GB2423644A

GB2423644A - Personal computer with storage drawers and/or cupboards

Info

Publication number: GB2423644A
Application number: GB0504161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Brooks; Paul Cottrell; Michael Grainger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-28
Filing date: 2005-02-28
Publication date: 2006-08-30
Also published as: GB0504161D0

Abstract

A PC storage unit comprises a PC tower with one or more housing units 5 fitted within the bays 2 normally provided for receiving CD/DVD/Floppy disc drives. The housing units are specially designed to receive (i) one or more drawers suitable for holding small items e.g. pens, scissors, [Figure 4] or (ii) one or more cupboard doors to create a storage cabinet [Figure 6], or (iii) a combination of drawers and cupboard doors [Figure 7]. Locks may be provided to secure the drawers or cupboard doors. The locks may be padlocks or a combination of locks. The drawers and doors may be opened by pressing a button on the unit, or by using a keypad, or by a entering a password into a computer coupled to the drawers and cupboards via a USB connection. The front of the drawer may be decorated. A lockable cash box may be provided within one of the drawers [Figure 9].

Description

PC Storage Unit Background: This Invention relates to a Draw(s)Cupboard(s)

Storage Unit(s)" combined with a Desktop/Tower Personal Computer (PC).

Description: On the front of all PC's there are what is knowii as Floppy Disk, CD and DVI) ROM drive bay enclosures that are covered up with I or more "clip- in, blanking plates". These blankmg plates are easily removed, and are made of plastic, which is the same colour as the PC case. These blanking plate's hide within, a area of storage space that would usually house a Floppy Disk, CD or DVD ROM peripherals. By removing these blanking plates, a PC can be upgraded, with 1 or more Floppy/CD/DVD ROM dnve, by inserting it into the front opening of the PC. The majority of computers do not utilise this front area of space, unless as previously mentioned, an extra Floppy Disk, CD or DVD ROM is installed.

In every day life, draws and cupboards are found in all homes and offices, manufactured into many different types of furniture. Desktop and Tower PC's are also very popular in the majority of businesses and homes, and many PC consumable items such as Post-it notes, pens, correction fluid, and CD, floppy disks are also in every day use, and needs to be stored somewhere, sometimes securely, for example a petty cash tin.

This Invention proposes to fill this valuable wasted storage space, with a multi purpose draw or a combination of both draw and cupboard units, fitting into where a CD/DVD ROM drive would usually fit. This PC draw/cupboard storage unit will be fixed, by screw fixing the draw/cupboard housing to the existing internal framework of the Tower, or Desktop PC. The PC storage unit can be fixed with 2 or more, small screws, fixed into either side of the PC draw/cupboard housing unit.

The draw housing units can be made of various different materials, for example metal, fibreglass or plastic, and the draw/cupboard made of similar materials. This PC storage unit can be easily and quickly installed into the front of most popular PC systems with just a screwdriver. The PC storage unit can also be used externally, for example stacked neatly on a desktop surface.

The main purpose of this invention is for storing general items in the home/workplace, such as Dicta-phone's, Mini Disk Player's, cello-tape, scissors, stapler's, money and most other small items found in the home or office, and this design(s) include a 1, 2, 3 or more sliding draw(s) including a combination of both sliding draw(s) and hinged door(s), cupboard(s) with a locking mechanism, for example padlock(s), or a combination of different lock(s) situated on the draw (s)cupboard(s) front panel, for securing the contents.

This invention also proposes to free up desktop space by utilising the PC's unused storage space, and the advantages and benefits of this invention will be a clean tidy desktop, with all items stored safely in one place, allowing the office/home desktop, to be free of the usual cluttered items, but easily accessible to the user Theft in the workplace is also a concern to individuals, and this sort of crime has risen over the years and this invention can also be described as a safety deposit box, and will keep personal possessions out of sight, out of mind, and will help reduce the chances of theft of company or personal property.

Description of Drawings

The draw unit Figi consists of a complete single draw unit 1 which is comprised of a housing unit 2 which contains the actual draw 3. The draw will work with any type of existing draw rail system. The entire unit I will be secured to the PC by using the screw holes located on either side of the housing unit 4.

The draw housing units will fit into any standard PC Tower Fig2 or Desktop Fig3 by removing the blanking plate 1 from an available empty drive bay 2. The unit 3 may then be secured to the unit by screwing four or more screws through the fixing slots 4 and into the screw hole on the housing unit 5.

By using different housing units Fig4 the draw capacity can be increased to contain two 1 or more 2 draws. As the housings are larger they must have a groove on both sides 3 to allow for a small support in the drive bay area used to support CD and DVD drives. These grooves can be used for sliding the draw in and out of the hosing. Fig5 depicts a combination of a dual 1 and a single 2 draw unit.

The same housing design can be used Fig6 for to make a dual 1 or triple 2 cupboard/safe unit by using hinges 3 instead of draw rails. This has the advantage of a higher volume of space than the draw units. The draw and cupboard units can be combined Fig7 to make a single unit with a separate cupboard 1 and a draw 2 unit.

As PC Cases come in a variety of styles and colours, the facia panels FigS for the draws or cupboard/sale can be of varied design to best suit the case involved. For example a normal style handle 1 can be used to open the draw or cupboard/safe unit. Alternatively a key "Camlock" 2 can be used to secure the unit. By taking power from or interacting with the PC electronic 3 or USB locks can be incorporated. If the housing for the cupboard/safe unit were made thicker then a real safe 4 can be incorporated. A covert draw or cupboard/safe can be made with a facia panel that looks like a normal blanking plate 5 a catch can be used so the draw or cupboard facia panel will open by pushing on the panel.

Variations of the draw unit Fig9 can be created to give several compartments 1 in the draw for sorting items. A lockable compartment inside the draw unit 2 to allow for secure storage of items. The cupboard/safe unit can be varied FIG1O to contain several small draw units 1 for separation and storage of small items. A larger draw can be fitted inside the housing 2 and dividers fitted to give several separate storage compartments 3.

The cupboard unit does not necessarily have to open from just the left or right hand side but instead Figli can be opened upwards 1 downwards 2 or a folding door can be fitted Figl2.

Figl3 shows how the units would fit in a PC Tower case and Figl4 show how the units fit in a desktop PC case.

Claims

Claims Title: PC Storage Unit. Field: Computers

1. This Invention relates to a "PC storage unit", comprising of two or more draw(s) combined with a Desktop or Tower PC case for storing general items found in the home and

2. A PC storage unit, as claimed in claim 1, whereby the draws are supported by 2 or more supports, located on either side of the draw, allowing the draw to open and close freely.

3. A PC storage unit, according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising of two or more sliding draws including a combination of draw and cupboard units including two or more hinges on one or both sides of the doors preferably made of metal, or plastic or similar materials, and the draw or cupboards can be made of wood for example, to match the style of room the Desktop or Tower PC case is in.

4. A PC storage unit, as claimed in claim 3 comprising of two or more sliding draw(s) and cupboard door(s), portable and of different sizes, free standing, for example placed on a desktop surface, including a locking device, fitted to the front outer case of the draw(s) cupboard(s), locked by a popular locking mechanism(s) for example a safe combination style lock.

5. A PC storage unit, as claimed in any proceeding claim comprising of two or more sliding draw(s) and cupboard(s) that includes a removable safety deposit box, that can also be described as a PC, Petty cash Tin, and the design, manufacture, utilisation and sale of the above product(s), except by the owner(s) of the patent and/or his agent(s)