GB2417835A

GB2417835A - Pivotal computer bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2417835A
Application number: GB0419209A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yun-Chung Chang
Original assignee: Biostar Systems Co Ltd
Current assignee: Biostar Systems Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-28
Filing date: 2004-08-28
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-28
Also published as: GB2417835B; GB0419209D0

Abstract

A computer bracket comprises a first portion 1 which can be pivoted to a raised position relative to a second portion 2 to facilitate access to components mounted in the bracket. A lock (41,42, Fig 8) holds the bracket portion in its normal lowered position and a safety device (31, Fig 7) holds it in its raised position. In addition the pivot between the bracket potions may incorporate a detent mechanism (131,211-213, Fig 3).

Description

24 1 7835

PIVOTAL COMPUTER BRACKET

1. [Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer bracket, and more particularly to a pivotal computer bracket to allow the operator to easily have access to computer accessories received in the bracket.

2. Description of Related Art

Normally a conventional computer bracket is a hollow rectangular casing to receive therein computer accessories, such as a hard drive, a floppy diskette reader, etc. When any one of the computer accessories is out of order, the operator has to maneuver the auxiliary tools for repairing or replacing the malfunctioned accessory in a limited space. Besides, the wiring inside bracket is annoying especially when the available space for working is so limited. Therefore, the conventional computer bracket is not user-friendly to proceed any required work.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved computer bracket to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved computer bracket to allow the operator to easily have access to the computer accessories inside the bracket.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a safety mechanism in the computer bracket to secure the bracket such that when the upper bracket is pivoted relative to the lower bracket, the operator is protected from injury that may otherwise occur by an accidental falling of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a lock device between the upper bracket and the lower bracket to secure the position of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the computer bracket of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the computer bracket of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the respective engagement structure of the upper bracket and the lower bracket; Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic side plan views showing the status of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket before and after a pivotal movement of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the safety mechanism of the present invention between the upper bracket and the lower bracket; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the movement of the safety mechanism after the upper bracket is pivoted relative to the lower bracket; Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing that a lock device is arranged between the upper bracket and the lower bracket; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the lock device in Fig. 8 is assembled so that the position of the upper bracket is secured relative to the lower bracket; Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic cross sectional views showing the status before and after the lock device is activated.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the computer bracket in accordance with the present invention has an upper bracket (1) and a lower bracket (2) pivotally connected to the upper bracket (1).

The upper bracket ( 1) has a substantially L-shaped cross section such that the upper bracket (1) has a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) extending in parallel to each other in an upper portion of the upper bracket (1). A first cutout (110) is defined in a central portion of the first arm (l l) to thus divide the first arm (11) into an outer portion ann (11 a) and an inner portion arm (1 lb). The second arm (12) has a passage (120) defined through a bottom face of the second arm (12).

The lower bracket (2) has a substantially L-shaped cross section, a third arm (21) corresponding to the first arm (11) and a fourth arm (22) extending in parallel with the third arm (21) and corresponding to the second arm (12). The third arm (21) has a second cutout (210) defined in a central portion of the third arm (21) to divide the third arm (21) into an outer plate (2 la) to correspond to and engage with the outer portion arm (l la) and an inner plate (21b) to correspond to and engage with the inner portion arm ( 1 lb). The fourth arm (22) has a pair of ears (221) integrally extending outward from a top face of the fourth arm (22).

With reference to Fig. 3 and still taking Fig. 2 for reference, a disk (13) is sandwiched between the outer arm ( l l a) and the outer plate (21 a) and has a boss (131) formed on an inner face of the disk (13) to respectively correspond to a first positioning hole (211), a second positioning hole (212) and through holes (213) defined between the first and second positioning holes (211,212). That is, the boss (131) is able to be positioned at either one of the first or second positioning holes (211,212) by passing the through holes (213). Therefore, when the upper bracket (1) is assembled with the lower bracket (2) by joining the first arm (11) and second arm (12) of the upper bracket (1) with the third arm (21) and the fourth arm (22) with rivet (not numbered), the disk (13) is sandwiched between the outer arm (11 a) and the outer plate (2 la) of the third arm (21).

It is to be noted that the disk ( 13) is securely engaged with the outer arm ( l l a) and is thus pivotal relative to the outer plate (21a). Because the distance between the outer and inner plates (2 la,2 lb) is shorter than a distance between the outer portion arm (11 a) and the inner portion arm (llb), the inner portion arm (lib) is outside the inner plate (21b).

Further, due to the passage (120) ofthe second arm (12), the second arm (12) is able to receive therein the fourth arm (22) therein with the ears (221) extending upward for connection to a distal end of the second arm (12) by riveting. Therefore, after the upper bracket ( 1) is pivotally connected to the lower bracket (2), the upper bracket ( 1) is able to pivot relative the lower bracket (2).

With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, before the upper bracket ( 1) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2), the boss (131) of the disk (13) is located in the first positioning hole (211). After the upper bracket ( l) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2), the boss (131) is located at the second positioning hole (212) to fix the position of the upper bracket (1) relative to the lower bracket (2).

With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, in order to secure the position of the upper bracket (1) relative to the lower bracket (2) especially after the upper bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2), a safety mechanism is provided to stop the pivotal movement of the upper bracket (1). Preferably, the safety mechanism is composed of a safety plate (31) pivotally connected to a top face of the fourth arm (22) and a spring (32) having a first end securely connected to a face of the fourth arm (22) and a second end abutting a side face of an abutting arm (311) which is integrally formed with the safety plate (31). Therefore, when the second arm (12) is mounted on top of the fourth arm (22), the abutting arm (3 11) is stopped by a side face of the second arm ( 12) even when the spring (32) is urging against the abutting arm (311). However, after the second arm (12) is pivotally moved relative to the fourth arm (22), the safety plate (31) is pivoted by the spring (31) and thus the abutting arm (311) is located perpendicular relative to the second arm (12). Therefore, the pivotal movement of the second arm (12) is stopped by the safety mechanism of the present invention and the operator's safety is guarded.

With reference to Figs. 8, 9 and taking Fig. 2 for reference, it is noted that a lock device (4) is provided to secure the position of the upper bracket ( 1) relative to the lower bracket (2). The lock device (4) includes a pair of locking plates (41) integrally formed and extending from an inner face of the upper bracket (1) and a pair of sliding plates (42) slidably mounted on the lower bracket (2) to correspond to and engage with the locking plates (41). Each of the sliding plates (42) has a finger extending in opposite directions relative to each other.

With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, before the sliding plates (42) are moved along a peripheral side of the lower bracket (2), the upper bracket (10) is pivotal relative to the lower bracket (2). However, when the sliding plates (42) are moved to allow the fingers (421) to be on top of the locking plates (41), the pivotal movement of the upper bracket (1) is stopped and thus the upper bracket (1) is secured by the lower bracket (2).

From the description, it is noted that the operator is able to release the lock device (4) to allow the upper bracket (1) to be pivotal relative to the lower bracket (2) such that the operator is able to have easy access to the computer accessories to proceed maintenance or replacement work to the computer accessories.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. r

Claims

Cl,AIl\lS: 1. A computer bracket comprising: an upper bracket (1); a lower

(2) bracket selectively and pivotally connected to the upper bracket to allow the upper bracket to be pivotal relative to the lower bracket; and a lock device to secure position of the upper bracket (1) relative to the lower bracket (2).
2. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper bracket (1) has a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) extending in parallel with the first arm (11), the lower bracket (2) has a third arm (21) corresponding to and pivotally connected with the first arm (11), and a fourth arm (22) corresponding to and pivotally connected with the second arm (12).
3. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first arm (11) has a first cutout (110) defined in a center ofthe first arm (11) to divide the first arm (11) into an outer portion arm (11 a) and an inner portion arm (11 b), the second arm (12) has a passage (120) defined through a bottom face of the second arm (12), the third arm (21) has a second cutout (210) defined in a center of the third arm (21) to divide the third arm (21) into an outer plate (21a) to pivotally connect to the outer portion arm (1 la) and an inner plate (21 b) to pivotally connect to the inner portion arm (11 b).
4. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a disk (13) securely connected to the outer portion arm (l l a) and pivotally connected to the inner plate (21 b).
5. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the disk (13) has a boss (131) formed on an inner face of the disk (13) to correspond to a first positioning hole (211) and a second positioning hole (212) which are defined in the outer plate (21a) so that when the upper bracket (1) is pivoted, the boss (131) is movably and selectively received in the first and second positioning holes (211,212) so as to secure position of the upper bracket (1) relative to the lower bracket (2).
6. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a safety mechanism to lock a position after the upper bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2) when the lock device is released.
7. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a safety mechanism to lock a position after the upper bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2) when the lock device is released.
8. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a safety mechanism to lock a position after the upper bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the lower bracket (2) when the lock device is released.
9. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 1, 4, 5 and 8, wherein the lock device comprises a pair of locking plates (41) integrally formed with the upper bracket (1) and a pair of sliding plates (42) movably mounted on the lower bracket (2) to be selectively located on top of the locking plates (41) to stop pivotal movement of the upper bracket (1).
10. A computer bracket as herein described with reference to ar.d/or illustrated with references to the accompanying drawings. ( ( . ( ( ( .

10. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 6, 7, and 8, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a safety plate (31) pivotally mounted on the fourth arm (22) and a spring (32) having a first end securely mounted to a side face of the fourth arm (22) and a second end abutting to a side face of the safety plate (31) such that when the lock device is activated to have the fourth arm (22) received in the second arm (12), the safety plate (31) is stopped by an inner side face of the second arm (12) and when the 1 ' 1 lock device is released and the upper bracket (1) is pivoted, the safety plate (31) is pushed by the spring (32) to stop the upper bracket (2) to return to the upper bracket's (1) original position.

11. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 9, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a safety plate (31) pivotally mounted on the fourth arm (22) and a spring (32) having a first end securely mounted to a side face of the fourth arm (22) and a second end abutting to a side face of the safety plate (31) such that when the lock device is activated to have the fourth arm (22) received in the second arm (12), the safety plate (31) is stopped by an inner side face of the second arm (12) and when the lock device is released and the upper bracket (1) is pivoted, the safety plate (31) is pushed by the spring (32) to stop the upper bracket (2) to return to the upper bracket's (1) original position.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

C]2nns I. A computer bracket compnsmg

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a first bracl et (1) haNmg a first ann (2 1) Id z. second ann (i2) extendng n1 parallel with the first ann (11); a second bracket (2) pivotally conilected to the first bracket to allow the lo first bracket to be selectively pivotal relative to the second bracket, the second bracket (2) haNring a third and (21) corresponding to and pvota]]r cormected Neolith the first arm (I] ), and a fourth aim (?2) corresponding to and pivota]]y connected wetly the second and (12); and a lock device to secure the position of the first bracket (1) relative to the second bracket (2) when the computer is In use.

2. The computer bracket as claimed In claim 1, wherein the first and (11) has a first cutout (110) defined in the first arm (11) to dvdethe first arm (11) Into an outer aria (lla) and an inner and (llb), the second am1 (l?) has a passage (120) defined through a bottom face of the second and (12), the third arm (21) has a second cutout (210) defined in the third awn (21) to divide the third aria (? I) into an outer plate (91a) to pvotallv connect to the outer and (I la) and an inner plate (21b) to pivotally colmect to the inner aria (1 lb).

3. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a disk (13) securely connected to the outer aria (I la) and pivotally comlected to the outer plate (21a).

4. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the disk (13) has a boss (131) formed on an inner face of the disk (13) to con-espond to a first positioning hole (211) and a second postionmg hole (2]2) which are defined in the outer plate (21 a) so that when the first bracket ( I) is pivoted, the boss ( I 31) is movably and selectively received in the first and second positioning holes (2i 1,212) so as to secure the position of the first bracket (1) relative to the second bracket (2).

55. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a safety mechanism to lock a position after the first bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the second bracket (2) when the lock device is released.

6. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a safety lomechanism to lock a position after the first bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the second bracket (2) when the lock device is released.

7. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a safety . mechanism to lock a position after the first bracket (1) is pivoted relative to the (, . second bracket (2) when the lock device is released. . .

8. The computer bracket as claimed in claim l, 3, 4 and 7, wherein the lock device comprises a pair of locking plates (41) integrally formed with the first . bracket (l) and a pair of sliding plates (42) movably mounted on the second 20 bracket (2) to be selectively located on top of the locking plates (41) to stop pivotal movement ofthe first bracket (1).

9. The computer bracket as claimed in claim 5, 6 and 7, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a safety plate (31) pivotally mounted on the fourth arm (22); and a spring (32) having a first end securely mounted to a side face of the fourth arm (22) and a second end abutting to a side face of the safety plate (31), such that when the lock device is activated to have the fourth arm (22) received in the second arm 912), the safety plate (31) is stopped by an inner side face of the second arm (12), and when the lock device is released and the first bracket (1) is pivoted, the safety plate 31) is pushed by the spring 32) to stop the first bracket (2) from returning to the first bracket's (1) original position.