Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-15
2001-01-23
Donels, Jeffrey (Department: 2837)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C070S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178089
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to computer systems and more specifically to a securing device for computer equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer systems exist in many forms including, for example, mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, servers, personal computers, internet terminals, notebooks, and embedded systems. Personal computer (PC) systems, such as the International Business Machines (IBM) compatible PC systems, include desk top, floor standing, or portable versions. A typical computer system includes a system processor, associated memory and control logic, and a number of peripheral devices, such as display monitors, keyboards, mouse-type input devices, floppy and hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, audio speakers, and printers. A computer system may also include other peripheral devices such as network capability, terminal devices, modems, televisions, sound devices, voice recognition devices, electronic pen devices, and mass storage devices such as tape drives, CD-R drives, or DVDs.
The components of a computer system are housed in at least one computer equipment housing. However, a computer system may include a number of computer equipment housings such as with a desktop computer system that includes at least a main system housing, a separate housing for the monitor, and a housing for the keyboard.
Theft of computer equipment is a problem especially for computer systems used in public environments such as in a school or library. To prevent theft, computer system equipment housings have included securing devices which enable the computer equipment housings to be secured to other structures. One problem with these securing devices is that they generally lack a wide degree of freedom with respect to the computer equipment housing which may make it difficult to align the securing devices of multiple computer system housings. Another problem with these securing devices is that they may add to the bulk of a computer equipment housing by extending out from the computer system housing when not in use. Also, these securing devices can detract from the aesthetics of a computer equipment housing especially if the securing device is not being used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been discovered that providing a securing device for a computer system housing that is slideable and pivotable with respect to the computer equipment housing provides a securing device with an engaging structure having a wide degree of freedom with respect to the housing structure and yet provides the securing device with the ability to be moved to a position where the securing device resides within the computer equipment housing when not in use.
In one aspect of the present invention, a computer system has a system processor and includes a housing which houses a peripheral device. The peripheral device is operably coupled to the system processor. The computer system further includes a securing device physically coupled to the housing. The securing device is slideable and pivotable with respect to the housing.
In another aspect of the present invention, a securing device for securing computer system equipment includes means for slideably and pivotably coupling the securing device to a housing and means for engaging a structure for securing the securing device to secure the housing. The means for engaging is physically coupled to the means for slideably and pivotably coupling.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for securing computer equipment includes a computer equipment housing and a securing device physically coupled to the housing. The securing device is slideable and pivotable with respect to the housing.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a securing device for securing computer equipment. The securing device includes a securing member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a structure which engages a securing implement. The securing device also includes an attachment mechanism connected to the second portion. The attachment mechanism physically couples the securing member to a computer equipment housing. The securing member is pivotable and slideable with respect to the housing.
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Alfonso Pedro M.
Byle Brian M.
Dell U.S.A. L.P.
Dolezal David G.
Donels Jeffrey
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
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