Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – Frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-02-06
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
Frame
C361S689000, C361S752000, C361S753000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185110
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mounting frame for an input/output (I/O) device, and more particularly to a mounting frame for mounting the input/output device to a CompactPCI-based industrial computer, CompactPCI being a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Besides the desktop-sized and notebook-sized personal computers that have been widely used in homes, schools and offices, the so-called industrial computers have also been widely used in the industry. Due to the severe environment that may be encountered in the industry, the industrial computers are designed to be more durable and more protected against the poor environment. In addition, the industrial computer also needs a more compact design. In other words, the industrial computer takes a smaller space. Currently, there are different specifications and standards for the industrial computers among which the so-called “CompactPCI” specifies a PCI-based computer system that is compatible with interface cards of PCI (peripheral component interconnect) specification, such as analog-to-digital converter card, digital control card, timer or counter, and relay control cards.
Due to the trend that the development of both the computer hardware and software are being in a graphics-based fashion to provide a more user-friendly computer environment and to help the user to operate the computer, the display device or I/O device of the computer system has to have the capability to display graphically in order to provide graphic output. Most industrial computer systems, however, are not equipped with built-in display or I/O device that is capable of displaying graphically or to provide graphic input/output function. Thus, an external graphics-based I/O device is needed in performing a graphic-fashioned I/O operation, such as a mouse or a touch pad. It is, however, sometimes not possible for an industrial computer to be connected with an external I/O device, due to the physical limitations imposed by the environment where the computer is located. Furthermore, externally connecting an I/O device to the computer may also be very inconvenient and the portability of the industrial computer may be lost.
On the other hand, some of the industrial computer systems and/or related electronic equipment have a built-in display device or I/O device, yet such a built-in display device or I/O device is usually of a proprietary construction which is difficult in maintenance and repairing. Sometimes in case of damage of parts of the device, due to the proprietary construction, the device may even need to be completely replaced. Furthermore, such a proprietary construction also has problems in upgrading the capability of the device, such as to upgrade the resolution, brightness and/or color of the display in order to meet a more severe requirement.
Thus, it is desirable to a provide a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based industrial computer and in particular a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) and touch pad, to an industrial computer of the CompactPCI specification, so as to solve the problems discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefor, an object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based computer so that no connection with external I/O device is needed and the problems associated with connecting an external I/O device to the computer are completely eliminated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modularized I/O system adapted to be mounted to a CompactPCI-based computer so that the upgrading, maintenance and replacement of the I/O device may be facilitated.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mounting structure adapted to mount an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based computer. The mounting structure comprises (1) an outer case member comprising a substantially U-shaped body, having a bottom and two opposite and spaced side walls extending from the bottom to define therebetween a first interior space, the bottom having a user observing window formed thereon; (2) an inner case member sized to be snugly accommodated in the first interior space of the outer case member and fixed therein with first securing means, the inner case member comprising a substantially U-shaped body, having a bottom and two opposite and space side walls extending from the bottom to define therebetween a second interior space adapted to receive and hold therein the I/O device which comprises a user interface, the I/O device being fixed in the second interior space with second securing means in such a way to have the user interface of the I/O device corresponding to and observable through the user observing window of the outer case member so that a modularized I/O system is defined by the I/O device received in the inner case member which is in turn accommodated in the outer case member; and (3) anchoring means adapted to secure the I/O module to the CompactPCI-based computer.
To further understand the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, as well as the attached drawings, wherein:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4964018 (1990-10-01), Mallory et al.
patent: 5268816 (1993-12-01), Abell, Jr. et al.
patent: 5583529 (1996-12-01), Satou
patent: 6002582 (1999-12-01), Yeager et al.
Dougherty & Troxell
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
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