Simplified distribution of cables in a computer desk device

• US 6,180,884 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation, TNC Co. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation, TNC Co. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Ohba, Kiyomitsu, Tokunaga, Masato, Takasawa, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/252,881
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 174/65.R, 174/135, 174/60, 174/68.1, 174/48, 174/65.G, 174/65.SS, 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 312/223.6, 16/21, 16/22
• US Class Current: 174/659
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables

Abstract

A computer desk device provides a back board that is arranged on the rear side of a desktop on which a computer is to be installed. A common power supply cable and common network cable which are to be connected to the computer are accommodated in the back board, thus removing the need for construction work for wiring on the floor or below the floor surface and achieving a reduction in the labor and expense of wiring as well as a great reduction in the amount of time needed for wiring.

Claims

1. A computer desk device comprising:

a desktop on which a computer is to be installed;

and a cable accommodating means provided on said desktop for accommodating a plurality of cables to be connected to said computer, wherein said accommodating means includes a first cable accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion, a protective cover to cover an entire surface of both sides of said first cable accommodating portion and said second accommodating portion.

2. A computer desk device according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of cables include at least a common power supply cable for supplying power to said computer and a common network cable to be connected to said computer;

and said first cable accommodating portion for accommodating said common power supply cable and said second cable accommodating portion for accommodating said common network cable provided in said cable accommodating means on said desktop.

3. A computer desk device according to claim 2 wherein said second cable accommodating portion includes a network junction box to be connected to said common network cable and also to be connected to said computer.

4. A computer desk device according to claim 2 wherein said first cable accommodating portion and said second cable accommodating portion are each made up of a cable accommodating member having a generally U-shaped cross-section;

and a stepped portion that forms a depression that accommodates said common power supply cable or said common network cable is formed in the bottom of said cable accommodating member.

5. A computer desk device according to claim 1 wherein said cable accommodating means includes a surplus cable length accommodating portion for accommodating the surplus portion of the length of said plurality of cables.

6. A computer desk device according to claim 1 wherein said cable accommodating means includes an opening for leading said plurality of cables out of said cable accommodating means or for introducing an external cable to be connected to said plurality of cables into said cable accommodating means.

7. A computer desk device according to claim 6 wherein said opening is of substantially the same width as said cable accommodating means in a direction along one edge of said desktop.

8. A computer desk device according to claim 6 wherein said cable accommodating means includes a cover member formed of an elastic material for covering said opening.

9. A computer desk device according to claim 1 wherein said desk device includes a surplus cable length accommodating portion for accommodating the surplus portion of the length of said plurality of cables in said cable accommodating means in the vicinity of said desktop;

and

an opening for leading said plurality of cables out of said cable accommodating means and for introducing external cables to be connected to said plurality of cables into said cable accommodating means in said surplus cable length accommodating portion.

10. A means for accommodating cables on a desktop comprising:

a first cable accommodating portion on said desktop for accommodating at least one common power supply cable;

a second cable accommodating portion on said desktop for accommodating at least one common network cable;

a network junction box provided in said second accommodating portion for connecting to said at least one common network cable and a computer on said desktop; and

a protective cover on said desktop for containing said first and said second cable accommodating portions;

wherein said first and said second cable accommodating portion are each made up of a cable accommodating member having a generally U-shaped cross-section and a stepped portion forming a depression that accommodates said at least one common power supply cable and said common network cable in the bottom of said cable accommodating means.