Abstract:
A method and apparatus for using or reusing a flat panel computer monitor designed for an integrated all-in-one computer on a mounting stand having appropriate electrical interfaces and enablement. The invention includes a back plate, stand and routing logic device allowing use of the flat panel monitor with standard video, audio and power inputs. The flat panel display assembly from the all-in-one Personal Computer (PC) can be reused as a stand-alone display, allowing a user to obtain greater benefits from the initial investment of the all-in-one PC by continuing to use the display in other or subsequent tower, desktop or similar personal computer systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present invention is related to the subject matter of commonly owned and assigned patent application, Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number RPS920010147US1), entitled “ALL-IN-ONE PERSONAL COMPUTER WITH TOOL-LESS QUICK-RELEASE FEATURES FOR VARIOUS ELEMENTS THEREOF INCLUDING A REUSABLE THIN FILM TRANSISTOR MONITOR,” which is filed concurrently herewith. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present invention relates in general to the field of computers, and in particular, to computer displays. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for reusing a flat panel monitor from an integrated all-in-one computer on a second computer through the use of a monitor display stand.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Early personal computers were mostly self-contained, in whichi a keyboard, processor(s), a motherboard, a power supply, a memory, mass storage drives and a monitor were all contained within a single enclosure. For reasons related to ergonomics, economics, and customer preferences, later generations of personal computers became more modular, with detachable keyboards, stand-alone monitors, etc. As electronic circuitry continued to miniaturize, many personal computers returned to the self-contained design, most typically found in laptop or handheld computers. Some desktop computers have also returned to a type of self-contained design referred to as an “all-in-one” computer, in which the motherboard, plus associated mass storage devices, is attached to the back of a flat panel monitor. Typically, the keyboard and mouse are attached to the motherboard via Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections or wireless interfaces. Such a design eliminates desktop clutter caused by connecting cables, especially from the monitor to the processor. In addition, the footprint of the system typically takes up far less space than a standard tower or desktop design.  
           [0006]    While all-in-one computers are highly efficient in minimizing space requirements, they create a financial problem due to the technical life span of the monitor compared to the processor. Processors and motherboards continue to make quantum leaps in processing speed, memory speed and capacity, mass storage device technology, etc. After only two or three years, many such hardware configurations are not able to optimally support new generations of software, especially those that are heavily graphics oriented. In addition, after about three years the Personal Computer(PC) component systems often experience increased hardware failures that end their useful life. The monitor display panel, however, can be expected to perform well for at least six years. Monitors such as Thin Film Transistor (TFT) displays have display resolutions that are optimal for human eye sight. That is, any increase in resolution would not be noticeable, and thus such monitors should remain state-of-the-art for all practical purposes. Therefore, such flat panel TFT monitors used in all-in-one computer configurations have an expected useful life that far exceeds that of the rest of the PC&#39;s components. Since a substantial cost of an all-in-one PC comes from the associated flat panel display, there is a mismatch in the life cycles of the two main system components (PC components and monitor), creating an economic problem.  
           [0007]    A solution to this problem is described in related patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number RPS920010147US 1), entitled “ALL-IN-ONE PERSONAL COMPUTER WITH TOOL-LESS QUICK-RELEASE FEATURES FOR VARIOUS ELEMENTS THEREOF INCLUDING A REUSABLE THIN FILM TRANSISTOR MONITOR,” describing a method and system of a removable flat screen monitor for an all-in-one computer. The removable flat panel monitor may be reused on another similarly configured all-in-one computer. However, there is a possibility that the user will have a second computer or a subsequent computer that is not in the same configuration as the first all-in-one PC. The user may have a traditional desktop or tower computer that will not accept the removable flat screen monitor from the first all-in-one computer. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus that allow the use or reuse of a removable flat panel monitor from an all-in-one computer with a differently configured computer system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for using or reusing a flat panel computer monitor designed for an integrated all-in-one computer on a mounting stand having appropriate electrical interfaces and enablement. The present invention includes a back plate, stand and routing logic device allowing use of the flat panel monitor with standard video, audio and power inputs. The flat panel display assembly from the all-in-one Personal Computer (PC) can be reused as a stand-alone display, allowing a user to obtain greater benefits from the initial investment of the all-in-one PC by continuing to use the display in other or subsequent tower, desktop or similar personal computer systems.  
           [0009]    The above, as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages in the present invention will become apparent in the following written detailed description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as the preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description and illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the structure of the monitor support structure of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a bock diagram of an electrical routing logic device for electrically connecting a flat panel monitor to an existing computer system;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of an electrical interfacing between a Digital Video Interactive (DVI) signal cable to the routing logic device;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of the interface between the routing logic device and the flat panel monitor;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the on/off logic device for connecting power via the routing logic card to the flat panel monitor; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of an on/off switch connected to the flat panel monitor.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of an all-in-one computer for which the flat panel monitor is designed and/or removed for reuse with the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the all-in-one computer.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of optional TFT monitors for the all-in-one computer and a stand-alone mount for the monitors.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the optional TFT monitors with respect to the all-in-one computer.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a rear isometric exploded view of the monitor and a portion of the all-in-one computer chassis.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a partial isometric view of the all-in-one computer monitor and chassis exposed.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a lower isometric view of a rear bucket cover for the all-in-one computer monitor.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is an enlarged isometric view of a latch on the bucket.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is an interior isometric view of the bucket showing a latch and receptacle arrangement.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a side view of the all-in-one computer with the bucket partially open.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is an enlarged isometric view of one of the hooks on the bucket.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is an enlarged rear isometric view of the open all-in-one computer with a clip in a disengaged position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is an enlarged isometric view of the hook and receptacle engaged.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a rear isometric view of a cable management system exploded away from the all-in-one computer.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 is an interior front view of the bucket and cable management system.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is an enlarged interior front view of the bucket and cable management system.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 23 is an enlarged top rear isometric view of a portion of the cable management system engaged with the computer.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 24 is a top rear isometric view of the cable management system exploded away from the all-in-one computer.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 25 is an exploded isometric view of the cable management system.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 26 is an enlarged rear isometric view of the computer with a clip in an engaged position.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 27 is a side view of the computer with the bucket removed and a HDD cage in an open position.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 28 is a rear isometric view of the all-in-one computer with its covers removed.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a base assembly for the all-in-one computer.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 30 is a partial front isometric view of the all-in-one computer with a drive in an accessible position.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 31 is a partial side view of the all-in-one computer and drive.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 32 is an enlarged isometric view of a latching mechanism for the drive shown in FIG. 31.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 33 is an another isometric view of the latching mechanism for the drive.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 34 is an exploded isometric view of the all-in-one computer and articulated arm.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 35 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the articulated arm mount.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a component bay inside the all-in-one computer chassis with a rack and gear damper.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 37 is an enlarged isometric view of the rack and gear damper.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 38 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the rack and gear damper showing the offset gear teeth.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0049]    With reference now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive monitor support structure  199  for physically supporting a flat panel display assembly  200 . FIG. 1 further illustrates electrical components, as described in detail below, for providing signal and power electrical interfacing between a traditional PC and flat panel display assembly  200 .  
         [0050]    The present invention is used to provide support and electrical interfacing to a flat panel display assembly  200  that includes a matrix display (not shown) and a monitor frame  203 . In a preferred embodiment, the matrix display utilizes thin film transistor (TFT) technology as readily understood by those skilled in the art of computer monitor displays. In a preferred embodiment, monitor frame  203  includes channels  201 , which permit flat panel display assembly  200  to be slidably connected to a back plate  208 . In a preferred embodiment, back plate  208  has physical dimensions that replicate those of an all-in-one computer from which flat panel display assembly  200  was taken and/or designed. A computer system illustrative of an all-in-one computer system contemplated by the present invention is the IBM® NextVista™ Series. A relevant feature of the IBM® NextVista™ Series is its union of flat panel display assembly  200  with a computer motherboard (not shown) mounted on the back side of flat panel display assembly  200 .  
         [0051]    In a preferred embodiment, flat panel display assembly  200  slides along channels  201  onto back plate  208 , with electrical connection cables described below coming through holes in back plate  208  for ease of connection. Alternatively, flat panel display assembly  200  may be connection to back plate  208  with thumb screws, clamps, snaps, or any other reversible type of connector such that flat panel display assembly  200  is removably connected to back plate  208  of the support structures, preferably without the need to use tools for such assembly.  
         [0052]    A stand  218  attaches to back plate  208  to support flat panel display assembly  200  in proper orientation on a desktop. Stand  218  provides a tilt adjustment to permit adjustment of flat panel display assembly  200  to a comfortable viewing angle, and preferably includes hinge cover  216  to cover a tilt hinge  217  of stand  218 . Back plate  208  includes front side  207  and back side  209 . Front side  207  is oriented contiguous with the non-viewable side of flat panel display assembly  200 . Back side  209  is oriented contiguous to a routing logic device  210 , which is mounted on back side  209 . Electrically connected between flat panel display assembly  200  and routing logic device  210  are monitor audio cable  202 , monitor signal cable  204 , and monitor power cable  206 . Coming into routing logic device  210  are corresponding video signal cable  220  and audio signal cable  221  from a Personal Computer (not shown), plus source power cable  223  from AC/DC power adaptor  224 . In a preferred embodiment, back plate  208  has the same dimensions as a mounting plate (not shown) for an all-in-one computer (not shown) for which flat panel display assembly  200  was designed.  
         [0053]    To provide protection from radio frequency (RF) and other electromagnetic currents (EMC), an EMC shield  212  is oriented circumferentially around and against routing logic device  210 . To provide electrical safety and aesthetic improvement, a rear cover  214  covers and is connected to back plate  208 , thus covering routing logic device  210  and EMC shield  212 .  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a block diagram of hardware components in routing logic device  210 . In a preferred embodiment, routing logic device  210  is uniquely configured to drive flat panel display assembly  200 . Input from video signal cable  220  interfaces with a Digital Video Interactive (DVI) input/output (I/O)  226 . The video signal is communicated electrically, preferably under a Transit ion Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) protocol, from DVI I/O  226  to a monitor I/O  234 . In a preferred embodiment, DVI I/O  236  is depicted in FIG. 3, using a DVI 24-pin I/O interface. A preferred embodiment of monitor I/O  234  is illustrated in FIG. 4, utilizing a Hirose™ 25-pin interface. In a preferred embodiment, the connection between DVI I/O  226  and monitor I/O  234  is Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) compliant, allowing hot switching, wherein monitor signal cable  204  can be plugged into monitor I/O  234  without harming the circuitry found in either flat panel display assembly  200  or routing logic device  210 .  
         [0055]    Connected to monitor I/O  234  is on/off logic device  236 , shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 5. On/off logic device  236  includes power field effect transistors (FET)  237  and  239  to switch power on and off to a 12-volt output  238 . Also connected to on/off logic device  236  is 12-volt output  238 , which connects to monitor power cable  206 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment an on/off signal circuit  245 , which is preferably connected between a push-button switch  247  on flat panel display assembly  200  (not shown) and on/off logic  236 . On/off signal circuit  245  includes a debouncer  244  and a latch  246 . When push-button switch  247  is pushed a first time, latch  246  allows an “on” signal to reach a selected pin on monitor I/O  234 , which passes the on signal to on/off logic device  236 , allowing a 12-volt supply to pass from source 12-volt input  228  to 12-volt output  238  and then to flat panel display assembly  200  via monitor power cable  206 . Engaging push button switch  247  a second time sends an “off” signal to the same circuitry. Note that logic voltage for I/O logic device  236  is supplied by a 5-volt regulator  232 , which converts part of the source 12-volt voltage from source 12-volt input  228  into 5-volts or its equivalent as required by typical logic circuitry.  
         [0057]    Routing logic device  210  also includes circuitry for passing audio signals to flat panel display assembly  200 , which includes in a preferred embodiment, audio speakers (not shown). An audio signal from a personal computer (not shown) passes through audio signal cable  221  into an audio input  230 , through an audio amplifier  240 , and out an audio output  242  to a monitor audio cable  202  and then to the speakers of flat panel display assembly  200 . Audio amplifier  240 , using circuitry known in the art, takes an audio signal that is typically low power, such as that designed for head phones, and amplifies it to a state adequate to drive audio speakers.  
         [0058]    Routing logic device  210  thus provides the necessary electronic logic, drivers, and power interfaces for the audiovisual display provided by flat panel display assembly  200  that would have been found in the motherboard of the all-in-one personal computer for which flat panel display assembly  200  was originally used and/or designed. Thus, flat panel display assembly  200  can be recycled for reuse on personal computer systems that do not utilize an all-in-one architecture, thus increasing the economic lifetime of flat panel display assembly  200 . Further, in a preferred embodiment, all connections, mechanical and electrical, necessary to connect flat panel display assembly  200  to the described support structure can be performed with the use of any tools. In an alternative embodiment, electrical connection interfaces described above as monitor I/O  234 , 12-volt output  238  and audio output  242  are hand connectable to the described corresponding cables going to flat panel display assembly  200 .  
         [0059]    With reference now to FIGS.  7 - 38 , there is described and depicted a preferred embodiment of an all-in-one personal computer (PC)  11  for which flat panel display assembly  200  is designed and/or removed for use/reuse with the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 7, 8,  27 , and  28 , an all-in-one personal computer (PC)  11  mates a central processing unit (CPU)  13 , motherboard (MB)  15 , thin film transistor (TFT) video monitor  17 , and direct access and storage devices (DASDs)  19  together in an “all-in-one” package. This design has one objective of allowing monitor  17  to be reused after the utility of CPU  13  has been reduced or become obsolete and a more powerful unit is desired. This invention achieves an advantage by allowing easy tool-less separation of monitor  17  from motherboard chassis  21 . This separation allows for the ease of upgrading PC  11  from one with a 15-inch TFT monitor to one with a 17-inch TFT monitor, or other sizes. The TFTs can be of differing sizes (FIG. 10) and can be reusable on the next generation PC, or on a stand kit  23  (FIG. 9). The stand kit has the same type of mechanical features as PC  11 .  
         [0060]    PC  11  has a number of unique attributes and is differentiated from prior art designs for a variety of reasons. These features include a tool-less integration of the TFT with the chassis. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, TFT monitor  17  can be hooked, slid into place, snapped onto and removed from chassis  21  without the use of any tools. Other attributes include: a rear TFT swing-away tool-less chassis bucket, a quick-release and attach all-in-one PC cable trough, a tilt-away personal computer interface (PCI) card retainer clip, a flip-out tool-less hard disk drive (HDD) bracket, an embossed torsional base stability plate, a solenoid-controlled drop-down CD-ROM, an articulated minimalist arm attach mechanism, and offset gear teeth to reduce non-linear motion. Each of these features will be described in further detail in the following detailed description.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS.  13 - 19 , PC  11  is provided with a tool-less swing-away chassis bucket  51  for the TFT all-in-one computer with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding  53  (FIG. 17), and an optional TFT stand-alone mount  23  (FIG. 9). It is uniquely held and snapped in place by means of strategically placed snaps  57  and hooks  55 , as shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, respectively. In the prior art, the rear buckets are restrained by fasteners (e.g., screws) that require tools and which are not readily accessible. While this prior art design is desirable in some sealed box applications in a PC, some users prefer ready access to add memory, change out a hard file, etc. The present invention allows the user to access PC  11  to add and change features without the hassle of tools to remove fasteners. This approach also allows for easier manufacturing because of the lack of fasteners and tools needed, thereby making assembly quick and easy.  
         [0062]    Another attribute of the design of bucket  51  is the inclusion of a key lock (not shown) for those users who desire greater security to keep out unwanted intrusions into PC  11 . One of the problems overcome by this unique approach in the integral EMI shielding  53  (FIG. 17) built into the inside of bucket  51 . Shielding  53  is designed to swing away from chassis  21  with bucket  51  as a single integrated unit, yet provide an EM seal when bucket  51  is closed with respect to PC  11 .  
         [0063]    This feature achieves these advantages by hooking and snapping into the back skirt  59  of monitor  17  (see FIG. 15). Bucket  51  is a one-piece design that hooks into the top of skirt  59  on monitor  17  and swings down into the closed position. In the closed bill position, snap features  57  with movable portions that slide into place in receptacles  61  at the bottom skirt of monitor  17 . FIG. 13 shows a rear bottom view of the bucket in place on top of monitor  17 . The snap-in-place latches  57  can be seen on both sides of the bottom opening. Latches  57  are designed for finger pressure release and slide toward each other as the monitor releases from receptacles  61 . FIG. 14 shows the exterior of one latch  57 . The inner portion of latch  57 , with the latch  57  inside receptacle  61 , can be seen in FIG. 15.  
         [0064]    Latches  57  are spring-loaded away from each other and, once latched, are released by moving them individually toward each other. When bucket  51  is closed, a ramp on the tip of latch  57  that goes into receptacle  61  is moved out of the way and latch  57  enters receptacle  61  in a snapping motion with an audible click. Therefore, latch  57  is automatically engaged upon closing bucket  51  against monitor  17  and is locked in that position until released by sliding latch  57  to the open position. FIG. 16 shows bucket  51  in a partially open, wherefrom the bucket can fall to the closed position or be opened to the fall position and removed. Bucket  51  is engaged with skirt  59  at the top of monitor  17  through the operation of symmetrical hooks  55  on bucket  51  and receptacles  67  (FIG. 19) on skirt  59 . One of the receptacles  67  can be seen in FIG. 18.  
         [0065]    As shown in FIGS. 8 and 20- 25 , the quick-release and attach all-in-one PC cable trough  71  is a cable management system that solves the problem of introducing a cable trough to the back of PC  11  while allowing flexibility in manufacturing assembly, cable management, and usability. This design is a cable management solution that addresses the problem of routing cables, particularly the input/output cables, from the top back of the vertically standing monitor  17  away from the machine.  
         [0066]    The cable management system comprises a bi-tubular cable trough  71  with a removable top  73 . Trough  71  and top  73  are held together as an integral unit and are fitted to the back of bucket  51  through a series of slots  75  in bucket  51  and a corresponding series of snap hooks  77  on trough  71 . FIG. 20 shows the system above PC  11  as if removed or before installation. The snapped hooks  77  can be seen engaged in slots  75  in FIGS. 21 and 22. Cables from the top planar I/O area are routed through a slot under the handle  79  of this embodiment and passed over the top o r the PCI card opening. At this point, trough  71  is slid down into place as an integrated unit with top  73  and cover up the cables to hide them from view along the back of PC  11  (FIG. 8).  
         [0067]    There are situations in which cables are plugged into the I/O PCI cards at the top of trough  71 . In these cases, the cables would interfere with top  73 . The present design addresses this situation by having trough  71  separate into two pieces, as shown in FIGS.  23 - 25 . Trough  71  and top  73  are separated into two pieces by a unique track and snap arrangement between the pieces. As shown in FIG. 25, trough  71  has a protruding rib  81  around its inner periphery along with a set of disconnected stops that act to prevent the accidental reversal of assembly. Top  73  has a track  83  around its inside periphery that engages rib  81 . When fully engaged, the sides of trough  71  spring back into position, bringing the stops into play to prevent accidental disassembly while handling trough  71  and top  73  as one piece. Top  73  is disassembled by pulling out the sides of trough  71  and sliding the track  83  on top  73  past the stops and then all the way out of rib  81 .  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 26, a tilt-away PCI card retainer clip  91  is shown. PCI cards  92  are kept in place by clip  91  which swings into position on top of the brackets  93  to hold them in place. Clip  91  not only holds the cards in place, but serves as an integral part of the EMI enclosure. In the prior art, PCI card, are typically mechanically maintained in the PC system. This is normally accomplished with a screw or other fastener in the bracket, but a tool-less implementation is preferable. With all-in-one PC  11 , bucket  51  serves as the cover over the processor, memory, and planar board. Bucket  51  has EMI shield  53  within it that must contact the periphery of the chassis all around to form a tight seal. The present invention is a tool-less, swing into (FIG. 26) and out of (FIG. 18) place PCI card retainer clip. Clip  91  is captive in the I/O area of PC  11 . The swing away motion solves the problem of removing bracket  93  of the PCI cards from the PCI card area as the cards are installed. Bracket  93  is also retained in the assembly and is not loose (like prior art fasteners). In addition, clip  91  incorporates a grounding component that EMI shield  53  in bucket  51  can contact.  
         [0069]    As shown in FIG. 27, the HDD  19  is mounted in a cage  95  and may be pivoted out of the way for access to the memory slots and planar top. This is a particularly advantageous feature in the tight package provided by the all-in-one PC  11 . Cage  95  and HDD  19  are shown in their upright and latched position in FIG. 16. Like the previous attributes of PC  11 , this feature is accomplished without tools and with a minimum number of parts. A bracket  97  also holds the electronic card for the touch screen option. Cage  95  spans the chassis  21  from one side to the opposite side. Cage  95  is hooked into one side of chassis  21  in such a way as to allow it to pivot or flip out of the way when needed.  
         [0070]    In the version shown, cage  95  is formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Unique features have been added to chassis  21  and cage  95  to accomplish the swing out ability without extra parts or movement. The opposite end of cage  95  is swung down to chassis  21  and snapped into place via a spring bar  99  with a finger handle on top. The cage is held securely in place in all directions, yet is easily removed by depressing the spring bar at the top.  
         [0071]    Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, the entire unit of chassis  21  and monitor  17  rest on top of a base  101  that is optimized for industrial design. Base  101  is intended to be as unobtrusive as possible to enable the user with more usable desktop surface. The computer is supported as far back from the user as possible, which requires the foot to carry the resultant load. The foot must be very stiff to carry this load and still be as thin as possible for appearance purposes. Base  101  also counteracts the torsional loads as applied to the top of the monitor undergoing a tilt motion by the user adjusting the screen to suit his or her viewing angle. Base  101  has an embossed thickness that approximates the torsional stability of a much thicker plate or a series of thin plates made to appear thick to the system. This design successfully dampens the hysteresis of the monitor when the user has established the final tilt position. Base  101  is stiffened with a reverse boss as shown in the drawings to accomplish these objectives.  
         [0072]    As shown in FIGS.  30 - 33 , PC  11  has a CD-ROM drive  103  that drops down below monitor  17  via a solenoid-controlled mechanism  105 . When not in use, drive  103  is tucked up under monitor  17  in a cage  107  out of the way and out of view of the user (FIG. 7). When the user wishes to utilize drive  103 , it can be dropped down below monitor  17  for easy access. This function is accomplished in a small amount of space by the inclusion of a solenoid-operated mechanical release mechanism  105 . Mechanism  105  retains a lip of drive  103  until ready to be released or dropped down for use by the user.  
         [0073]    A button  104  is located on the front of monitor  17  for actuating mechanism  105 . Upon pressing the button, mechanism  105  is disengaged and drive  103  drops down for use. Drive  103  is manually pushed back up to the snapped holding position of mechanism  105  for redeployment upon command. There is also a fail-safe kick out of drive  103  should the device be activated while in the “up” position (i.e., the drive is ejected via software). If drive  103  is actuated while it is in the up position, its tray  107  will move out from the front face of drive  103  and activate a lever  106 , as seen in FIG. 33. Lever  106  is part of mechanism  105  and, when pushed, drops drive  103  down safely. Otherwise, drive  103  would be stuck in the up position.  
         [0074]    In contrast, prior art designs utilized complex mechanical linkages to unlatch the device bay. Due to the multiple degrees of freedom required to link the control button to the latch, the linkage was prone to fail and required a long throw in order to insure that the latch would disengage reliably. It also failed to work uniformly when the monitor was rotated front to back. The control buttons immediately adjacent to the drive bay latch had a short throw, and so had a different tactile feel to it. The part cost was high and assembly was difficult. Furthermore, if the user did not deploy the drive bay before ejecting the device, the drawer of the device would open into the interior of the enclosure and fail. The present design overcomes each of these shortcomings of the prior art.  
         [0075]    Referring now to FIGS.  34 - 35 , an articulated minimalist support assembly  121  for PC  11  is shown. By mounting PC  11  on support assembly  121 , a solution for overcrowded user desktops is achieved. This design offers a significant advantage in light of the downsizing of the workplace, the increasing amount of technology that users need to do work, and the shrinking amount of available office and desk space. Computers, terminals, printers, scanners, and other peripheral devices can quickly consume desktop space until there is little space remaining for paper work, notebooks, etc.  
         [0076]    Support assembly  121  completely and safely supports PC  11  with a minimal amount of parts that are easily assembled. Support assembly  121  includes an adapter plate  123 , an adapter  125 , an arm  127 , bottom cover  129 , and bail  131 . Adapter plate  123  is easily attached to PC  11  via screws or other fasteners. Once adapter plate  123  is installed and arm  127  is installed in the user&#39;s work space, PC  11  is slidably mounted directly onto the adapter  125  on the end of arm  127  and secured thereto via a hex key or appropriate tool. Bottom cover  129  is installed once the foot of PC  11  is removed. Bail  131  is installed into openings in the rear of PC  11  and bottom cover  129 . Bail  131  needs no tools for installation.  
         [0077]    As shown in FIGS.  36 - 38 , PC  11  is also equipped with an offset gear arrangement  111  for reducing non-linear motion of a component bay, such as cage  107  for drive  103 , with respect to the computer chassis  21 . This design was required because rotating elements in a mechanical device usually require damping to prevent unnecessary acceleration and/or deceleration of the rotating component. The rotating component is typically provided to enable a service or access to a component that the user would normally prefer to be hidden from view or inaccessible. In the present case, actuation of the rotating device reveals the component to the user. The center of gravity of the component is offset from the axis of rotation and provides the driving torque. The dampers used to control this motion are rotational, and are coupled to the component using a rack  113  and a gear  115 . As each gear tooth disengages and the next tooth engages, there is a momentary discontinuity in the transmission of the damping torque, thereby resulting in non-linear motion of the component. Such cogging motion can be very pronounced.  
         [0078]    In the present design, two rotational dampers  111  are used, with one on each side of the component, in order to control its motion. Racks  113  engage the teeth on gears  115  of the dampers are offset from each other by one-half tooth pitch. This provides continuous damping torque since one side of the component gear/rack is always fully engaged, while the other side is in transition. The resulting motion of the component is linear and smooth, free from cogging, and has a superior look and feel.  
         [0079]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.