Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-09
2001-03-27
Feild, Lynn D. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C312S223300, C248S918000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208505
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to devices for supporting controllers on machinery, and deals more particularly with a mount for a desktop-type computer, wherein a flat-screen display is pivotally attached to a support arm sized to allow various different computer housings to be positioned thereunder without interfering with the display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the miniaturization of electronic control components, control systems for operating machinery and production lines have become progressively smaller. This evolution has reached the point where controllers for very complex machinery are in the form of desktop-type computers mounted on or adjacent to the particular machine being operated by the controller.
Generally these computers include a display for viewing information pertaining to the work operation being performed by the machine. Historically, these displays have taken the form of cathode-ray-tube (CRT) type monitors which are usually positioned on top of, and supported by the computer housing. More recently, the CRT's have been increasingly replaced by flat-screen liquid crystal displays, which are lighter and occupy less space than the older more cumbersome CRT's. Usually these flat screen monitors are pivotally mounted on a stand which can be placed on a flat surface, or like the CRT's, on top of the desktop computer housing.
However, unlike the CRT's, the reduced weight and footprint of a stand mounted flat screen monitor makes the monitor somewhat less stable and prone to toppling. Moreover, when the controller incorporating such a monitor is mounted on a machine, it is subject to a more demanding environment where vibratory and impact loads are likely to be encountered. Accordingly, a problem occurs in that where a stand mounted flat-screen monitor is used in an industrial environment, it is possible that the monitor will topple and suffer damage.
Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supporting controllers incorporating flat screen monitors that overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated with prior art devices.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a computer mount that supports the flat screen monitor which can also accommodate differently sized computer housings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a computer, keyboard, and flat-screen monitor support assembly, that includes a base adapted to support a desktop-type computer housing. A keyboard support tray is pivotally mounted to the base and projects outwardly therefrom. An upstanding support arm is positioned approximately perpendicular to the base and defines a first end mounted thereto. A second end of the support arm is spaced above the base to allow a variety of differently sized desktop-type computer housings to be positioned thereunder. Means are provided to pivotally mount a flat screen monitor to the second end of the support arm, so that an operator can selectively adjust the angle at which the monitor is tilted relative to the base.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support arm is tubular defining a hollow interior area. In addition, an opening is defined by the support arm adjacent to the base to allow a power supply and associated wiring for operating the flat-screen monitor to be positioned in the interior area. A cover is releasably mounted over the opening, thereby concealing and protecting the power supply and wiring.
Preferably, a monitor mounting bracket adapted to support the flat-screen monitor is positioned in the interior area and attached to the support arm adjacent to its second end. The flat screen monitor is then pivotally attached to the monitor mounting bracket.
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patent: 5177616 (1993-01-01), Riday
patent: 5277392 (1994-01-01), Rossman et al.
patent: 5348324 (1994-09-01), Trotta
patent: 5621612 (1997-04-01), Dahmen
patent: 5758849 (1998-06-01), Bui
patent: 5769369 (1998-06-01), Meinel
patent: 5915658 (1999-06-01), Sheng
Kuchta Richard
Vaida Robert
VanderVos Tim
Vivirto Joseph
Feild Lynn D.
Gerber Technology, Inc.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
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