Bracket for light strip

Abstract

The present invention provides a bracket for mounting a light strip to a surface. The bracket has two components, each with a light strip holder. A light strip path is defined between both light strip holders. The bracket has a hinge connecting the two components and allowing them to swing towards each other. When the components swing towards each other, the hinge and both components clear the light strip path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of light strips, and more particularly to the attachment of light strips using brackets.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in order to provide an ambient light effect, there is an increasing tendency to attach light strips to the back of electrical devices, particularly display screens such as computer monitors and / or television screens. To achieve such attachment, one or more brackets are required to support the light strip.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The problem with display screens and other possible surfaces to which the brackets can be fixed is that they are often curved. Therefore, there is a need for brackets that can take such curvature into account.

[0004] In particular, there is a continuing need for improved brackets that can be firmly attached without damage or breakage to the light strip when a change in the direction of the light strip is required (for example, at the corner of the back of a monitor and / or television screen).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0006] According to an example according to an aspect of the present invention, a bracket for attaching a light strip, a first component in a first plane including a first light strip holder for holding the light strip in a first direction, a second light strip holder separated from the first light strip holder, the second light strip holder holding the light strip in a second different direction, thereby defining a light strip path between the first light strip holder and the second light strip holder, a second component in a second plane including the second light strip holder, and a hinge configured to rotatably connect the first component to the second component, the bracket being configured such that when the first component and the second component swing towards each other about the axis of the hinge, the hinge is movable relative to the light strip path, and having a hinge, the first component and the second component that avoid the light strip path when the hinge moves relative to the light strip path, and a bracket is provided in which the axis is substantially perpendicular to the bending axis of the light strip path.

[0007] A bracket for attaching a light strip along a corner or along any change in direction is designed to hold the light strip in a curved shape. However, problems occur if the surface to which the bracket is attached (for example, some surfaces behind a monitor / TV) is not flat relative to the bracket. In these cases, the bracket can be bent so that the entire bracket can be attached to the surface. However, the bending operation creates an undesirable force on the light strip that can cause unexpected damage.

[0008] Accordingly, a bracket is proposed that can be bent around a hinge and thus can be attached to curved and inclined surfaces without applying undesirable forces to the light strip when attached. The bracket has a light strip holder that guides the light strip along two different directions, thereby bending the light strip from the first direction to the second direction. Since the hinge and the first and second components can move relative to the light strip, no undesirable forces are applied during bending.

[0009] If the light strip moves with the hinge when the components are rotated towards each other, the light strip is stretched in the space between the light strip holders. However, if the hinge and the components can move relative to the light strip, the light strip can remain in a position where it is not stretched when the hinge and the components move relative to each other, thus preventing the light strip from being stretched by the hinge.

[0010] The operation of bending the bracket and the operation of swinging the components towards each other are intended to refer to the same operation.

[0011] The first light strip holder may have a first wall section extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane of the first component from a first edge of the first component, a first arm section extending in a direction substantially parallel to the first plane of the first component from a first part of the first edge of the first component, and a first arm wall section extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane of the first component from a first arm edge of the first arm section. The first part may be a part of the first edge that is quite distal from the hinge.

[0012] The second light strip holder may include a second wall section extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane of the second component from a first edge portion of the second component, a second arm section extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second plane of the second component from a first portion of the first edge portion of the second component, and a second arm wall section extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane of the second component from a second arm edge portion of the second arm section.

[0013] The arm wall section extends only from the first portion of the first edge portion (i.e., near the edge portion of the component distal from the hinge). This is because it has been found that if the arm wall section extends from or near the proximal edge portion of the hinge, undesirable forces are generated when the component is rotated.

[0014] The first portions of the first edge portions of the first component and the second component may be included within a continuous portion of the first edge portion starting at the location on the first edge portion that is most distal from the hinge and each extending less than half of the first edge portion of the first component and the second component, respectively.

[0015] The hinge may be configured such that a maximum change in the angle between the first component and the second component is substantially equal to the tangent of the height of the arm wall section with respect to the width of the arm section.

[0016] The maximum change in the angle may be 32 degrees or less.

[0017] The first direction may be at an angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees with respect to the second direction. This allows the light strip holder to guide the direction of the light strip, enabling the light strip to be bent at an angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees. This particular angle depends on the required direction change.

[0018] The minimum angle between the first direction and the axis of the hinge, and the minimum angle between the second direction and the axis of the hinge in the hinge may be between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0019] Both first edge portions of the first component and the second component may have a curved portion adjacent to the proximal edge portion of the hinge. The curved portion can provide a support for the light strip when the light strip is changing direction, and the support provided to the light strip is in a direction that does not shear the light strip.

[0020] The bracket may further have an adhesive for fixing the back surface of the bracket to an outer surface.

[0021] The bracket may further have a conforming material between the back surface of the bracket and the adhesive.

[0022] The conforming material enables the bracket to be attached to a curved surface or a rough surface without the need to conform the components of the bracket to the shape of a specific surface.

[0023] The conforming material may be rubber or a similar material.

[0024] The thickness of the conforming material can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm.

[0025] The total thickness of the adhesive and the conforming material can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm.

[0026] The conforming material may be a foamed tape (e.g., an acrylic foamed tape) coated with an adhesive.

[0027] The increase in height by the adhesive and the conforming material provides an additional space such that when the bracket is bent, an undesirable force is not applied to the light strip from the surface to which the bracket is attached, and the light strip can move within the space under the hinge. Depending on the shape of the surface to which the bracket is attached, when the bracket is attached to the surface, the surface may apply an undesirable force to the light strip. Thus, the additional height avoids the undesirable force applied to the light strip by the surface.

[0028] Furthermore, giving the adhesive and the conforming material the aforementioned thickness eliminates the need for thicker first and second components in these cases.

[0029] The hinge may have a flexible portion that bridges the first component and the second component. This enables the bracket to be manufactured as a single part without the need to manufacture two separate components and join them with a separate hinge. At least a portion of the first component and the second component may be made of the flexible portion.

[0030] The flexible portion may be made of polyamide.

[0031] The thickness of the flexible portion may be smaller than the thickness of either the first component or the second component.

[0032] In an embodiment, the bracket is made of a single material, and the hinge is a groove between two components. In other words, the hinge is a thickness reduction region between the first component and the second component.

[0033] The first component may have a first flap portion extending from a second edge portion of the first component, and the second component may have a second flap portion extending from a second edge portion of the second component.

[0034] The flap portion enables the bracket to adhere firmly to the back surface of, for example, a TV or a PC (personal computer) monitor.

[0035] The first component and the second component may each have a first base section and a second base section, and may each have a corresponding light strip holder protruding from each base section. The first component lies in a first plane. As long as the first component does not interfere with the light strip at any point in the first configuration, in the second configuration, or anywhere between the first configuration and the second configuration, and as long as the first component does not interfere with any other part of the bracket with the light strip, the specific shape of the first component can be changed based on the requirements and / or preferences of those skilled in the art. Therefore, the first plane is the general plane of the first component. The same logic applies to the second plane of the second component.

[0036] The first direction of the light strip and the second direction of the light strip can be selected to change the direction of the light strip. The specific change in direction may depend on physical requirements and / or preferences. Generally, brackets that provide a 90-degree change in direction are used for practical purposes. These are generally called corner brackets. However, other angles may be used between the first direction and the second direction, and the term "corner bracket" is not limited to a 90-degree change in direction.

[0037] The hinge enables the back surface of the first component to swing towards the back surface of the second component.

[0038] The bracket may be configured such that when the first component swings toward the second component, the hinge, the first component, and the second component do not intersect the light strip path.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the bracket is a gap, and when the first component swings toward the second component, the light strip path moves into the gap with respect to the hinge, the first component, and the second component, and the bracket may have a gap extending from the first component through the hinge to the second component.

[0040] In particular, the gap may be formed between the first light strip holder and the second light strip holder. The gap may extend more than half of the light strip path between these light strip holders. At least one-third of the gap may be formed on the first component, and at least one-third of the gap may be formed on the second component. For example, half of the gap may be on either side of the hinge. The gap generally needs to follow the shape of the light strip path or at least be able to accommodate the light strip path while the bracket is bent.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the first light strip holder and the second light strip holder are adapted to hold the light strip away from the base sections of the corresponding components and the hinge (e.g., above the first component, the second component, and the hinge). The distance between the light strip path and the first component, the second component, and the hinge may be selected such that when the bracket is in the first configuration (i.e., not bent), the light strip path is at least a minimum distance from the hinge and the base sections of the first and second components at all points on the light strip path. The hinge may be adapted such that it cannot move beyond the minimum distance with respect to the light strip path. The minimum distance may be defined by the maximum possible distance that the hinge, the first component, or the second component can move with respect to the light strip path when the bracket is fully bent.

[0042] In the third embodiment, the light strip holder projects from the back of the corresponding component such that when the first component swings toward the second component, the hinge and both components move away from the light strip path.

[0043] The light strip path may be a one-dimensional curve between the light strip holders, a two-dimensional curved region between the light strip holders, or a three dimensional curved volume between the light strip holders. Since the light strip path is generally intended to mimic the position of a virtual light strip path held by the brackets, it is curved. The specific size and / or curvature of the light strip path may depend on the light strip intended to be used on the brackets. The light strip path may also be defined by other portions of the bracket (such as a wall section) that do not intersect the light strip path when the bracket is bent.

[0044] The conforming material and the adhesive can be used in any of the three embodiments described above. In other examples, rigid legs (or the like) may be used to lift the bracket above the surface (such as the back of a TV).

[0045] The hinge axis is an axis that traverses the hinge and about which the components rotate when the first component is swung towards the second component. The hinge axis may be at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from the first direction and the second direction in the first configuration (i.e., the flat bracket). For example, the hinge axis may be at an angle of about 45 degrees (e.g., between 40 degrees and 50 degrees).

[0046] These and other aspects of the invention will be described and clarified with reference to the embodiments below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0047] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show how the present invention can be implemented, reference is now made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings.

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0048] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0049] The detailed description and specific examples show exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, but are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that these and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0050] The present invention provides a bracket for attaching a light strip to a surface. The bracket has two components, each having a light strip holder. A light strip path is defined between both light strip holders. The bracket has a hinge that connects the two components and allows them to swing towards each other. When the components swing towards each other, the hinge and both components avoid the light strip path.

[0051] The bracket for the light strip is generally arranged on the back of a monitor (e.g., a PC monitor) or a television (TV) for an ambient light effect (or so-called ambient lighting). When a user wants to attach a light strip to the back of a monitor or a TV, the user needs a set of brackets to support the light strip. However, the back of the monitor / screen is not necessarily flat, which makes it difficult to attach a general bracket, especially at the corners.

[0052] Figure 1 shows the back of a general monitor 100. The monitor 100 has a raised section 102. The raised section 102 is usually raised to accommodate the components of the monitor 100. In this case, the monitor 100 also has a curved surface 104 at the corner where the raised section 102 joins the edge of the monitor 100.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a side view of the monitor 100. The curved surface 104 is diagonal with respect to the raised surface 100. A user would generally like to attach a light strip towards the edge of the back of the monitor 100. Therefore, the bracket used to attach the light strip to the curved surface 104 needs to be able to attach the light strip to a curved surface that is diagonal with respect to the intended placement of the light strip. However, different monitors 100 have different curvatures on their rear sides, and thus, designing individual brackets for them just for this purpose is wasteful and inefficient. Therefore, it may be beneficial for the bracket to be adaptable to various surfaces including curved and / or inclined surfaces.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a view of a known bracket 200. The bracket 200 has two components 202a and 202b each having a light strip holder 204a and 204b for holding a light strip 208. A hinge 206 is used between the component 202a and the component 202b so that the components 202a and 202b can swing towards each other and thus be adaptable to a non - flat surface such as the curved surface 104 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0055] Consumers would like to use the bracket 200 to attach the light strip 208 to a curved surface. The hinge 206 allows the components 202a and 202b to swing towards each other to conform to a curved surface.

[0056] However, in the case of the bracket of FIG. 3, if the user attaches the light strip 200 to the bracket and then bends the bracket, the components 202a and 202b or the hinge 206 may contact the light strip, apply force, thereby deforming the light strip and even damaging the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other components within the light strip.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the bracket 200 in the first configuration. The light strip 208 is attached to the bracket 200. In the first configuration, the components 202a and 202b are not swung towards each other. In the first configuration, the light strip 208 lies flat on the components 202a and 202b.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the bracket 200 in the second configuration. The light strip 208 is attached to the bracket 200. In the second configuration, the components 202a and 202b are swung towards each other. The edge portions of the components 202a and 202b are the only parts of the bracket 200 that contact the light strip 208 near the hinge 206.

[0059] The user generally applies a force to the side of the bracket 200 to attach the bracket 200 with the light strip 208 thereon. However, this causes an undesired force in the Z direction to be applied to the light strip 208 from the components 202a and 202b by the bracket, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to conform the light strip 208 to the surface. The undesired force applied to the light strip 208 by the small contact area of the bracket 200 near the hinge may damage the light strip 208.

[0060] Figure 6 shows a diagram of a bracket 300 for attaching a light strip according to the present disclosure. The bracket 300 has a first component 301a and a second component 301b with a hinge 306 between both components. The first component 301a has a first light strip holder 304a, and the second component 301b has a second light strip holder 304b. A light strip path 311 is defined between an end of the first light strip holder 304a and an end of the second light strip holder 304b as shown in Figure 6.

[0061] The light strip path 311 is defined by the first light strip holder 304a and the second light strip holder 304b as the location or path occupied by a light strip held between the first light strip holder 304a and the second light strip holder 304b.

[0062] In this case, both components have a first edge end 308, a second edge end 310, a third edge end 302, and a fourth edge end 303. The first edge end 308 may be called an outer edge and is proximal to the light strip path 311. The second edge end 310 may be called an inner edge and is distal from the light strip path 311. The third edge end 302 may be called a distal edge end and is distal to the hinge 306. The fourth edge end 303 may be called a proximal edge end and is proximal to the hinge 306. The hinge 306 joins the proximal edge end 303 of the first component 301a and the proximal edge end 303 of the second component 301b, enabling them to swing about the axis of the hinge 306. The outer edge 308 may have a wall section (not shown) for supporting the light strip. The inner edge 310 may have a flap section (not shown) for aligning the bracket 300 on a curved surface when the bracket 300 is attached.

[0063] The first light strip holder 304a is for holding the light strip in a first direction, and the second light strip holder 304b is for holding the light strip in a second different direction. This is to enable the light strip to change direction (e.g., around a corner) while being attached. Thus, since the direction of the light strip changes when held by the light strip holders 304a, 304b, the light strip path 311 forms a bent or curved shape. The bent or curved shape can have one or more bending axes.

[0064] The axis of the hinge 306 is substantially perpendicular to the bending axis. In other words, when the first component 301a and the second component 301b swing towards each other, the hinge moves relative to the light strip path, and the hinge, the first component, and the second component avoid the light strip path and thus do not damage the light strip with a shear force.

[0065] Each light strip holder 304a, 304b may be attached or connected to the outer edge 308 of the respective component 301a, 301b.

[0066] The light strip holders 304a and 304b are preferably arranged near the distal edge 302 (and thus farther from the hinge 306) than the proximal edge end to provide sufficient space for the light strip to change from the first direction to the second direction with reduced stress. Of course, the required size of the spacing between the light strip holders can depend at least in part on the size of the bracket and the mechanical properties of the intended light strip.

[0067] The light strip path 311 generally defines where or how the light strip is positioned or arranged when the light strip is attached to the bracket 300. Of course, the specific shape of the light strip path 311 depends on the specific type of light strip used and its mechanical characteristics, such as how it curves around corners. It may also be possible to define a more general light strip path 311 that encompasses various designs of the light strip. The general light strip path 311 may substantially conform to or reflect or emulate the curved shape of the bracket 300, but this is not essential (for example, if the bracket is not curved).

[0068] This design of the bracket 300 "cuts out" the central section of the bracket 300, thereby creating a gap under the light strip path 311. In other words, a gap is formed between the light strip holder 304a and the light strip holder 304b to provide space under or near the light strip path 311. Thus, when the user attaches the light strip to the bracket 300 and the bracket is bent about the hinge, the central portions of the components 301a and 301b, as well as the hinge 306, can move with respect to the light strip path 311, and thus there is no undesirable force or resistance on the attached light strip. In other words, the Z-direction movement of the first component 301a and the second component 301b is prevented from applying a Z-direction force to the light strip such that it causes shearing of the light strip bent in the X-Y plane.

[0069] In other words, when the bracket is bent or not bent about the hinge, i.e., when the two components 301a, 301b swing towards or away from each other, i.e., when the bracket transitions between a first (unbent) configuration and a second (bent) configuration, there is no or very little additional portion of the bracket that contacts the light strip attached to the light strip holders 304a, 304b.

[0070] Figure 7 shows a side view of the bracket 300 in the first configuration. In the first configuration, the bracket 300 is not bent. The light strip path 311 is on the upper surfaces 314 of both the first component 301a and the second component 301b. The upper surface 314 is the surface opposite the bottom surface 316, and the bottom surface 316 is the surface to be attached to the required surface (e.g., the rear side of the monitor).

[0071] Figure 8 shows a side view of the bracket 300 in the second configuration. In the second configuration, the rear surfaces 316 of both the first component 301a and the second component 301b are swung towards each other via the hinge 306. In contrast to the bracket 200 shown in FIG. 5, the upper surfaces 314 of the components 301a and 301b do not contact the light strip path 311 or move into the light strip path 311, that is, they avoid the light strip path. This is due to the gap in the bracket formed, for example, under the light strip path, near the light strip path 311 shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] This gap allows the components 301a and 301b and the hinge 306 to move relative to the light strip path 311 when changing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Therefore, when switching from the first configuration to the second configuration, there will be no additional force on the light strip from the bracket 300, especially on the light strip in the light strip path between the two light strip holders 304a and 304b. This significantly reduces the risk of damaging the light strip.

[0073] The concept is to avoid the unwanted force applied to the light strip due to the change in the shape of the bracket 300 when the components are swung towards each other (i.e., when the bracket 300 is bent). The gap in the central section of the bracket 300, as shown in FIG. 6, is one of the bracket designs that achieve this purpose. However, other bracket designs that can achieve the same purpose are also conceivable. For example, when changing the light strip from the first configuration to the second configuration, the components and the hinge can be attached at a certain height away from the components and the hinge so as not to reach the light strip, i.e., to avoid the light strip path. In another example, the light strip can be attached to the back of the component so that the components and the hinge move away from the light strip when changing from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0074] When the bracket is made of a flexible substrate, as shown in FIG. 8, the force in the X direction only bends the light strip without damaging the light strip. However, the force in the Z direction may shear the light strip, which may damage the light strip. Naturally, a bracket made of a non-flexible substrate also applies a Z-direction force to the light strip and thus may damage the light strip.

[0075] FIGS. 9 to 20 provide diagrams of more detailed examples of the bracket 300 for better understanding of the concept.

[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from a first view. The first view is a top-down view showing the upper surface of the bracket 300. The bracket 300 has a first component 301a, a second component 301b, and a hinge 306 between the components 301a and 301b. The bracket 300 also has light strip holders 304a and 304b in the first portions of the components 301a and 301b, respectively.

[0077] Components 301a and 301b each have wall sections 408a and 408b. Wall sections 408a and 408b extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the corresponding component. Wall sections 408a and 408b can further define a light strip path and can serve to support the light strip when the light strip is attached to the bracket. Wall sections 408a and 408b also help prevent the light strip from moving upward or slipping off the upper part of components 301a and 301b. This would otherwise potentially cause damage to the light strip when the bracket is bent.

[0078] Light strip holders 304a and 304b also have arm edge ends 412a and 412b such that when the light strip is attached, it is disposed between wall sections 408a and 408b and arm edge ends 412a and 412b, respectively.

[0079] Flap portions 410a and 410b extend from the inner edges of components 301a and 301b, respectively. The flap portions provide alignment of the bracket 300 with respect to the curved surface when attached to such a surface. Flap portions 410a and 410b are curved in a direction perpendicular to the upper surfaces of components 301a and 301b and face away from the upper surfaces of components 301a and 301b.

[0080] Bracket 300 may be made of polyamide. Polyamide generally has excellent bending properties. However, other suitable materials such as other forms of polymers and / or plastics will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Still other materials may include one or more metals that can provide additional structural support.

[0081] The hinge 306 may be a groove formed in the central portion of the bracket 300 (i.e., between the two components 301a, 301b) to ensure that the bracket 300 can be easily bent to conform to the corner surface. For example, the first component 301a and the second component 301b may be joined by a thinner layer of flexible material (i.e., the flexible portion) that forms the hinge 306.

[0082] Preferably, the hinge 306 can be bent at least 100 times without breaking. A reliable hinge design will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0083] The bending range between the first configuration and the second configuration may be between 0 degrees and 32 degrees. In other words, the first component 301a may be able to swing at least 32 degrees from the first configuration towards the back of the second component 301b. In other words, the first component 301a and the second component 301b may be bent such that the minimum angle between the two components is at most 32 degrees. Depending on the specific use case, for example, depending on the angle formed by the corner of the monitor or display to which the bracket is to be fixed, other angles may also be used.

[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from a first perspective. When the light strip is attached to the bracket 300, the light strip enters the gap 414 shown in FIG. 9 formed between the light strip holders 304a and 304b and the wall sections 408a and 408b, thereby avoiding any undesirable forces from the bracket 300 when the bracket 300 is bent from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0085] The gap 414 shown in the bracket 300 as seen in FIG. 9 forms a quarter - circle edge.

[0086] FIG. 11 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from a second perspective. The second perspective shows the upper surface of the bracket 300 at a certain angle. The light strip holders each have arm sections 502a and 502b and arm wall sections 504a and 504b.

[0087] The arm sections 502a and 502b extend from a first portion of the outer edge of the corresponding component. The first portion is a part of the outer edge 308 that is closer to the distal edge end 302 than the proximal edge end 303. The outer edge 308, the distal edge end 302, and the proximal edge end 303 are as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the first portion starts where the outer edge 308 of the component intersects the distal edge end 302.

[0088] The arm sections 502a and 502b generally extend in a direction parallel to the plane of the component. In this case, the arm sections 502a and 502b provide a section that supports the light strip while providing a gap 414 between the light strip holders of the bracket.

[0089] Similar to the wall sections 408a and 408b, the arm wall sections 504a and 504b extend in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface and away from the bottom surface from the arm edge ends of the corresponding arm sections 502a and 502b. The arm wall sections 504a and 504b and the wall sections 408a and 408b provide lateral support to the light strip without applying an undesirable force in the Z - direction to the light strip when the bracket 300 is bent. Note that the wall sections 408a and 408b do not apply an undesirable force to the light strip in the Z - direction. The forces applied to the light strip in the X - direction and Y - direction generally do not shear the light strip.

[0090] To reduce the possibility that the light strip held when the bracket 300 is bent slips off the light strip holder, the tangent of the height of the arm wall section to the width of the arm section needs to be at least the maximum angle of the bending range. Thus, if the bending range is up to 32 degrees at most, the tangent of the height of the arm wall section to the width of the arm section needs to be at least 32 degrees.

[0091] FIG. 12 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from a second perspective.

[0092] FIG. 13 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from a third perspective. The third perspective is a side view of the bracket 300. A conforming material 602 (e.g., rubber) is attached to the back of the bracket 300. The conforming material 602 enables the back of the bracket 300 to conform to a non-flat surface. An adhesive 604 (e.g., double-sided adhesive tape) is used to attach the back of the bracket 300 to the required surface (e.g., a curved surface).

[0093] In an alternative embodiment, other forms of conforming material 602 and adhesive 604 may be employed. For example, a gel pad or foam may be used as the alternative conforming material 602. For the adhesive 604, a tape-based adhesive may not be used.

[0094] The total thickness of the conforming material 602 and the adhesive 604 can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm. The conforming material and the adhesive can lift the bracket 300 above the surface to which it is attached so that when the bracket 300 is bent (e.g., up to its maximum allowable bending range) and the light strip enters the gap, the surface to which the bracket 300 is attached does not apply an undesired and potentially damaging force to the light strip. This advantageously further reduces the force or stress applied to the light strip.

[0095] FIG. 14 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from the third perspective.

[0096] FIG. 15 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from the fourth perspective. The fourth perspective is a side view showing the view from directly in front of the first light strip holder. FIG. 16 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from the fourth perspective.

[0097] FIG. 17 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from the fifth perspective. From the fifth perspective, the back of the bracket 300 can be seen. An exemplary arrangement of the adhesive 604 on the back is shown. In the example shown, the adhesive 604 is formed from adhesive strips disposed on the backs of the light strip holders 304a and 304b and the backs of the components 301a and 301b. FIG. 18 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from the fifth perspective.

[0098] FIG. 19 illustrates the bracket 300 in the first configuration from the sixth perspective. The sixth perspective shows the back of the bracket 300 at an angle. FIG. 20 illustrates the bracket 300 in the second configuration from the sixth perspective.

[0099] When the bracket 300 is made of a flexible material, the hinge 306 may be a groove between the first component 301a and the second component 301b. This reduces the contraction stress when the bracket is bent.

[0100] In use, the bracket 300 is generally attached to a surface (e.g., the back of a PC monitor / TV). In the case of a curved corner surface, the bending angle of the bracket 300 is adjusted to conform to the curved surface, and the bracket 300 is attached to the back of the PC monitor / TV while being bent to the required angle.

[0101] A person skilled in the art can understand and achieve modifications to the disclosed embodiments from the study of the drawings, the description, and the appended claims in the implementation of the invention described in the claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular form does not exclude the plural.

[0102] Merely the fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used advantageously.

[0103] It should be noted that when the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or the description, the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". It should be noted that when the term "configured" is used in the claims or the description, the term "configured" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0104] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

**Claim 1** A bracket for attaching a light strip, a first component in a first plane, including a first light strip holder for holding the light strip in a first direction; a second light strip holder separated from the first light strip holder, the second light strip holder holding the light strip in a second different direction, thereby including a second light strip holder for defining a light strip path between the first light strip holder and the second light strip holder, a second component in a second plane; a hinge configured to rotatably connect the first component to the second component, the bracket being configured such that when the first component and the second component swing towards each other about the axis of the hinge, the hinge is movable relative to the light strip path, and when the hinge is movable relative to the light strip path, the hinge, the first component and the second component have a hinge that avoids the light strip path, a bracket in which the axis is substantially perpendicular to the bending axis of the light strip path. **Claim 2** The first light strip holder is a first wall section extending from a first edge of the first component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane of the first component; a first arm section extending from a first portion of the first edge of the first component in a direction substantially parallel to the first plane of the first component; and a first arm wall section extending from a first arm edge of the first arm section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane of the first component. The second light strip holder is a second wall section extending from a first edge of the second component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane of the second component; a second arm section extending from a first portion of the first edge of the second component in a direction substantially parallel to the second plane of the second component; and a second arm wall section extending from a second arm edge of the second arm section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane of the second component. The bracket according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The first part of the first edge portions of the first component and the second component starts at the location on the first edge portion that is the most distal from the hinge, and is respectively included in a continuous portion of the first edge portion that extends to less than half of the first edge portion of the first component and the second component. The bracket according to claim 2.

4. The hinge is configured such that a maximum change in the angle between the first component and the second component is substantially equal to a tangent of a height of the first arm wall section with respect to a width of the first arm wall section and / or a tangent of a height of the second arm wall section with respect to a width of the second arm wall section. The bracket according to claim 3.

5. The bracket according to claim 4, wherein the maximum change in the angle is 32 degrees or less.

6. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first component and the second component are mirror-symmetric with respect to the hinge.

7. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first direction is at an angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees with respect to the second direction.

8. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a minimum angle between the first direction and the axis of the hinge, and a minimum angle between the second direction and the axis of the hinge are between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

9. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an adhesive for fixing the back surface of the bracket to an outer surface.

10. The bracket according to claim 9, further comprising a conforming material between the back surface of the bracket and the adhesive.

11. The bracket according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the conforming material, or a total thickness of the adhesive and the conforming material is at least 2 mm.

12. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has a flexible portion that bridges the first component and the second component.

13. The bracket according to claim 12, wherein the flexible portion is made of polyamide.

14. The bracket according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a thickness of the flexible portion is smaller than a thickness of either the first component or the second component.

15. The first component has a first flap portion extending from a second edge portion of the first component. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component has a second flap portion extending from a second edge portion of the second component.

Images