Flat panel monitor stand

A monitor stand includes a configurable base having a swivel device. A monitor support extends from the base and a flat panel monitor is pivotably mounted on the monitor support. The base is configurable to receive an advanced port replicator and a portable computer, or an ultra-small form factor computer.

BACKGROUND

The disclosures herein relate generally to information handling systems and more particularly to a flat panel monitor stand used with a computer system.

Desktop computers include a monitor which is usually supported by a desk surface or the desktop computer housing. Notebook computers are typically connected to an external monitor through a port replicator or docking station. Notebook computer connections of this nature typically provide physical support for a monitor through the integration of a stand that is supported by legs and a space is provided under the stand for a docking station and a notebook computer. Typically, the docking connector is positioned at the back of the notebook, i.e. a rear-dock.

One manufacturer currently provides an advanced port replicator (APR) and dock that uses a bottom docking arrangement, i.e. a bottom-dock, rather than docking at the back of the notebook.

In a bottom docking arrangement, the portion of the full dock and the APR that fits beneath the notebook must be of minimal height to keep the notebook as near to horizontal as possible and to make the system work well within the limited height beneath the monitor stand.

The bottom-dock notebook architecture creates challenging solutions when combined with external cathode ray tube (CRT) displays through the use of traditional monitor stand concepts. Utmost of these challenges is the “blind mating of the docking connectors of the APR and the notebook, especially with the bottom-dock architecture.

One approach to consider is the use of a flat panel monitor (FPM) to improve visibility. It should be noted that the price difference between FPM's relative to ORT's is predicted to narrow, thus making the FPM a feasible alternative to the ORT.

Therefore, what is needed is an FPM stand usable with either bottom-dock architecture or rear-dock architecture and notebook or desktop systems.

SUMMARY

One embodiment, accordingly, includes a monitor stand including a base, a swivel device mounted on the base, a system adapter plate, a monitor support extending from the base and a flat panel monitor pivotably mounted on the monitor support.

A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the FPM stand is configurable for either bottom or rear-dock architecture and for use with either notebook or desktop systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, computer system10,FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor12, which is connected to a bus14. Bus14serves as a connection between microprocessor12and other components of computer system10. An input device16is coupled to microprocessor12to provide input to microprocessor12. Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device18, which is coupled to microprocessor12. Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system10further includes a display20, which is coupled to microprocessor12by a video controller22. A system memory24is coupled to microprocessor12to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor12. It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor12to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.

InFIG. 2, a monitor stand is designated26and includes a base28which includes a swivel support30mounted on an under surface28aof base28. A monitor support32extends from base28and a flat panel monitor (FPM)34is pivotally mounted on the monitor support32at a pivotable connection36. Monitor support32includes a pair of spaced apart arms33. An attachment plate or system adaptor38is removably mounted on base12. Plate38can be seated in seat40and removed from seat40as illustrated in phantom outline. The FPM34can be pivoted along an arc A1between a first position P1and a second position P2. Furthermore, due to the swivel support30, monitor stand26can be pivoted along an arc A2. The swivel support30, permits monitor stand26to swivel on any desk top or other support surface D. It would also be easy to create one adapter plate for the APR that is not removable and attach an adapter bracket to that plate to reduce costs.

InFIG. 3, the attachment plate38is seated on base28and includes an advanced port replicator (APR)42. Due to the spaced apart arms33, cable management is convenient at a connection surface44of APR42. Also, base28is able to swivel on swivel support30as discussed above. Alignment and securing devices (not shown) may be provided on the attachment plate38for properly positioning the APR24and the portable computer46.

InFIG. 4, the attachment plate38is seated on base28and includes an ultra-small-form-factor (USFF) computer50. Due to the spaced apart arms33, cable management is convenient at a connection surface52of USFF50, which can be connected for use with FPM34in position P1. Also, base28,FIG. 5, is able to swivel on swivel support30as discussed above. Alignment and securing devices (not shown) may be provided on the attachment plate38for properly positioning the USFF50on the attachment plate38.

In operation, the monitor stand can support an attachment plate configured for supporting an APR and a portable computer, or the same or another attachment plate for supporting a USFF computer. The FPM can be used or can be pivoted to allow for the CRT of a portable computer to be used. The monitor stand optimizes desktop space and cable management.