ADAPTER SUPPORT

Abstract: An adapter support (10) holds a desktop computer enclosure (24) securely in a vertical position on a floor installation. The adapter engages the enclosure footpads (25, 26, 27, 28) and may be alternatively assembled to stabilize the enclosure in the center of a floor, or may be configured to permit installation close to a wall.

Description: This invention relates to an adapter support which may be used to adapt a desktop enclosure for computer components or the like or a housing of a desktop computer, e.g. a PC, respectively, for installation on a floor. From IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 29, no 5, October 1986, pages 1972 - 1974, New York, US there is known a vertical stand assembly for an electronic enclosure such as a personal computer (PC). It includes a cover plate fitting to the bottom of the PC housing and a base pedestal for receiving the cover plate PC housing assembly. It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, effective and versatile adapter support for a desktop enclosure or desktop computer. An adapter support which solves this problem is defined in the appendent claim. The adapter engages footpads of the enclosure, which are attached to the enclosure for desktop installation, and may be configured in two alternative configurations for supporting the enclosure in a mid-floor position, or alternatively, in an against-wall position. The adapter support holds the enclosure securely above the floor level, provides a stable base for enclosure, and presents a low profile to minimize the hazards of tripping. Two embodiments of the new adapter support according to the invention are described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows in a perspective view an adapter support. Figure 2 shows the adapter support of Figure 1 holding an enclosure. Figure 3 and 4 show alternative ways of configuring the adapter support of Figure 1. Adapter support 10 according to the invention includes a first element 11 formed as a closed bent rod. Element 11 includes bight portion 12 formed in a plane and extending upwards, and floor contacting portion 13. Floor contacting portion 13 includes linear portion 14 which is longer than the width of bight portion 12, and stabilizing bends 15 and 16 extending from the ends of linear portion 14. Transition portions 17 and 18 join bight portion 12 and floor contacting portion 13, maintaining the planes of the bight and the floor contacting portions at right angles to one another with linear portion 14 in the plane of the bight portion. Second element 19 is identical to first element 11. First and second spacers 20, 22 having the form of straight rods connect first element 11 and second element 19, providing a bridge therebetween for the support of enclosure 23. Means for affixing the spacers 20, 22 may advantageously be bolts fitting into tapped holes in the ends of the spacers. The use of adapter support 10 to support generally flat desktop computer enclosure 24 in a vertical position of a floor. Enclosure 24 includes pad supports 25, 26, 27, 28, on which the enclosure is supported when it is installed on a desktop. Bight portion 12 of the adapter support is sized to fit snugly between pad supports 27, 28 and spacers 20, 22 are sized to span the width of the enclosure so that the enclosure fits snugly between bight portions of the first and second elements 11 and 19, while resting on spacers 20, 22. The adapter support may be assembled as shown in Figure 3, with the floor contacting portion extending in opposite directions, to stabilize the enclosure in all directions for an installation in the center of a floor area, or it may be assembled as shown in Figure 4 for installation close to a wall.

Claims: An adapter support (10) for adapting a generally flat, desktop enclosure (24) having pad supports (25, 26, 27, 28) on its corners for support in a horizontal position on a desktop, for installation in a vertical position on a floor, said adapter support (10) comprising a first element (11) formed as a closed bent loop of rod, said fist element having an upward bight portion (12) formed in a plane with sides spaced to fit snugly between the pad support of said enclosure, a floor contacting portion (13) formed in a plane with a linear portion (14) longer than the space between the sides of said bight and two stabilizing bends (15, 16) extending from the ends of said linear portion (14) and to the same side of the linear portion (14), two transition portions (17, 18) joining the ends of the stabilizing bends (15, 16) with the ends of the bight portion (12) and holding planes of the bight portion (12) and the floor contacting portion (13) perpendicular to each other with said linear portion (14) in the plane of the bight portion (12), a second element (19) identical to the first element, a first spacer (20) having the form of a straight rod and a length equal to the thickness of said enclosure, and a second spacer (22) identical to the first spacer, including means for affixing said spacers (20, 22) and the first and second elements (11, 19) together in either of a first or a second configuration, the first configuration having the spacers (20, 22) bridging between the first and second elements (11, 19) from positions on opposite sides of said bights (12), and with the floor contacting portion (13) of the second element (19) extending in the direction opposite from the direction in which the floor contacting portion (13) of the first element (11) extends, the second configuration having the spacers bridging between the first and second elements from position on opposite sides of said bights, and with the floor contacting portion of the second element extending in the same direction as that in which the floor contacting portion of the first element extends.

Inventors: LEUNG, SEE C., TEDHAM, THOMAS A.
Applicants: WANG LABORATORIES INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H05K5
IPC codes: H05K5, G06F1, H05K7, F16M11