COMPUTER FURNITURE

• US 20030151336A1
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Home Network Designs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Home Network Designs, Inc.
• Inventors: Freeman, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/248,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/310
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0335 mounted under the worksurface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0342 having one double articulated arm
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/03 with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/061 the device supports being adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/90 Constructional details of drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/994 in the form of trays or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

A computer system is integrated into an item of household furniture so that the computer is readily available for use wherever the furniture is placed, but is concealed within the furniture when it is not in use. The furniture comprises generally conventional cabinetry having the outward appearance of a conventional furniture piece and can be readily incorporated into the interior design of the home. The aesthetics of the room will not be unsatisfactorily impacted by the presence of the computer, thereby facilitating the convenient use of the computer by the occupants of the home. The household furniture can be an entertainment center, a table or upholstered seating.

Claims

1. A cabinet incorporating the components of a digital computer comprising a CPU, at least one disc storage device, a video display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and connecting cables, the cabinet comprising:

a top panel;

a pair of sidewall panels mounted to the top panel and defining an open front structure;

optionally, a rear wall panel joined to the top panel and to the side wall panels at rear portions thereof,

optionally, a shelf mounted horizontally between the side wall panels;

a first drawer slidably mounted between the sidewalls and beneath the top panel for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

wherein the video display monitor is mounted in the first drawer with a bracket that conceals the monitor when the first drawer is in the closed position and exposes the monitor for use when the drawer is in the open position, whereby the cabinet appears to be a conventional household cabinet when the first drawer is in the closed position.

2. The cabinet according to claim 1 wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen monitor.

3. The cabinet according to claim 2 wherein the monitor mounting bracket comprises an articulating arm assembly attached at a first end to the first drawer and having a second end that mounts the video display monitor.

4. The cabinet according to claim 3 wherein the articulating arm assembly is pivotally mounted to the first drawer for rotation about a first axis.

5. The cabinet according to claim 4 wherein the articulating arm assembly comprises at least two arms that are pivotally joined to each other.

6. The cabinet according to claim 4 wherein the video display monitor is mounted to the second end of the articulating arm through a hinge for rotation of the video display monitor about a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis.

7. The cabinet according to claim 6 and further comprising a second drawer that is moveable between an open position in which the drawer extends outwardly of the cabinet and a closed position in which the drawer is retracted into the cabinet;

a shelf mounted directly above the second drawer so that the underside of the shelf is exposed when the second drawer is in the open position and is at least partially concealed when the drawer is in the closed position; and

at least one of the components of the digital computer is mounted to the underside of the first shelf for visibility and access when the second drawer is in the open position.

8. The cabinet according to claim 7 wherein the cabinet has an open front beneath the second drawer and further comprising an access panel removably mounted to the side wall panels between front and rear portions thereof to form a recess in the open front of the cabinet;

and wherein components of the digital computer are mounted to the cabinet rearwardly of the access panel.

9. The cabinet according to claim 8 and further comprising a chassis mounted to the cabinet rearwardly of the access panel and mounting the components of the digital computer.

10. The cabinet according to claim 9 and further comprising a retainer lock between the access panel and an adjacent cabinet panel to limited access to the computer components rearwardly of the access panel.

11. The cabinet according to claim 10 and further comprising a lock between the chassis and an adjacent cabinet panel to secure the chassis to the cabinet.

12. The cabinet according to claim 8 and further comprising ventilation passages through at least one of the sidewall panels and the rear wall panel of the of cabinet for ventilating the components of the digital computer mounted therebetween.

13. The cabinet according to claim 1 and further comprising a second drawer that is moveable between an open position in which the drawer extends outwardly of the cabinet and a closed position in which the drawer is retracted into the cabinet;

a shelf mounted directly above the second drawer so that the underside of the shelf is exposed when the second drawer is in the open position and is at least partially concealed when the drawer is in the closed position; and

at least one of the components of the digital computer is mounted to the underside of the first shelf for visibility and access when the second drawer is in the open position.

14. The cabinet according to claim 1 wherein the cabinet has an open front beneath the first drawer and further comprising an access panel removably mounted to the side wall panels between front and rear portions thereof to form a recess in the open front of the cabinet;

and wherein components of the digital computer are mounted to the cabinet rearwardly of the access panel.

15. The cabinet according to claim 1 wherein the digital processing unit is concealed in a rear portion of the cabinet beneath the top panel and between the side wall panels and further comprising ventilation passages through at least one of the sidewall panels and the rear wall panel of the of cabinet for ventilating the rear portion of the cabinet in which the digital processing unit is concealed.

16. The cabinet according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one wheel for supporting the cabinet thereon for movement of the cabinet across a supporting floor surface.

17. An audiovisual assembly comprising:

an integral furniture assembly comprising at least one cabinet and at least one shelf, the furniture assembly having a front side and a rear side;

a video monitor mounted to the at least one shelf and visible from the front side of the furniture assembly;

a CPU mounted within the at least one cabinet and operably connected to the video monitor, whereby the video monitor functions as a video screen for the CPU;

a keyboard operably connected to the CPU for controlling operation of the CPU a television receiver mounted in the at least one cabinet and operably connected to the video monitor, whereby the video monitor functions as the video screen for the television receiver;

a television controller operably connected to the television receiver for controlling the operation of the television receiver;

whereby the furniture assembly integrates both television and computer functions in a common location and using a common video monitor.

18. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the television receiver is concealed from view at least from the front side of the furniture assembly.

19. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the CPU is concealed from view at least from the front side of the furniture assembly.

20. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 19 wherein the television receiver is concealed from view at least from the front side of the furniture assembly.

21. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 20 wherein the CPU is connected to the video monitor with cables that are concealed within the furniture assembly.

22. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 21 wherein the television receiver is connected to the video monitor with cables that are concealed within the furniture assembly.

23. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 22 wherein a rear edge of the at least one shelf has at least one channel formed therein for receiving the cables.

24. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 23 wherein the furniture assembly further comprises at least on post between the at least on cabinet and the at least one shelf and at least one of the cables between the video monitor and the CPU or the television receiver are concealed within the at least one post.

25. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 24 wherein the CPU is connected to the keyboard with a wireless connection.

26. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 25 and further comprising a computer mouse that is operably connected to the CPU.

27. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 26 wherein the computer mouse is connected to the CPU with a wireless connection.

28. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the connection between CPU and the video monitor is a wireless connection.

29. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the connection between the television receiver and the video monitor is a wireless connection.

30. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the video monitor is a flat screen plasma monitor.

31. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 and further comprising at least one wheel supporting the furniture assembly for movement of the furniture assembly along a support surface.

32. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 and further comprising a controller connected between the television receiver and the video monitor and between the CPU and the monitor to selectively control the monitor function.

33. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the CPU is connected to the video monitor with cables that are concealed within the furniture assembly.

34. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the television receiver is connected to the video monitor with cables that are concealed within the furniture assembly.

35. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein a rear edge of the at least one shelf has at least one channel formed therein for receiving the cables.

36. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 wherein the at least one cabinet comprises a first cabinet that houses components of a digital computer including the CPU and a second cabinet houses electronic audio/visual components.

37. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 36 and further comprising a raceway interconnecting the first cabinet and the second cabinet to enable the passage of cables therebetween.

38. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 and further comprising at least one wheel for supporting the entertainment center thereon.

39. An audiovisual assembly according to claim 17 and further comprising a wireless control for controlling the video monitor, the CPU, and the television receiver.

40. Household seating comprising an upholstered seat and backrest and at least one arm rest, the at least one arm rest comprises a storage chamber containing components of a digital computer comprising at least a CPU;

a video display monitor attached to the arm rest, and a keyboard operably connected to the CPU;

a panel covering and concealing the CPU within the armrest.

41. Household seating according to claim 40 wherein digital computer further comprises a disc storage device that is mounted in the storage chamber and concealed by the panel.

42. Household seating according to claim 41 wherein the arm rest further comprises a second storage chamber that stores a mouse and keyboard when not in use.

43. Household seating according to claim 42 wherein the second storage chamber overlies the CPU storage chamber.

44. Household seating according to claim 43 wherein the armrest further comprises a top panel overlying the second storage chamber and movable between an open position for enabling access to the second storage chamber and the CPU storage chamber, and a closed position for concealing the components of the digital computer.

45. Household seating according to claim 44 and further comprising a support arm assembly pivotally mounted at one end to the arm rest for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a first axis and pivotally mounting at another end the video display monitor for pivotal movement about a second axis.

46. Household seating according to claim 45 wherein the first and second axes are orthogonal to each other.

47. Household seating according to claim 40 wherein the keyboard is connected to the CPU with a wireless connection.

48. Household seating according to claim 40 and further comprising a computer mouse connected to the CPU with a wireless connection.