Computer monitor with a shelf

A computer monitor is supported by a stand connected to the back of the monitor. A shelf is positioned behind the computer monitor, where the shelf is connected to either the stand or the computer monitor back surface. The shelf has a flat portion which is essentially horizontal for holding various items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to storage devices used with computers.

b. Description of the Related Art

Computers have become commonplace, and are now present in many households. A significant portion of the population now has regular access to a computer. The number of computers sold has increased, and the computer has changed with many technological advances. There are different types of computers, and those commonly available as designed for use by the general population are generally referred to as personal computers. Many companies now compete to supply personal computers, and the competition tends to drive new developments.

Personal computers come in a variety of formats. There are laptop computers, where the display and the keyboard are connected by a hinge-type connector. Many of the electronic components necessary for the operation of the laptop computer can be positioned within the keyboard portion of the computer. The display portion of many computers is referred to as the monitor. Laptop computers are often designed for portability, and the computer will fold up to protect the display surface and the keyboard. Another type of computer is the desktop computer, which typically includes a display and a separate container for many electronic components of the computer. The separate container can be referred to as a “tower.” There can also be a separate keyboard and a separate mouse. The various components can be connected by wires, but at least some of the components can be communicate wirelessly.

All-in-one computers generally include a display device with the electronic components necessary for the computer operations being contained within the same enclosure as the display device. There can be a separate keyboard and/or mouse, which can be connected either by wires, but more often the keyboard and/or mouse communicate with the computer wirelessly.

As technology progresses, the size of computers has tended to become smaller, and the capabilities have increased. The smaller size can provide a benefit because less space is needed for the computer. This allows the computer to be used in smaller areas, or it allows for more free space available after the computer is put in place. Additional free space can be used for other tasks, such as viewing documents or papers, storing items, setting up equipment to communicate with the computer (such as a camera or music storage and playing device), or simply to present a cleaner and more open appearance to a work space.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer monitor is supported by a stand connected to the back of the monitor. A shelf is positioned behind the computer monitor, where the shelf is connected to either the stand or the computer monitor back surface. The shelf has a flat portion which is essentially horizontal for holding various items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Computer Monitor

A computer monitor10is used for viewing information displayed by a computer12, as seen inFIGS. 1 through 5. The information is displayed on a screen14, which is on a monitor front end16. The monitor10also has a back end18, which is generally not designed for routine viewing. The term “monitor” in this description includes the screen14and the housing in which the screen14is located. Therefore, all-in-one type computers12fall within the definition of a monitor10, because the computer12and the screen14are both within the same housing. There can be connection wires, written instructions, connection ports, embedded graphics, attached barcodes, and printed information relating to the monitor on the monitor back end18. The monitor back end18typically includes many functional aspects of the monitor10which may be less attractive, and style and appearance is less important because the monitor back end18is not usually seen.

The screen14often dominates the monitor front end16. There may be some material bordering the screen14, and there can also be some controls. Some monitor front ends16include a light to indicate the monitor10is turned on, and there can be trademark graphics to indicate the manufacturer of the monitor10. The monitor front end16can also include other components. Generally, style and appearance are important considerations for a monitor front end16, because this is the portion of a computer most commonly viewed. The monitor front end16is also presented towards people to display information, so the overall appearance and style can be seen by the user as well as by others passing by. Many manufacturers avoid placing some functional components on a monitor front end16because of the overall appearance, and also to prevent obstructions between the user and the screen14.

There are differences between a computer monitor10and a television. A computer monitor10is typically smaller than a television monitor, although there are examples of computer monitors10which are larger than television monitors. A computer monitor10is generally designed to be viewed from a relatively close distance, as opposed to a television monitor which is generally designed to be viewed from larger distances. Although computers12can be used for entertainment, the general design of many computers12is directed more towards accomplishing tasks, as opposed to a television which is designed primarily for entertainment and viewing. A user provides little input to a television other than selecting the material to be watched, but computers12are often designed for significant input from a user. These basic differences in a television and a computer monitor10are also seen in the video signal format. In some embodiments, there are different video signal formats for computer monitors10and televisions, with some basic differences in how the display is produced. It is possible to use a television as a computer monitor10, and vice versa, but an adaptor may be needed.

The computer monitor10operates with a computer12, and often the computer12is a personal computer12. This can include an all-in-one type of computer12, where the electronics the process data are incorporated into the housing for the computer monitor10, such as in the Figures. In an all-in-one computer12, the keyboard can be a separate, free-standing component. The computer12can also have a lap-top style, where a keyboard has a separate housing from the monitor10, and the keyboard housing and the monitor housing are connected by a hinge type of device. The computer12can also be a desk-top style, where many of the electronics which process data are in a separate housing, sometimes referred to as a tower. The computer monitor10has a housing, and the keyboard can be a separate device. The various components can communicate using wires, or the communications can be wireless.

Stand

A stand20can be used to support the computer monitor10. The stand20can be adjustable or fixed, and it can suspend the monitor10or support the monitor on a working surface22, such as a table top. The stand20is connected to the monitor back end18, so the stand20is positioned behind the monitor10. Positioning the stand20behind the monitor10prevents the stand from blocking the user's view of the screen14, and also at least partially keeps the stand20out of sight. In many cases at least a portion of the stand20can be seen, so appearance can be important, but at least some of the stand20is positioned behind the monitor10where it is not seen as frequently as the monitor front end16.

The stand20includes a base24which rests on the working surface22. The base24provides stability to the stand20, so the base24can be broad, especially if the stand20suspends the monitor10. If the monitor10is suspended, where the monitor is supported by only the stand20, then at least a portion of the stand20may be visible. At least the base24may be visible, so a stylish appearance may be desired.

If the monitor10rests at least partially on the working surface22, such as on legs26, the stand20may primarily serve to prevent the monitor10from falling over, as seen inFIGS. 6 and 7with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-5. In this case, the stand20may be less visible, and the base24may be small because some of the stability of the monitor10is provided by the legs26or by the portion of the monitor10sitting on the working surface22.

The base24can include protective pads28to reduce the chances of the stand20scratching or marring the working surface22. The protective pads28are positioned between the base24and the working surface22, and can be made of fabric, plastic, rubber, or any of a wide variety of materials. Protective pads28can be at least somewhat soft to prevent scratches, and protective pads28can be used in many locations other than just under the base24. Protective pads28can be positioned between any two surfaces to provide protection. Protective pads28can also serve other functions, such as increasing or decreasing the coefficient of friction, so the surfaces tend to stick together or tend slide over each other. Different materials can be used to change the coefficient of friction. Protective pads28can also be used as a shim, so different surfaces can be better aligned.

The stand20also includes a monitor attachment30. The monitor attachment30is the portion of the stand20that connects to the computer monitor10. The monitor attachment30connects to the monitor back end18, and is generally not seen because it is behind the monitor10. The monitor attachment30can include a hinge or other flexible connection to allow the monitor10to move relative to the stand20. In one embodiment, the flexible connection allows the monitor10to move within one plane, such as only up and down. In another embodiment, the flexible connection allows the monitor10to move in multiple planes. The monitor attachment30can allow the stand20to directly connect to the monitor back end18.

The monitor attachment30can provide a connection to the monitor10that is stiff, so the monitor10does not move relative to the stand20unless an outside force is applied. So, the monitor attachment30holds the monitor10in one position unless a user moves the monitor10, or some other force is applied. Some monitors10have a connection system which follows certain standards, such as the VESA standard. If a monitor10has a connection that complies with a standard, the user has a better chance of being able to change the type of stand20used for the monitor10without obtaining an adaptor for a different type of connection. The monitor attachment30may also incorporate standard connections in some embodiments, but more unique connections are used in other embodiments as necessary to properly engage the different monitors10.

An arm32is the part of the stand20that connects the base24and the monitor attachment30. At least a portion of the arm32may be visible from in front of the monitor10, so appearance and style can be a design consideration. The arm32can define a hole34, which can impart style as well as reduce the weight of the stand20, as seen inFIG. 8, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-7. The arm32is often angled from the working surface22toward the monitor10, so the arm32has a slanted appearance. There are also stand embodiments where the arm32extends vertically from the working surface22.

The arm32can have many shapes, as seen inFIGS. 8,9, and10, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-7. It can be a bar with a rectangular cross section, a square cross section, an oblong cross section, a round cross section, or almost any other shaped cross section. The arm32needs to be strong enough to support the monitor20, but most monitors10are not excessively heavy. The arm32can be straight from the base24to the monitor attachment30, or in can be curved, or it can include bends. The bends can be sharp or gradual, they can be close to the base24, close to the monitor attachment30, or they can be more in the middle of the arm32. The arm32must have sufficient length to hold the monitor10in the desired position, but the arm32can any of a wide variety of shapes.

In one embodiment, the stand20includes an sloped section21, where the stand sloped section21can be at least a portion of the arm32between the base24and the monitor attachment30. In one embodiment with a sloped section21, the stand sloped section21extends from the base24at some angle other than a right angle, so the stand20angles up from the base24to the monitor back end18. In alternate embodiments, the sloped section21is a non-vertical portion of the arm32, where other portions of the arm32may be vertical. The sloped section21can facilitate balance in the stand20as well as providing a stylish appearance. The stand20can also include a tapered portion23, and the tapered portion23can be the same part of the stand20as the sloped section21. The tapered portion23can be a section of the stand where the stand width changes along the length of the stand20. In other embodiments, the stand20extends vertically from the base24, and the stand does not include a sloped section21. Also, in some embodiments, the stand20does not include a tapered portion23.

Shelf

A shelf40is positioned behind the monitor10, and the shelf40serves as a storage device. The shelf40is generally positioned above the working surface as well. In some embodiments, the shelf40is connected to the stand20, but in other embodiments the shelf40is connected to the monitor back end18. The shelf40is sized to be smaller than the monitor10, so the shelf40is not generally visible for one sitting in front of the monitor10. The shelf40can be positioned a sufficient distance below the top of the monitor10to prevent objects on the shelf40from being clearly visible from in front of the monitor10. This provides for discrete storage behind the monitor10. The shelf40can be used to discretely store a wide variety of objects, such as a separate hard drive for the computer, reference books or manuals, spare floppy discs, or portable media players such as those associated with the trademark IPOD.

The shelf40can be removably attached to the stand20or the monitor10, and the attachment may be adjustable so the shelf40can be positioned in varying positions behind the monitor10. The shelf40can be light, yet strong enough to support objects placed on it. The shelf40can be metallic, but it can also be polymeric, wooden, or any of a wide variety of other materials. The shelf40should be stiff to provide a stable platform.

The shelf40includes a flat portion42to place objects on, as seen inFIGS. 11-16, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-10. The flat portion42is at least relatively flat, and is positioned essentially horizontal so objects will not have a tendency to fall off. The flat portion42can include one or more gaps44to reduce weight, and the gaps44can be sized to prevent most objects from passing through a gap44. The flat portion42can be square or rectangular, but it can also be oblong, round, hexagonal, or any of a wide variety of other shapes capable of supporting an object.

The shelf40can also include a rail46to help keep items on the shelf40. The rail46may also provide some strength to the flat portion42by providing an attached surface in a different plane. The rail46can be positioned only at the shelf back edge, where the shelf back edge is the shelf edge furthest from the monitor10. In alternate embodiments, the rail46can also be positioned along the shelf side edges, or on any single edge or combination of the edges of the shelf40. The rail46extends upward from the shelf flat portion42, and can be perpendicular to the flat portion42. It is also possible for the rail46to extend at an obtuse or an acute angle to the flat portion42. The rail46can be formed of the same material as the flat portion42, or it can be a separate connected piece. The style of the rail46can be the same as the flat portion42, or it can be different. The rail46can extend upward from the flat portion42for a short distance, such as about one centimeter, or it can extend for a longer distance to form more of a basket-type shape. In other embodiments, the shelf40has no rail46.

The shelf40can include a lip48on the shelf front edge, which is the shelf edge closest to the monitor10. The lip48can facilitate the attachment of the shelf40to the stand20or the monitor10. The lip48can define notches50which allow for an adjustable connection of the shelf40to the stand20or monitor10. The notches50can have a notch length51, such that a connector can be positioned at essentially any point along the notch length51. The lip48can be angled to match the sloped section21of the stand arm32, or the monitor back end18, or any surface the shelf40is connected to. The angle of the lip48can be set such that the shelf flat portion42remains essentially horizontal when the lip48lays flat against the stand20or other surface. The angle of the lip48relative to the flat portion42can be an acute angle in some embodiments, but in other embodiments the angle can be obtuse. The shelf40can be more secure and stable when the lip48is angled such that the lip48lies flat against the surface the shelf40is connected to. The lip48can extend upward or downward from the shelf flat portion42. It is also possible to provide a shelf40which does not include a lip48for attachment of the shelf40to the stand20or the monitor10.

The shelf40and stand20could include engaging shapes, such as one or more indents and matching projections to prevent the shelf40from twisting. Other shapes can be used so an engagement between the shelf40and the stand20or between the shelf40and the monitor10resists a twisting motion in the shelf40.

Connectors

One or more connectors52are used to connect the shelf40to the stand20or the monitor10. A wide variety of connectors52can be used, and the connectors52can be placed in several different locations. The connectors52can be used to hold the lip48against the surface the shelf40is connected to. Different connectors52are more appropriate for different shapes of stands20or for connection to the monitor back end18. It is also possible to use more than one type of connector52on a single shelf40.

In one embodiment, the connector52includes two C brackets54, which may or may not include a protective insert56. The C bracket54can define a recess58, and the protective insert56can include a nipple60which engages the recess58. The C brackets54include an open center portion55, which is the area inside the “C” of the C bracket54, and the protective insert56is positioned in the open center portion55. The C brackets54also include a back wall57, which is the inside wall in the center portion of the “C” of the C bracket. The back wall57can be sloped in some embodiments.

The C brackets54can be fixed to the shelf lip48with a C bracket screw62, so the C bracket54is held in one position along the lip48. The C bracket screw62can pass through the notches50in the shelf lip48, so the C bracket position can be adjusted along the notch length51. The C bracket54can include a screw receptacle to receive the C bracket screw62, where the C bracket screw62threadedly engages the screw receptacle in the C bracket54. The C bracket screw62can include a wide “head” so a shelf lip48can be pinched between the head of the C bracket screw62and the C bracket54by tightening the C bracket screw62into the screw receptacle in the C bracket54. It is also possible to use spring loaded compression pads in place of the C bracket screw62, or other connection techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The C brackets54are fixed to the lip48such that the open center portions55of the C brackets54face each other. In this embodiment, the shelf40can be attached to a tapered portion23of a stand20, where the arm32is wider at lower portions and narrower at higher portions. The stand edge is inserted into the open center portion55within the protective insert56in the C bracket54, and the shelf40is slide down until the stand20becomes pinched between the two C brackets54. The C bracket back wall57can be a sloped back wall57, where the angle of the sloped back wall57is set to match the taper angle of the tapered portion23, so the back wall57lays flat against the edge of the tapered portion23. The “taper angle” is the angle at which the stand tapers as compared to a stand with no taper.

Different stand thicknesses can be accommodated with one size C bracket54by including a plurality of protective inserts56with varying thicknesses. The protective insert56thus serves to protect the stand20from the C bracket54, and the protective insert56also serves as a shim so the connector52is properly sized to securely attach the shelf40to the stand20. Adjusting the distance between the two C brackets54by moving the C brackets54along the notch length51of the shelf lip notch50allows for the position of the shelf40to be adjusted.

In an alternative embodiment, the connector includes one or more C clamps64, as seen inFIGS. 17 and 18, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-16. The C clamp64holds the lip48securely against the stand20with pressure from a C clamp screw66. A protective pad28can be used if desired. The C clamp screw66could be replaced or supplemented with a spring device in alternative embodiments. The position of the shelf40can be adjusted by positioning the C clamp64at different locations. There can be a C clamp64positioned on each side of the stand20, or there could be one C clamp64positioned near the middle, or other positions and/or numbers of C clamps64could be used.

Another alternative embodiment includes an indentation68defined in either the stand20or the monitor back end18, as seen inFIG. 19, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-18. The indentation68could be threaded, or it could be smooth. An indentation screw70engages the threaded indentation68and secures the lip48in place. If the indentation68were smooth, a rod could be inserted to secure the lip48in place. Alternatively, the rod or indentation screw70could extend under a significant portion of the shelf flat portion42, and the shelf40could be supported by the rod or indentation screw70without the use of a lip48.

In yet another embodiment, the shelf40is connected to the hole34defined in the stand arm32, as seen inFIG. 20, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-19. An upper bracket72engages an upper portion of the hole34, and a lower bracket74engages a lower portion of the hole34. The upper bracket72can be directly connected to the shelf40, and an extension arm76can connect the lower bracket74. to the shelf40. The extension arm76can be adjustable, such as with a male and female threaded portion or with a spring loaded action, to facilitate attachment of the shelf40to the stand20. There can also be hinge type connections for the extension arm76to facilitate attachment to the stand20.

In still another embodiment, a bend catch78can be used as the connector52, as seen inFIG. 21, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-20. The bend catch78is sized to match and engage a bend in the stand20, so the bend catch78cannot move up and down the stand20due to the geometry of the stand20and the connector52. The shelf40may not be adjustable in height when using a bend catch78, unless alternative methods such as vertical notches50in the lip48are employed.

A support leg80can be used with many of the connectors52described, as seen inFIG. 22, with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-21. The support leg80is connected to the shelf flat portion42and extends downward. The support leg80provides an additional support for the shelf40, and can provide greater stability and strength. The lower portion of the support leg80can rest on the working surface22, or it can rest or be connected to the stand20. There can be a notch provided in the stand20to receive the support leg80, or the support leg80can be configured to connect to the hole34in the stand arm32. The support leg80can also be configured to connect to the stand base24, or the stand arm32, or the working surface22using various other connectors or ends. There can be one or more support legs80, and if a plurality of support legs80is used they can extend to the same general location or to different locations.

There are other types of connectors52which could be used. These other types of connectors52include, but are not limited to, wedge type connectors, welded, glued, or soldered connectors52, hook and loop connectors52, hose clamp type connectors52, or even no connector52where the shelf40is formed as an integral part of the stand20.