Abstract:
A device for creating a relatively isolated environment for protecting dangerous and/or fragile components, particularly electrical components, from the surrounding environment. The device will typically include a front member and base member which may be formed as a unitary body. A relatively isolated environment will be formed in the area behind the front member and above the base member and the isolation may be enhanced by placing the device near a wall or partition. The device may also include side members for enhancing the isolation of the internal environment. Openings or slots may be located in any of the members to permit the passage of cables or other tubular objects and also to provide ventilation. Retaining elements disposed on the inside of the base member or front member may be used to retain various components in a desired position. The front member may also include a fan or comfort elements for use as a footrest or cooling device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/597,461, “DEVICE FOR ISOLATION OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS” filed on Dec. 4, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to apparatus for isolation of cables, adapters, power sources, and electronics.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Electrical devices have become nearly ubiquitous in modern society. As technology continues to evolve, more and more electrical devices are purchased and used by consumers in homes, offices, and other environments. By definition, such devices require an electrical power source to operate. Typically the electrical power source will provide power to electrical devices through one or more cables.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, many of today&#39;s electrical devices will also be configured to communicate with other devices. This communication is also typically achieved through the use of cables.  
         [0007]     Although cables are an effective means of transmitting power and/or data signals, they are also vulnerable and hazardous. For instance, where cables are disposed in areas in which contact with an individual or creature or possible, the cable, individual or creature, and connected equipment are all subject to damage due to potential interactions. Furthermore, signal and power transmission through cables may adversely affect nearby equipment. Finally, unintended interactions with cables and other electrical components may result in loss of power to one or more components, with possible undesirable consequences. Accordingly, there is exists a need for a cost-effective device that can provide a desired degree of isolation for such cables, adapters, power sources, and other electrical devices.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one embodiment, the invention comprises a device for providing a degree of isolation for one or more electrical components and/or other potentially hazardous and/or fragile objects. The device includes a front and base member and may also include one or more side members, as well as retaining elements disposed for retaining the electrical components in a desired location within the device.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for manufacturing a device for providing a degree of isolation for one or more electrical components and/or other potentially hazardous and/or fragile objects.  
         [0010]     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the invention, including retaining elements disposed within an internal environment thereof.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the invention, wherein the front member comprises multiple sub-members.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the invention, wherein the front member comprises multiple sub-members.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of the invention, wherein the front member comprises multiple sub-members, one of which has a curved configuration.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  shows one embodiment of the invention in use with a plurality of electric components.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  shows one embodiment of the invention in use with a plurality of electric components.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  demonstrates how one embodiment of the invention might be used to provide relative isolation to a wall outlet.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of the invention wherein a front member is movable relative to a base member.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of the invention, comprising a plurality of openings.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  shows one embodiment of the invention, comprising at least one side member.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  shows one embodiment of the invention, comprising a plurality of slots for the passage of cables and other objects.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  shows one embodiment of the invention, configured to be operatively connected to a wall or other partition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     As used herein, the term “isolation” means an increased state of physical, thermal, magnetic, and/or other form of separation between an object and another object or an environment. Isolation may occur through the provision of a physical barrier and/or the provision of a magnetic, thermal, and/or electrical barrier. “Relative isolation” refers to any change in a level of isolation. Other meanings of the term “isolation” which are not incompatible with the spirit of the invention may also apply. Furthermore, other meanings of the term “isolation” may be implicit in the following description.  
         [0024]     As used herein, “electrical component” means any thing known in the art to carry and/or utilize an electrical signal. Thus, anything that conveys, stores, and/or utilizes electrical power, data, and/or other signals falls within the scope of this term. Such things include, but are not limited to, power outlets, surge protectors, adapters, modems, computers, and cables. Other definitions which do not depart from the spirit of the invention may also apply.  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment the invention comprises a front member  102  and a base member  104 . The front member  102  is operatively connected to the base member  104 . The operative connection between the front member  102  and base member  104  may be of any type known in the art, and the two members  102 , 104  may be formed as a single unitary body. The operative connection between the front member  102  and base member  104  may be configured such that the front member  102  is disposed at any desired angle with respect to the base member  104 , and furthermore may be configured to provide a variable angle (e.g., hinged, etc.) or to be reversible.  
         [0026]     The base member  104  may be of any desired configuration, and need not conform with the front member  102  in terms of depth, width, material, thickness, and/or any in any other fashion. In one embodiment, the base member  104  will have an increased weight to provide an increased stability. In one embodiment, the base member comprises an outlet strip, surge protector, or other electrical component.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment, a bottom surface of the base member  104  will be configured to provide an increased stability on a predetermined substrate. For example, the bottom surface may be coated with a non-skid or cushioning material to prevent undesired displacement.  
         [0028]     In one embodiment an upper surface of the base member  104  will be configured to retain, stabilize, and/or protect one or more objects expected to be disposed thereupon. For example, such a surface may be coated with or comprise a non-skid material, cushioning material, magnetically and/or electrically-shielded material, etc., and may also include one or more retaining elements or connectors therefore, for maintaining a desired position or configuration of objects disposed thereupon. Such objects may include electrical equipment, cables, surge protectors, electrical outlets, modems, and/or any other items.  
         [0029]     The base member  104  may also include one or more holes, which may be threaded to operatively connect a retaining element. As used herein, “retaining element” is used generically to mean any element that is used to fix a component to a surface or to support a component in a relatively fixed location relative to an operatively connected surface. Retaining elements may include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, clips, supports, slots, flexible ties, adhesives, and any other elements or combinations thereof having a similar functionality. Other members may also be configured to operatively connect to retaining elements.  
         [0030]     Furthermore, it may be desirable in certain embodiments to configure a bottom surface of the base member  104  such that it is easily slideable, such that when placed on a substrate it may be more easily positioned. One or more wheels may be operatively connected to the base member  104  to facilitate positioning. In one embodiment, the base member  104  may comprise and/or be coated with a material which will facilitate sliding on a predetermined surface. One or more edges of the base member  104  may also be tapered or otherwise configured such that objects may be disposed upon an upper surface thereof by sliding the base member  104  under any such objects. For instance, the base member  104  may include a tapered edge for sliding under objects disposed on a surface along which the base member  104  is moved.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, it may also be desirable to dispose one or more feet or other such elements on a bottom surface of the base member  104  such that it is elevated and/or stabilized. Elevation of the base member  104  may advantageously allow for greater ventilation, particularly if one or more openings are included in the base member  104 . Such openings, in addition to providing ventilation, may advantageously function as points for operatively connecting retaining elements  107 .  
         [0032]     As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2-3 , the front member  102  may comprise any number of facets and/or sub-members  106 . Any number of sub-members  106  may be used and the operative connection between sub-members  106 , and between sub-members  106  and other members, may be of any type known in the art. Furthermore, The operative connections between sub-members  106  may be of any type known in the art, including but not limited to, formation as a unitary body and hinged and/or reversible connections. Furthermore, each sub-member  106  may be disposed at any angle relative to any other sub-member  106 .  
         [0033]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , sub-members  106  may also have curved surfaces (in any desired dimension). The surfaces of any one or more members  102 ,  104  and/or sub-members  106  may also include a decorative design and/or may include openings for ventilation, for operatively connecting retaining elements, and/or for entry and/or egress of desired objects.  
         [0034]     In various embodiments, one or more desired members  102 ,  104 , and/or sub-members  106 , may include heating and/or cooling elements. Such elements include, but are not limited to, fans. For example, in one embodiment, a fan may be operatively connected to an inner surface of a front member  102 , such that warm or cool air may be displaced by the fan through one or more openings in the front member  102 . Such a configuration advantageously provides heating or cooling to the external environment, and may also advantageously provide ventilation to components located within the internal environment.  
         [0035]     An outer surface of a front member  102  or any sub-member  106  may also include “comfort elements” such as protrusions, dimples, rollers, cushions, or other elements known in the art such that, if positioned in front of a chair, such a surface may advantageously function as a comfortable footrest.  
         [0036]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , in use the invention provides a barrier between an internal environment  108 , to provide a desired type and degree of isolation from an external environment  110 . This isolation advantageously permits the placement of relatively delicate and/or potentially hazardous objects in the internal environment  108  to protect them from factors in the external environment  110  and/or minimize hazardous interactions between them and objects and/or creatures in the external environment  110 . Electrical components, such as electrical outlets, outlet strips, surge protectors, modems, adapters, and/or other electrical devices  112  and/or cables  114  may benefit from such isolation. In use, disposing embodiments of the invention near a wall  116  or other partition, advantageously provides greater isolation of the internal environment  108 .  
         [0037]     As used herein, inner surfaces will face the internal environment  108 , in use. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , one or more inner surfaces of any member may be configured to retain one or more objects in a desired position. Any approach known in the art may be used to retain such objects in any one or more desired locations. Such approaches include, but are not limited to, retaining elements  117 .  
         [0038]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the invention may be advantageously used to provide relative isolation of cables  114 , wall outlets  118 , and/or other potentially fragile and/or hazardous things regardless of whether anything is placed on the base member  104 .  
         [0039]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the operative connection between the front member  102  and base member  104  may include a hinge. Any type of hinge known in the art may be utilized, as well as any configuration which provides the same or a similar function. Such a configuration advantageously permits access to the internal environment  108 . The operative connection may allow any desired range of rotation of the front member  102  relative to the base member  104 . In one embodiment, this range of will be such that the front member  102  may be stabilized by a nearby wall  116  or similar partition when in a raised position, thereby increasing the isolation of the internal environment  108 . In one embodiment, the operative connection between the front member  102  and base member  104  is reversible.  
         [0040]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the invention may be disposed such that gaps will exist along the top  120  and/or side  122  permitting the passage of cables  114  and/or other objects, as well as ventilation. Ventilation may also be provided by the disposition of one or more openings  124  in any one or more members. The openings  124  may also advantageously provide attachment points for stabilizing or retaining elements. Furthermore, in one embodiment a top member (not visible in  FIG. 9 ) may be configured to include slots and/or holes such that cables  114  and/or other objects may pass therethrough.  
         [0041]     Although not required in various embodiments, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the invention may include side members  126  to further isolate an internal environment  108 . One or more edges  128  of the side members  126  may extend rearwardly (relative to the front member  102 ) to any desired extent. In one or more embodiments, it may be advantageous to extend any such edges  128  at least as far as the rearward edge of the base member  104 , thereby providing an increased isolation of the internal environment  108 .  
         [0042]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , one or more slots  130 , holes, and/or other openings may be provided in any member of the invention to provide for the passage of cables  114  and other objects, as well as to provide a desired ventilation. Such slots  130  and/or holes may be configured to frictionally retain an object, such as a cable  114 , thereby advantageously providing for an increased organization and separation of such objects and furthermore facilitating the placement and retention of unneeded lengths of cable within the internal environment  108 .  
         [0043]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the invention may be operatively connected to a wall  116  or other partition such that it is supported in an elevated location, and such that it will provide support for any objects placed on a base member  104  thereof, and/or provide a desired degree of isolation of any cables  114  and/or other objects from an external environment  110 . In one embodiment, operative connection of the front member  102  to base member  104  may be reversible or include a hinge to permit access to an internal environment  108  thereof without requiring detachment from the wall  116  or other partition. In one embodiment, such an operative connection will occur by connecting only the base member  104  to the wall  116  or other partition. In one embodiment, the base member  104  may be operatively connected to one or more suspension members  132 , which in turn may be operatively connected to the wall  116  or partition by any means known in the art. Embodiments of the invention may also be operatively connected to any suitable surface of any desired object.  
         [0044]     The various members described herein may comprise any material or combination thereof known in the art. Any desired member may also comprise an insulating material to provide sound and/or thermal insulation to components disposed within the internal environment. Furthermore, such members may be of any size and/or configuration known in the art, and need not conform in terms of size, configuration, style, dimension, composition, or any other variable, with adjacent members. One skilled in the art will understand that a degree of variability is permitted for aesthetic/decorative and/or design purposes, without departing from the spirit of the invention. In one or more embodiments, members or parts thereof may be transparent or partially transparent to allow for the viewing of objects disposed within the internal environment. In one or more embodiments, members may be configured and/or colored to match a wall or partition so as to be less visibly obtrusive. One advantage of embodiments of the invention is the ability to conceal electronic components which might otherwise be visually displeasing. Accordingly, configuration, coloration, and other aspects of embodiments of the invention may be selected to match those of a nearby wall or partition to more effectively conceal both the electronic components, and the embodiment.  
         [0045]     Embodiments of the invention advantageously decrease the risk of injury from electric components and other objects, while also providing a degree of protection for any such objects from the surrounding environment. Although embodiments may be used in a variety of locations, one particularly advantageous location might be under a desk, where cables and various other electric components are often disposed and may be damaged or rendered inoperative by an individual&#39;s feet, or possibly harm an individual who makes contact with them. Embodiments will also be advantageous in areas where pets and/or children may contact electric components, thereby injuring themselves.  
         [0046]     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.