US20020179784A1

US20020179784A1 - Computer tower mobilizing device

Info

Publication number: US20020179784A1
Application number: US09/871,799
Authority: US
Inventors: Rhushang Mehta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2002-12-05

Abstract

A computer tower mobilizing device including a pair of tower mountable disks adapted for coupling with opposed side walls of a computer tower. Each of the disks has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has a central pivot post extending outwardly therefrom. A support housing is dimensioned for receiving the computer tower therein. The support housing is comprised of a pair of side supports positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower therebetween. The side supports each has a generally triangular configuration. The side supports are defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments having upper and lower ends. The upper ends are joined to form an apex. The apex is defined by a circular plate. The circular plate has a vertical slot extending downwardly therein. The vertical slot terminates at a central location of the circular plate. The vertical slot receives the central pivot post of a corresponding tower mountable disk therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computer tower mobilizing device and more particularly pertains to allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting.

A popular configuration for a personal computer “CPU” is a “tower” configuration. In such a configuration, the various components, drives, and peripheral circuit boards are housed within a substantially vertical housing. With a tower CPU, much of the interconnection and modification occurs at the rear vertical surface. However, it is often difficult to access the rear vertical surface, especially in a cramped office environment.

The use of computer support devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, computer support devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of stabilizing computers are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art that have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,792 to Hasting discloses a computer tower stabilizing device with feet capable of pivoting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,096 to Rice discloses a word processing table comprised of two movable table tops. U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,768 to Hardt discloses a stabilizing device for a tower computer.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a computer tower mobilizing device for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting.

In this respect, the computer tower mobilizing device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that can be used for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of computer support devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved computer tower mobilizing device. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a pair of tower mountable disks adapted for coupling with opposed side walls of a computer tower. Each of the disks has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has an adhesive disposed thereon to facilitate securement to the side walls of the computer tower. The outer surface has a central pivot post extending outwardly therefrom. The central pivot post has a free outer end with an enlarged disk secured thereto. The outer surface has a peripheral stop post extending outwardly therefrom. The peripheral stop post is disposed above the central pivot post. A support housing is dimensioned for receiving the computer tower therein. The support housing is comprised of a pair of side supports positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower therebetween. The side supports each has a generally triangular configuration. The side supports are defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments having upper and lower ends. The lower ends have wheels disposed thereon. The lower ends have arcuate side segments extending therebetween. Forward lower ends of the side supports have a cross bar extending therebetween. The upper ends are joined to form an apex. The apex is defined by a circular plate. The circular plate has a vertical slot extending downwardly therein. The vertical slot terminates at a central location of the circular plate. The vertical slot receives the central pivot post of a corresponding tower mountable disk therein. The circular plate has an arcuate slot formed therein. The arcuate slot has an open upper end in communication with the vertical slot and a closed lower end. The arcuate slot receives the peripheral stop post therein when the computer tower is in a forwardly tilted orientation.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that has all the advantages of the prior art computer support devices and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device that is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a computer tower mobilizing device economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer tower mobilizing device including a pair of tower mountable disks adapted for coupling with opposed side walls of a computer tower. Each of the disks has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has a central pivot post extending outwardly therefrom. A support housing is dimensioned for receiving the computer tower therein. The support housing is comprised of a pair of side supports positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower therebetween. The side supports each has a generally triangular configuration. The side supports are defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments having upper and lower ends. The upper ends are joined to form an apex. The apex is defined by a circular plate. The circular plate has a vertical slot extending downwardly therein. The vertical slot terminates at a central location of the circular plate. The vertical slot receives the central pivot post of a corresponding tower mountable disk therein.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0020]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the computer tower mobilizing device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0021]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the tower mountable disks of the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support housing of the present invention. [0023]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling of the computer tower to the support housing via the tower mountable disks. [0024]
FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in use. [0025]
FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention illustrating the computer tower in a forwardly tilted orientation.[0026]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to figures one through six thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved computer tower mobilizing device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the [0028] reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a computer tower mobilizing device for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting. In its broadest context, the device consists of a pair of tower mountable disks and a support housing. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0029]
The pair of [0030] tower mountable disks 12, as best viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 are adapted for coupling with opposed side walls 14 of a computer tower 16. Each of the disks 12 has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20. The inner surface 18 has an adhesive 22 disposed thereon to facilitate securement to the side walls 14 of the computer tower 16. The outer surface 20 has a central pivot post 24 extending outwardly therefrom. The central pivot post 24 has a free outer end with an enlarged disk 26 secured thereto. The outer surface 20 has a peripheral stop post 28 extending outwardly therefrom. The peripheral stop post 28 is disposed above the central pivot post 24. The securement of the disks 12 to the side walls 14 must be performed carefully so that they disks 12 are at the same exact location of on both of the side walls 14 to insure accurate use of the present invention.
The [0031] support housing 30, as best viewed in FIGS. 3-6, is dimensioned for receiving the computer tower 16 therein. The support housing 30 is comprised of a pair of side supports 32 positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower 16 therebetween. The side supports 32 each has a generally triangular configuration. The side supports 32 are defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments 34 having upper and lower ends 36, 38. The lower ends 38 have wheels 40 disposed thereon. The wheels 40 facilitate the transport of the computer tower 16 without the need to physically lift it off of the ground. The lower ends 38 have arcuate side segments 42 extending therebetween. The arcuate side segments 42 are present merely for support. Forward lower ends of the side supports 32 have a cross bar 44 extending therebetween. The cross bar 44, in addition to the arcuate side segments 42, provides support. The upper ends 36 are joined to form an apex. The apex is defined by a circular plate 46. The circular plate 46 has a vertical slot 48 extending downwardly therein. The vertical slot 48 terminates at a central location of the circular plate 46. The vertical slot 48 receives the central pivot post 24 of a corresponding tower mountable disk 12 therein. Note FIGS. 5 and 6. The enlarged disk 26 will prevent the inadvertent removal of the central pivot post 24 from the vertical slot 48. The only removal of the computer tower 16 can be achieved through a vertical lift of the computer tower until the central pivot post 24 is clear of the vertical slot 48. The positioning of the central pivot post 24 within the vertical slot will allow the computer tower 16 to be pivoted. The circular plate 46 has an arcuate slot 50 formed therein. The arcuate slot 50 has an open upper end 52 in communication with the vertical slot 48 and a closed lower end 54. The arcuate slot 50 receives the peripheral stop post 28 therein when the computer tower 16 is in a forwardly tilted orientation. Note FIG. 6. The presence of the arcuate slot 50 will limit the forward tilting of the computer tower 16. The computer tower 16 can only be tilted until the peripheral stop post 28 abuts the closed lower end 54 of the arcuate slot 50. Additionally, the peripheral stop post 28 will prevent the rearward pivoting of the computer tower 16. The peripheral stop post 28 abuts the vertical slot 48 in a standard orientation and the vertical slot 48 precludes any rearward pivoting by abutting the peripheral stop post 28. A locking mechanism may be provided to maintain the computer tower 16 in position once the peripheral stop post 28 abuts the vertical slot 48. Such locking mechanisms may take many readily available forms and configurations, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
By another embodiment, not shown in the drawing figures, the disks may be semi-spherical, wherein the [0032] inner surfaces 18 are flat, but the outer surfaces are convex from the inner surfaces 18. By this embodiment, the circular plates 46 would then be concave to accommodate the outer surfaces of the disks.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0033]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0034]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0035]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A computer tower mobilizing device for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting comprising, in combination:

a pair of tower mountable disks adapted for coupling with opposed side walls of a computer tower, each of the disks having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an adhesive disposed thereon to facilitate securement to the side walls of the computer tower, the outer surface having a central pivot post extending outwardly therefrom, the central pivot post having a free outer end with an enlarged disk secured thereto, the outer surface having a peripheral stop post extending outwardly therefrom, the peripheral stop post being disposed above the central pivot post; and

a support housing dimensioned for receiving the computer tower therein, the support housing being comprised of a pair of side supports positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower therebetween, the side supports each having a generally triangular configuration, the side supports being defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments having upper and lower ends, the lower ends having wheels disposed thereon, the lower ends having arcuate side segments extending therebetween, forward lower ends of the side supports having a cross bar extending therebetween, the upper ends being joined to form an apex, the apex being defined by a circular plate, the circular plate having a vertical slot extending downwardly therein, the vertical slot terminating at a central location of the circular plate, the vertical slot receiving the central pivot post of a corresponding tower mountable disk therein, the circular plate having an arcuate slot formed therein, the arcuate slot having an open upper end in communication with the vertical slot and a closed lower end, the arcuate slot receiving the peripheral stop post therein when the computer tower is in a forwardly tilted orientation.

2. A computer tower mobilizing device for allowing a computer tower to be easily moved and tilted without lifting comprising, in combination:

a pair of tower mountable disks adapted for coupling with opposed side walls of a computer tower, each of the disks having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a central pivot post extending outwardly therefrom; and

a support housing dimensioned for receiving the computer tower therein, the support housing being comprised of a pair of side supports positioned in a spaced relationship for receiving the computer tower therebetween, the side supports each having a generally triangular configuration, the side supports being defined by a pair of angularly disposed segments having upper and lower ends, the upper ends being joined to form an apex, the apex being defined by a circular plate, the circular plate having a vertical slot extending downwardly therein, the vertical slot terminating at a central location of the circular plate, the vertical slot receiving the central pivot post of a corresponding tower mountable disk therein.

3. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the inner surfaces of the tower mountable disks have an adhesive disposed thereon to facilitate securement to the side walls of the computer tower.

4. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the central pivot posts of the tower mountable disks each has a free outer end with an enlarged disk secured thereto.

5. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outer surfaces of the tower mountable disks each has a peripheral stop post extending outwardly therefrom, the peripheral stop post being disposed above the central pivot post, and the circular plate of the side supports each has an arcuate slot formed therein, the arcuate slot having an open upper end in communication with the vertical slot and a closed lower end, the arcuate slot receiving the peripheral stop post therein when the computer tower is in a forwardly tilted orientation.

6. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lower ends of the side supports all have wheels disposed thereon.

7. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lower ends of the side supports have arcuate side segments extending therebetween.

8. The computer tower mobilizing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein forward lower ends of the side supports have a cross bar extending therebetween.