WO2005088184A1

WO2005088184A1 - Support bracket accessory for a computer

Info

Publication number: WO2005088184A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven Ernst Wagner
Original assignee: Sven Ernst Wagner
Priority date: 2004-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-16
Publication date: 2005-09-22

Abstract

A support bracket accessory for a computer is provided having an operatively generally horizontal support platform (1, 21) for supporting the weight of a computer (5) thereon in an elevated position relative to the floor. The support platform is supported at the lower end of at least one operatively upright elongate suspension member (2, 3) that is preferably telescopically adjustable in length and that has at its upper end attachment means (4) whereby the suspension member may be attached to a desk or the like to suspend the support platform in an elevated position. The suspension member is preferably composed of a pair of overlapping, elongate elements (2, 3, 22) one of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the support platform and the other of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the attachment means. Preferably the means for adjusting the length of the suspension member are lockable either directly or indirectly by means of a lockable cover (18) operatively preventing access to the adjustment means.

Description

SUPPORT BRACKET ACCESSORY FOR A COMPUTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a support bracket accessory for a computer and, more particularly, for a computer of the type having a casing that is independent of any associated keyboard or monitor and that is typically, although not necessarily, a vertically orientated tower casing such as any of the well-known mini-tower casing, midi-tower casing or full tower casing.

More particularly, the invention relates to a support bracket accessory that facilitates enhanced utilisation of available space and can also be used to enhance security of a computer that is in association with it.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Computers housed in tower casings are accompanied by the problem that they either occupy valuable desktop or workstation space in the event that they are placed on a work top on which a computer is being used or, alternatively, they occupy valuable floor if placed on the floor in the immediate vicinity of the relevant desk or workstation. More particularly, if piaced on the floor, the result is often aesthetically displeasing and such a location also exposes the computer casing to possible damage from impacts caused by persons in the vicinity or by cleaning equipment used to clean the floors.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a support bracket accessory for a computer that will enable a computer to be supported in a location that avoids the disadvantages associated with either the work top itself or the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a support bracket accessory for a computer, the accessory comprising an operatively generally horizontal support platform for supporting the weight of a computer thereon in an elevated position relative to the floor, the accessory being characterised in that the support platform is supported at the lower end of at least one operatively upright elongate suspension member having at its upper end attachment means whereby the suspension member may be attached to a desk or the like to suspend the support platform in an elevated position.

Further features of the invention provide for the suspension member to be adjustable in length, preferably telescopically; for the suspension member to be composed of a pair of overlapping, preferably telescopically movable, elongate elements one of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the support platform and the other of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the attachment means that preferably assumes the form of an attachment bracket arrangement for securing to a vertical or horizontal surface associated with a desk or the like; and for the overlapping elements of the suspension member to be inter-connected by means of a screw threaded shaft cooperating with a nut associated with one of the overlapping elements and being held longitudinally captive relative to the other of the overlapping elements.

Still further features of the invention provide for the means for adjusting the length of the suspension member to be accessible from the edge of the support platform remote from suspension member; for the platform and attachment means to be provided with friction affording pads for engaging the bottom and top of a computer casing in a manner enhancing security by inhibiting and substantially preventing removal of the computer from the support bracket accessory without releasing the means for adjusting the length of the suspension member; for the means for adjusting the length of the suspension member to be lockal fe either directly or indirectly by means of a lockable cover operatively preventing access to the adjustment means; and for the attachment means to include drawer type sliders that enable the support panel and associated suspension member to be slid outwards relative to a supporting desk or the lik .

In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully understood different embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

Figur© 1 is a perspective vi&w showing a minitower casing of a computer held in one embodiment of support bracket accessory accor ing to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support bracket accessory showing the components thereof; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the support bracket accessory in the assembled condition including a lockable cover in position for preventing access to the length adjustment means;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the lockable cover removed; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing the cooperation between the shaft, driven gear, and larger manually operable driving gear of the length adjustment means; and, Figure 6 is a schematic isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings the support bracket accessory is made primarily of injection moulded plastics components although it will be understood that any materials of construction could be used with appropriate variations to the construction detail.

In this embodiment of the invention the support bracket accessory comprises a support panel (1) that is operatively horizontal and that has an operatively vertically extending support panel suspension element (2) extending outwards therefrom. The support panel suspension element is telescopically received within a vertically extending attachment bracket suspension element (3) that has at its upper end a transverse attachment bracket (4).

In use, as illustrated in Figure 1, a mini-tower computer casing (5) can be clamped between the support panel (1) and attachment bracket (4) in order to suspend at in a suitable position, typically from the undersurface of a worktop such as a desktop, or from the side surface of a sidewali of a desk or other workstation. Suitable perforations such as those indicated by numeral (5) are provided in both the attachment bracket (4) and the associated attachment bracket suspension element (3) so that securing thereof to either a horizontal or a vertical surface can be achieved using suitable fasteners. In order to provide an aesthetically pleasing and neat construction, in this embodiment of the invention, the support panel and support panel suspension element are made up of an inner right angled moulding (6) and an outer right angled moulding (7), as shown in Figure 2 that are fixed together to form a composite support panel and support panel suspension element. Similarly, the attachment bracket and attachment bracket suspension element are made up of an inner right angled moulding (8) and an outer right angled moulding (9) that are fixed together to form a composite attachment bracket and attachment bracket suspension element.

As indicated above, the two suspension elements are telescopically movable one relative to the other. In order to effect adjustment of the length of the telescopically extensible suspension memtoer, a longitudinally extending screw threaded shaft (10) is provided that extends upwards from the support platform (1) and engages in a nut formation (11) fixed relative to the attachment bracket suspension element. The lowerer end of the screw threaded shaft has a square cross-sectioned region (12) that passes through a square aperture in a small rotatable drive gear (13) positioned between the inner and outer mouldings of the support platform so that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the screw threaded shaft. The screw threaded shaft is held axiaily captive relative to the driven gear by a nut (14) (see Figure 2) fixed to a compiementarily scre^yv threaded terminal end to the screw threaded shaft.

The driven gear is in mesh with a larger manually operable gear wheel (15) that is also located between the two mouldings forming the support platform. The periphery of the manually operable gear wheel opposite the driven gear is accessible through a slot on the edge of the support platform remote from the suspension member, as indicated by numeral (16) in Figures 4 and 5. It will therefore be appreciated that by rotation of the manually operable gear wheel (15) the effective length of the suspension member is telescopically adjustable.

In order to afford enhanced security, the surfaces of the attachment bracket and the support platform are both provided with friction affording pads (17) that serve to substantially prevent removal of a computer damped between the support platform and attachment bracket, in use.

In order to prevent unauthorised access to the manually operable gear wheel in order to release a computer operatively clamped in the support bracket accessory, a lockable cover (18) (see Figure 3) is provided to cover the exposed periphery of the gear wheel. The lockable cover can be locked in its operative position using any suitable locking means such as a pin lock, for example. As illustrated, the lockable cover can have an upstanding flange (19) that further inhibits lateral removal of a computer clamped in the support bracket accessory.

It wilt be understood that the support bracket accessory described above can be mounted by way of fasteners to any suitable downwardly directed horizontal surface, or a vertical surface, so that a computer supported thereby can be effectively stowed in a position that is neither on a worktop of a workstation or desk nor on the floor in the vicinity thereof.

Numerous variations may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above without departing from the scope hereof.

In particular, and as illustrated in Figure 6, the support bracket may include drawer type sliders (24) whereby the attachment bracket (25) may be operatively fixed to the undersurface, typically of a worktop, to thereby provide enhanced access to the rear of the computer and facilitate the introduction and removal of communications cables and the like by sliding the computer either laterally from a storage location in the direction indicated in the drawings or longitudinally in a direction at right angles to that indicated in the drawings.

Numerous other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope hereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A support bracket accessory for a computer, the accessory comprising an operatively generally horizontal support platform (1, 21) for supporting the weight of a computer (5) thereon in an elevated position relative to the floor, the accessory being characterised in that the support platform is supported at the lower end of at least one operatively upright elongate suspension member (2, 3) having at its upper end attachment means (4) whereby the suspension member may be attached to a desk or the like to suspend the support platform in an elevated position.

2. support bracket accessory as claimed in claim 1 in which the suspension member is adjustable in lengt .

3. A support bracket accessory as claimed in claim 2 in which, the suspension element is telescopically adjustable in length.

4. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the suspension member is composed of a pair of overlapping, elongate elements (2, 3, 22) one of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the support platform and the other of which is fixed at generally right angles relative to the attachment means.

5. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the attachment mean& assumes the form of an attachment bracket arrangement for securing to a vertical or downwardly directed horizontal surface associated with a desk or the like.

. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the overlapping elements of the suspension member are inter-connected by means of a screw threaded shaft (10) cooperating with a nut (11) associated with one of the overlapping elements and being held longitudinally captive (13, 14) relative to the other of the overiapping elements.

7. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the means (16) for adjusting the length of the suspension member is accessible from the edge of the support platform remote from suspension member.

8. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the platform and attachment means are provided with friction affording pads (17) for engaging the bottom and top of a computer casing in a manner enhancing security by inhibiting and substantially preventing removal of the computer from the support bracket accessory without releasing means for adjusting the length of the suspension member.

9. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the means for adjusting the length of the suspension member are lockable either directly or indirectly by means of a lockable cover (18) operatively preventing access to the adjustment means.

10. A support bracket accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the attachment means includes drawer type sliders (24) that enable the support panel and associated suspension member to be slid outwards relative to a supporting desk or the like.