GB2382980A

GB2382980A - Computer integrated into a table top

Info

Publication number: GB2382980A
Application number: GB0129884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Chuang
Original assignee: SHINING STAR TECHNOLOGY Inc
Current assignee: SHINING STAR TECHNOLOGY Inc
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Also published as: DE20200027U1; FR2838031A3; FR2838031B3; GB0129884D0

Abstract

A computer, which comprises a keyboard or like input device 22 and display unit (eg LCD screen) 23 integrated into the upper part of a computer frame 21, is mounted in a U shaped seat 3 which itself is secured below a receiving groove 11 of a table top 1. The frame may be slidable in the seat by way of tracks 4. The display is lifted up for use (as shown) and its rear surface is flush with the table top when lowered (Fig 4).

Description

MODULIZED PERSONAL COMPUTER The present invention relates to computer devices, and particularly to a modulized personal computer which integrates a computer mainframe and the peripherals thereof in a table so as to have an optimum positioning effect and the table can be used efficiently.

In a prior computer system, the computer mainframe, screen, keyboard, mouse, and/or digital control panel are placed on the surface of a table. In general, the table surface has a finite area. Other than placing above components, other objects, such as telephone, documents, etc. are necessary to be placed on the table surface. Therefore, it is often that the space of the table surface is insufficient. Moreover, in genera, tables in an office are arranged with one table being adjacent another one.

The backside of the computer has many wires and they can be viewed fully so as to appear an unlike outlook.

To improve above defects, in another prior, the computer is installed in a drawer (referring to Figs. I and 2). In this prior art, a computer is placed in a drawer. However, the drawer is used to place a computer so that the space of the drawer for placing other objects is reduced. Moreover, the keyboard, mouse, screen, etc. are still placed in the surface of the table, and thus the table surface cannot be used efficiently. More

importantly, since the specifications of tables are different in various areas and the sizes of computer devices have errors, a complicated matching structure is required for positioning in a computer, as that illustrated in Fig. 2.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a modulized personal computer having a receiving groove in a table surface, a modulized computer and a machine seat. The modulized computer has a computer mainframe, an input unit and a display unit which are formed as an integral body and the display unit and input unit are located above the computer mainframe. The modulized computer is received in the machine seat. The machine seat is locked below the receiving groove and is assembled to a table. The modulized computer is positioned below the table surface. When use, the display unit is lifted upwards; the input unit is used to control the computer mainframe. Moreover, as the display unit is closed for being stored, a backside of the display unit is flushed with the table surface so as to provide a perfect operation space.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

Fig. I is a perspective view of a drawer type computer.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a prior drawer type

computer.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a reference of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a modulized personal computer (personal computer) 2 is illustrated. A front end of the table surface I has a Ushape-like receiving groove 11. In the modulized computer 2, an input unit 22 and a display unit 23 which are assembled as an integral body are installed on a computer mainframe 21. The modulized computer 2 is received in a U-shape-like machine seat 3. The machine seat 3 is locked below the receiving groove 11 and is thus assembled to the table surface 1. The stopping pieces 20 at two sides of the modulized computer 2 serve to confine the movement of the computer. The user can lift the display unit 23 upwards. Then the user uses the input unit 22 to control the computer mainframe 21. Moreover, as the display unit 23 is closed for being stored (referring to Fig. 5), the backside of the display unit 23 is flush arranged with the table surface I so as to provide a perfect operation space.

Referring to Fig. 3, in the present invention, sliding tracks are installed at two sides of the modulized computer 2 and inner surfaces of the machine seat 3, and a rear side of the machine seat 3 is opened.

Thereby, the modulized computer 2 can slide easily so that the user may install, repair and update the modulized computer 2 easily and

conveniently.

The display unit may be a liquid crystal display, and the input unit may be one of a keyboard, a trace ball and a digital controller panel.

In summary, the present invention has the following effects.

(1) The original unused space in the table surface can be used for assembling and positioning a computer, while the original space used in a table is remained.

(2) The present invention is suitable for table surfaces, machine seats, and modulized computers of standard specifications. Therefore, no problem of compatibility occurs. No complicated components are required and thus cost is reduced.

(3) In practical use, the table surface and the modulized computer are manufactured and transferred separately.

Thereby, it can be produced rapidly and transferred safely.

Furthermore, it can be assembled quickly and used as desired.

By above components, the modulized computer 2 is positioned below the table surface 1.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the

scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modulized personal computer comprising a modulized computer, a machine seat and a table having a receiving groove, the modulized computer having a computer mainframe, an input unit and a display unit which are formed as an integral body and the display unit and input unit being located above the computer mainframe; the modulized computer being received in the machine seat; the machine seat being locked below the receiving groove and being assembled to the table surface; wherein the modulized computer is positioned below the table surface, when use, the display unit is lifted upwards; the input unit is used to control the computer mainframe; moreover, as the display unit is closed for being stored, a back side of the display unit is flushed with the table surface so as to provide a perfect operation space.

2. The modulized personal computer as claim in claim 1, wherein the receiving groove has a U-shape-like shape and is installed at one of a front left or right left side of the table surface.

3. The modulized personal computer as claim in claim I, wherein sliding tracks are installed at two sides of the modulized computer and inner surfaces of the machine seat, and a rear side of the machine seat is opened.

4. The modulized personal computer as claim in claim 1, wherein the machine seat has a U-shape-like shape and a rear side of the machine seat is opened; and wires are connected to the modulized computer

from a rear side of the machine seat.

5. The modulized personal computer as claim in claim 1, wherein stopping pieces are installed at two sides of the modulized computer for confining the movement of the computer.

6. The modulized personal computer as claim in claim 1, wherein the display unit is a liquid crystal display, and the input unit is one of a keyboard, a trace ball and a digital controller panel.

7. A modulized personal computer as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.