Transportable computer

• US 4,733,838 A
• Filed: 10/22/1985
• Issued: 03/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cornelis Van Der Lely
• Original Assignee: Cornelis Van Der Lely
• Inventors: van der Lely, Cornelis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US06/790,302
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 248/124, 248/122, D14/100, D14/102, D14/106, D14/107, D14/114, D14/115, 364/190, 364/410, 364/424, 340/700, 340/709, 340/710, 340/711, 358/190, 358/248, 358/249, 358/254, 358/244, 220/455, 220/902
• US Class Current: 248/124.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/10 Arrangements for locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/106 for ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• 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 computer which is portable and transportable by a person and which can be used on a table, can also be coupled with a support affording the possibility to use the computer in further operating conditions, particularly for use in vehicles. The support comprises a securing means affixed in the cab of a vehicle as well as a height adjustment arrangement for adjusting the computer'"'"'s height in the cab when attached to the support. Also the support includes pivots so the computer is adapted to be pivoted about an upward axis and also a horizontal axis. The support in one embodiment comprises at least two hinges which can be locked by a single clamping means.

Claims

1. A computer of a type which is portable and transportable by a person of ordinary strength, comprising:

a. at least one housing having a base constructed so that the computer can be used in an operative position and provides means for the computer to be detachably combined with and secured to a part of a vehicle;

b. a support comprising at least one securing means for securing the computer to the vehicle'"'"'s floor, said support being permanently affixed to the vehicle floor of the vehicle'"'"'s cab; and

c. said support further comprises a height adjustment means for selectively adjusting the height of the computer with respect to the floor of the vehicle cab and pivot means arranged so that the computer is adapted to be pivoted about an upward axis and also about a substantially horizontal axis.

2. A computer according to claim 1 wherein said support extends upwardly and said pivot means comprises a spherical hinge at its upper end.

3. A computer according to claim 2 wherein said support comprises at least two hinges and a single clamping means for locking said two hinges in fixed positions relative to each other.

4. A computer according to claim 3 wherein at least one said hinge is lockable by means of frictional forces.

5. A computer according to to claim 1 wherein said height adjustment means comprises a slidable part extending upwardly.

6. A computer according to claim 1 wherein said height adjustment means is disposed between said mounting means and said securing means in a said cab which is part of an agricultural tractor.

7. A computer according to claim 1 comprising a connection for a electric power supply of 12 Volts D.C., and further connections for electric power supplies of 220 Volts and 110 Volts A.C.

8. A computer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a carrying handle attached to the computer housing'"'"'s top surface, said carrying handle providing means by which the computer can be easily carried.

9. A computer of a type which is portable and transportable by a person of ordinary strength, comprising;

a. at least one housing having a base constructed so that the computer can be used either in a stand-alone mode on a table or mounted in a vehicle.

b. a support means for supporting the computer in a vehicle, said support means permitting adjustment of the computer in at least one direction with respect to the vehicle,

c. a fixing means attached to an upper end of said support means for detachably securing the computer to said support means, said fixing means providing adjustment in at least one direction of computer movement with respect to the vehicle;

d. a locking means for rigidly holding said fixing means in position following adjustment; and

e. a base attachment means attached to said vehicle'"'"'s floor for detachably securing said support means.

10. A computer as claimed in claim 9 wherein said support means permit vertical and radial adjustments in the position of the computer.

11. A computer as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a carrying handle attached to the computer housing'"'"'s top surface, said carrying handle providing means by which the computer can be easily carried.