EP1057098A1

EP1057098A1 - Mobile screen workstation

Info

Publication number: EP1057098A1
Application number: EP98965714A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fritz Hödl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-29
Filing date: 1998-11-30
Publication date: 2000-12-06
Also published as: WO1999028807A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile screen workstation provided with a PC or notebook (14), a screen (16), at least one peripheral device (18), such as a printer, telecommunications device, power pack, network-independent power supply unit or the like and a hard-shelled case (12). The hard-shelled case (12) has a base shell half (20) for accommodating the PC or notebook (14), the screen (16) and the one or more peripheral devices (18). The case also has a cover shell half (22) which is connected to the base shell half (20) by means of hinges. The base shell half (20) and the cover shell half (22) each have a base or cover wall (30) with rising side walls (32) and at least one padding layer (36) with a sealed, gas-filled chamber (44, 46) for protecting the PC or notebook (14), the screen (16) and the one or more peripheral devices (18) against mechanical shocks. The one or more padding layers (36) are arranged on the base wall of the base shell half (20) on which the cover wall of the cover shell half (22) is arranged and/or said layer is arranged on the PC or notebook (14), the screen (16) and the one or more peripheral devices (18) when the hard-shelled case (12) is closed from above.

Description

Mobile screen workstation

The invention relates to a mobile screen workstation in which a PC or notebook, a screen and at least one peripheral device, such as a printer, a telecommunication device, a power supply unit, a network-independent power supply unit or the like. are housed in a hard case, as known from DE-U-297 11 974.

Such mobile screen workstations have been on the market for some time. The individual components and peripheral devices are partly housed in hard-shell cases, which consist of a bottom shell half and a hinged cover shell half. In the bottom half of the hard case there is a specially shaped plastic receptacle (molded plastic body) in which the individual computer components and peripheral devices are housed. The bottom shell half and the cover shell half are made of plastic or metal and some have a structured surface.

From DE-U-91 12 399 it is known to pad portable data processing devices in a case by providing foam between the devices and the inside of the case. However, special upholstery inserts are required here, which require special molding tools. As a result, the production of these special upholstery elements is relatively complex.

Depending on the ambient conditions under which the mobile screen workstation is used, the components housed in the hard case can be subjected to more or less strong vibrations. Such Shocks particularly affect the contents of the hard-shell case if it is accidentally dropped and strikes a surface, for example the ground.

The invention has for its object to provide a mobile screen workstation, in which the computer components and peripheral devices in the closed state of the hard case are accommodated in a simple manner and without any significant additional costs against mechanical shocks.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a mobile screen workstation with - a PC or notebook, a screen, at least one peripheral device, such as a printer, telecommunication device, power supply unit, network-independent supply unit or the like. , - A hard case, which has a bottom shell half to accommodate the PC or notebook of the screen and the at least one peripheral device and a cover shell half connected by joints to the bottom shell half, each having a bottom or cover wall with upstanding side walls, and at least one cushion layer with closed gas-filled chambers to protect the PC or notebook, the screen and the at least one peripheral device against mechanical shocks, with the at least one cushion layer on the bottom wall of the bottom shell half, on the top wall of the top shell half and / or from above on the PC or notebook when the hard case is folded , the screen and the at least one

Peripheral device is arranged. According to the invention, there is at least one cushion layer with individual closed gas-filled chambers in the hard-shell case, the cushion layer being constructed in particular from plastic films. The at least one cushion layer is located on the bottom shell half or the cover shell half of the hard shell case and there in particular on the inside of the cover wall of the cover shell half, in order to be arranged in the closed state of the hard shell case above the computer components and peripheral devices which are housed in the bottom shell half of the hard shell case. When arranged in the lid and / or bottom shell half, the cushion layer is preferably pulled up to the side walls of the relevant shell half in order to lie on the inside thereof.

If a paper cassette or the like is in the lid shell half. is housed, the lid shell half has a plate arranged at a distance from the lid wall, so that a compartment is formed between this plate and the lid wall. In such a configuration of the hard-shell case, the at least one cushion layer is located on the side of the plate facing away from the cover wall and in this way, when the hard-shell case is closed, in turn faces the computer components and peripheral devices on which it rests.

The advantage of using a cushion layer with individual closed gas-filled chambers is that the computer components and / or peripheral devices are also at least partially enclosed on their sides by the gas chambers of the cushion layer, which results in increased lateral support. The gas-filled chambers also have excellent vibration damping properties, since the increasing gas pressure in the chambers increases to a certain degree prevents further movement of the computer components and / or peripheral devices.

As already explained above, the computer components and peripheral devices are located in a special molded plastic body that is inserted into the bottom half of the hard case. This molded body is provided with a large number of recesses and depressions and, to this extent, already has a certain vibration damping effect due to this construction. To improve the protection of the computer components and peripheral devices accommodated in this molded body, it can be useful to also arrange a cushion layer of the above type between the molded body and the bottom wall of the bottom shell half of the hard shell case. This cushion layer preferably fills the space between the underside of the molded body and the bottom wall of the bottom shell half.

As already explained above, the cushion layer consists of several plastic films. In particular, the cushion layer has three plastic films which are arranged one above the other and connected to one another, the center film arranged in the middle having deep-drawn chambers with bottom walls which are open on one side. These chambers open on one side can be arranged orthogonally or hexagonally or in some other way. The open sides of the chambers are closed by a base film. On the outside of the base walls of the chambers of the middle film facing away from the base film there is a cover film which consequently runs essentially parallel to the base film. In other words, the central film provided with deep-drawn chambers is enclosed on both sides by essentially flat films. Such cushion layers are generally known from packaging technology. Surprisingly, it has been shown that the Use of such three-layer films previously used for packaging purposes has unforeseeable vibration damping properties in a mobile screen workstation of the type described above.

For optical reasons, it is advantageous to cover the cushion layer on its side that is exposed and thus visible in the open state of the case with a decorative layer, for example a textile material.

Instead of a three-layer structure of the cushion layer, a two-layer structure can also be considered. In this case, the cushion layer consists of a cover or base film which is connected to a deep-drawn further film (similar to the central film described above). In this case, the further film has chambers open on one side, the bottom walls of which are all arranged in a first level and the open sides of which are arranged in a second level. The cover or base film closes the open sides of the chambers in an airtight manner. The cushion layer thus has a two-layer structure. To increase the stability of the cushion layer, it is expedient to apply a third film to the bottom walls, which is connected to the bottom walls. Between the bottom walls of adjacent chambers, in turn, chambers are formed, which can also be sealed airtight by the third film, so that ultimately the upholstery layer structure already described above results.

For storing paper or the like Office material, it is useful to accommodate a pocket in the lid shell half, which has two interconnected pocket walls, which is open at least along two mutually opposite edges, so that access to the inside of the pocket is created. This open side can be through a tab around one of the two pocket walls is extended, covered and thus closed. The pocket walls themselves each consist of one or more cushion layers, which is or are provided with a decorative material.

As is usual with a hard case, there is a handle on one of the two shell halves, while the sides of the two shell halves opposite this handle are connected to one another via joints or hinges. In the area of these joints there are usually feet that are attached to the outside of the shell halves and on which the case rests on a surface when it is upright. It is expedient to also provide a cushion layer on the inside of the side walls of the two shell halves that support the feet. With a two- or three-layer film structure of the cushion layer, as described above, it is advantageous if the cushion layer arranged in this area of the case is wound up as a roll. This is expedient insofar as the area in which the cushion layer is housed has only a relatively small width, so that if several separate cushion layers are superimposed, their air chambers would no longer be closed, depending on their size. It is therefore advantageous to lay a continuous layer of upholstery on top of each other. This can be done, for example, by winding up or by overlaying the cushion layer in a zigzag or serpentine-like manner.

Two exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In detail show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hard case briefcase in the open state Notebook and printer arranged in the bottom half of the tray and with a cassette with a cushion layer in the half of the top cover,

2 shows a section through the hard case in the closed state,

Fig. 3 shows a section through the cushion layer on an enlarged scale to illustrate the structure of the cushion layer from individual layers of film and

Fig. 4 shows a section through the hard case in the closed state according to a second embodiment.

A perspective view of a mobile screen work station 10 is shown in FIG. 2, in which a notebook 14 with a screen 16 and a printer 18 are accommodated in a hard case 12. These elements and other components, such as a telecommunications device (cell phone with base station and cordless telephone handset or cell phone), a power supply unit, a battery power supply station or the like. , are accommodated in the bottom shell half 20 of the hard shell case 12, while the cover shell half 22 accommodates a paper cassette 24. The devices and components 14, 16, 18 are accommodated in a plastic molded body 26, which is inserted into the bottom shell half 20.

The paper cassette 24 has a plastic plate 28 which is arranged at a distance from the cover wall 30 of the cover shell half 22. The plate 28 extends essentially up to the side walls 32 of the lid shell half 22. The plate 28 is supported on a cushion part 34 which is on that side wall 32 of the lid shell half 22 is arranged, which is connected via hinges to the bottom shell half 20.

The side of the plate 28 facing the user of the screen workstation 10 in the opened state of the briefcase 12 or, in other words, that of the cover wall

30 opposite side of the plate 28 is provided with a cushion layer 36, which is held on the plate 28 in particular by gluing. In the closed state of the briefcase 10, this cushion layer 36 lies from above on the notebook 14 and the printer 18 and protects these components from mechanical shocks. 2 shows in longitudinal section the situation in the folded state of the briefcase 12.

The structure of the cushion layer 36 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. The cushion layer 36 has a three-layer plastic film structure, which comprises a base film 38, a middle film 40 and a cover film 42. The base film 38 is attached to the plate 28 of the paper cassette 24. The cover film 42 runs at a distance from the base film 38; Both foils 38, 42 enclose the middle foil 40 on both sides, which comprises deep-drawn, air-filled chambers 44, 46. The chambers 44, 46 have closed bottom walls 48, 50. The floor walls

48 of the chambers 44 abut the base film 38, while the bottom walls 50 of the chambers 46 abut the cover film 42. The alternately arranged open sides 52, 54 of the air chambers 44, 46 are therefore closed by the cover film 42 or the base film 38. In this way, a large number of air chambers 44, 46 lying side by side are created, which are closed by the cover film 42 and the base film 38. There is also a decorative layer 56 on the cover film 42, which gives the cushion layer 36 an attractive external appearance. The advantage of using the cushion layer 36 described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 is that the air chambers 44, 46 enclose the computer components 14, 16 and the peripheral components, such as the printer 18, on all sides and press against these components from above with a pressing force (with the case closed), which results from the increased internal pressure of the air chambers 46 (see situation in FIG. 2). The evasion options of the air chambers 44, 46 also cause an unexpected automatic shaping, so that the devices 14, 16, 18 are held in their position in the closed case 12. In addition, the numerous air chambers 44, 46 allow an unexpectedly high level of insulation due to the alternative options in an extremely short way. The air chambers 44, 46, which are separated from one another, still retain their damping effect even if individual air chambers 44, 46 are destroyed. In addition, an uncontrolled lateral escape of the air from the cushion layer 38 is prevented.

4 shows a briefcase 12 'according to a second exemplary embodiment as a section in the upright closed state. To the extent that the individual parts of this hard-shell briefcase 12 'correspond to those of the case 12 of FIGS. 1 to 3 correspond, they are provided with the same reference numerals.

The difference between the two cases 12 and 12 'consists in particular in the arrangement of various cushion layers 36 within the hard case 12'. 4 is between the bottom wall 30 of the bottom part 20 and the molded body 26, an air cushion layer 36, while (with the hard case 12 'closed) in the area between the notebook 14 and the printer 18 (not shown in Fig. 4) and the Top wall 30 of top part 22 there are a plurality of air cushion layers 36 lying one above the other. These air cushion layers 36 are part of a pocket 60 provided with decorative material, which has two pocket walls 62 which are connected to one another along their edges. A slot 64 is formed between two edge sections, which enables access to the interior of the pocket 60. The pocket 60 bears against the cover wall 30 from the inside, the pocket wall 62 lying directly against the cover wall 30 being extended to form a tab 66. In the area of this tab 66 there is again a cushion layer 36 which is provided with decorative material. The tab 66 lies on the other pocket wall 62 from the front, so that the slot 64 is closed.

Another special feature of the hard-shell case 12 'of FIG. 4 is the arrangement of an air cushion layer 36 on the inside of the lower side wall 32 of the cover part 22 in the drawing according to the figure 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the two lower side walls 32 of the bottom and the cover part 20, 22 provided with feet 68. Between these feet 68 there are joints 70, via which the two base and cover parts 20, 22 are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Between the notebook 14 and the printer 18 (not shown in FIG. 4) and these side walls 32 there is a cushion part 34 which consists of a plurality of air cushion layers 36 which are arranged one above the other or wound up or in another manner lying one on top of the other. This area is also provided with an air cushion within the hard shell case 12 '. The cushion part 34, like the pocket 60, can also be provided with decorative material. In particular, this cushion part 34 is connected to the pocket 60, so that the entire air cushion in the cover part 22 of the hard shell case 12 'is formed as one part and is therefore easy to assemble. For the two exemplary embodiments described here, the devices 14, 18 to be protected are positioned precisely on the molded body 26 by holding clips 72, which in the state of the hard-shell case according to FIG. 4 also serve for the additional suspension of the devices. These retaining clips 72 are designed, for example, as described in DE-U-297 16 425.2. The content of this document is hereby also made the content of the present patent application by reference.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Mobile screen workstation with a PC or notebook (14), a screen (16), at least one peripheral device (18), such as a printer, telecommunication device, power supply unit, network-independent supply unit or the like. , a hard-shell case (12) which has a base shell half (20) for accommodating the PC or notebook (14) of the screen (16) and the at least one peripheral device (18) and a cover shell half (22) connected to the base shell half (20) by joints. which each have a bottom or top wall (30) with upstanding side walls (32), and at least one cushion layer (36) with closed gas-filled chambers (44, 46) to protect the PC or notebook (14), the screen ( 16) and the at least one peripheral device (18) against mechanical vibrations, the at least one cushion layer (36) on the bottom wall of the bottom shell half (20), on the top wall of the top shell half (22) and / or when the hard case (12) is folded up from above is arranged on the PC or notebook (14), the screen (16) and the at least one peripheral device (18).

2. Mobile screen workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one cushion layer (36) has one or more layers with closed gas-filled chambers (44, 46).

3. Mobile screen workstation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cushion layer (36) has a cover film (42) and a further film (40), that this further film (40) is deep-drawn and one-sided open chambers (44 , 46) with bottom walls (48, 50) and that the cover film (42) covers the chambers (44, 46) of the further film (40) at their open ends and closes them airtight.

4. Mobile screen workstation according to claim 3, characterized in that a base film (38) is provided which is connected to the bottom walls (48, 50) of the chambers (44, 46) of the further film (40).

5. Mobile screen workstation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one cushion layer (36) has a base film (38), a middle film (40) and a cover film (42) each made of plastic, that the middle film (40 ) is deep-drawn and has one-sided open chambers (44, 46) with bottom walls (48, 50), and that the base film

(38) and the cover film (42) are connected airtight to the middle film (40).

6. Mobile screen workstation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the bottom shell half (20) a molded body (26) for accommodating the PC or notebook (14), the screen (16) and the at least one peripheral device (18) and that between the molded body

(26) and the bottom wall (30) of the bottom shell half (20) a cushion layer (36) is arranged.

7. Mobile screen workstation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the lid shell half (22) a pocket (60) with two adjoining pocket walls (62) is arranged, each pocket wall having a cushion layer (36).

8. Mobile screen workstation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the inside of the articulated with the bottom shell half (20) side wall (32) of the cover shell half (22) a cushion part (34) is arranged, which is a rolled up or has a cushion layer (36) placed one above the other.

9. Mobile screen workstation according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the cushion layers (36) of the pocket walls and the cushion part (34) on the inside of the side wall (32) of the cover shell half (22) are provided with a decorative layer are interconnected.

10. Mobile screen workstation according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 7, characterized in that in the lid shell half (22) is a compartment (24) with a spaced from the lid wall (30) arranged plate (28) which extends essentially up to the side walls (32) of the cover shell half (22), and that the plate (28) is provided with at least one cushion layer (36) on its side facing away from the cover wall (30).

11. Mobile screen workstation according to claim 10, characterized in that on the plate (28) facing away from the cushion layer (36) a decorative layer (56) is arranged.