two predetermined different angular positions relative to the housing when the display is pivoted relative to the housing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the friction means comprises: first and second friction members each connectable to a respective one of the display and the housing, the second friction member having a plurality of grooves for receiving the first friction member so that, when the first friction member is received in one of the grooves, the display will be retained in one of the predetermined angular positions relative to the housing.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein one of the friction members is connectable to the respective one of the display or housing via the connection means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each groove is defined between two elongate projections of the second friction member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each elongate projection has a triangular cross-section so that each groove is notch-shaped.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 further comprising biasing means for urging the friction members towards one another to increase frictional forces therebetween and to reduce the likelihood of accidental disengagement between the two friction members.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring adapted to be housed in a channel provided in the connection means, the display or the housing.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a body of the connection means and one of the display and housing define first and second surfaces the first and second surfaces having provided therein a hole and a channel respectively, the connection means body further comprising a pivot member adapted to fit into the hole and channel to provide the pivotal connection.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, further comprising: a spring inside the channel for urging a portion of the pivot member into the hole; and friction means in the hole to engage the pivot member and the surface of the hole, to develop a drag force against the force of gravity on the display, thereby reducing the force of any impact between the display and the housing.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection means is also arranged to provide a slidable connection between the housing and the display so that the display is slidable in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the housing for a predetermined distance.

11. Apparatus for connecting a display to a housing, the apparatus comprising: means for providing a slidable connection between the display and the housing so that the display is slidable in a direction substantially parallel to a given surface of the housing for a predetermined distance.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the connection means comprises first and second connector parts each connectable to a respective area of the housing and the display.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein, in use, the display is rotatable about the second connector part.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the first connector part defines a groove substantially parallel to the surface of the housing and wherein the second connector part has a guiding projection adapted to fit into the groove so that the second connector part is slidable with respect to the first connector.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 12. 13 14, wherein biasing means are provided for urging the second connector part to slide upwardly until the force exerted by the spring is substantially balanced by the total weight of the second connector part and the display, the predetermined distance being determined by the force exerted by the spring and the total weight of the second connector part and the display.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, further comprising a releasing means for preventing the second connector part from sliding upwards unless the releasing means is activated.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the releasing means comprises a release rod adapted to be received in the first connector part, the rod having a pawl for containing a shoulder of the second connector part, the pawl being normally biased into constant with the shoulder.

18. Apparatus for connecting a display to a housing substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

19. Apparatus in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims. in combination with a display and a housing.

20. A combination according to Claim 19, wherein the housing comprises a computer system housing.

21. A combination according to Claim 19 when dependent in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the given surface comprises a control plane of the computer system housing suitable for computing controls.

22. Apparatus for connecting a display panel suitable for displaying computational messages to a computer system housing having a control plane which is at an angle to the horizontal plane and which is suitable for installation of computational controls, the apparatus comprising: a first connector part attached to the housing, the first connector part defining a groove substantially parallel to the control plane and further defining a channel therein; a second connector part attached to the display panel, wherein the second connector part has a guiding projection adapted to fit into the groove, so that the second connector part is slidable with respect to the first connector part, the second connector part having also a shoulder portion facing one of the two directions of sliding movement of the second connector part; a spring connected to the two connector parts urging the second connector part to slide with its projection in the groove of the first connector part in such direction that it causes the display panel to slide away from the computer housing in a direction substantially parallel to the control plane; and a release rod adapted to fit into the channel in the first connector part, the rod having a pawl adapted to contact the shoulder portion of the second connector part so as to prevent the second connector part from sliding with respect to the first connector part as urged by the spring, unless the rod is moved with respect to the first connector part to disengage the pawl and the shoulder portion.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a second spring connected to the release rod and the first connector part for urging the rod to a position in which the pawl contacts the shoulder portion to prevent the second connector part from sliding relative to the first connector part.

24. Apparatus according to Claim 22 or 23 in combination with a display panel and a computer system housing having a control panel which is at an angle to the horizontal and which is suitable for installation of computational controls.

25. A latch device for connecting a first and a second object in abutting relationship, wherein the two objects have been coupled so that they are brought in abutting relationship by moving the first object towards the second object along a predetermined line with reference to the second object, and/or by rotating the first object towards the second object, the latch device comprising: a female connector in the second object comprising an elongate receptacle substantially parallel to the predetermined line; and a male connector including a locking member coupled to the first object so that it is slidable substantially along the predetermined line when the two objects are brought together in abutment, the locking member having a locking end extending beyond the first object, the locking end being shaped to fit into the receptacle of the female connector, and the locking member being so located relative to the first object that when the first object is moved towards the second object along the predetermined line, the locking end of the locking member will enter the receptacle to connect the two objects, and when the first object is rotated towards the second object the locking end will contact the second object near the rim of the receptacle, causing the locking end to slide towards the first object until it scales and clears the rim of the receptacle and aligns with the receptacle, and a spring connected to the locking member urging it to slide away from the first object, so that when the locking end is aligned with the receptacle, the force of the spring will cause the locking end to enter the receptacle to connect the two objects, thereby substantially restraining the first object from rotating away from the second object.

26. A device according to Claim 25, wherein the first object is a display panel and the second object is a computer system housing.

27. A device according to Claim 25 or 26, wherein the two objects are so coupled that when they are brought into abutting relationship, they are locked in such relationship unless a release mechanism is activated and wherein activating such mechanism will cause the first object to slide away from the second object along the predetermined line, so that when such mechanism is activated the locking end of the locking member will withdraw from the receptacle along the predetermined line, thereby disconnecting the two objects.

28. A device according to Claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein the locking member is Hw shaped in cross-section defining two grooves, one on each side, and wherein the first object defines two plate edges that ride slightly in the two grooves, the plate edges being so oriented that the direction of sliding movement of the locking member is substantially parallel to the predetermined line.

29. A device according to claim 25, 26, 27 or 28, wherein the elongate receptacle is at an acute angle to the surface of the second object adjacent to the receptacle.

30. A device according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the portion of the rim of the receptacle scaled by the locking end when the first object is rotated towards the second object has a truncated surface.

31. A latch device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

33. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.