Computer storage system

The invention comprises a computer storage system for use with a desk on a floor, in which the desk has an upper horizontal surface. The system includes an upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side being engagable with the upper horizontal surface of the desk, and the upper side operable to receive a computer monitor or printer. The system also includes a lower horizontal computer receiving surface operable to receive a computer, and a vertical connecting portion connecting the upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface with the lower horizontal computer receiving surface. Thus, in operation, the upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface is operable to suspend and space the storage system from the floor when the upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface engages the upper horizontal surface of the desk, and the lower horizontal computer receiving surface is biased toward the vertical side surface of the desk, or otherwise fixed or clamped to the desk, when a computer is placed thereon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to personal computers, and, in particular, to 
systems for storing or holding personal computers and/or peripherals 
therefor in such a way as to optimize available desk space. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Personal computers are increasingly common items used by more and more 
people. Personal computers are manufactured in many shapes and sizes. 
Unfortunately, however, most smaller personal computers, commonly referred 
to as laptops or notebooks, are much more expensive than desktop 
computers. Accordingly, many people are denied the ability to use a 
personal computer because they have no place to put the relatively large 
desktop unit or monitor that comprise a personal computer on their 
modestly sized desk. Accordingly, there is a strong need for a computer 
storage system that efficiently utilizes available space to store a 
computer, including the desktop unit, monitor and optionally a printer. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
One object of the invention is to provide a system for storing a personal 
computer that requires little or no additional space. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for storing a 
personal computer monitor and/or printer that effectively increases the 
surface area of a desktop. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for storing a 
personal computer that can be inexpensively manufactured. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for storing a 
personal computer that can be easily manufactured and which utilizes few 
parts. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for storing a 
personal computer that can be manufactured in a manner so as to generate 
little or no waste materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention comprises a computer storage system for use with a desk on a 
floor, in which the desk has an upper horizontal surface and may or may 
not have a vertical side surface. The system includes an upper horizontal 
computer monitor receiving surface having an upper side and a lower side, 
the lower side being engagable with the upper horizontal surface of the 
desk, and the upper side operable to receive a computer monitor and/or 
printer. The system also includes a lower horizontal computer receiving 
surface operable to receive a computer, and a vertical connecting portion 
connecting the upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface with 
the lower horizontal computer receiving surface. Thus, in operation, the 
upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface is operable to suspend 
and space the storage system from the floor when the upper horizontal 
computer monitor receiving surface engages the upper horizontal surface of 
the desk, and the lower horizontal computer receiving surface is biased 
toward the vertical side surface of the desk when a computer is placed 
thereon. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer storage system of the present 
invention positioned on a desk and supporting a personal computer 
minitower system and monitor. Desk, which is located on floor 101 includes 
an upper horizontal surface and a vertical side surface 103. The storage 
system includes an upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface 
having an upper side 105, an lower side (not shown), an inner edge portion 
(120), and an outer edge portion (130), the lower side being engagable 
with upper horizontal surface 102 of the desk, and the upper side 105 
operable to receive a computer monitor 106. The system further includes a 
lower horizontal computer receiving surface 107 operable to receive 
computer 108. A vertical connecting portion 109 connects the upper 
horizontal computer monitor receiving surface 104 with the lower 
horizontal computer receiving surface 107. Accordingly, upper horizontal 
computer monitor receiving surface 104 is operable to suspend and space 
the storage system from floor 101 when the upper horizontal computer 
monitor receiving surface 104 engages the upper horizontal surface 102 of 
the desk, and such that the lower horizontal computer receiving surface 
107 is biased, by the center of gravity of computer 108, toward the 
vertical side surface 103 of the desk. For a desk not having a vertical 
surface, for example where the desktop is supported only be legs, the 
system of the present invention may be clamped or otherwise secured to the 
desktop. 
In one embodiment, the vertical connecting portion includes a pair of 
opposing arms 109 on each side. Moreover, upper horizontal computer 
monitor receiving surface 104, lower horizontal computer receiving surface 
107, and vertical connecting portion 109 may be formed from a single piece 
of bendable material, such as 14 gauge CRS sheet metal. 
As shown in FIG. 3, a single piece of bendable material such as sheet metal 
301 may be used to form all the components of the system. In particular, 
sheet metal 301 may be stamped or laser cut to form the contours shown in 
FIG. 3. A central portion 302 of sheet metal may be cut from the remaining 
portion, and this portion may be used as the upper horizontal computer 
monitor receiving surface 104 as shown in FIG. 4. Sheet metal 301 may be 
bent along the dashed lines shown in FIG. 3 to form flanges which improve 
the structural integrity of lower horizontal computer receiving surface 
107, and vertical connecting portion 109. 
FIG. 2 is a side view of a computer storage system of the present 
invention. After upper horizontal computer monitor receiving surface 104 
has been stamped from sheet metal 301, it may be spot welded to flange 303 
extending from vertical connecting portion 109. In one embodiment, ten 
spot welds are made to provide secure attachment of these pieces. After 
all bends and welds of the components have been made, the system may be 
painted to provide an attractive exterior finish. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the system may be positioned such that upper horizontal 
computer monitor receiving surface 104 engages desktop 102 and also 
partially extends beyond the edge of desktop 102. This permits a monitor 
or printer to be placed on upper horizontal computer monitor receiving 
surface 104 such that part of the base of the monitor extends beyond the 
edge of the desktop, yet it is still supported by upper horizontal 
computer monitor receiving surface 104. This increases the desktop space 
available to the user of the desk over what would be the case if the 
monitor base where placed entirely on the desktop. Moreover, it will be 
appreciated by those of skill in the art that the weight of computer 108 
will be such that its center of gravity will force lower horizontal 
computer receiving surface 107 to be biased toward the vertical side 
surface 103 of the desk. As shown, the desk has a vertical surface engaged 
by lower horizontal computer receiving surface 107, however, the surface 
need not necessarily be an entire side desk panel as shown in FIG. 1. For 
example a vertical desk leg or a horizontally extending bar along the side 
of the desk may suffice, and such construction is included within the 
definition of vertical side surface as used in the claims. Alternatively, 
a spacer may be placed between the desk and lower horizontal computer 
receiving surface 107, for example a telescoping spacer, to prevent 
non-horizontal displacement. 
In an alternate embodiment, a side view of which is shown in FIG. 5, the 
system includes clamp 401, which is secured by wing nut 402 to vertical 
connecting portion 109. Clamp 401 may be positioned to engage the 
underneath surface 403 of desktop 404. As shown in FIG. 6, clamp 401 may 
include slot 405 so that clamp 401 may be secured to desktops of various 
thicknesses. 
It will be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary, and 
that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own 
implementations that incorporate the principles of the present invention 
and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.