EP0172762A1 - Container for information-processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

It comprises at least one front face (1), two lateral faces (2), a rear face, a screen-carrier surface (8) which is substantially horizontal and movable vertically between the said four faces from a lower storage position to at least one upper use position, and keyboard-support means (9) movable from a storage position to a use position. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a container for computer equipment.

There has been a considerable development in recent years in the number of microcomputers or computer terminals in service, but no specific product has so far been offered in the field of office furniture for adapt to this development.

This equipment is currently placed on worktops, like simple typewriters.

The present invention aims to provide a product making it possible to respond simultaneously and correctly to the three specific problems posed by the computer terminal or the microcomputer, namely on the one hand the safeguarding of the equipment against theft, sabotage, neglect, impact or dust, on the other hand the mobility of this equipment in order to allow it to move easily from one room to another or possibly to be transported aboard a vehicle, and finally the conditions of use, that is to say the field of ergonomics.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a container for computer equipment, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one front face, two lateral faces, one rear face, a substantially horizontal screen-carrying tray, movable vertically between the four. said faces of a lower storage position to at least one upper position of use, and mobile keyboard support means from a storage position to a position of use.

When the material is not used, it is therefore stored inside the container with the screen placed on its screen-holding tray which is in the low position. A lid of course closes the container at its upper part.

In this configuration, the computer equipment is protected by the different faces and the cover of the container which advantageously is then locked. Furthermore, this container can be conveniently stored, for example under a table, or moved either manually or in a vehicle.

In the use position, the screen-holder tray is brought into the high position, possibly adjustable, and the keyboard can be placed in a position suitable for its use.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the front face is retractable when the screen tray is in the use position in order to ensure a comfortable sitting position for the user, allowing him to place his legs under the tray .

This front face can for example be pivotally mounted around a substantially horizontal axis located at its lower part.

Advantageously, the keyboard support means comprise a support mounted movably on the screen-holder tray, for example pivoting about an axis located along the front edge of this tray.

A height offset can therefore be provided between the screen tray and the keyboard to ensure optimal comfort for the user.

The container according to the invention is advantageously provided with displacement means such as wheels and handles which can be movable from a retracted position to at least one position of use.

One can also provide mounted accessory shelves, such as the keyboard support, pivoting on the screen tray but this time around an axis located along a side edge of this tray.

These shelves can for example be kept in the deployed position using the operating handles placed in a suitable position.

The lid mentioned above can, in a particular embodiment, be retractable and arranged to fold down parallel to the rear face of the container.

In another embodiment, the cover is made in two parts which, once opened, form the two aforementioned shelves.

In a particular embodiment, the container according to the invention comprises drive means for moving the screen-holder tray between its lower and upper positions.

These drive means may for example comprise a plurality of sheathed rack cables whose free ends are provided with means for connection to the screen-holder tray.

Such sheathed rack cables are already known in the art. These cables carry at their periphery a wire wound in a helix to form a rack capable of cooperating with a toothed wheel which can be driven by any suitable means, for example using an electric motor or a crank.

The free ends of the cable sheaths can be extended by slotted tubes which are substantially vertical, said connecting means being mounted on the cable through the slot in said tubes.

These split tubes ensure the rigidity of the cables in their vertical part while allowing the passage of the connecting means between the cable and the screen-holder tray.

The split tubes can advantageously be telescopic, which makes it possible to raise the screen-holder tray higher than the upper edge of the faces of the container. It is thus possible while keeping the container placed on the ground, to bring the screen and the keyboard to a level such that the user can operate standing.

Generally, when the screen-holding tray can thus be brought into its upper position higher than the upper edge of said faces, the container then advantageously comprises a movable skirt arranged to be driven by the tray when it exceeds said edge. upper and to make the connection between the plate and said faces.

On the one hand, such an arrangement has an aesthetic advantage in that it makes it possible to hide the mechanical parts of the container when the tray is in its high position, but above all it makes it possible to avoid the fall of foreign objects in the container under the tray.

• - La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un conteneur selon l'invention en position fermée,
• - la figure 2 en est une vue en perspective en position ouverte,
• - la figure 3 en est une vue de face en position ouverte,
• - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3,
• - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif d'entraînement du plateau porte-écran,
• - la figure 6 est une vue à plus grande échelle d'une partie de ce dispositif dans une première configuration,
• - la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 6 dans une deuxième configuration et,
• - la figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'une paroi du conteneur représentant plus particulièrement la jupe de protection.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in the closed position,
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof in the open position,
• FIG. 3 is a front view of it in the open position,
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the drive device for the screen-holder tray,
• FIG. 6 is a view on a larger scale of part of this device in a first configuration,
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 in a second configuration and,
• - Figure 8 is a sectional view of a wall of the container more particularly representing the protective skirt.

The container shown in Figures 1 to 4 generally comprises a front face 1, two side faces 2, a rear face 3, a bottom 4, and a cover 5. These different faces limit an interior space capable of receiving a screen. of microcomputer 6 or computer terminal and its associated keyboard 7.

A horizontal screen-holding plate 8 is mounted mobile in this space from a lower storage position shown in broken lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 to an upper position for use which is adjustable in height. The means for raising and lowering the plate 8 and the screen 6 which it supports are not shown in ,, Figures 1 to 4 and can be of any suitable type, for example, electric, rack and pinion , cylinder, hydraulic or pneumatic, etc ...

A keyboard support 9 is mounted on the plate 8, pivoting about a horizontal axis 9a parallel to the front edge of the plate 8. The keyboard 7 is itself slidably mounted on the support 9 in a direction perpendicular to the axis 9a so that it is possible to move the keyboard 7 away from the screen-holder tray 8 to at least partially clear the location of the legs of the user.

Similarly, two accessory shelves 10 are mounted on either side of the screen shelf 8, pivoting about horizontal axes 11 parallel to the lateral edges of the shelf 8.

The cover 5 is pivotally mounted around the upper edge of the rear face 3 from a horizontal position 5a (Figure 4) to a vertical position 5b in which it can slide vertically parallel to itself down, until position 5 shown in Figures 2 and 4.

Locking means 12 are provided for locking the cover in its closed position 5a.

The front face 1 is formed of two parts 13, 14 joined by a horizontal hinge 15.

The lower part 15 is itself connected to the front edge of the bottom 4 by another hinge 16.

A return pedal 17, the function of which will be described below, is mounted on the lower part 14.

The hinge 16 allows the front face 1 to be folded back inside the container when the screen-holder plate 8 is in its upper position. In order to allow complete folding down, the upper part 13 of the front face 1 is folded down around the axis 15 relative to the lower part 14 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4.

This folding allows the user of the microcomputer 6,7 to place his legs under the keyboard 7 and therefore be seated comfortably on a seat such as 18 (Figure 2).

Three wheels 19, preferably lockable or retractable, are mounted at the bottom of the container to allow its movement.

To facilitate this movement, handles 20, shown in Figure 1 in. solid line in their storage position, are each formed by a bent tube at right angles, part of which is pivotally and slidingly mounted in a horizontal sleeve 21 mounted on one of the side faces 2, parallel to the upper edge of the latter. At the end of the handle 20 opposite the sleeve 21 is provided a gripping member 22 which can itself pivot so as to be set at right angles to the tube which supports it.

In a first position of use, shown in solid lines in Figure 3, the handles 20 are pivoted 90 ° relative to the sleeve 21 and the gripping members 22 arranged vertically so that they can support the shelves 10 in their positions deployed.

In the other use position 20a in FIG. 1, the handles 20 are pivoted by 180 ° relative to the sleeve 21 and are also slid forward, the gripping members also being folded. These two gripping members then form a handlebar which makes it possible to easily move the container on its wheels 19.

When the container is in a closed position with the screen tray 8 in the low position, the keyboard 7 and the shelves 10 are arranged vertically around the screen 6 as shown in 7a, 10a in Figures 4 and 3 respectively.

To allow the use of the microcomputer 6,7, the cover is unlocked and brought into position 5 of FIG. 4. The screen-holder tray 8 is then lifted by the means provided for this purpose, the support means for keyboard 9 are lowered by pivoting about the axis 9a, and the keyboard 7 is deployed forward.

The handles 20 are then brought into their position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 and the shelves 10 are lowered until they come into contact with the gripping members 22 which keep them in a horizontal position.

Finally, the front face 1 is retracted by pivoting around the hinges 15, 16.

The operations are carried out in the opposite direction to close the container. The pedal 17 allows the front face 1 to be easily straightened by simply pressing the foot.

When it is desired to move the container, the wheels 19 are released, and the handles are brought into their position 20a.

The actuating device of the screen-holder tray shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 comprises an electric motor 30 mounted on the bottom of the container and associated with a reduction gear 31 with double shaft outlet. Two shafts 32 come out of the reduction gear 31 and are mounted at the entry of a connection box 33 of known type allowing actuation of sheathed cables with rack 34.

The sheaths of the cables 34 are mounted on the walls of the container and their free ends are connected, by means of an end piece 35, to split tubes 36 arranged along the four vertical edges of the container.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show in more detail the actual rack cable 37 protruding from its sheath and from the end piece 35 and guided vertically by the tube 36.

A cleat 38 is mounted at the end of each of the four cables 37 to support the four corners of the aforementioned screen tray.

Only one of these cleats 38 is shown in FIG. 5.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the split cable guide tube 37 is telescopic and an inner tube 39 is disposed inside the tube 36. The slots of the tubes 36 and 39 correspond so as to allow the passage of a tongue 40 for connection between the end of the cable 37 and the cleat 38. The tube 39 is closed at its upper part by a solid disc 41 of diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tube 36. The upper part of the outer tube 36 arrives substantially at the upper edges of the container walls.

Thus, as long as the cleats 38 are at a level lower than the upper edge of the walls of the container, the tube 39 is retained by the disc 41 as shown in FIG. 6.

When, using the cables 37, the battens 38 are brought to a level higher than that of the edges of the side walls of the container, the end of the cables 37 pushes the tubes 39 outside the tubes 36, so that the vertical guiding of the cables 37 is ensured from the end fittings 35 to the upper part of the cable. It is thus possible to raise the screen tray higher than the upper edge of the container walls.

FIG. 8 represents this situation where the screen-holding plate 8 is higher than the upper edge 42 of one of the walls 43. In this case, to avoid falling of an object between the plate 8 and the edge 42, we provides a skirt 44 curved at its upper part 45 in the form of a hook to cooperate with stops 46 integral with the edges of the plate 8. An angle iron 47 is mounted at the lower part of the skirt 44 to cooperate with a lower stop 48 and a stop upper 49 mounted on the wall 43.

Guide means between the skirt 44 and the wall 43 are advantageously provided so that the skirt 44 also serves to stiffen the container and stabilize the plate 8.

As long as the plate 8 is at a level lower than that of the edge 42, the angles 47 remain in abutment on the stops 48, the skirt 44 remaining in its low position. When the plate 8 exceeds the level of the upper edge 42 of the wall 43, the skirt 44 begins to be driven by its rim 45 cooperating with the stops 46.

The upper position of the plate 8 is reached when the angles 47 come into contact with the upper stops 49.

Various variants and modifications can be made to the above description without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention.

Thus, means can be provided for securing, for security purposes, the container in the closed position to a backing wall or to a table under which it is placed.

All the supply and connection wires of the elements 6, 7 can also be integrated into the container in order to improve its mobility.

One can also provide storage spaces for accessories such as floppy discs in use or a modem.

Likewise, it is advantageous to provide ventilation means allowing the operation of the elements 6, 7 while the container is in the closed position.

Claims (18)

]. Container for computer equipment, characterized in that it comprises at least one front face (1), two lateral faces (2), one rear face (3), a screen-carrying tray (8) substantially horizontal, movable vertically between the four said faces from a lower storage position to at least one upper use position, and movable keyboard support means (9) from a storage position to a use position. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said front face is retractable when the support plate is in the position of use. 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that said front face is pivotally mounted about a substantially horizontal axis (16) located at its lower part. 4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said keyboard support means comprise a support mounted movably on the screen-holder tray. 5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the keyboard support is pivotally mounted on the screen tray around an axis (9a) located along the front edge of said screen tray. 6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises displacement means (19,20). 7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that said displacement means comprise wheels (19). 8. Container according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said displacement means comprise handles (20) movable from a retracted position to at least one position of use. 9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one side shelf (10) retractable. 10. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that said shelf is pivotally mounted on the screen-holder tray around an axis (11) located along a lateral edge of said screen-holder tray. 11. Container according to all of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said shelf is held in the deployed position by one of said handles in one of its positions of use. 12. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a retractable cover (5). 13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that said cover is arranged to fold down parallel to the rear face of the container. 14. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises drive means for moving the screen tray between its lower and upper positions. 15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that said drive means comprise a plurality of sheathed cables 1: rack whose free ends are provided with means for connection to the screen-holder tray. 16. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the free ends of the cable sheaths are extended by slotted tubes which are substantially vertical, said connecting means being mounted on the cable through the slot in said tubes. 17. Container according to claim 16, characterized in that said split tubes are telescopic. 18. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, in its upper position, said screen-holding plate is higher than the upper edge of said faces, and in that the container comprises a movable skirt , arranged to be driven by the plate when it exceeds said upper edge, and to make the connection between the plate and said faces.

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