GB2569041A

GB2569041A - Computer system

Info

Publication number: GB2569041A
Application number: GB1818072.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sung Morris
Original assignee: Fujitsu Client Computing Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Client Computing Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-07
Filing date: 2018-11-06
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-06
Also published as: GB201818072D0; GB2569041B

Abstract

A computer system 17 with an electronic display 16, consisting of a display stand 18 to support the electronic display, the display stand having a bottom plate 19 for placement of the stand on a ground and having a vertical section 20 extending from the bottom plate. An electronic computer device 1 has a housing 2, with a mounting face 3 on one side. A mounting bracket 12, is connected to the mounting face, such that an overlapping part 13 of the mounting bracket overlaps the electronic computer device. The mounting bracket is connected to a back side 26 of the vertical section of the display stand such that the overlapping part of the mounting bracket contacts the bottom plate 19. Also, disclosed is a computer system in which the computer device is hooked on to pins on the back of a display device. Also, disclosed is the computer device in which the mounting bracket is used to fix the computer to a desk, table or other such stable element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer systems comprising an electronic display and a display stand to support the electronic display. Further, an electronic computer device is provided.

BACKGROUND ART

Computer systems of the above-mentioned type are widely known in the field of information technology systems. In general, an electronic computer device, e.g.

a personal computer, a so-called mini personal computer, a thin client or a zero client, is connected to the display via one or more cables in order to transfer video and/or audio data. In a typical environment,

e.g. in an office or working environment, space is required for the electronic computer device to be placed.

However, due to the cabling a possible disorder such as cable spaghetti, as well as accidental unplugging of the cables, can occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for improved systems, which allow a safe and easy installation for an electronic computer device in order to avoid or reduce the problems mentioned above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a computer system is described. The computer system comprises an electronic display and a display stand to support the electronic display. The display stand has a bottom plate for placement of the stand on a ground and has a vertical section extending from the bottom plate. The computer system comprises an electronic computer device with a housing, wherein a mounting wall is fixed to the housing. The computer system comprises a mounting bracket, which is fixedly connected to the mounting wall of the electronic computer device such that an overlapping part of the mounting bracket overlaps the housing of the electronic computer device at one side. The mounting bracket is fixedly connected to a back side of the vertical section of the display stand such that the overlapping part of the mounting bracket contacts the bottom plate for support of the electronic computer device.

The system allows an easy and reliable installation of a electronic computer device on the back side of the display stand and thus on the back side of the electronic display. Thus, not only the above-mentioned problems are solved, but also a very stable and safe arrangement is guaranteed. In particular, in the mounted state, a weight force of the electronic computer device is not only supported by the vertical section, but also by the bottom plate of the stand. Thus, the weight force is at least partially transferred to a ground via the bottom plate and a better force dissipation is achieved. As a result, moment forces are reduced or avoided.

In the following, the term vertical section is not limited to a section which extends exclusively in a normal direction to the bottom plate. Rather, the term comprises a section which arises from the bottom plate in order to support a display.

The mounting wall is a separate element fixed to the housing or is alternatively a part of the housing of the electronic computer device.

The mounting wall, for example, is a mounting adapter or a mounting plate.

In an example, the mounting wall is a master plate.

The mounting wall is stable enough to support the weight of the electronic computer device. The mounting wall is fixed to the housing, e.g. by bonding, gluing or screws.

The mounting bracket is fixed to the mounting wall by screws, for example. In this regard, the mounting wall comprises one or more fixation means, e.g. threaded holes or the like. Any other means or connection techniques are possible, e.g. gluing or bonding.

The mounting bracket is fixed to the display stand by a screw, i.e. a thumb screw. In particular, a direct fixation of the single-pieced mounting bracket is provided. Due to the thumb screw, an easy installation without the tools is possible .

According to an embodiment a free end of the overlapping part of the mounting bracket comprises a support lug, which is arranged on the bottom plate of the display stand. The lug is formed as a flange or a support plate, for example. Thus, the above-mentioned advantages with regard to the dissipation of forces are further improved. Due to the lug, a stable support of the mounting bracket has a wide-area contact with the bottom plate. In other words, the lug has a form-fit contact with the bottom plate in an area of the bottom plate of the stand.

According to an embodiment the overlapping part comprises at least one elastic element, which is arranged between the vertical section and the mounting bracket and/or between the bottom plate and the mounting bracket. For example, several elastic elements like rubber feet are provided, e.g. on the above-mentioned lug and on the overlapping part which faces the vertical section of the stand. Thus, tolerances between the mounting bracket and the stand can be compensated. Further, a damping function is achieved, for example in order to damp vibrations of the electronic computer device, e.g. arising from a mechanical hard drive.

According to an embodiment the mounting wall comprises fixation means such that the mounting bracket can be fixed to the mounting wall, wherein the mounting wall is designed to be fixed to the housing in at least two different orientations. As mentioned above, the fixation means are threaded holes or the like. Further, the fixation means can comprise one or more structural features, like indentations and protrusions, which engage with corresponding features of the mounting bracket in order to establish a form-fit connection. With the mounting wall being designed to be fixed in at least two different orientations, the electronic computer device can be arranged in at least two orientations on the display stand, e.g. offset by 90°. In an example, four positions are possible, each offset by 90°. Thus, a user can flexibly arrange the electronic computer device in different positions without the requirement of further or other installation components and tools. Typically, a electronic computer device has at least one connection area, to which several peripheral devices as well as the display are connected. For example, depending on an environment, the user can adapt the cabling to the electronic computer device and control the orientation of the connection area.

According to an embodiment the vertical section of the display stand has a pass-through opening for guiding a cable and the overlapping part of the mounting bracket has a further pass-through opening for guiding a cable, wherein the further pass-through opening is arranged flush to the passthrough opening of the vertical section. Thus, the mounting bracket still allows to guide the display cabling through the opening in the stand.

According to an embodiment a thumb screw is inserted through the pass-through openings from a front side of the display stand and directly engages the mounting bracket such that the mounting bracket is clamped against the vertical section of the display stand for fixation. The mounting bracket is fixed to the stand by a pressing force. Thus, an easy and reliable installation is possible. Since the thumb screw is guided through the pass-through openings, the installation is independent from the shape and design of the openings.

Depending on a thickness of the vertical section, the thumb screw can be extended by an additional screw part with an inner thread at one end and an outer thread at the other end of the screw part. For better fixation, a washer is provided on the front side of the vertical section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a computer system is described. The system comprises an electronic display with a back side, wherein fixation pins are fixedly arranged on the back side. Further, the system comprises a display stand to support the electronic display. The system comprises an electronic computer device with a housing, wherein a mounting wall is fixed to the housing, the mounting wall having hang-in elements corresponding to the fixation pins. The electronic computer device is hooked into the fixation pins via the hang-in elements such that the electronic computer device is arranged on the back side of the electronic display.

Essentially, the above with regard to the first aspect applies in an analogous way, if applicable. Further, the system according to the second aspect essentially enables the aforementioned advantages and functions.

According to the system of the second aspect, the electronic computer device is hooked onto the backside of the display. Thus, the electronic computer device is hidden for a user sitting in front of the display.

The fixation pins are thumb screws, for example. Thus, an easy installation without further tools is possible.

The fixation pins and the corresponding hang-in elements are arranged according to the VESA standard, e.g. 100mm x 100mm.

According to an embodiment the hang-in-elements are sheetmetal plates, the sheet-metal plates each comprising an elongated hole for accommodation of the fixation pins. Thus, the hanging-in can easily be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer system is described. The system comprises an electronic computer device comprising a housing, wherein a mounting wall is fixed to the housing. The system comprises a mounting bracket, which is fixedly connected to the mounting wall of the electronic computer device such that an overlapping part of the mounting bracket overlaps the housing of the electronic computer device at one side. The overlapping part of the mounting bracket comprises at least one mounting hole in order that the electronic computer device can be fixedly connected to a stable element, in particular a desk or a table.

According to the system of the third aspect, the electronic computer device can be fixed to a stable element, e.g. onto an underside of a desk. Thus, the electronic computer device is essentially hidden for a user sitting in front of the display. Furthermore, the system allows a very high flexibility with regard to the placement of the electronic computer device.

Instead of one mounting bracket, two mounting brackets are used in an embodiment of the third aspect. For example, the brackets are fixedly arranged on opposing lateral sides on the housing of the electronic computer device.

In all described systems, the electronic computer device may be a thin client device. A thin client typically is a small and lightweight computer which is built to connect to a server from a remote location. The server does most of the work, which can include crunching numbers and storing information for the thin client. In contrast, a conventional desktop PC (fat client) does most of the work but can communicate with and run programs on a server.

Further details and advantages of inventive systems and methods will be described below with respect to exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 3 show perspective views of computer device in three mounting states an electronic according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 to 7B show perspective views of a computer system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention with an electronic display and with an electronic computer device as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the computer system of Figures 4 to 7B according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention .

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a thumb screw for mounting of the electronic computer device to the display according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 and 11 show perspective views of an electronic display according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention .

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an electronic computer device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention .

Figure 13 shows perspective views of a computer system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figures 14 and 15 shows perspective views of computer system according to further exemplary embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 8 refer to computer system of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 to 3 show perspective views of an electronic computer device 1, a thin client, in three mounting states. The electronic computer device 1 has a housing 2, which covers electronic components like a processor. Onto the housing 2, a mounting wall 3, which is a mounting plate, is fixed. Via four bore holes 4 the mounting wall 3 is screwed to the housing 2 (screws not shown). Less or more screws or bore holes 4, respectively, or connection techniques are possible. Alternatively a wall of the housing 2 itself is the mounting wall.

An optional cable cover 5 is mounted to the housing 2. The cable cover 5 has positioning holes 6 and further bore holes

7. The mounting wall 3 has corresponding bore holes (not shown in Fig. 1) and positioning bosses 6a to engage in the positioning holes 6. Thus, the cable cover 5 can be easily aligned and mounted with respect to the mounting wall 3.

As shown in figure 2, optional side covers 8 are fixed to the mounting wall 3 at two sides such that a mounting area 11 of the mounting wall 3 remains between the covers. In this regard, each cover 8 is hooked into openings, e.g. rectangular openings, of the mounting wall 3 with two hooks or snaps 9, in order to build a hinge. Then, each cover 8 is rotated and pushed down as indicated via arrow 10 for the left cover 8 in order that the covers 8 are fixedly arranged on the mounting wall 3. In this regard, a further hook or snap 9a snaps behind a bridge-formed engagement element 9b of the mounting wall 3.

Further, as shown in figure 3, a mounting bracket 12 is fixedly mounted to the mounting wall 3 in the mounting area 11 via screws (not shown). The mounting area 11 is essentially arranged in the center of the mounting wall 3. At one side, an overlapping part 13 overlaps the housing 2. The overlapping part 13 has a free end 14, which has a rightangled support lug 15.

The electronic computer device 1 can be easily mounted to a display or display stand, as will be described in the following .

Fig. 4 to 7B show the computer system 17 with an electronic display 16, e.g. a LCD display, and the electronic computer device 1. The computer system 17 has a display stand 18 with a bottom plate 19 and a vertical section 20, the latter extending from the bottom plate 19. The bottom plate 19 is designed to be placed on a ground, e.g. a table or desk. The vertical section comprises a pass-through opening 21 in order for cables to be guided.

The electronic computer device 1 is mounted to the display stand 18 via the mounting bracket 12 and a thumb screw 22, which is inserted into the pass-through opening 21 and directly engages the mounting bracket 12, which for example has a threaded hole to accommodate the screw 22. An optional washer 24 is provided. The screw 22 is inserted from a front side 25 of the display stand 18, wherein the electronic computer device 1 is mounted to the back side 26 of the display stand 18 or the vertical section respectively. Due to the direct engagement of the screw 22 with the mounting bracket 12, the mounting is independent from a size and shape of the pass-through opening 21 of the display stand 18.

As can be seen in figure 6 for example, the support lug 15 contacts the bottom plate 19 of the stand 18. In other words the lug 15 lies on a surface of the bottom plate 19. Thus, the mounting bracket 12 is supported on the bottom plate 19, which has the above-mentioned advantages.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, for example, the overlapping part 13 of the mounting bracket 12 has several elastic elements 27, e.g. rubber feet, which are arranged between the vertical section 20 and the mounting bracket 12 and between the bottom plate 19 and the mounting bracket 12.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, for example, the mounting bracket 12 has a further pass-through opening 23, which is arranged flush to the pass-through opening 21 of the vertical section 20. Thus, cables from the display 16 to the electronic computer device 1 can be routed through both openings 21 and 23.

Figures 5 and 6 show the computer system 17 from a front side and a back side.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the electronic computer device 1 is fixed to the stand 18 in a first orientation such that the cables of opposing connection areas 28 (see also fig. 3) of the electronic computer device 1 extend from the housing 2 to the left and/or right. This is due to the fact that the mounting wall 3 has fixation means 41 (see fig. 1) for the mounting bracket 12 which enable the mounting bracket 12 to be fixed to the computer device 1 in a first main direction 29 ( see fig. 2) .

However, the mounting wall 3 also allows a fixation of the mounting bracket 12 to the computer device 1 in a second direction 30 (see fig. 2). The mounting wall 3 only needs to be dismounted, rotated around 90° and fixed to the housing 2 again. This is shown in figures 7Α and 7B. Thus, the electronic computer device 1 can be mounted to the display stand 18 in a second orientation, 90° rotated with regard to the first orientation.

Furthermore, the electronic computer device 1 can also be mounted in two further orientations, 180° turned compared to the installations as shown in figures 6 and 7Α, 7B. As can be seen from Fig. 6 and 7B, in the horizontally mounted orientation according to Fig. 6 the cable cover 5 provides security and a neat appearance, whereas in the vertically mounted orientation according to Fig. 7B, no cable cover 5 is needed.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the system 17 according to figure 7B. Depending on a thickness 31 of the vertical section 20 of the stand 18, in particular in the area of the pass-through opening 21, the screw 22 can be extended via an additional screw part 32, as shown in figure 9.

Figures 10 to 13 refer to a computer system 17 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. If applicable, the aforementioned details apply analogously and the same reference signs are used.

The electronic display 16 comprises four fixation means 33,

i.g. threaded holes, into which fixation pins 34, i.e. thumb screws, are screwed (see figures 10 and 11). As can be seen in figure 12, an electronic computer device 1, which is essentially the same as described with respect to figures 1 to 7B, has a mounting wall 3 with a connection area 11. The mounting wall 3 has hang-in elements 35, which are sheetmetal plates or latches with elongated holes 36.

The fixation means 33 or the fixation pins 34, respectively, and the hang-in elements 35 correspond to each other and are arranged according to the VESA standard by 100mm x 100mm.

Via the hang-in elements 35, the electronic computer device 1 can easily be hooked into the fixation pins 34 on the back side 37 of the display 16. The electronic computer device 1 is thus arranged on the electronic display 16.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The computer system 17 (display not shown) essentially comprises an electronic computer device 1 as described before. The electronic computer device 1 has a mounting wall 3, which is fixed via four screws 38 to the housing 2 of the electronic computer device 1. Further, a mounting bracket 12, which is for example the same as described above, is fixed to the mounting wall 3 via two screws 39. The mounting bracket 12 comprises fixation means 40, e.g. bore or threaded holes, such that the electronic computer device 1 can be fixed to a table or desk, e.g. onto an underside of the table/desk.

Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of the invention, which is essentially similar to the embodiment according to figure 14. As a difference, the electronic computer device 1 lacks a mounting wall 3, but has two mounting brackets 12 instead, which are directly mounted to the housing 2 of computer device 1, e.g. by screwing. In particular, the mounting brackets 12 are arranged on opposing lateral sides of one housing side. Similarly, the electronic computer device 1 can be mounted to a stable element, e.g. a table or a desk, by the mounting brackets 12.

Claims

1. A computer system (17), comprising an electronic display (16);

a display stand (18) to support the electronic display (16), the display stand (18) having a bottom plate (19) for placement of the stand (18) on a ground and having a vertical section (20) extending from the bottom plate (19);

an electronic computer device (1) comprising a housing (2), wherein a mounting wall (3) is fixed to the housing (2); and a mounting bracket (12), which is fixedly connected to the mounting wall (3) of the electronic computer device (1) such that an overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) overlaps the housing (2) of the electronic computer device (1) at one side;

wherein the mounting bracket (12) is fixedly connected to a back side (26) of the vertical section (20) of the display stand (18) such that the overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) contacts the bottom plate (19) for support of the electronic computer device (1).

2. The computer system (17) according to the preceding claim, wherein a free end (14) of the overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) comprises a support lug (15), which is arranged on the bottom plate (19) of the display stand (18).

3. The computer system (17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the overlapping part (13) comprises at least one elastic element (27), which is arranged between the vertical section (20) and the mounting bracket (12) and/or between the bottom plate (19) and the mounting bracket (12) .

4. The computer system (17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting wall (3) comprises fixation means (41) such that the mounting bracket (12) can be fixed to the mounting wall (3), wherein the mounting wall (3) is designed to be fixed to the housing (2) in at least two different orientations.

5. The computer system (17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical section (20) of the display stand (18) has a pass-through opening (21) for guiding a cable and the overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) has a further pass-through opening (23) for guiding a cable, wherein the further pass-through opening (23) is arranged flush to the pass-through opening (21) of the vertical section (20).

6. The computer system (17) according to the preceding claim, wherein a thumb screw (22) is inserted through the pass-through openings (21, 23) from a front side (25) of the display stand (18) and directly engages the mounting bracket (12) such that the mounting bracket (12) is clamped against the vertical section (20) of the display stand (18) for fixation .

7. A computer system (17), comprising an electronic display (16) with a back side (37), wherein fixation pins (34) are fixedly arranged on the back side (3 7);

a display stand (18) to support the electronic display (16) ;

an electronic computer device (1) comprising a housing (2), wherein a mounting wall (3) is fixed to the housing (2), the mounting wall (3) having hang-in elements (35) corresponding to the fixation pins (34);

wherein the electronic computer device (1) is hooked into the fixation pins (34) via the hang-in elements (35) such that the electronic computer device (1) is arranged on the back side (37) of the electronic display (16).

8. The computer system (17) according to the preceding claim, wherein the hang-in-elements (35) are sheet-metal plates or latches, the sheet-metal plates each comprising an elongated hole (36) for accommodation of the fixation pins (34) .

9. A computer system (17), comprising an electronic computer device (1) comprising a housing (2), wherein a mounting wall (3) is fixed to the housing (2), and a mounting bracket (12), which is fixedly connected to the mounting wall (3) of the electronic computer device (1) such that an overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) overlaps the housing (2) of the electronic computer device (1) at one side;

wherein the overlapping part (13) of the mounting bracket (12) comprises at least one mounting hole (40) in order that the electronic computer device (1) can be fixedly connected to a stable element, in particular a desk or a table .

10. The computer system (17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic computer device (1) is a thin client device.

Intellectual Property Office