Hanging support basket for computers

A computer user station includes a support member. A monitor and a keyboard are supported on a first surface of the support member. A computer chassis is mounted in a frame. The frame includes a mounting portion attached for mounting the computer chassis to a second surface of the support member in a suspended position. A security portion of the frame secures the frame to the computer chassis. The security portion also functions as a back support for a back surface of the computer chassis which is cradled in the frame in a tilted-back position.

BACKGROUND 
The disclosures herein relate generally to computer systems and more 
particularly to a hanging basket for supporting a computer from the 
underside of a support surface. 
A desktop computer comprises three major components which include the main 
computer chassis, a monitor and a keyboard. Typically, the main computer 
chassis is mounted on the desktop. The monitor is usually seated on the 
main computer chassis for the purpose of raising the monitor to a more 
compatible eye-level height. The keyboard is placed on the desktop in 
front of the main computer chassis. In addition, a mouse is usually 
positioned on a mouse pad located adjacent the main computer chassis and 
keyboard on the desktop. All of these components take up a significant 
amount of space on the desktop. 
In order to reduce the amount of desktop space required by the footprint of 
the computer chassis, the chassis has been mounted on one end, in an 
upright position. This has been done on the desktop and on the floor under 
the desk. When placed on the floor, the computer chassis is exposed to a 
new and problem prone environment. The floor-mounted chassis is very 
susceptible to picking up unwanted dirt and debris. Also, the chassis is 
often bumped or jarred by being accidentally kicked by computer users or 
by cleaning crews and the equipment used for cleaning the surrounding 
floor areas. In addition to being accidentally abused, floor mounted 
computer chassis are intentionally misused as foot rests and even as 
support for storing other objects. 
Computer stands have been developed which can support a computer chassis 
and/or monitor on the desktop and for supporting the computer chassis on 
the floor. These stands, however, do not always solve the desktop space 
problem and do not eliminate the problems associated with floor mounted 
chassis. Also, no security methods or devices are typically offered with 
such stands to deter theft or vandalism. 
One approach to providing a desktop computer stand is described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,943,019. This device comprises a support frame for supporting a 
computer and its accessories comprising a base frame assembly and an upper 
frame assembly, each having two side rails and two end rails defining a 
respective peripheral frame, retaining means on each peripheral frame to 
retain a computer or a computer accessory against being dislodged when 
supported by the base or upper frame assembly, and two carry handle 
assemblies which join the rails of the base frame and upper frame 
assemblies and retain them horizontal, each handle assembly having a 
handle which extends outwardly away from sides of both the base and upper 
frame assemblies. 
Therefore, what is needed is a support for a computer chassis that removes 
the chassis from the desktop and the floor environments and also provides 
a security feature to deter theft and/or vandalism. 
SUMMARY 
One embodiment, accordingly, provides a support for a computer chassis 
which is mounted to the underside of a support such as a work station or 
desktop so as to remove the computer from the desktop and floor 
environments. To this end, a computer support includes a frame for 
supporting a computer chassis, a mounting portion attached to the frame 
for mounting the frame in a suspended position to a support surface, and 
means for securing the frame to the computer chassis. 
A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the computer chassis is 
removed from the desktop and floor environments but is supported at the 
work station near the monitor and keyboard, and is also secured to the 
support to deter theft and vandalism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In one embodiment, computer system 10, FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor 
12, which is connected to a bus 14. Bus 14 serves as a connection between 
microprocessor 12 and other components of computer system 10. An input 
device 16 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide input to 
microprocessor 12. 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 device 18, which 
is coupled to microprocessor 12. Mass storage devices include such devices 
as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and 
the like. Computer system 10 further includes a display 20, which is 
coupled to microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22. A system memory 24 
is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with fast 
storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor 12. 
It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be 
deployed between the components described above and microprocessor 12 to 
facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. 
A computer chassis support 26, FIG. 2, comprises a frame 28 which includes 
a mounting portion having a first main support 30 and a second main 
support 32. Main support member 30 is generally U-shaped including a base 
member 31 and a pair of side members 33a, 33b. Main support 30 is adjacent 
an opening 34 and has a first length L1, FIGS. 3 and 4. Main support 32, 
FIG. 2, is generally U-shaped and includes a base member 35 and a pair of 
side members 37a, 37b and is positioned adjacent a back support 36 
(discussed below) and has a second length L2, FIGS. 3 and 4, greater than 
first length L1. 
Main support 30 FIGS. 2-4 includes a pair of attachment feet 38a, 38b, each 
being at a terminal end of side members 33a, 33b, respectively. The 
attachment feet 38a, 38b extend outwardly from the U-shaped support 30 at 
about a 90.degree. angle relative to the side members 33a, 33b. Each of 
the attachment feet 38a, 38b include a fastener loop 39a, 39b, 
respectively, formed therewith. Main support 32 includes a pair of 
attachment feet 40a, 40b, each being at a terminal end of side members 
37a, 37b, respectively. The attachment feet 40a, 40b, extend inwardly 
toward the U-shaped support 32 at about a 90.degree. angle relative to the 
side members 37a, 37b. Each of the attachment feet 40a, 40b, include a 
fastener loop 41a, 41b, respectively, formed therewith. 
Frame 28, FIG. 2, also includes a first reinforcing support 42 and a second 
reinforcing support 44. First reinforcing support 42 interconnects side 
members 33a and 37a. Second reinforcing support 44 interconnects side 
members 33b and 37b. Second reinforcing support 44 also extends to form a 
back support 36 and extends further to form a bottom support 46 which 
interconnects base members 31 and 35. Back support 36 comprises a security 
portion including a U-shaped security loop 36a formed therein. 
A computer user station 60, FIG. 6, includes a desk or table 62 including a 
first surface 64 supporting display or monitor 20, and input device or 
keyboard 16. Frame 28 is mounted to a second or underside surface 66 of 
table 62 for supporting a computer chassis 50. Attachment of frame 28 to 
surface 66 is accomplished by using standard fasteners such as screws 68, 
or the like, which are inserted through fastener loops 41a, 41b and 39a, 
39b, see FIG. 2. With frame 28 secured to user station 60 as described, 
the longer length L2 of main support member 32, FIG. 3, causes bottom 
support 46 to slant downwardly from main support member 30 at a slight 
angle .theta. Computer chassis 50 is inserted into open end 34 of frame 
28, FIG. 7, and rests in frame 28 at angle .theta. tilted away from open 
end 34, FIG. 8. A back 52 of chassis 50, including port connections 59, 
rests against back support 36, FIG. 9. A padlock 54 is inserted through 
security loop 36a and through a chassis padlock loop opening 56 in chassis 
50, thus securing chassis 50 to frame 28. Due to the position of the 
inwardly turned attachment feet 40a, 40b, FIG. 2, it can be appreciated 
that it would be difficult to insert and align a tool to access and remove 
screws 68 from frame 28 when computer chassis 50 is mounted therein. 
In operation, standard fasteners are used, e.g. screws, to secure the 
attachment feet to the underside of the support surface such as the 
workstation desk or table. The computer chassis is inserted into the 
opening of the frame and rests therein in a tilted back position so that 
the chassis back surface, including the port connections, is engaged with 
the back support of the frame. This positions the chassis padlock loop 
adjacent the security portion of the back support. The padlock is used to 
attach the computer chassis to the frame. 
Removal of the padlock permits the computer chassis to be removed from the 
frame. Also, the fasteners can be removed to separate the frame from the 
support surface only after the chassis is removed. This is because some of 
the fastener loops of the attachment feet are positioned such that they 
are substantially inaccessible for alignment by a tool, e.g. as a 
screwdriver or the like, when the computer chassis is secured in the 
frame. 
As it can be seen, the principal advantages of these embodiments are that 
the computer support frame removes the computer chassis from the desktop 
and from the floor while storing the chassis at the user station 
conveniently close to the monitor and keyboard. Having the chassis removed 
from the desktop provides more available desktop work surface because the 
footprint of the chassis is substantially greater than the footprint of 
either the monitor or the keyboard. 
Having the chassis removed from the floor removes the chassis from the dirt 
and debris of the floor environment. Also, removal of the chassis from the 
floor will avoid exposing the chassis to being inadvertently kicked or 
bumped by people or cleaning equipment, and will avoid exposing the 
chassis to intentional misuse as a footrest or a storage shelf. 
Another advantage is that the chassis sits in the computer support frame at 
an angle so that the chassis is tilted away from the opening in the frame. 
This limits the possibility that the chassis can or will be able to slide 
out of the frame. The support frame, being open to airflow, does not 
impede the flow of cooling air around and through the computer chassis. 
A further advantage is that the computer chassis can be secured to the 
frame by a padlock or the like. Furthermore, the attachment feet are 
located on the frame in such a way that, when the computer chassis is 
mounted in the frame, it is extremely difficult to access the fasteners 
which secure the frame to the support surface to which it is attached. 
As a result, one embodiment provides a computer support which comprises a 
frame for supporting a computer chassis. The frame includes a mounting 
portion attached thereto for mounting the frame in a suspended position 
from a support surface such as the underside of a desk or the like. The 
frame also includes a security portion for securing the frame to the 
computer chassis. 
Another embodiment provides a computer system comprising a chassis, a 
microprocessor in the chassis, an input coupled to provide input to the 
microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the 
chassis, a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller, 
and a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of 
computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis. A frame is 
provided for supporting the computer chassis. The frame includes a 
mounting portion attached thereto for mounting the frame to the support 
surface in a suspended position. The frame also includes a security 
portion for securing the frame to the computer chassis. 
A further embodiment provides a computer user station comprising a support 
member, a monitor and a keyboard supported on a first surface of the 
support member, a computer chassis, and a frame supporting the computer 
chassis. The frame includes a mounting portion attached thereto for 
mounting the frame to a second surface of the support member in a 
suspended position. The frame also includes a security portion for 
securing the frame to the computer chassis. 
An even further embodiment provides a method of supporting a computer 
chassis at a user station. A plurality of reinforcing ribs are attached to 
a plurality of main supports to form a frame. A plurality of attachment 
feet are formed on the frame. A security portion is formed on the frame. 
The attachment feet are attached to suspend the frame from the user 
station. A computer chassis is then inserted into the frame so that a 
surface of the computer chassis is adjacent the security portion for 
subsequent attachment thereto. 
Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide 
range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the 
foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the 
embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. 
Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed 
broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments 
disclosed herein.