Protective enclosure for computers in industrial environment

• US 5,281,018 A
• Filed: 07/29/1992
• Issued: 01/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comtec Incorporated (CSG Systems International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Comtec Incorporated (CSG Systems International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cullinan, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Long, Janet M.
• Application Number:
  US07/921,927
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.2, 312/138.1, 312/215, 312/242, 312/287, 312/291, 312/326, 312/296, 312/328, 361/390, 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0075 Computer kiosks or stands
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/065 rotationally
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/08 Sound-deadening, or shock-absorbing stands, supports, cases or pads separate from machines
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/38 Hinged covers or doors

Abstract

A protective enclosure for components of a computer system including a video display monitor, a printer, a keyboard and a central processing unit is disclosed for use in an industrial environment. The protective enclosure includes a housing having at least one sidewall completely enclosing the computer system. A keyboard support and storage member is pivotally connected to the sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position generally angularly disposed with respect to the sidewall for allowing user access to the keyboard and a second keyboard storage position generally disposed parallel with respect to the sidewall. The keyboard support and storage member defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting the keyboard from damage in cooperation with the sidewall when in the second storage position. A printout access aperture is provided for retrieving printed paper output from a position external with respect to the housing enclosing the computer system.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure for components of a computer system including a video display monitor, a printer, a keyboard and a central processing unit, said protective enclosure comprising:

housing means having at least one sidewall, said housing means for completely enclosing said computer system;

keyboard support and storage means pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position generally angularly disposed with respect to said sidewall for allowing user access to said keyboard and a second keyboard storage position generally disposed parallel with respect to said sidewall, wherein said keyboard support and storage means defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting said keyboard from damage in cooperation with said sidewall when in said second storage position, said keyboard support and storage means including a door panel pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between said first keyboard support position and said second keyboard storage position; and

printout access means for retrieving printer output externally with respect to said housing means, wherein said printout access means is disposed within said enclosed keyboard storage pocket such that said printout access means is closed and sealed from external sources when said door panel is in said second position.

2. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said housing means further comprises:

first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, wherein each sidewall is positioned at generally right angles with respect to adjacent sidewalls and generally opposed to at least one other sidewall, and top and bottom generally opposed walls positioned at generally opposite ends of said first, second, third and fourth sidewalls.

3. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

window means for viewing said video display monitor from a position external of said housing means while preventing access to said video display monitor.

4. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

housing access means for allowing access to components of said computer system within said housing means.

5. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

rotatable printer support means for moving said printer within said housing means about a vertical axis while maintaining said printer in a securable, supported position.

6. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

shelf means for supporting components of said computer system within said housing means.

7. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

printer access means allowing access to said printer for changing printer paper and printer ribbons while restricting access to other components of the computer system.

8. A protective enclosure for components of a computer system including a video display monitor, a printer, a keyboard and a central processing unit, said protective enclosure comprising:

housing means having at least one sidewall, said housing means for completely enclosing said computer system;

keyboard support and storage means pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position generally angularly disposed with respect to said sidewall for allowing user access to said keyboard and a second keyboard storage position generally disposed parallel with respect to said sidewall, wherein said keyboard support and storage means defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting said keyboard from damage in cooperation with said sidewall when in said second storage position; and

printout access means for retrieving printer output externally with respect to said housing means, said printout access means including said at least one sidewall having an opening of sufficient size to allow printer paper from said printer to exit from said housing means to a position accessible from external of said housing means while being sufficiently small to prevent unauthorized access to said printer.

9. The protective enclosure of claim 8, further comprising:

printer seal means for sealing said opening in said at least one sidewall with respect to said printer, said printer seal means extending around said opening adjacent a periphery of said opening for engagement with a face of said printer.

10. A protective enclosure for components of a computer system including a video display monitor, a printer, a keyboard and a central processing unit, said protective enclosure comprising:

housing means having at least one sidewall, said housing means for completely enclosing said computer system;

keyboard support and storage means pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position generally angularly disposed with respect to said sidewall for allowing user access to said keyboard and a second keyboard storage position generally disposed parallel with respect to said sidewall, wherein said keyboard support and storage means defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting said keyboard from damage in cooperation with said sidewall when in said second storage position; and

printout access means for retrieving printer output externally with respect to said housing means, said printout access means allowing access to said printer for changing printer paper and printer ribbons while restricting access to other components of the computer system, said printout access means including a first door panel pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally vertically disposed axis between a first closed position preventing access to said printer and a second open position allowing access to said printer through an opening in said at least one sidewall.

11. The protective enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

lock means for securing said first door panel in said first position.

12. The protective enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

first seal means for sealing said first door panel with respect to said at least one sidewall when in said first position.

13. The protective enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

said printout access means disposed in said first door panel.

14. The protective enclosure of claim 10, wherein said keyboard support and storage means further comprises:

a second door panel pivotally connected to said at least one sidewall for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position disposed generally perpendicular with respect to said sidewall for allowing user access to said keyboard and a second keyboard storage position disposed generally parallel with respect to said sidewall, wherein said keyboard support and storage means defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting said keyboard from damage in cooperation with said sidewall when in said second storage position.

15. The protective enclosure of claim 14, further comprising:

second seal means disposed circumjacent a periphery of said second door panel for sealing said enclosed keyboard storage pocket with respect to said at least one sidewall when said second door panel is in said second position.

16. The protective enclosure of claim 14, further comprising:

said printout access means disposed within said enclosed keyboard storage pocket such that said printout access means is closed and sealed from external sources when said second door panel is in said second position.

17. The protective enclosure of claim 14, further comprising:

brace means for supporting said second door panel in said first position.

18. The protective enclosure of claim 14, further comprising:

latch means for securing said second door panel in said second position.

19. A protective enclosure for components of a computer system including a video display monitor, a printer, a keyboard and a central processing unit, said protective enclosure comprising:

housing means having at least one sidewall, said housing means for completely enclosing said computer system;

printout access means for retrieving printer output externally with respect to said housing means, said printout access means allowing access to said printer for changing printer paper and printer ribbons while restricting access to other components of the computer system;

keyboard support and storage means pivotally connected to said printout access means for movement about a generally horizontally disposed axis between a first keyboard support position disposed generally perpendicular with respect to said printout access means for allowing user access to said keyboard and a second keyboard storage position disposed generally parallel with respect to said printout access means, wherein said keyboard support and storage means defines an enclosed keyboard storage pocket for protecting said keyboard from damage in cooperation with said printout access means when in said second storage position; and

said printout access means disposed within said enclosed keyboard storage pocket such that said printout access means is closed with respect to external sources when said keyboard support and storage means is in said second position.