FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a packing box for packaging a device, the device packaged in the packing box, and a support configured for mounting to a mounting side of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A packing box accommodating a panel display device, particularly a flat TV apparatus or monitor, and a separate stand for the display device has been proposed in the past. Generally, such a packing box is a portable box which may be provided with rollers for moving the box easier. The known packing box has a bottom upon which the display device is placed in an upright position. After opening the packing box of a conventional assembly the display device and the stand are taken out of the box. The unpacked display device is usually laid on a table or the like, and in that (flat) position the stand is subsequently mounted to the display device. Thereafter the assembled display device can be placed in a desired position. A drawback of the above assembling is that the display device can be damaged easily when it is laid on the table or the like, or during mounting the stand. Moreover, a table or the like is needed during assembling unless assembling takes place on the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve the assembly as mentioned in the opening paragraph in order to facilitate the assembling of the device and the support after opening of the packing box.

This object is achieved by the assembly as defined in claim 1. More particularly, the assembly according to the invention comprises a packing box for packaging a device and having a side configured to be opened, the device packaged in the packing box and having a mounting side, and a separate support configured for mounting to the mounting side of the device, wherein the mounting side of the device packaged in the packing box and the side configured to be opened of the packing box are oppositely positioned. Due to the applied mutual configuration of the mounting side of the packaged device and the side to be opened of the packing box it is possible to assemble the device and the support before the device is unpacked. In other words the device remains in the packing box during mounting the support to the mounting side of the device. Just after assembling the device and the support the assembled unit, being the device and the support mounted to the device, is removed from the packing box and can be placed in a wished position. The assembly according to the invention does not need a table and the like during unpacking and during assembling the device and the support. Moreover, and also important, the risk for damaging the device during unpacking and assembling is small. It is noted that in most cases the support is packaged in the packing box accommodating the device. Nevertheless,

embodiments in which the support is separately packed may be also favorable. It is further noted that the mounting side of the device is the side of the device where the mounting of the support takes place or takes substantially place. Generally, the mounting side of the device is constituted by the bottom of the device, wherein the bottom is usually provided with a mounting means meant for cooperation with a corresponding mounting means of the support. It is also noted that the side to be opened of the packing box is constituted by an open able wall of the packing box. In general, such a wall has one or more flaps forming the top of the packing box. Nevertheless, embodiments in which the open able wall is formed on another side, thus not being the top side, of the packing box may be favorable, dependent on the location of the mounting side of the packaged device.

In a practical embodiment of the assembly according to the invention the device packaged in the packing box is a panel display apparatus. The panel display apparatus may be of any available type of flat panel display, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma displays, organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs), light-emitting diode displays (LED), electroluminescent displays (ELDs), surface-conduction electron-emitter displays (SEDs) and field emission displays (FEDs), also called nano-emissive displays

(NEDs). All these types may be part of a TV set or a monitor. As a display apparatus has a screen, it is very sensitive to mechanical influences causing scratches on the screen. The assembly according to the invention considerably reduces this danger.

A preferred embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the support packaged in the packing box is a stand provided with a first mounting means configured for cooperation with a second mounting means provided on the mounting side of the device packaged in the packing box. Although several kinds of known mounting means, such as screw connections, are applicable, a preferred embodiment of the assembly according to the invention has the feature that the first means and second means constitute a click system. A click system, known per se, is a mechanism having two interlocking parts. In the present embodiment the first means is constituted by one of these parts and the second means is constituted by the other one. The applied feature makes it possible to mount the support to the device still being in the packaged position by one movement. Preferably, the click system is of such a construction that it is robust enough to firmly fix the support and the device together. It may however be wished, e.g. in case of a heavy and/or large device, to add additional mounting means to the click system. In such a case it is preferred for simplicity reasons to apply only one screw inserted through an aperture in the support to be screwed into a corresponding screw hole provided on the mounting side of the device. The screw may be pre-mounted in the support. Although a stand is a preferred embodiment of the support, it is emphasized here that any suitable kind of support, such as a bracket, a wheel, a supporting leg, may be a suitable embodiment of the support. In all those cases it is preferred that the support packaged in the packing box is provided with a first mounting means configured for cooperation with a second mounting means provided on the mounting side of the device packaged in the packing box. The support may be made of any suitable material, such as a rigid plastic material and/or a metal.

In a practical embodiment of the assembly according to the invention the packing box has only one side configured to be opened, while the other sides of the packing box are configured for remaining closed. Generally, the said one side is constituted by the top of the packing box. By applying walls of a hard and/or tough material the said other sides can easily be created. A suitable material is cardboard, wherein the walls may be additionally provided with a foil of plastics film. Preferably, instructions printed on the outside of the packing box informs a customer about the side to be opened. It is noted that generally speaking the device is packaged in the packing box in such a way that the packing box can be stored and/or transported in any position. In case it is desired to store and/or to transport the packing box in a prescribed position, what will be mostly a upright position, instructions on the outside should inform accordingly and grips, if present, should be located accordingly.

In a practical embodiment of the assembly according to the invention the side configured to be opened of the packing box constitutes the top of the packing box, while the mounting side of the device packaged in the packing box is the bottom side of the device.

The invention further relates to a use of the assembly according to the invention.

A practical embodiment of the use of the assembly according to the invention includes the step of shipping and/or storing the assembly. A preferred embodiment of the use of the assembly according to the invention includes the following steps: opening the side configured to be opened of the packing box; taking the support; mounting the support to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box; taking the device now provided with the support out of the opened packing box. This method is client-friendly and highly prevents damaging of the device during unpacking and securing the support. Preferably, the support is packaged in the packing box. In this case the support is taken out of the packing box prior to mounting it to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box.

In a practical embodiment of the use of the assembly according to the invention the device is a panel display apparatus. The panel display apparatus may be of any available type of flat panel display, as already discussed in a foregoing paragraph.

A preferred embodiment of the use of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the support is a stand provided with a first mounting means which cooperates with a second mounting means provided on the mounting face of the device during mounting the support to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box. For the sake of completeness it is noted that the first mounting means still cooperates with the second mounting means after mounting the support to the mounting side of the device. More information about the mounting means is already provided in a foregoing paragraph.

In a preferred embodiment of the use of the assembly according to the invention the first means and second means click into each other during mounting the support to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box. A detailed disclosure about the use of a click system is already provided in a foregoing paragraph.

Within the context of the inventive concept disclosed in the foregoing paragraphs, the invention further relates to a method for mounting a support to a device. More particularly, the method relates to mounting a support to a device having a mounting side, wherein the support is configured for mounting to the mounting side of the device, including the following steps:

making use of a packing box in which the device is packaged, which packing box has a side configured to be opened, wherein the mounting side of the device packaged in the packing box and the side configured to be opened of the packing box are oppositely positioned; opening the side configured to be opened; taking a support configured for mounting to the mounting side of the device; mounting the support to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box. Preferably, the support is packaged in the packing box. In this case the support is taken out of the packing box prior to mounting it to the mounting side of the device still packaged in the packing box. Packaging the support in the packing box prevents an additional packing means for the support.

A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention includes the additional steps: taking the device now provided with the mounted support out of the opened packing box; positioning the device provided with the mounted support.

It is noted that all features mentioned in the several embodiments of the assembly according to the invention are also applicable in the method according to the invention and constitute embodiments of the method by applying into the method according to the invention.

It is further noted that the effects and advantages of the method according to the invention, and its embodiments, are similar to those of the already discussed assembly according to the invention and its embodiments, respectively. More particularly, due to the specific position of the mounting side of the packaged device with respect to the side to be opened of the packing box it is possible to fix the support on the device before the device is unpacked. In other words the device remains in the packing box during assembling the support and the device. Just after assembling the device and the support the assembled unit, being the device and the support secured to the device, is removed from the packing box and can be placed in any desired position. The method according to the invention does not need a table and the like for unpacking and assembling. The method according to the invention is quite simple and client-friendly, even in case of relatively heavy devices. A further important advantage is that there is hardly any risk for damaging the device during performing the method according to the invention, in other words the method is a safe method.

Although the assembly and the method according to the invention are very favorable in case of panel display apparatus, it is emphasized that the assembly and the method according to the invention may also be attractive in case of other devices, e.g.

domestic appliances or small pieces of furniture, which have to be provided with any kind of support, such as one or more stands, wheels, brackets or supporting legs, before putting into use.

It is to be noted that the patent US 7,690,508 B2 discloses a packing structure for a panel display device, particularly a plasma television. The packing structure has a package, including a lower box and an upper box, in which a main body of the display device and detached right and left stands are accommodated. The packing structure needs a lot of cushioning members. At the time of packing the main body is stored in a upright position in the lower box, where after the stands are stored with their long sides thereof oriented sideways. After disposing several cushioning members the upper box is put on the lower box. At the time of unpacking the upper box is removed, a left cushioning member and a right cushioning member are disposed into slits in the lower box, and other cushioning members are removed. In a next step the stands are removed and subsequently placed on the said left and right cushioning members. In a subsequent step the main body is lifted and insert shaft portions of the stands are inserted into insertion holes in the main body. Thereafter the stands are screwed to the main body. This known method is rather laborious and not quite client- friendly.

It is further noted that the patent US 7,690,508 B2 discloses a packing structure for stands-inclusive plasma television having a main body, wherein the stands are mounted to the main body before packaging. In other words, the stands are packed as integral parts of the main body. This known packing structure causes a relatively large volume of the package and is for that reason not very attractive.

With reference to the attached claims it is noted that all possible combinations of features mentioned in the claims are part of the invention.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, including a packing box, a device and a separate support for the device, wherein in this figure the device and support are packaged in the closed packing box;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the assembly is in the state as depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein in this figure the device and support are still packaged in the opened packing box;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the assembly is in the state as depicted in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the assembly is in the state as depicted in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the assembly is in the state as depicted in Fig. 3, however after removing some internal packaging material; Fig. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein in this figure the device is still packaged in the opened packing box, while the support has been removed from the packing box and mounted to the device;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the assembly is in the state as depicted in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein in this figure the device including the mounted support has been taken out of the packaging box and wherein the device beared by the support is put into a position outside the packing box; and

Fig. 10 is an embodiment of a click system suitable for assembling the support and the device still being packaged in the packaging box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is expressly noted that the disclosed embodiments are schematically depicted, the materials used in the depicted embodiments being assumed to be transparent for clarity reasons only. The disclosed embodiments represent examples of the assembly according to the invention. In the several figures the same reference signs have been used for corresponding parts, components and the like.

The assembly of the invention as depicted in the Figures 1 to 9 comprises a packing box 10, a device 20 and a support 30. The packing box 10 is in this example a rectangular box particularly made of cardboard. The packing box 10 has a top side 12, a bottom side 14 and four lateral sides 16. The top side 12 is configured to be opened from a closed state and is for that reason in the present example constituted by a cover having in this example two long flaps 13 and two short fiaps 15. The bottom side 14 and the lateral sides 16 are configured to remain closed and are for that reason in the present example constituted by a rigid cardboard. The device 20 is constituted by a flat panel display apparatus, particularly a flat TV set, further also indicated as the display apparatus 20. In another embodiment the device may be a flat panel pc monitor. The display apparatus 20 has a housing provided with a screen 22 and accommodating necessary electronic means. The display apparatus 20 has a mounting side 24, in this example formed by a bottom part of the display apparatus 20. The support 30 is a separate component and is in the present example constituted by a stand, further also indicated as the stand 30. The stand 30 is configured for mounting to the mounting side 24 of the display apparatus 20 and is made of a suitable plastic material.

Alternatively, the stand 30 may be made of a suitable metallic material or may be made of a combination of materials. In the present example the stand 30 has a base portion 32 and a stem portion 34.

In the Figures 1 and 2 the packing box 10 is in its closed state and accommodates the display apparatus 20 and the stand 30 in their packaged state. A remote control, not depicted in the drawings, may also be packaged in the packing box 10. The packing box 10 is provided with two lower buffer elements 17 and to upper buffer elements 19 for obtaining a correct accommodation of the display apparatus 20 and the stand 30. The display apparatus 20 is buffered at its edges by said four buffer elements 17 and 19, while the stand 30 is sandwiched between one of the buffer elements 17 and the opposite buffer element 19. The packaged display apparatus 20 is oriented in an upside down position with regard to the packing box 10, whereby the mounting side 24 of the display apparatus 20 packaged in the packing box 10 and the top side 12 of the packing box 10 are oppositely positioned. The stand 30 is located beside the display apparatus 20. In the condition disclosed in the Figures 1 and 2 the assembly according to the invention is in the right condition for shipping and/or storing. It is noted that in the closed state the packing box may be enfolded by a protection foil. Preferably, the protection foil of such an embodiment is provided with a tear open edge or the like located near the side configured to be opened of the packing box. In case a protection foil is applied, the foil is removed in a pre-step before opening the packing box.

In the Figures 3 to 5 the packing box 10 is in its opened state, while all thing are still packaged into the packing box 10. As can be seen in these figures the top side 12 of the packing box 10 has been opened by bending outwards the flaps 13 and 15. Via the now open top side 12 of the packing box 10 the mounting side 24 of the display apparatus 20 is accessible.

In Figure 6 the packing box 10 is in its opened state, wherein the display apparatus 20 and the stand 30 are still packed, however the upper buffers 19 have been removed from the packing box 10.

In the Figures 7 and 8 the packing box 10 is in its opened state, wherein the display apparatus 20 is still packed. However, with regard to the state depicted in Figure 6 the stand 30 has been removed from the packing box 10 and is mounted to the mounting side 24 of the display apparatus 20. In present example the fixation of the stand 30 to the mounting side 24 of the display apparatus 20 is realized by a first mounting means 31 of the stand 30 and a cooperating second mounting means 21 in the mounting side 24, i.e. the bottom part, of the display apparatus 20. In this embodiment the first and second mounting means 31 and 21 are parts of a click system of which an example is disclosed in Figure 10.

In other embodiments the first and second mounting means may be parts of a screw assembly or any other suitable fixing or securing device. In some cases, e.g. in case of heavy devices, a combination of joining means may be preferred. In the present embodiment the click system may be effectively combined with a screw assembly.

While the packing box 10 remains in its upright position, the display apparatus 20 can now easily be pulled out of the box, turned upside down, and placed on its final location.

In Figure 9 the display apparatus 20 together with the stand 30 secured thereto is removed from the packing box 10. The base portion 32 of the stand 30 has been placed on a supporting area 40 of a table, piece of furniture and the like, in order to position the display apparatus 20.

In Figure 10 an example of the click system, indicated by the numeral 50, applied into the embodiment disclosed in the Figures 1 to 9 is depicted in detail. The first mounting means 31 of the stand 30 is provided with a plate-like body 51 fixed to the stem portion 34 of the stand 30 and comprising a pair of protruding resilient lips 53. The second mounting means 21, located in the bottom part of the display apparatus 20, is provided with a slot 52 for receiving the plate-like body 51. The second mounting means 21 is further provided with a mounting member 54 having two openings 56 for receiving the lips 53 during inserting the plate-like body 51 into the slot 52, in which openings 56 the lips 53 are locked after insertion.

Summarizing and referring to the Figures 1 to 10, the following method according to the invention is disclosed in the foregoing description of the depicted

embodiments. A method for mounting a support 30 to a device 20 having a mounting side 24, wherein the support is configured for mounting to the mounting side 24 of the device 20, including the following steps: making use of a packing box 10 in which the device 20, and preferably the support 30, is packaged, which packing box 10 has a side 12 configured to be opened, wherein the mounting side 24 of the device 20 packaged in the packing box 10 and the side 12 configured to be opened of the packing box 10 are oppositely positioned; opening the side 12 configured to be opened; taking the support 30; mounting the support 30 to the mounting side 24 of the device 20 still packaged in the packing box 10; taking the device 20 now provided with the mounted support 30 out of the opened packing box 10; positioning the device 20 provided with the mounted support 30. The packing box in its closed state may be provided with an instruction board, preferably located being between the mounting side of the device and the side configured to be opened of the packing box. In such an embodiment the sheet is removed in an intermediate step performed prior to the step in which the support is mounted to the device, preferably removed directly after opening the packing box. If wished, the exterior of the packing box may be provided with instructions about the assembling of the packaged device and support. The exterior may also indicate the position of the screen of the device in order to further simplify the method. Preferably, the screen is opposite to the person performing the method according to the invention.

In summary, an assembly is disclosed which comprises a packing box (10) for packaging a device (20), which packing box has a side (12) configured to be opened. The assembly further comprises the device packaged in the packing box, which device has a mounting side (24). Moreover, the assembly comprises a separate support (30) configured for mounting to the mounting side of the device. The device is being packed upside down so that its mounting (bottom) side and the box's opening (top) side are oppositely positioned. This assembly facilitates the assembling of the device and the support after opening of the packing box.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing. Several amendments and modifications of said examples are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In this context it is noted that the display apparatus as depicted in the figures can be replaced by any other portable device, wherein, self-evidently, the packing box is adapted. Furthermore, the stand as depicted in the figures can be replaced by any other suitable support. In the claims, the word "comprise" and conjugations thereof do not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.