Recess-computer furniture unit for discretely concealing electronics and flat panel screen

• US 20040007949A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aaron Holt
• Original Assignee: Aaron Holt
• Inventors: Holt, Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0076 the screen being incorporated in the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0073 Desk with integrated computer

Abstract

Disclosed is a recess-computer furniture unit that serves or both a conventional piece of furniture in one configuration, and as a computer station in a second configuration. The furniture unit includes a plurality of panels conformally integrated into the unit. These panels open to reveal a computer housing, keyboard, and flat panel monitor. In this operational configuration, a front access panel provides a support surface for the keyboard, and an upper access panel provides a mounting support for the monitor. The computer housing is discretely concealed below in a cavity created between the upper access panel and the underside of the furniture.

Claims

1. A recess-computer furniture unit for housing a general-purpose computer including a computer housing, a flat panel monitor, and a computer keyboard;

the unit comprising;

(a) a top side comprising;

(i) an upper panel; and

(ii) an upper access panel adapted to securably support the flat panel monitor;

wherein the upper access panel rotates relative to the upper panel between a closed position substantially flush with the upper panel, and a substantially vertical position in which the flat panel monitor mounted thereon is visible to a user; and

(b) a front side comprising;

(i) a front panel; and

(ii) a front access panel unit adapted to securably support the computer keyboard;

wherein the front access panel rotates between a closed position substantially flush with the front panel, and a substantially horizontal position in which the keyboard is ergonomically accessible; and

(c) a lower surface displaced from the top side so as to form a cavity adapted to receive the computer housing;

wherein the computer housing, flat panel monitor, and computer keyboard are protectively concealed within the recess-computer furniture unit when the upper access panel and front access panel are seated in a closed position.

2. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the recess-computer furniture unit is operatively integrated into a furniture type selected from the group consisting of:

desk, computer table, occasion table, coffee table, armoire, vanity, and counter.

3. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the recess-computer furniture unit further includes side partitions, including a left-side partition and a right-side partition defining the sides of the cavity that receives the computer housing.

4. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 3, wherein one or more speakers are mounted in the side partitions.

5. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises at least one recessed hinge operatively connecting the upper panel and the upper access panel.

6. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises a maintenance panel, whereby a user may access a computer housing protectively concealed in the cavity.

7. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 6, wherein the maintenance panel conformally engages a rear side of the recess-computer furniture unit opposite the front side.

8. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 6, wherein the lower surface comprises cable channels for passing signal cables and power cables.

9. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes a protective liner in proximity to the lower surface for minimizing damage to the unit or the computer housing when moving the computer housing between a first position in proximity to the front access panel and a second position in proximity to the maintenance panel.

10. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes a shuttle slidably attached to the unit for moving the computer housing between a first position in proximity to the front access panel and a second position in proximity to the maintenance panel.

11. A recess-computer furniture unit for housing a general-purpose computer including a computer housing, a flat panel monitor, and a computer keyboard;

the unit comprising;

(a) a top side comprising;

(i) an upper panel;

(ii) an upper access panel adapted to securably support the flat panel monitor;

wherein the upper access panel rotates relative to the upper panel between a closed position substantially flush with the upper panel, and a substantially vertical position in which the flat panel monitor mounted thereon is visible to a user.

wherein the flat panel monitor is mounted to and protectively concealed by the upper access panel and the recessed-computer furniture unit when the upper access panel is seated in a closed position.

12. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the unit further comprises a lower surface displaced from the top side so as to form a cavity adapted to receive the computer housing.

13. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the unit further comprises at least one side partition having one or more speakers, the at least one side partition being affixed to the upper panel and lower surface, thereby forming at least one surface boundary for cavity adapted to receive the computer housing;

14. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 13, wherein the unit further comprises a front side comprising a front access panel adapted to securably support the computer keyboard.

15. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 14, wherein the front side further comprises a front panel substantially flush with the front access panel in the closed position.

16. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the unit further comprises at least one recessed hinge operatively connecting the upper panel and upper access panel.

17. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the unit further comprises a maintenance panel, whereby a user may access a computer housing protectively concealed in the cavity.

18. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 17, wherein the maintenance panel conformally engages a rear side of the recess-computer furniture unit opposite the front access panel.

19. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 17, wherein the lower surface further comprises cable channels for passing signal cables and power cables.

20. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 17, wherein the unit further comprises a protective liner in proximity to the lower surface for minimizing damage to the unit or the computer housing when moving the computer housing between a first position in proximity to the front access panel and a second position in proximity to the maintenance panel.

21. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 17, wherein the unit further comprises a shuttle slidably attached to the unit for moving the computer housing between a first position in proximity to the front access panel and a second position in proximity to the maintenance panel.

24. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the unit is adapted to receive and retain the computer housing underneath the top surface in a cabinet, whereby a computer user may access the computer housing to the left or right side of the unit.

25. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 24, wherein the computer housing is a tower-type housing oriented vertically in said cabinet.

26. The recess-computer furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the recess-computer furniture unit is integral to a counter.

22. A modular recess-computer furniture unit for housing a general-purpose computer including a computer housing, a flat panel monitor, and a computer keyboard;

the unit comprising;

(a) an enclosure comprising an upper member, a lower member, and at least one side member;

wherein the enclosure is adapted to retain the computer housing, flat panel monitor, and computer keyboard therein;

(b) an upper access panel adapted to rigidly support the flat panel monitor;

wherein the upper access panel rotates relative to the upper member between a closed position substantially flush with the upper member, and a substantially vertical position in which the flat panel monitor mounted thereon is viewable to a user;

(c) a front access panel adapted to support the keyboard;

wherein the front access panel rotates between a closed position substantially perpendicular with the upper access panel, and a substantially horizontal position in which the keyboard is ergonomically accessible to the user;

wherein the computer housing, the flat panel monitor, and the computer keyboard are protectively concealed within the recess-computer furniture unit when the upper access panel and front access panel are seated in the closed position.

23. The modular recess-computer furniture unit of claim 22, wherein the upper member further comprises a plurality of mounting holes for suspending the modular recess-computer furniture unit below a furniture top.