MOUNTING DEVICE FOR A DISPLAY PROTECTOR

Abstract

A mounting device for joining a display protector onto a display of an apparatus includes a frame having an alignment cut-out which provides at least one alignment portion serving to align the display protector and, to this end, being contactable with the display protector, and at least one cut-out providing an accommodating portion. Further, the frame includes a supporting member engageable with the accommodating portion with an engaging portion, so that the supporting member projects toward the one side. In addition, the supporting member includes at least one display alignment portion which is aligned with respect to the alignment portion when the at least one supporting member is engaged with the frame, and which serves to align a display or the apparatus.

Claims

1. A mounting device for joining a display protector onto a display of an apparatus comprising: a frame which is configured such that the display protector on one side and the apparatus having the display on another side are positional with the frame such that the frame touches the display protector and the display and/or the apparatus during the joining, the frame comprising cut-outs, wherein at least one cut-out is an alignment cut-out which comprises at least one alignment portion serving to align the display protector and, to this end, being contactable with the display protector, and at least one cut-out is an accommodating portion, and a supporting member engageable with the accommodating portion by means of an engaging portion, so that the supporting member projects toward the one side, wherein the supporting member comprises at least one display alignment portion which is aligned with respect to the alignment portion when the at least one supporting member is engaged with the frame, and which serves to align a display or the apparatus and, to this end, is contactable with the display or the apparatus.

2. The mounting device according to claim 1 wherein an alignment cut-out is larger than the display protector joined onto the display, viewed from a display normal direction (Z), which is a direction perpendicular to the display when the apparatus is positioned with the frame.

3. The mounting device according to claim 1 which comprises a plurality of alignment portions.

4. The mounting device according to claim 1 wherein alignment portions are connected via an alignment connecting region.

5. The mounting device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting device has a plurality of supporting members.

6. The mounting device according to claim 7 wherein supporting members are connected to each other via a supporting connection region.

7. The mounting device according to claim 6 wherein the supporting connection region consists of engaging portions of connected supporting members.

8. The mounting device according to claim 1 wherein, relative to the apparatus positioned with the mounting device or to the display protector, at least one display alignment portion or one alignment portion is present on both sides in a longitudinal direction (X), which is a direction in which the apparatus has the largest extension and is perpendicular to the display normal direction (Z), and is present on both sides in a transverse direction (Y), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and the display normal direction (Z).

9. The mounting device according to claim 1 wherein the frame has a plate form, and the one side is a plate upper side, and the other side is a plate bottom side.

10. The mounting device according to claim 9 wherein the mounting device comprises a supporting portion on the plate bottom side or in supporting members, so that the mounting device positioned with the apparatus is supported on the display or on the apparatus, wherein the supporting portion forms a joining plane (XY) in which the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y) are located.

11. The mounting device according to claim 9 the alignment cut-out or supporting members, viewed from the display normal direction (Z), comprising a contour of the display protector having an offset outwardly in parallel to the joining plane (XY).

12. The mounting device according to claim 11 wherein concave radii of a contour of alignment portions are configured to be smaller than corresponding convex radii of the display protector and serve as alignment connecting regions.

13. The mounting device according to claim 9 wherein a central plate which is arranged in parallel to the joining plane (XY) within the alignment cut-out is connected to the frame via webs, so that weakened areas are created around the central plate.

14. The mounting device according to claim 13 wherein the central plate comprises supporting members, which are bonded to the central plate by means of a weakened area via webs.

15. The mounting device according to claim 14 wherein the webs are implemented in the concave radii of alignment cut-outs.

16. The mounting device according to claim 14 wherein the alignment cut-out includes additional cut-outs which extend outwardly from the alignment cut-out substantially in parallel to the joining plane (XY) and at the ends of which the webs are located.

17. The mounting device according to claim 16 wherein the additional cut-outs are used as accommodating portions of the supporting members, with which the engaging portions can be engaged.

18. A mounting device for joining a display protector onto a display of an apparatus, the mounting device including: a frame which is configured such that the display protector on one side and the apparatus having the display on another side are positional with the frame such that the frame touches the display protector and the display and/or the apparatus during the joining, the frame comprising cut-outs, wherein at least one cut-out is an alignment cut-out which comprises a display alignment portion aligned with respect to an alignment portion, when at least one supporting member is engaged with the frame, and serving to align the display or the apparatus and, to this end, being contactable with the display or the apparatus, and at least one cut-out is an accommodating portion, and the supporting member engageable with the accommodating portion by means of an engaging portion, so that the supporting member projects toward the one side, wherein the supporting member comprises at least one alignment portion which serves to align the display protector and, to this end, is contactable with the display protector.

19. The mounting device according to claim 18 wherein the cut-outs extend from the one side to the other side.

20. The mounting device according to claim 19 wherein the display of the apparatus positioned with the mounting device serves as an additional alignment portion to the display protector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the invention in a non-assembled state.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention in an assembled state.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the invention.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a top view, viewed from the display normal direction Z, of a first embodiment of the invention. See, in FIG. 2, an illustration of X, Y, and Z directions with respect to a frame 3. In this embodiment, the frame 3 has six accommodating portions 34. One accommodating portion 34 is arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction X on each side of the alignment cut-out 311. Two accommodating portions 34 are arranged in the transverse direction Y on each side of the alignment cut-out, at a very large distance from one another in the longitudinal direction, respectively. This is advantageous in that a torque between the display and the mounting device in the joining plane XY can be very well supported by the supporting members 4. The frame 3 has a rectangular outer contour, wherein outer corners are rounded.

[0078] The frame 3 has a rectangular alignment cut-out 311, the corners of the cutout in the display normal direction Z being rounded. The rounded corners represent alignment connecting regions 32. The straight portions connected to the rounded corners represent the alignment portions 30. The alignment portions 30 and the alignment connecting regions 32 represent an offset of a contour of a display protector 1. That is, a display protector viewed from the display normal direction Z has a smaller area than the alignment cut-out 311.

[0079] On each side of the alignment cut-out 311 in the transverse direction Y, an additional cut-out 312 is arranged to enlarge the alignment cut-out 311, as viewed from the display normal direction Z and serves as a recess. In the present embodiment, this recess has a depth of 0.5 mm. The recess can also recede smoothly from alignment portions 30, for example at a very obtuse angle or in a curved shape.

[0080] A central plate 35 is disposed within the alignment cut-out 311 and is bonded to the frame 3 by means of a weakened area. The weakened area is a circumferential continuous section interrupted only at webs 33. The webs 33 are located in the edges of the additional cut-outs 312 furthest away in the transverse direction Y.

[0081] In the region of the additional cut-outs 312, the central plate 35 projects outwardly in the transverse direction Y with its edge outermost in the transverse direction Y beyond the alignment portions 30 which are aligned in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, the webs 33 from the additional cut-outs 312 do not project inwardly in the transverse direction beyond the alignment portions 30 arranged in the longitudinal direction. This is advantageous in that the webs 33 do not interfere with a joining of a display protector 1, regardless of where the webs break when the central plate 35 is detached from the frame 3.

[0082] Within the central plate 35, a smoothing-out member 50 is connected to the central plate 35 by means of a weakened area. The smoothing-out member 50 can be detached from the central plate 35 by manual force. Within the smoothing-out member 50, six supporting members 4 are connected to the smoothing-out member 50 by means of a weakened area. The supporting members 4 can be detached from the smoothing-out member 50 by manual force.

[0083] The supporting members 4 each have a display alignment portion 40 and an engaging portion 44 on both sides in the display normal direction Z. This is advantageous in that, when the supporting members 4 are engaged with the accommodating portions 34 of the frame 3, there is no need to pay attention to an alignment of a display alignment portion 40, since the supporting members 4 can be inserted into the accommodating portions 34 on both sides in the transverse direction Y of the alignment cutout 311. Thus, assembling the mounting device is very easy.

[0084] Further, all six supporting members 4 are identically configured. Thus, each of the six supporting members 4 can be inserted into each of the six accommodating portions 34. Thus, an assembly of the mounting device is very easy.

[0085] The frame 3, the central plate 35, the smoothing-out member 50 and the supporting members 4 are made of the same flat plate-shaped raw material and have the same thickness in the display normal direction Z. Thus, a plurality of mounting devices can be stored in a very space-saving manner. In addition, a material requirement for manufacturing the mounting device is reduced, which lowers the manufacturing cost and contributes to a careful use of natural resources.

[0086] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the mounting device of the first embodiment, the additional cut-outs 312 not being shown. In FIG. 2, the central plate 35 is detached from the frame 3. The engaging portions 44 of the supporting members 4 are inserted into the accommodating portions 34 of the frame 3 contrary to the display normal direction Z and are thus engaged or connected with the frame 3. The supporting members 4 project from the frame at least contrary to the display normal direction Z.

[0087] The mounting device is placed on an apparatus having a display 2 such that display alignment portions 40 are in contact with the apparatus and the display 2 supports the mounting device in a display normal direction Z. In other words, the display 2 and the frame 3 contact each other on the lower side of the plate-shaped frame 3 in the display normal direction. The lower side of the frame 3 provides a supporting portion. The cut-outs of the accommodating portions 34 are positioned so as to be aligned with the outer contour of the apparatus when viewed from a display normal direction Z, together with the display alignment portions 40 of the supporting members 4 facing the apparatus.

[0088] When a display 2 is positioned with the mounting device, the mounting device and the display 2 are clearly positioned relative to each other in all three spatial directions of the display normal direction Z, the longitudinal direction X, and the transverse direction Y via the supporting portion and the display alignment portions 40. In particular, a displacement or a rotation of the mounting device and the display 2 relative to each other is effectively prevented.

[0089] When a display 2 is positioned with the mounting device, a display protector can be joined to the display 2. For this purpose, the display protector is tilted about the transverse direction Y with respect to the joining plane XY. One side of the circumference of the display protector 1 is then made to contact the display 2 through the alignment cut-out 311. Maintaining this contact, the side of the circumference of the display protector 1 is brought into contact with the alignment portion 30 provided in the longitudinal direction X. Then, the display protector 1 is aligned with respect to the alignment portions 30 aligned in the longitudinal direction X. Then, the display protector can be tilted into the joining plane XY while maintaining these contact points. As a result, the contact areas of the display protector 1 and the display 2 become larger. When the display protector 1 is aligned in parallel to the joining plane XY and lies flat against the display 2, the joining process is completed.

[0090] The smoothing-out member 50 can then be used to smooth out air bubbles that may have formed between the display 2 and the display protector 1 from the contact area between the display 2 and the display protector 1. For this purpose, a flat side of the circumference of the smoothing-out member 50 is placed on the display protector 1, as viewed from the display normal direction Z, in front of an air bubble, and pressure is applied to the display protector 1 by the smoothing-out member 50. Meanwhile, the smoothing-out member 50 is moved toward the air bubble. Then, when the pressure is applied appropriately, the air bubble is pushed in front of an edge of the smoothing-out member 50 until the air bubble reaches an end of the contact area between the display protector 1 and the display 2 and disappears from the contact area.

[0091] In FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown from the display normal direction Z. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the supporting members 4 are bonded to the central plate 35 by means of weakened areas and are no longer bonded to the smoothing-out member 50 within the smoothing-out member 50. Further, the mounting device additionally includes components for an apparatus holding member 60, which are connected to the central plate 35 by means of weakened areas within the central plate 35.

[0092] Further, the smoothing-out member 50 is disposed at a position in the outermost area of the central plate in the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X. In this area, there is a camera, which represents an area projecting contrary to the display normal direction Z, in the apparatus when it is positioned with the mounting device. Thus, at least in the area in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y, the same weakened area can be used for the smoothing-out member 50 and the central plate 35 to detach the smoothing-out member 50 and the central plate 35 from the frame 3. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0093] Once the smoothing-out member 50 and other members or components such as the supporting members 4 or the components for the apparatus holding member 60 are detached from the central plate 35, the central plate 35 can be positioned under the apparatus against the display normal direction Z such that the camera projects into the area from which the smoothing-out member 50 is detached from the central plate 35. Thus, the bottom side of the apparatus lies flat on the central plate 35 and the surface, the central plate 35, the display 2 and the joining plane XY are substantially parallel to each other. This is advantageous in that the apparatus with the positioned mounting device can rest stably on the surface and cannot wobble during the joining. This enables a precise joining.

[0094] The apparatus holding member 60 consists of two identical foot components and a rest component. The two foot components can be engaged with the rest component via engaging portions. When the apparatus is inserted into the apparatus holding member 60, the apparatus is held by the apparatus holding member 60 at an angle with respect to the ground surface which the rest component forms with the surface. In the present embodiment, this angle is 75°.

[0095] In FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown from the display normal direction Z. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the supporting members 4 have a different shape and the accommodating portions 34 are positioned differently. The accommodating portions 34 are arranged in the frame so as to open into the alignment cut-out 311. The accommodating portions 34 and the additional cut-outs 312 are thus identical. In other words, the accommodating portions 34 of the alignment cut-out 311 serve as additional alignment portions 312.

[0096] The webs 33 via which the central plate 35 is connected to the frame 3 are arranged in the transverse direction Y at the outermost ends of the accommodating portions 34. This can prevent residues of the web 33, after the central plate 35 has been detached from remaining in the alignment cut-out 311 required for joining the display protector 1 onto the display 2. In addition, the webs 33 are located so far away from the alignment cut-out 311 where the joining takes place that it is highly unlikely that particles from the severed web 33 get between the display protector and the display 2 during the joining.

[0097] In this embodiment, the supporting members 4 are inserted from the alignment cut-out 311 with their engaging portions 44 outwardly in the longitudinal direction X or the transverse direction Y into the accommodating portions 34 of the frame, and surfaces that can serve as supporting members 37 are aligned contrary to the display normal direction Z. When the supporting members 4 are engaged with the frame 3, the supporting members 4 project on both sides from the frame 3 in the display normal direction X.

[0098] In FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown from the display normal direction Z. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the supporting members 4 are shaped differently and the accommodating portions 34 are provided in the frame at different positions and in different numbers.

[0099] In the present embodiment, four supporting members 4 in a smoothing-out member 50 are connected to a smoothing-out member 50 by weakened areas. The supporting members 4 differ from each other in shape. Two short supporting members 4 are provided, which are engaged with the frame 3 on both sides of the alignment cut-out 311 in the longitudinal direction X. Each short supporting member 4 has an engaging portion 44.

[0100] Two long supporting members 4 are provided, which engage with the frame 3 on both sides in the transverse direction Y. Each long supporting member 4 has three engaging portions 44. In addition, the long supporting members 4 have operating element cut-outs 45 of different shapes. The supporting members 4 are inserted with their engaging portions 44 into the accommodating portions 34, and adjacent supporting members 4 can engage with each other and can support each other.

[0101] In FIG. 6, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown from the display normal direction Z. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the frame 3 is larger and more supporting members 4 and accommodating portions 34 are provided in the frame 3.

[0102] The present embodiment is a mounting device for a large apparatus, such as a tablet or a phablet. Accordingly, ten supporting members 4 are provided and 10 accommodating portions are distributed around the alignment portion 311 in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y to ensure a relative position of the display 2 and the mounting device during the joining.