WO2001089208A1

WO2001089208A1 - Optical unit spacer-bracket for projection television sets

Info

Publication number: WO2001089208A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/014892
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masayoshi Shinobu
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-05-15
Filing date: 2001-05-08
Publication date: 2001-11-22

Abstract

A projection television set having a screen and three projection units (120R, 120G, and 120B) each capable of projecting a monochromatic image onto the screen. The projection units each having a cathode ray tube (CRT) (122) optically coupled to a projection lens, which includes both a C-lens (144) and a compound lens (148). A spacer (128) preferably having three optical passageways (132R, 132G, and 132B) is coupled to and between the CRTs and projection lenses such that three coolant chambers (135R, 135G, and 135B) are formed. Each CRT is coupled to the spacer via a holder (114) having a housing adapted to capture the CRT and two mounting brackets (118a and 118b), each preferably adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on the housing. Preferably, the spacer includes fluid passageways (133a, 133b, 133c and 133d) that interconnect the coolant chambers. The spacer (128) also includes coolant fill ports (139a and 139b) and reservoirs (134a and 134b), zero pressure gum tanks (136a and 136b) seated in the reservoirs, and a plurality of heat exchanging ribs. Packing members used to seal the coolant chambers preferably include position or alignment retaining components (144R, 144G, and 144B).

Description

2

DESCRIPTION OPTICAL UNIT SPACER-BRACKET FOR PROJECTION TELEVISION SETS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to projection television sets, and more particularly to a one-piece spacer-bracket for the optical unit of a projection television set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Projection television sets are a popular alternative to picture tube television sets, as they provide relatively large viewable screens that cannot be efficiently produced using conventional picture tubes. Projection television sets typically include an enclosure with an optical unit, a mirror, and electronic components for receiving and projecting an image onto a screen assembly mounted on the front of the enclosure.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, the optical unit generally includes a set of projection units 21 R, 21G, and 21 B. Each projection unit projects an image, generally of a single color of light (red, green, or blue), onto the mirror M in the enclosure, which focuses the image onto an inside surface of the screen S. The projection units are mounted to a bracket 50 that is mounted to the enclosure (not shown). The bracket 50 holds the projection assemblies in place within the enclosure at their correct angular orientation.

Each projection unit includes a cathode ray tube (CRT) (22R, 22G, 22B), a projection lens assembly (45R, 45G, 45B), and a spacer (28R, 28G, 28B) interposed between the CRT and lens assembly. A liquid coolant is typically introduced between the projection lens and CRT into a cavity sealed by the spacer, CRT, and projection lens (see Figure 3). The liquid coolant cools the face of the CRT by dissipating the heat radiating from the CRT and transferring it to the spacer. By lowering the operating temperature of the projection unit, optical performance is enhanced and component life is increased. 3

The existing optical units, however, have their disadvantages. From a cooling standpoint, the multiple spacers tend to be inherently inefficient. In addition, the packing used to seal the coolant chambers formed by the CRT- spacer-lens assemblies tends to be prone to misalignment during assembly and, thus, prone to leaks. Lastly, construction and assembly of the multiple components that go into existing optical units tends to be cumbersome and, thus, labor intensive. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide optical units that are easy to assemble and install, and that include a more efficient and reliable cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved optical unit of a projection television set, which facilitates manufacturability, optical performance, and component longevity. In one particularly innovative aspect, the optical unit of the present invention combines an enclosure bracket and the individual projection unit spacers into a single spacer-bracket. Moreover, a spacer-bracket in accordance with the present invention preferably comprises interconnected coolant chambers and reservoirs.

In another particularly innovative aspect, the packing members used to seal the coolant chambers include position or alignment retaining components. Such components aid in the assembly of the optical unit and tend to reduce the likelihood of coolant leaks.

In another innovative aspect, a coolant chamber fill port closure member includes a push plug and packing sleeve. The plug preferably includes an annular recess adapted to receive a protuberance formed on an interior wall of the packing sleeve to retain the sleeve in position relative to the plug. To facilitate sealing, the sleeve includes a sealing bead formed on its exterior wall. The sealing bead is sandwiched between the plug and the wall of the fill port.

In another innovative aspect, the CRT and its holder are coupled to the spacer-bracket via screws and load distributing mounting brackets. In a preferred 4

embodiment, the mounting brackets include a central portion and a pair of arms extending at an angle from the central portion of the bracket. In operation, a load applied to the central portion of the bracket is preferably distributed along the two arms of the bracket to two points on the CRT holder. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a projection television set of the prior art.

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of an optical unit for a projection television set of the prior art.

Figure 3 is a partial side-sectional view of a coupled CRT-spacer-projection lens assembly for the optical unit shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of a projection television optical unit of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the spacer-bracket of the optical unit of the present invention as shown in Figure 4 and taken from the C-lens side of the spacer-bracket.

Figure 6 is an exploded partial side section view of a CRT-spacer-bracket- projection lens assembly of the optical unit of the present invention as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional plan view of a packing sleeve of a fill port closure member of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a push plug of a fill port closure member of the present invention.

Figures 9a, 9b, and 9c are side, top, and rear plan views of a load distributing mounting bracket and housing member of the x-ray shielding holder of the present invention. DETAII FD DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Turning to Figure 2, a more detailed drawing of a typical optical unit 10 for a projection television (TV) set is shown. The optical unit 10 comprises three projection units 20R, 20G, and 20B that project a red, a green, and a blue picture on to a screen (not shown) of the TV set. Three separate CRT holders 12R, 12G, and 12B couple the projection units 20R, 20G, and 20B to a bracket 50 that is attached to the TV enclosure (not shown). In addition to holding the projection units in place within the enclosure, the bracket 50 places the projection units in their correct angular orientation relative to the mirror and screen (see Figure 1). Because the projection units 20R, 20G, and 20B are substantially identical in construction, the remainder of this section will be directed to a single projection unit 20B.

The projection unit 20B includes a cathode ray tube (CRT) 22 with a generally flat glass face 23, a projection lens comprising both a monochromatic C- lens 44, which in this instance is blue, and a compound lens 48. A die-cast aluminum spacer 28 mounts between the CRT 22 and the C-lens 44. An image displayed on the front face 23 of the CRT 22 is projected through the spacer 28, the C-lens 44 and the compound lens 48 onto the screen. The spacer 28 includes a passageway 32, which receives the contoured portion of the C-lens 44 (see Figure 3). The C-lens 44 is seated on packing material 42 positioned in an annular groove 41 formed in the face of the spacer 28 on the side of the C-lens 44. The packing material 42, which is in the form of an o-ring, creates a seal between the C-lens 44 and spacer 28 when the C-lens 44 is properly coupled to the spacer 28. The C-lens 44 and compound lens 48 are coupled to the spacer 28 with a set of screws.

The CRT 22 is positioned relative to the spacer 28 via a frame-like member 24. When the projection unit 20B is assembled, the face 23 of the CRT 22 is seated on packing material 26 positioned in a generally rectilinear groove formed in the face of the spacer 28 on the side of the CRT 22. As shown in Figure 3, a 6

cavity 35 sealed by the face 23 of the CTR 22, the wall 31 of the passageway 32 in the spacer 28, and the contoured portion of the C-lens 44 is filled with a coolant to cool the face 23 of the CRT 22. The coolant enters through a fill port 39 formed in the top of the spacer 28. During assembly, the cavity 35 is overfilled to eliminate air bubbles and effectively optically couple the face 23 of the CRT 22 and the C-lens 44. The excess coolant flows into a reservoir 34 formed at the top of the spacer 32 and, also, out of the fill port 39. Prior to filling, a zero-pressure diaphragm gum tank 36 is inserted into the reservoir 34 in direct communication with the coolant and is held in place by a cover plate 46 formed in the top of the C-lens 44. The gum tank 36 maintains a constant pressure in the reservoir 38 and cavity 35 as the coolant expands and contracts with changes in operating temperatures. A closure member 38 in the form of an o-ring mounted on a screw seals the fill port 39.

The x-ray shielding holder 12 includes an open ended box-like body 14 that captures the CRT 22. Mounting tabs 15 are positioned on the corners of the body 14 and include a hole to receive mounting posts 30 formed on the corners of the spacer 28. The mounting posts 30 include tapped holes formed therein. The CRT22B is coupled to the spacer 28B by coupling the holder 12B to the spacer 28B with a set of four screws 17. The screws 1 7, which pass through the mounting tabs 15: and screw into the spacer's mounting posts 30, are spring loaded against the holder 12B with coil springs 18 to allow for thermal expansion of the projection unit 20B.

Because of the number of components and the potential problems associated therewith, the manufacture and assembly of existing optical units 10 tends to be cumbersome and labor intensive.

Another disadvantage of the existing optical units 10 relates to cooling and its effect on optical performance and component life. As noted earlier, coolant is introduced into a chamber formed between the face 23 of the CRT 22 and the C- lens 44 to cool the face 23 of the CRT 22 by dissipating the heat throughout the liquid and transferring it to the spacer 28. Dissipation of heat emanating from the 7

CRT 22 is necessary to achieve optimal optical performance and to extend the life of the components of the projection unit 20B, particularly the CRT 22. Stated somewhat differently, the optical performance of the projection unit 20B degenerates and the life of the projection unit 20B components decreases as the operating temperature of the projection unit 20B increases. Thus, it is desirable to reduce the operating temperature of the projection unit 20B to improve its optical performance. However, the amount of heat transferred from the coolant to the spacer 28 is limited by the spacer's 28 size and configuration, and could be further hindered by leaks in its packing components. Because the C-lens packing 42, the CRT packing 26, and the closure 38 packing are generally o-rings, they have a tendency to roll-out or move during assembly and, thus, may be misaligned during final assembly resulting in a leak during operation.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide an optical unit having more reliable sealing and better heat transfer. Also, it would be desirable to reduce the number of optical unit components to simplify construction and assembly of the optical unit 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning to Figure 4, a projection TV optical unit 1 10 of the present invention is shown. Like the optical unit 10 of the prior art, the optical unit 1 10 of the present invention comprises three projection units 120R, 120G, and 120B that project a red, a green, and a blue picture on to a screen (not shown). However, the optical unit 1 10 of the present invention preferably combines the typical enclosure mounting bracket and the individual projection unit spacers (see components 28 and 50 in Figures 1-3) into a single component, i.e., the spacer- bracket 128. The single spacer-bracket 128 optically couples the CRT and projection lens of each projection unit and positions each projection unit in its correct angular orientation within the TV set enclosure. By combining the spacers and mounting bracket into a single unit, the present invention advantageously reduces the overall number of optical unit components and, thus, improves 8

manufacturability of the optical unit 1 10. Also, by combining the spacers into a single unit, the heat transfer properties of the spacers have been optimized and enhanced, which facilitates improved optical performance and increased component longevity, especially the longevity of the CRTs. Referring in detail to Figures 4-6, each projection unit 120R, 120G, and

120B is shown to include a cathode ray tube (CRT) 122R, 122G, and 122B with a generally flat glass face 123R, 123G, and 123B, a projection lens comprising both a monochromatic C-lens 144R, 144G, and 144B, i.e., red, green and blue in color, and a compound lens 148R, 148G, and 148B. A die-cast aluminum spacer- bracket 128 mounts between the CRTs 122R, 122G, and 122B and the corresponding C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144B. An image displayed on the front face 123 R, 123G, and 123 B of each of the CRTs 122R, 122G, and 122B is projected through the spacer-bracket 128, the corresponding C-lens 144R, 144G, and 144B, and the corresponding compound lens 148R, 148G, and 148B, onto the screen (not shown) of the TV set.

The spacer-bracket 128 is generally I-beam shaped with three (3) optical passageways 132R, 132G, and 132B extending through the central portion of the spacer-bracket 128. To facilitate heat transfer, the spacer-bracket 128 is preferably constructed with fluid passageways 133a, 133b, 133c, and 133d that interconnect cooling chambers 135R, 135G, and 135B formed by coupling the CRTs 122R, 122G, and 122B and C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144B to the spacer-bracket 128. The spacer-bracket 128 also preferably includes a series of heat exchanging ribs 129 extending from its central portion. By allowing the coolant to flow between chambers and by increasing the surface area from which the heat can radiate, a greater amount of heat emanating from the CRTs will tend to dissipate in the coolant, tending to reduce operating temperatures and thermal expansion of the components and, thus, improve optical performance and component longevity. The three interconnected coolant cavities 135R, 135G, and 135B are formed by the face 123R, 123G, and 123B of each CRT 122R, 122G, and 122B, the wall 131 R, 131 G, and 131 B of each passageway 132R, 132G, and 132B, and the 9

contoured portion of each C-lens 144R, 144G, and 144B. While one skilled in the art would appreciate that a single fill port and coolant reservoir would be sufficient to fill and communicate with interconnected coolant cavities 135R, 1 35G, and 135B, the spacer-bracket 128 preferably includes two fill ports 139a and 139b and two coolant reservoirs 134a and 134b to facilitate coolant filling and reduce overall assembly time for the optical unit 1 10. In addition, having two fill ports facilitates removal of extraneous air bubbles in the system.

To fill the coolant cavities 135R, 135G, and 135B, liquid coolant is introduced through the first fill port 139a into coolant cavity 135R and through the second fill port 139b into coolant cavity 135B. The liquid overflows from these cavities through passages 133a and 133d into coolant reservoirs 134a and 134b and through passages 133b and 133c into coolant cavity 135G. Prior to filling, however, two zero-pressure diaphragm gum tanks 136a and 136b are inserted into the reservoirs 134a and 134b. The gum tanks 136a and 136b, which are held in place by cover plates 146a and 146b, remain in direct communication with the filled coolant. The gum tanks 136a and 136b maintain a constant pressure in the reservoirs 134a and 134b and chambers 135R, 135G, and 135B as the coolant expands and contracts with changes in operating temperatures.

To facilitate sealing between the C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144b and the spacer-bracket 128 and to reduce the likelihood of leaks do to misalignment or rolling of the packing material, the flange 145 of each C-lens 144R, 144G, and 144B is retained by a packing ring 142R, 142G, 142B. Referring to Figure 6, each packing ring 142 is preferably C-shaped in cross-section and includes first and second leg portions 142a and 142c, and a central portion 142b. Fully capturing the flange 145 of the C-lens 144 within the packing ring 142 tends to alleviate assembly complications due to movement of the packing material. The packing rings 142R, 142G, and 142B create a seal between the C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144B and spacer-bracket 128 when the C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144B, the compound lenses 148R, 148G, and 148B, and the lens mounting plates 147R, 147G, and 147B are properly coupled to the spacer-bracket 128, on the side of 10

the C-lenses 144R, 144G, and 144B. This seal is enhanced by a preferably circular shaped annular bead 143 formed in the second leg portion 142c of the packing ring 142. The bead 143, which creates a thickened portion in the ring, is sandwiched between the flange 145 of the C-lens 144 and the spacer 128. Turning to the CRTs 122R, 122G, and 122B, they are positioned relative to the spacer-bracket 128 via frame-like members 124R, 124G, and 124B. When the projection units 120R, 120G, and 120B are assembled, the faces 123R, 123G, and 123G of the CRTs 122R, 122G, and 122B are seated on packing members 126R, 126G, and 126B. Referring to Figure 6, the packing member 126 includes a sealing member 127 preferably having a circular cross-section and a retaining member 125 preferably having an L-shaped cross-section extending outwardly from the circular cross-section and forming a recess 140 there between. The sealing member 127, which is thicker than the retaining member, is sandwiched between the face 123 of the CRT 122 and the spacer-bracket 128 to form a seal therebetween. A packing tab 141 , which extends outwardly from the spacer- bracket 128 about a generally rectangular shaped recess 128a, is received in the recess 140 formed between the sealing and retaining members 127 and 125 of the packing member 126. With the retaining member 125 overlapping the tab 141 , the packing member 126 is retained in position during assembly and tends to be less likely to become misaligned and cause a leak.

Referring to Figures 4, 7, and 8, a closure member preferably comprising a push plug 152 and packing sleeve 151 is shown. As shown in Figure 7, the packing sleeve 151 includes a tubular head 153 and an elongated tubular body 1 55 having a smaller diameter than the tubular head 153. A first annular bead 1 57 is formed on the interior of the body 155 and a second annular bead 159 is formed on the exterior of the body 155. As shown in Figure 8, the plug 152 includes a head portion 154 having a grip 160 formed about its circumference. An elongated body 156 extends from the head 154 and includes a recess 158 formed about its circumference. When the plug 152 and packing sleeve 151 are pressed into place in the fill port 139, the recess 158 in the body 156 of the plug 11

152 engages the first bead 157 on the interior of the packing sleeve 151 and is retained in place. When in place, the plug 152 forces the second bead 159 on the packing sleeve 151 against the wall of the fill port 139 to create a seal between the packing sleeve 151 and the fill port 139 wall. Because the plug 152 and packing sleeve 151 are simply pushed into place to seal a fill port 139, the likelihood of leakage do to misalignment of the packing sleeve 1 51 tends to be reduced and sealing of the coolant chambers and reservoirs tends to be enhanced.

Referring to Figures 4 and 9a-9c, x-ray shielding holders 1 12R, 1 12G, and 1 12G are shown to include an open ended box-like body 1 14 adapted to capture a corresponding CRT 122R, 122G, or 122B. A pair of mounting screws 1 17a and 1 1 7b are used to couple the holder 1 12 and CRT to the spacer-bracket 128. The screws 1 1 7a and 1 1 7b are spring loaded against the holder 1 12 with a pair of spring loaded brackets 1 18a and 1 18b. The brackets 1 18a and 1 18b preferably include a central portion 1 13 and a pair of arms 1 15 and 1 16 that extend outwardly at an angle from the central portion 1 13. The screws 1 17a and 1 1 7b pass through holes formed in the central portion 1 13 of the brackets 1 18a and 1 18b and in the central portion of the holder 114 adjacent the top and bottom edges. When screwed into place, the load applied to the central portion 1 13 of the brackets 1 18a and 1 18b by the head of the screws 1 17a and 1 17b is equally distributed along the arms 1 15 and 1 16 to the opposing ends of the top and bottom edges of the holder 1 14. In addition to reducing the number of components and, thus, improving the manufacturability of the optical unit 1 10, the holder 1 14 tends to improve optical performance of the optical unit 1 10. By applying a more uniform spring load to the holder 1 14, any performance degradation resulting from optical misalignment due to the thermal expansion of the components tends to be reduced.

Lastly, referring back to Figure 4, a pair of enclosure mounting brackets 150a and 150b are attachable to the spacer-bracket 128 and the enclosure to hold the optical unit 1 10 in place within the enclosure (not shown). 12

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific example thereof has been shown in the drawings and is herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

13What is Claimed is:

1. A projection television set comprising a screen a plurality of projection units each having a cathode ray tube (CRT) optically coupled to a lens, and a spacer coupled to said plurality of projection units, said spacer having a plurality of optical passageways and a plurality of fluid passageways interconnecting said plurality of optical passageways.

2. The projection television set of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of projection units is monochromatic.

3. The projection television set of claim 1 further comprising a coolant reservoir interconnected to said plurality of fluid passageways.

4. The projection television set of claim 3 further comprising a gum tank seated in said reservoir.

5. The projection television set of claim 1 further comprising a coolant fill port extending into one of said plurality of optical passageways.

6. The projection television set of claim 1 , wherein said spacer further comprises a plurality of fins.

7. The projection television set of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of holders coupling said CRT of said projection units to said spacer.

8. The projection television set of claim 7 further comprising first and second brackets coupled to each of said plurality of holders.

9. The projection television set of claim 8, wherein said first and second brackets are spring loaded and adapted to distribute a load to at least two points on a holder of said plurality of holders. 14

10. The projection television set of claim 5, further comprising a closure member for said fill port, said closure member comprising a plug and a packing sleeve.

1 1. The projection television set of claim 1 , further comprising packing for said CRT and said lens wherein said packing comprises retaining and sealing components.

12. An optical unit for a projection television set comprising first, second and third projection units, each of said projection units comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT) and a projection lens, and a spacer-bracket having first, second, and third optical passageways extending through said spacer-bracket, said CRT and projection lens of said first, second and third projection units being coupled to said spacer-bracket, and wherein said CRT and projection lens of said first projection unit forming a first chamber with a wall of said first optical passageway, said CRT and projection lens of said second projection unit forming a second chamber with a wall of said second optical passageway, and said CRT and projection lens of said third projection unit forming a third chamber with a wall of said third optical passageway, and wherein said first, second, and third chambers are interconnected via a plurality of fluid passageways.

13. The optical unit of claim 12 further comprising a coolant reservoir interconnected to said plurality of fluid passageways.

14. The optical unit of claim 13 further comprising a gum tank seated in said reservoir.

15. The optical unit of claim 12 further comprising a coolant fill port extending into one of said first, second or third chambers.

16. The optical unit of claim 12, wherein said spacer further comprises a plurality of fins. 15

1 7. The optical unit of claim 12 further comprising first, second, and third holders coupling said CRT of said first, second, and third projection units to said spacer.

18. The projection television set of claim 1 7 further comprising first and second brackets coupled to each of said first, second, and third holders.

19. The projection television set of claim 18, wherein said first and second brackets are spring loaded and adapted to distribute a load to at least two points on said first, second, and third holders.

20. The projection television set of claim 15, further comprising a closure member for said fill port, said closure member comprising a plug and a packing sleeve.

21. The projection television set of claim 12, further comprising packing for said CRT and said lens wherein said packing comprises retaining and sealing components.

22. An optical unit spacer-bracket for a projection television set comprising a body, first, second, and third optical passageways extending through said body, and a plurality of fluid passageways interconnecting said first, second, and third optical passageways.

23. The spacer-bracket of claim 22 further comprising a coolant reservoir interconnected to said plurality of fluid passageways.

24. The spacer-bracket of claim 23 further comprising a gum tank seated in said reservoir.

25. The spacer-bracket of claim 22 further comprising a coolant fill port extending into one of said first, second or third optical passageways.

26. The spacer-bracket of claim 22 further comprising a plurality of fins. 16

27. The spacer-bracket of claim 25, further comprising a closure member for said fill port, said closure member comprising a plug and a packing sleeve.

28. A projection television set comprising a plurality of projection units, each of said plurality of projection units comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT) optically coupled to a lens, a spacer interposing said CRT and lens of each of said plurality of projection units, a first packing member sealingly coupling said CRT and said spacer, and a second packing member sealingly coupling said lens and said spacer, wherein each of said first and second packing members comprises a retaining portion and a sealing portion.

29. The projection television of claim 28, wherein said sealing portion is thicker than said retaining portion.

30. The projection television of claim 28, wherein said sealing portion is circular in cross-section.

31 . The projection television of claim 30, wherein said retaining portion of said first packing member is L-shaped in cross-section.

32. The projection television of claim 28, wherein said retaining and sealing portions of said first packing member form a recess therebetween.

33. The projection television of claim 32, further comprising a retaining tab formed on said spacer, said tab being retained in said recess of said packing member.

34. The projection television of claim 30, wherein said retaining portion of said second member is C-shaped in cross-section.

35. The projection television of claim 34, wherein said retaining member comprises first and second leg portions and a central portion, and wherein said sealing member is formed in said second leg portion. 17

36. An optical unit assembly for a projection television set comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT), a lens, a spacer interposing said CRT and said lens, a first packing member mounted and creating a seal between said CRT and said spacer, and a second packing member mounted and creating a seal between said lens and said spacer, wherein each of said first and second packing members includes a retaining portion and a sealing portion.

37. The optical unit of claim 36, wherein said sealing portion is thicker than said retaining portion.

38. The optical unit of claim 36, wherein said sealing portion is circular in cross-section.

39. The optical unit of claim 38, wherein said retaining portion of said first packing member is L-shaped in cross-section.

40. The optical unit of claim 36, wherein said retaining and sealing portions of said first packing member form a recess therebetween.

41. The optical unit of claim 40, further comprising a retaining tab formed on said spacer, said tab being retained in said recess.

42. The optical unit of claim 38, wherein said retaining portion of said second member is C-shaped in cross-section.

43. The optical unit of claim 42, wherein said retaining member comprises first and second leg portions and a central portion, and wherein said sealing member is formed in said second leg portion.

44. A packing member comprising a retaining portion, and a sealing portion integrally formed with said retaining portion. 18

45. The packing member of claim 44, wherein said sealing portion is thicker than said retaining portion.

46. The packing member of claim 44, wherein said sealing portion is circular in cross-section.

47. The packing member of claim 46, wherein said retaining portion is

L-shaped in cross-section.

48. The packing member of claim 44, wherein said retaining and sealing portions form a recess therebetween

49. The packing member of claim 46, wherein said retaining portion is C-shaped in cross-section.

50. The packing member of claim 49, wherein said retaining member comprises first and second leg portions and a central portion, and wherein said sealing member is formed in said second leg portion.

51. A projection television set comprising a plurality of projection units, each comprising a cathode ray tube

(CRT) and a lens, a spacer coupled to and between said CRT and lens of each of said plurality of projection units, said CRT, lens, and spacer sealing a chamber therebetween, a fill port in fluid communication with said chamber, and a closure member sealing said fill port, said closure member comprising a push plug positioned within a packing sleeve.

52. The projection television of claim 51 , wherein said plug comprises a head and an elongated body.

53. The projection television of claim 52, wherein said packing sleeve comprises a tubular head adapted to receive said head of said plug and an elongated tubular body adapted to receive said elongated body of said plug. 19

54. The projection television of claim 53, wherein said body of said plug and said body of said sleeve include position retaining components.

55. The projection television of claim 54, wherein said position retaining components include a recess in said body of said plug and a bead formed on an interior wall of said tubular body of said packing sleeve.

56. The projection television of claim 54, wherein said sleeve comprises a sealing component.

57. The projection television of claim 56, wherein said sleeve comprises a bead formed on an exterior wall of said tubular body of said sleeve.

58. An optical unit assembly for a projection television set comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT), a lens, a spacer coupled to said lens and CRT, a chamber formed by said CRT, lens, and spacer, a fill port formed in said spacer and in fluid communication with said chamber, and a closure member mounted in said fill port, said closure member comprising a packing sleeve covering a push plug.

59. The optical unit assembly of claim 58, wherein said plug comprises a head and an elongated body.

60. The optical unit assembly of claim 59, wherein said packing sleeve comprises a tubular head adapted to receive said head of said plug and an elongated tubular body adapted to receive said elongated body of said plug.

61. The optical unit assembly of claim 60, wherein said body of said plug and said body of said sleeve include position retaining components.

62. The optical unit assembly of claim 61 , wherein said position retaining components include a recess in said body of said plug and a bead formed on an interior wall of said tubular body of said packing sleeve. 20

63. The optical unit assembly of claim 61 , wherein said sleeve comprises a sealing component.

64. The optical unit assembly of claim 63, wherein said sleeve comprises a bead formed on an exterior wall of said tubular body of said sleeve.

65. A spacer for a projection television set comprising a body, an optical passageway extending through said body, a fill port in fluid communication with said passageway, and a closure member sealingly mounted in said fill port, said closure member comprising a packing sleeve and a push plug received in said packing sleeve.

66. The spacer of claim 65, wherein said plug comprises a head and an elongated body.

67. The spacer of claim 66, wherein said packing sleeve comprises a tubular head adapted to receive said head of said plug and an elongated tubular body adapted to receive said elongated body of said plug.

68. The spacer of claim 67, wherein said body of said plug and said body of said sleeve include position retaining components.

69. The spacer of claim 68, wherein said position retaining components include a recess in said body of said plug and a bead formed on an interior wall of said tubular body of said packing sleeve.

70. The spacer of claim 68, wherein said sleeve comprises a sealing component.

71 . The spacer of claim 70, wherein said sleeve comprises a bead formed on an exterior wall of said tubular body of said sleeve.

72. A closure devise comprising a push plug having a head and elongated body, and 21

a packing sleeve having a tubular head adapted to receive said head of said plug and an elongated tubular body adapted to receive said elongated body of said plug, wherein said body of said plug and said body of said sleeve include position retaining components.

73. The spacer of claim 72, wherein said body of said plug includes a recess adapted to receive an retaining member formed on an interior wall of said tubular body of said packing sleeve.

74. The spacer of claim 72, wherein said sleeve comprises a sealing member formed on an exterior wall of said tubular body of said sleeve.

75. A projection television set comprising a plurality of projection units, a plurality of holders corresponding to said plurality of projection units, each of said plurality of holders having a housing adapted to receive a cathode ray tube (CRT) from one of said plurality of projection units, and a plurality of brackets, wherein at least two of said plurality of brackets are operably coupled to the housing of each of said plurality of holders and a projection unit spacer, each of said plurality of brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing. 76. The projection television of claim 75, wherein each of said plurality of brackets comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion.

77. The projection television of claim 76, further comprising a plurality of mounting screws corresponding to said plurality of brackets, each of said plurality of screws having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said plurality of brackets and said housing of said plurality of holders, and being screwed into said projection unit spacer.

78. The projection television of claim 77, wherein said head of each of said plurality of screws applying a load to said central portion of each of said 22

plurality of brackets, wherein said load is distributed along said first and second arms of each of said plurality of brackets.

79. An optical unit assembly for a projection television set comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projection unit spacer, a CRT holder having a housing adapted to receive said CRT, and first and second brackets operably coupled to said housing of said CRT holder and said projection unit spacer, said first and second brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing.

80. The optical unit assembly of claim 79, wherein said first and second brackets each comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion.

81 . The optical unit assembly of claim 80, further comprising first and second mounting screws each having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said first and second brackets and said housing of said holder, and being screwed into said projection unit spacer.

82. The optical unit assembly of claim 81 , wherein said head of said first and second screws applying a load to said central portion of said first and second brackets, wherein said load is distributed along said first and second arms to said housing.

83. A cathode ray tube (CRT) holder assembly for a projection television set comprising a housing, and first and second brackets operably attachable to said housing and, said first and second brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing. 23

84. The CRT holder of claim 83, wherein said first and second brackets each comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion.

84. The CRT holder of claim 83, further comprising first and second mounting screws each having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said first and second brackets and said housing, and being attachable to a projection unit spacer.

85. The optical unit assembly of claim 84, wherein upon attachment to a projection unit spacer, said head of said first and second screws applying a load to said central portion of said first and second brackets, wherein said load is distributed along said first and second arms to said housing.

86. A mounting bracket comprising a central portion, and first and second arms extending at an angle from said central portion, wherein a load applied to said central portion is distributed along said first and second arms.

87. A method of coupling a cathode ray tube (CRT) to a spacer in a projection television set, comprising the steps of providing a CRT holder and first and second brackets, said CRT holder having a housing to capture a CRT, operably coupling said first and second brackets a spacer, applying a first load to said first bracket and a second load to said second bracket, and distributing said first load along said first bracket to at least two points on said housing and said second load along said second bracket to at least two other points on said housing.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein said first and second brackets comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending at an angle therefrom. 24

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 25 September 2001 (25.09.01); original claims 75-88 replaced by new claims 75-80; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)

74. The spacer oi claim 72, wherein said sleeve comprises a sealing member formed on an exterior wall of said tubular body of said sleeve.

75. A projection television set comprising a plurality of projection units, a plurality of holders corresponding to said plurality of projection units, each of said plurality of holders having a housing adapted to receive a cathode ray tube (CRT) from one of said plurality of projection units, a plurality of brackets, wherein at least two of said plurality of brackets are operably coupled to the housing of each of said plurality of holders and a projection unit spacer, each of said plurality of brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing, wherein each of said plurality of brackets comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion, and a plurality of mounting screws corresponding to said plurality of brackets, each of said plurality of screws having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said plurality of brackets and said housing of said plurality of holders, and being screwed into said projection unit spacer,

76. The projection television of claim 75, wherein said head of each of said plurality of screws applying a load to said central portion of each of said 25

77. An optical unit assembly for a projection television set comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projection unit spacer, a CRT holder having a housing adapted to receive said CRT, first and second brackets operably coupled to said housing of said CRT holder and said projection unit spacer, said first and second brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing, wherein said first and second brackets each comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion, and first and second mounting screws each having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said first and second brackets and said housing of said holder, and being screwed into said projection unit spacer.

78. The optical unit assembly of claim 77, wherein said head of said first and second screws applying a load to said central portion of said first and second brackets, wherein said load is distributed along said first and second arms to said housing.

79. A cathode ray tube (CRT) holder assembly for a projection television set comprising a housing, first and second brackets operably attachable to said housing and, said first and second brackets being adapted to distribute a spring load to at least two points on said housing, wherein said first and second brackets each comprise a central portion and first and second arms extending from said central portion at an angel relative to the central portion, and 26

first and second mounting screws each having a head and a body, said body passing through holes tapped through said central portion of said first and second brackets and said housing, and being attachable to a projection unit spacer.

80. The optical unit assembly of claim79, wherein upon attachment to a projection unit spacer, said head of said first and second screws applying a load to said central portion of said first and second brackets, wherein said load is distributed along said first and second arms to said housing.