Locally isolated ruggedized computer system and monitor

• US 20030030979A1
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intergraph Hardware Technologies Company (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Intergraph Hardware Technologies Company (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Walker, Emanuel J. Jr., Pressley, Homer M. Jr., Abare, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,822,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/687
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]

Abstract

A console-type ruggedized computer system has a console with components, and an image producing apparatus for displaying images based upon electronic signals received from the components of the console. The computer system further includes at least one shock absorber coupling the image producing apparatus to the console. The (at least one) shock absorber is capable of attenuating shock to the image producing apparatus.

Claims

1. A console-type ruggedized computer system comprising:

a console having components;

a image producing apparatus for displaying images based upon electronic signals received from the components of the console; and

at least one shock absorber coupling the image producing apparatus to the console, the at least one shock absorber being capable of attenuating shock to the image producing apparatus.

2. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the components includes computer hardware that forwards the images to the image producing apparatus, the computer hardware including at least one of a processor, memory, extender, and a bus system.

3. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the image producing apparatus includes a metallic case containing a liquid crystal display device.

4. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the console is metallic.

5. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the at least one shock absorber is manufactured from a hardened rubber material.

6. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the image producing apparatus weighs no more than about 75 pounds.

7. The computer system as defined by claim 1 wherein the image producing apparatus includes a case forming a case interior, a monitor within the case interior, and a fan coupled with the case, the fan being capable of generating air flow within the case interior to reduce the temperature within the case interior when the monitor is energized.

8. A ruggedized image producing apparatus comprising:

a rigid case forming a case interior;

a monitor mounted within the case interior; and

at least one shock absorber connected to the rigid case, the at least one shock absorber being connectable to a structure.

9. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein the structure includes one of a wall and a console.

10. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein the monitor includes a data input that is capable of receiving image data for display on the monitor.

11. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 further including a fan mounted to the case, the fan being capable of producing air flow to the case interior.

12. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein the at least one shock absorber is manufactured from a hardened rubber material.

13. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 further including shock absorbing material within the case interior.

14. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein the monitor is a liquid crystal display device.

15. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein the rigid case is metallic.

16. A ruggedized image producing apparatus comprising:

a rigid case forming a case interior;

a monitor mounted within the case interior; and

means for locally isolating the image producing apparatus relative to a given structure, the locally isolating means being connectable between the rigid case and the given structure to attenuate shock to the monitor.

17. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the given structure includes one of a wall and a console.

18. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the monitor includes a data input that is capable of receiving image data for display on the monitor.

19. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 further including a fan mounted to the case, the fan being capable of producing air flow to the case interior.

20. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the locally isolating means includes a shock absorber manufactured from a hardened rubber material.

21. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 further including shock absorbing material within the case interior.

22. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the monitor is a liquid crystal display device.

23. The ruggedized image producing apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the rigid case is metallic.