U.S. patent application number 10/666499 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-24 for cpu storage cabinet.
Invention is credited to DeGabriele, Peter K., Johnson, Robert C..
Application Number | 20050062371 10/666499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34313130 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050062371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeGabriele, Peter K. ; et
al. |
March 24, 2005 |
CPU storage cabinet
Abstract
A storage cabinet for a CPU where the storage cabinet includes
two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a front door, a front
spacer panel and a back panel. The storage cabinet may be inverted
to allow the door to open from the left side or the right side. A
set of casters is also provided to be attached to the bottom of the
cabinet. The cabinet is easily assembled by placing the front
spacer panel at the bottom of the cabinet and adjusting the door
vertically on one of the side walls so as to have the door disposed
above the spacer panel. Upper and lower spaces are provided between
the door, the side walls and the top and bottom walls at the front
portion of the cabinet. A recess is provided in one of the side
walls at the rear of the cabinet and an opening is provided in the
back of the cabinet so that ready access to cables, wires and the
like connected to the CPU is provided. An opening covered by an air
grille is provided in the side wall opposite to the side wall to
which the door is attached.
Inventors: |
DeGabriele, Peter K.;
(Muscatine, IA) ; Johnson, Robert C.; (Muscatine,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
77 WEST WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1692
US
|
Family ID: |
34313130 |
Appl. No.: |
10/666499 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 81/06 20130101;
H05K 5/0213 20130101; G06F 1/181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/213 |
International
Class: |
A47B 075/00 |
Claims
1. A storage cabinet for a central processing unit operable in
either of two invertible positions wherein: said cabinet includes
first and second side walls, top and bottom walls, a vertically
adjustable door, a door hinge and a spacer panel; said side walls
each includes a height, a length, a forward edge and a rear edge;
said top and bottom walls each includes a length and a width; said
top and bottom walls are attached to said side walls along a
portion of the length of said side walls, the lengths of said top
and bottom walls being less than the lengths of said side walls;
said spacer panel is attachable to said side walls adjacent to
either said top wall or to said bottom wall as a function of which
of said top wall and bottom wall is in the vertically lowest
location; said door is attached to one of said side walls at a
vertical position which location is a function of the placement of
said top and said bottom wall; and said door hinge is attached to
said door and attachable to said one of said side walls.
2. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: a set of
casters attached to either said top wall or to said bottom wall as
a function of the placement of said top and said bottom walls.
3. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: a slanted
edge formed along the forward edge of the side wall not attached to
said door.
4. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: a recess
formed in said rear edge of said side wall not attached to said
door.
5. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: an air
grille attached to said side wall not attached to said door.
6. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: a back
panel connected to said side walls and forming with said side walls
a rear opening in said storage cabinet.
7. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 1 including: a set of
casters attachable to either said top wall or to said bottom wall
as a function of the placement of said top and said bottom walls;
and a slanted edge formed along the forward edge of the side wall
not attached to said door.
8. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 7 including: a recess
formed in said rear edge of said side wall not attached to said
door.
9. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 8 including: a back
panel connected to said side walls; and wherein said side walls and
said back panel form an opening in the rear of said storage
cabinet.
10. The storage cabinet as claimed in claim 9 including: an air
grille attached to said side wall not attached to said door.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a central processing unit
(CPU) storage cabinet and more particularly, to a universal CPU
storage cabinet that may be easily and inexpensively made to open
from either the left side or the right side.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Most CPU devices are poorly designed boxes that are placed
in out-of-the-way locations. Because of the unattractive appearance
of a CPU, it is often desirable to hide it altogether. However, it
must be remembered that the CPU cannot be physically moved too far
from its respective computer screen and keyboard. These items are
typically located on a work surface, such as a desk that is easily
accessible by a computer user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention described here is a central processing
unit storage cabinet operable in either of two invertible positions
wherein the cabinet includes first and second side walls, where
each side wall includes a height, a length, a forward edge and a
rear edge, top and bottom walls, where each of the top and bottom
walls includes a length and a width, a vertically adjustable door,
a door hinge and a spacer panel. The top and bottom walls are
attached to the side walls along a portion of the length of the
side walls, where the lengths of the top and bottom walls are less
than the lengths of the side walls. The spacer panel is attachable
to the side walls adjacent to either the top wall or to the bottom
wall as a function of which of the top wall and bottom wall is in
the vertically lowest position. The door is attached to one of the
side walls at a vertical location which is a function of the
vertical placement of the top wall and the bottom wall, and the
door hinge is attached to the door and to the side wall opposite
the door opening.
[0008] There are a number of advantages, features and objects
achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be
available. For example, one advantage is that the present invention
provides a CPU storage cabinet with a door that may be left or
right opening and easily transformed from one opening to the other.
Other objects of the present invention are to provide a CPU storage
cabinet which is inexpensive, versatile, functional and attractive.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the CPU
storage cabinet is easy to move and allows facilitated hook-up of
the CPU with an attendant computer screen and keyboard. Yet another
feature of the present invention is the provision of a CPU storage
cabinet which effectively hides an unsightly CPU. A still further
advantage is that the cabinet is well ventilated, allowing
ventilation to one side or the other.
[0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from
a consideration of the following description of a preferred
embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an example of
the invention which is described here in compliance with Title 35
U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but the invention itself is
defined by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a CPU storage cabinet with a
closed door.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the CPU storage cabinet shown
in FIG. 1 with the door in an open position after pivoting right to
left.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an inverted isometric view of the CPU storage
cabinet shown in FIG. 1 (partially assembled) illustrating a left
side opening door (the door pivoting from left to right).
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the CPU storage cabinet after
a partial reconfiguration before inverting.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a downward looking isometric view of the CPU
storage cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the door closed.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of the CPU storage cabinet
shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom isometric view of the CPU storage cabinet
shown in FIG. 1 illustrating an attached set of casters.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0017] While the present invention is open to various modifications
and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in
the various figures of the drawing will be described herein in
detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the particular embodiment, form or example
which is disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative
constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C.
section 112 (second paragraph).
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a CPU storage
cabinet 10 having two side walls 12, 14, a top wall 16, a bottom
wall 18, a door 20, two door hinges 22, 24 and a spacer panel 26.
It is intended that a CPU (not shown) may be disposed on the bottom
wall and behind the door, when closed.
[0019] Referring now also to FIG. 3, each side wall includes a
height represented by the arrow 30 and a length represented by the
arrow 32, a forward edge 34 and a rear edge 36. In a like manner,
the top and bottom walls 16, 18 have a length depicted by the arrow
40 and a width depicted by the arrow 42.
[0020] The side wall 12 includes a large central opening covered by
an air grille 44. The side wall 12 also includes a slanted surface
46 on the forward edge 34 and a recess 48 formed in the rear edge
36. The slanted forward edge allows a user's fingers to curl behind
the door when it is closed so that it may be pivoted to an open
position. The recess 48 in the rear edge provides an opening for
easy access to cables and wires connected to the CPU.
[0021] The door 20 is vertically adjustable so that the cabinet can
be easily configured between right and left opening versions. This
is accomplished by having a series of fastener receiving openings
50 formed on the inside surface 51 of the side wall 14. The hinges
22, 24 each have one portion which is received within a door
aperture 52 and screws which are connected to the door by a pair of
screws receiving apertures 54, 56. The rearward portion of the
hinge is connected to the side wall 14 by screws placed in a pair
of the openings 50 formed in the side wall. This is done at an
appropriate vertical level depending on whether the door is to open
on the right side or the left side. For a left side opening door,
the vertical level of the door is shown in FIG. 3. For a right side
opening door, the vertical level of the door is shown in FIG. 4
before the cabinet is inverted, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0022] The side walls also contain fastener receiving apertures,
such as the two apertures 60, 62, FIG. 3, and apertures 64, 66,
FIG. 4, at each vertical end of the side wall 14. This allows the
spacer panel 26, also called a kickplate, to be attached to
brackets, such as the bracket 68, FIG. 3, and then connected to
both side walls by inserting fasteners into the appropriate
fastener apertures. The term "fastener" used in this specification
refers primarily to screw type fasteners, however, other types of
fasteners may be found useful and may be used without departing
from the basic structure of the cabinet.
[0023] The cabinet also includes two back panels 70, 72, FIG. 6,
forming a central opening 73 allowing easy access to the CPU stored
in the cabinet.
[0024] Hidden fasteners, well known to those skilled in the art,
are mounted within the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 and are
represented by circles, such as the circle 74, FIG. 2, in the top
wall 16 and circle 76, FIG. 4, in the bottom wall 18 and allow easy
assembly and disassembly of the top and bottom walls to the side
walls.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, it is apparent that
the lengths of the top and bottom walls 16, 18 are less than the
lengths 32 of the side walls 12, 14. This configuration provides
for an upper opening 80, FIGS. 3 and 5, in the top of the cabinet
between the door 20 and the top wall 16, and a lower opening 82,
FIGS. 2 and 4 in the bottom of the cabinet between the door 20 and
the bottom wall 18. The openings 80, 82 along with the air grille
44 allow for good ventilation for the CPU and also allows the air
grille to be facing to the left or the right.
[0026] To facilitate mobility, the cabinet includes a set of four
casters 90, 92, 94, 96, FIG. 7, attached to the bottom wall 18
using screw fasteners and fastener receiving apertures, such as the
apertures 100, 102, 104, 106, FIG. 4, as formed in the bottom wall
18.
[0027] It is to be understood the terms "top" and "bottom" are used
for convention only because the cabinet may be inverted depending
upon whether the door is to open on the left side or the right
side. Hence, in FIGS. 2 and 4, the door is shown opening from the
right side. In this configuration, the top wall 16 is located at a
higher vertical elevation than the bottom wall 18. However, when
the door is to be opened from the left side, then the bottom wall
18 is at a higher elevation than the top wall 16 as shown in FIG.
3. FIG. 4 illustrates the cabinet being reconfigured from that
shown in FIG. 3, right side open door, to that shown in FIG. 2,
left side open door. Thus, the door is vertically lowered (as long
as the bottom wall 18 is more elevated than the top wall 16) and
the spacer panel is moved from a "lower" position shown in FIG. 3
to an "upper" position shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, the cabinet is
turned upside down or inverted so that the attitude shown in FIG. 2
is assumed.
[0028] In operation, if the cabinet is in an unassembled state,
assembly is easily and quickly done by attaching the side walls to
the top and bottom walls. Next, the back panels are attached to the
side walls. Thereafter, the hinges are attached to the door and
depending on whether the door is to open from the left or from the
right, the hinges are attached to the side wall 14 as a function of
whether the cabinet is inverted or right side up. If inverted as
shown in FIG. 4, the door is attached in a lowered position, the
spacer panel is attached to the side walls above the door, the
casters are installed upside down and the completed cabinet is
inverted, ready for use.
[0029] If the cabinet is right side up after attaching the walls
and back panels, the door is attached at a higher elevation,
leaving room for attachment of the spacer panel. The cabinet is
then turned on its side or inverted for installation of the
casters. After installation, the cabinet is turned so that the
casters are at the bottom of the unit, whereupon the cabinet is
ready for use.
[0030] The cabinet is easily moved on the casters and because of
the side and rear access to the stored CPU, the CPU can quickly be
brought up to a workstation and connected to a screen, keyboard,
mouse and network. The cabinet is versatile, functional and
attractive, and it makes work spaces more flexible and versatile
and more aesthetically appealing as well. The cabinet may be placed
under a work surface or it may stand alone. Further, a decorative
cover may be placed on top of the cabinet.
[0031] The above specification describes in detail the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments,
modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim
language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of
the invention defined by the appended claims. For example,
different fasteners may be used, the cabinet may have a different
outer design and the amount of open space at the side, the rear and
top and bottom of the cabinet may be altered. These are all
considered to be equivalent structures. Further, they will come
within the literal language of the claims. Still other alternatives
will also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no
desire or intention here to limit in any way the application of the
doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *