Apparatus and methods for mounting flat panel displays

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for mounting a flat panel display to an outer surface of a control panel over a panel opening therein, e.g., for retrofitting an existing display. A display is secured to a frame, and the frame is mounted to the control panel such that the display is disposed over the panel opening. Wires from the display are directed through the control panel, and coupled to circuitry behind the control panel. For example, a box with circuitry to operate the display may be mounted behind the control panel, e.g., generally opposite the display. The display may be a resized liquid crystal display, e.g., including one or more diagonal corners. The resulting display may be larger than the existing display and/or may maximize the size of an active area of a display given a fixed area available on a control panel.

1 . A method for mounting a flat panel display to a control panel, comprising:
 mounting the display to an outer surface of the control panel;   directing one or more wires from the display through the control panel; and   coupling the one or more wires to circuitry behind the control panel.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel comprises a panel opening therein, and wherein the display is mounted over the panel opening. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more wires are directed through the panel opening to the circuitry behind the control panel. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the panel opening has an opening width and an opening height and the display has a display width and a display height, and wherein at least one of the opening width and the opening height is smaller than the display width and display height. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising removing an existing display from the panel opening before mounting the display over the panel opening. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , mounting the display to the outer surface of the control panel comprises:
 mounting the display to a frame; and   securing the frame to the control panel by directing fasteners through respective holes in the frame and holes in the control panel used to secure the existing display.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting a box behind the control panel, the box comprising the circuitry behind the control panel. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the box is mounted behind the control panel generally opposite the display. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising resizing a rectangular display to provide the display. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein resizing the rectangular display comprises removing at least one corner of the rectangular display. 
   
   
       11 . A method for mounting a flat panel display to a control panel having a panel opening therein, the panel opening having an opening width and an opening height, comprising:
 securing the display to a frame, the display having a display width and a display height; and   mounting the frame to an outer surface of the control panel such that the display is disposed over the panel opening, at least one of the opening width and the opening height being smaller than the display width and the display height.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing an existing display from the panel opening before mounting the frame to the outer surface of the control panel. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the existing display comprises at least one of a cathode ray tube, a galvanometric gauge, and a mechanical gauge. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the display and the frame are substantially flat such that the display lies substantially parallel to the control panel when the frame is mounted to the outer surface of the control panel. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , the control panel comprising a plurality of holes adjacent the panel opening, the frame being mounted to the control panel by a plurality of fasteners received through the holes. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , the frame comprising a plurality of holes that are aligned with the plurality of holes in the control panel, and where the plurality of fasteners are received through respective holes in the frame and control panel. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the panel opening comprises a rectangular shape including diagonal corners and wherein the plurality of holes are disposed through respective diagonal corners. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 directing one or more wires from the display through the control panel; and   coupling the one or more wires to circuitry behind the control panel.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising mounting a box behind the control panel, the box comprising the circuitry behind the control panel. 
   
   
       20 . A flat panel display mountable to a control panel comprising a panel opening therein, the panel opening comprising a rectangular shape including diagonal corners, the diagonal corners having holes therein for receiving fasteners, comprising:
 a bezel comprising a generally planar, rectangular frame having a rectangular opening therein, the bezel comprising a plurality of holes in corners of the frame for receiving respective fasteners therethrough, and a recess therein comprising diagonal walls adjacent the holes; and   a liquid crystal display secured to the bezel such that an active area of the display that displays information is exposed through the rectangular opening, the display comprising a rectangular shape having at least one diagonal corner to accommodate the display being received within the recess of the bezel.