WO2014012825A1

WO2014012825A1 - Electronic console structure, particularly for use outdoors

Info

Publication number: WO2014012825A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/064553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio BERNABUCCI
Original assignee: Glass Company S.R.L.
Priority date: 2012-07-20
Filing date: 2013-07-10
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Also published as: ITPS20120016A1

Abstract

Electronic console structure, particularly for use outdoors, comprising a panel (1) with photovoltaic cells (2) on a first face and a display screen (3) on a second face, provided with an accumulator, an electronic control unit with microprocessors, control and connection means, as well as associated with a hinged frame (11) having jointed arms (4, 5) with triple articulation (6, 8, 10) for adjustable orientation in a user facing pulpit position, in a sun facing recharge position and in a sun protection position on sun loungers, mats and the like.

Description

TITLE

ELECTRONIC CONSOLE STRUCTURE,

PARTICULARLY FOR USE OUTDOORS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an electronic structure as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

Over the last years there has been an extensive development of the personal electronic processing, connection and reproduction devices; however, very few of them are expressly intended for use outdoors, which, on the contrary, reveal considerable potential of interest and synergic interaction between technologies.

From US 2012/0110354 Al, a holder with solar module for holding portable electronic devices is known, made up of two support members hingedly articulated to each other. Both support members are provided with a recess, one of which is adapted to retain an electronic processing device whereas a keyboard is to be inserted into the recess of the second support member. To the upper edge of the first support member, a rectangular solar panel is pivotably secured. US 2011/0290686 Al relates to an electronic devices comprising two sections interconnected by a living hinge. The first section includes a keyboard, whereas the second section comprises a device cover provided on one face with a screen, e. g. a tablet, and on the rear face with at least one photovoltaic cell.

US 5 668 570 discloses a desktop computer with flat panel screen which is adjustably secured to a support structure via hinge means.

Objects of the invention

In this context, the main object of the present invention is to provide a device which combines the most innovative technologies, to offer the user an electronic processing, connection and reproduction device particularly intended for use outdoors and thus obtain advantages therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to attain the previous objects through a device assemblable to the usual outdoor resting equipment, even integrating therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to attain the previous objects through a simple and efficient device, safe in use and inexpensive considering the results practically attained therewith.

Summary of the concept solution

These and other objects are attained with the electronic console structure, particularly for use outdoors, according to the present invention, comprising a panel with photovoltaic cells on a first face and a display screen on a second face, provided with an accumulator, an electronic control unit with microprocessors, control and connection means, as well as associated with twinned arms with triple articulation for adjustable orientation in a user facing pulpit position, in a sun facing recharge position and in a sun protection position on sun loungers, mats and the like.

Identification of the attached drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the electronic console structure according to the present invention shall be clearer from the following description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, represented solely by way of non-limiting example in the six attached drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 to 4 show in perspective view an equivalent number of operating positions of one side of the electronic console structure, particularly for use outdoors, according to the present invention,

Figures 5 and 6 show in perspective view an equivalent number of operating positions of the other side of the electronic console structure, particularly for use outdoors, according to the present invention.

Static description of the embodiment

With reference to such figures, and in particular figure 1, an embodiment of an electronic console structure according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety with 1. It is particularly adapted for use outdoors and constituted by a rectangular box- like panel, indicated with the same reference number 1, having thickness and weight as small as possible, but however suitable, together with the relative extensive and the constituting material, to incorporate the constituting elements and the accessories and to execute the functions provided for.

A first face of the box-like panel 1 is constituted by a panel with photovoltaic cells 2, connected to a battery, not illustrated and to be deemed incorporated in the thickness of the box-like panel 1, adapted to accumulate the electric power produced in photovoltaic fashion and supply it to the further devices provided for hereinafter.

On the other face of the box-like panel 1 there is inserted a screen, monitor or display 3, connected to an electronic control unit with microprocessors, not illustrated and to be deemed incorporated in the thickness of the box-like panel 1, adapted to serve the functions that can be limited to reproduction of audio and video media, or integrated with radio and television connections, wireless connections to the internet, up to the integration of an actual personal computer.

On the face of the display screen 3 and/or on the sides of the box-like panel 1 there may be provided all the accessories that are usually provided alongside an audio electronic device for reproduction of videos and/or personal computer, such as speakers for the audio reproduction of footage audio, television and music programmes, radio reception means and reproduction of audio files, earphone outputs for listening to sound, USB input for connecting accessories, loading music files, videos and images , output for supplying and recharging the battery of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet, play station etc.

There may be conceived further accessories as a function of the specific intended use of the electronic device, such as fans with or without speed control, for cooling the user.

To a longer edge on both sides of the box-like panel 1 a hinged frame 11 is pivotably associated by means of a threaded knob 6. On both sides, said hinged frame 11 is made up of two jointed arms 4, 5 interconnected by a hinge pin or threaded knob 8. The thread of both knobs 8 are engaging a coaxial coupling bar 7 which is parallel to said longer edge of the panel 1. The free ends of both arms 4 are connected by means of two knobs 10 to a second coupling bar 9 parallel to said first mentioned bar 7.

By loosening and tightening the threaded knobs 8 it is possible to adjust the angle between the jointed arms 4, 5 on both sides of the panel 1. Analogously, the threaded knobs 6 allow to adjust the angular position of the panel 1 in relation to the arms 5.

Dynamic description of the embodiments

Thus, having completed the static description of an embodiment of the electronic console structure according to the present invention, following is a dynamic description of the same, i.e. the relative operation.

The panel 1 may be positioned such that the display screen 3 faces the user and supported by the jointed arms 4 and 5 articulated and fixed in one of the positions illustrated in figures 1 to 4, or others suitable for the purpose, and used for display functions, reproducing music files and videos, viewing audio and television footage, internet connection etc.

At the same time, if the panel 1 is used outdoors according to the preferred intended use, it can be recharged through the photovoltaic cells 2, even though not arranged directly facing the sun.

When inoperative, the panel 1 may be positioned such that its rear side provided with the photovoltaic cells 2 faces the sun, as illustrated by way of example in figures 5 and 6, to maximise recharging.

If associated e. g. in the position of figure 5 to the head of beds on sun loungers, mats and the like, the operating functions and simultaneous recharging are optimised, given that the relative orientation with the screen 2 facing the sun optimises both the sun facing position of the user and the sun facing position of the photovoltaic panel.

Alternative embodiment

It is obvious that in further alternative embodiments still falling within the solution concept underlying the embodiment illustrated above and claimed below, the electronic console structure according to the present invention may be altematively implemented through equivalent technical and mechanical elements, or complemented by further integrative solutions, same case applying to the configuration of the relative components which may be varied to suit the purpose.

Advantages of the invention

As clear from the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment as well as the aforementioned variant embodiments, the electronic console structure according to the present invention, offers advantages corresponding to the attainment of the preset objects alongside other advantages: actually it integrates a functional, modular, polyvalent and inexpensive device, specifically intended for the use of electronic devices outdoors, simultaneously exploiting the solar energy for the relative recharging.

Claims

1) Electronic console structure, comprising a panel (1) with photovoltaic cells (2) and a display screen (3) and provided with an accumulator, an electronic processing unit with microprocessors, control and connection means, characterized in a rectangular box-like panel (1) which comprises photovoltaic cells (2) on a first face of said panel (1) and a display screen (3) on a second face opposite to said first face, said box-like panel (1) being pivotably associated to a hinged frame (11).

2) Electronic console structure according to claim 1, wherein on both sides of the panel (1) said hinged frame (11) is made up to two jointed arms (4, 5), interconnected by a hinge pin or threaded knob (8), said hinged frame (11) being pivotably associated on both sides by means of a first arm (5) and a distal hinge pin or threaded knob (6) to a longer edge of the panel (1).

3) Electronic console structure according to claim 2, wherein the free ends of the second arms (4) are interconnected by a coupling bar (9) parallel to the longer edge of the panel (1).

4) Electronic console structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the threaded knobs (8) interconnecting the first arm (5) and the second arm (4) of both jointed arms (4, 5) engage a second coupling bar (7).

5) Electronic console structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic cell panel (2) assembled on the first of the box-like panel (1) is connected to a battery incorporated in the thickness of the box-like panel (1), the screen, monitor or display (3) assembled on the other face of the boxlike panel (1) is connected to an electronic processing unit with microprocessors incorporated in the thickness of the box- like panel (1),

a plurality of accessories and connections provided alongside the electronic processing unit with microprocessors are distributed on the face of the display screen (3) and/or on the sides of the box- like panel (1).