Abstract:
Metallic case by two unit composed made for lodge hardware components with aim complete assembly of PC. The first section is the mainboard location while, the second one contain other removable unit and the starter command. 
     Both of the case can be assembled on office furniture like desk, table ect . . . is possible put combined or separate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved computer case fixed on a desktop of a desk or of a table, and to the piece of office furniture comprising that. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    In the IT (Information Technology) field, specifically in technical assistance, the skilled persons are well aware of the existence of several disadvantages connected to the PC cases available on the market. 
         [0005]    The structure of a PC case is typically a standard shape, and the differences among various models consist almost solely in the design of the front panel. 
         [0006]    One of the most common problem concerns in a PC is its internal hygiene: the fan&#39;s flow, in both directions, brings quite a large amount of dust and impurities inside the case, often causing an incorrect working of all the delicate components. This mostly happens in schools, universities and office environments, where there&#39;s no particular care in daily cleanings. 
         [0007]    The location of the PC case is another common problem: although being comfortable over a desktop or a worktop, it takes up a lot of useful space. If placed on the floor it is not so easily accessible and dust can become a serious concern, causing overheating that may compromise the PC&#39;s components life. 
         [0008]    Various assemblies of computers are known in order to make maximum use of the space available, For example, EP 1462027 discloses a PC housed in an overhead panel, with connectors for data cables, and suspended over an operator&#39;s desk. The desk has a flat horizontal top to hold paperwork and a horizontal ledge at the front to hold the keyboard and the mouse. The computer monitor is mounted on the far side of the table top. Nevertheless this solution requires the use of a suspended panel above the head of the operator which cannot be easily accessed and cleaned. In addition, it is quite bulky and complex in its installation. Also, GB 2344741 describes a drawer type computer mounting system that includes a housing formed of a bottom shell, a top cover shell, a face panel, and two slide rails fastened to opposite vertical side panels of the bottom shell for permitting it to be moved between two slide tracks in a desk. While this solution improves the easiness of the installation of the case it cannot be used in an existing desk and does not help in the maintenance of the PC. In addition it does provide an optimal exploitation of the available space. 
         [0009]    Finally, the European patent application EP 1 825 777 A1 from the same applicants offers a valuable solution providing a computer case comprising two separated box shaped elements connected therebetween, containing different components of a PC, and fixed underneath a desktop with guides, so as to allow the box shaped elements to slide as a drawer. 
         [0010]    Although this solution is advantageous in offering a good exploitation of space, it can be improved in its design, in particular for the sake of an easier and more effective manufacturing. 
         [0011]    Hence, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a computer case apt to be placed in a position allowing to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The afore-mentioned problems are solved by a computer case comprising a first unit and a second unit, the first unit housing internal peripherals and comprising a front panel with power switches and the second unit comprising a main box housing a power supply unit and a motherboard, said front panel and main box being separated by means of dividing panel, the computer case further comprising a single lid closing both the main box and the front panel, said lid comprising guides that can be fixed below a desktop of a piece of furniture so as to allow the whole structure to be pulled out like a drawer. 
         [0013]    Moreover the invention is also directed to a piece of furniture comprising a computer case fixed underneath a desktop, said computer case comprising a first unit and a second unit, the first unit housing internal peripherals and comprising a front panel with power switches and the second unit comprising a main box housing a power supply unit and a motherboard, said front panel and main box being separated by means of dividing a panel, the computer case further comprising a single lid closing both the main box and the front panel, said lid comprising guides fixed below the desktop so as to allow the whole computer case to be pulled out like a drawer. 
         [0014]    The case is formed by two metallic units made for lodging hardware components with the aim of a complete assembling of PCs. In the first unit is located the mainboard and the power supply unit while, the second unit contains other removable units and a starter command. 
         [0015]    The case can be assembled on office furniture like a desk, table, etc., although it may be either combined or separate. 
         [0016]    More precisely, the invention&#39;s subject consists of the application of the Personal Computer under the desktop or worktop of office desks, tables etc . . . In that way it is possible to make optimal use of unemployed spaces and to keep a work station and equipment clean. 
         [0017]    Also, among other advantages this case, which can contain standard components, allows to avoid further costs. 
         [0018]    Over a six-month test, no substantial failures occurred in the case. 
         [0019]    The case according to the present invention avoids the use of high-miniaturized elements which are too expensive, delicate and less durable for daily use. 
         [0020]    The production of our case does not entail any troubles because it can produced with laser technology allowing extreme precision in sheet-steel cutting. The folding, without use of a curling-die, can be obtained by laser-cut bi-dimensional moulds which are started by oleodynamic low-pressure jacks, in order to preserve the sheet-steel integrity. 
         [0021]    All the parts can be joined by electric pressing or by rivets, but we avoided this in order to guarantee a total and easy disassembling of parts for maintenance, cleaning etc. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an axonometric view of the complete cover unit, closed, equipped with standard 5.25″, slot, 3.5″ slot, fan, power supplies, input and output for fast peripheral, USB connectors, arranged for future connections. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the structural components of the cover unit. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the inner removable components for the maintenance end fixing of the elements of the PC: mainboard, 3.5″ unit, 5.25″ unit, switches, additional cards etc . . . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of Section A. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic section showing the components as in  FIG. 1 , and the locking device of removable parts. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the assembled components. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the rear closing of the lid. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the fixing system under the worktop (right side). 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of Section B. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a schematic section of the switches box, lights and locking device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of Section C. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a schematic section of the plugging area of side additional connections, and the plastic external panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    In  FIG. 2  the main box  1  comes with four standard size openings, like all PC cabinets: a slot  21  for fan 120×120 mm, with fixing holes  39 , opening  22  for power supplies with fixing holes, slots  23 ,  24  for external peripherals plugging. 
         [0035]    Screws  28  for sealing of a front panel  2  and of a diving panel  5 . 
         [0036]    Threading holes  29  for fixing screws to part  6 . 
         [0037]    The front panel  2  is arranged with a single slot to host, with internal fixing, the standard internal peripherals: two 5.25″ slots  26 , two 3.5″ slots  31 , switches and lights  52 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , in the slot  25  there is a card  43 , for quick access connections. This card  43 , is screwed on the brackets  32  by means of screws  45 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 12 . This card is available in a variety of choices. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom part  4  and part  12  are both screwed under the front panel  2 , as appears in  FIG. 5 , with detail in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the dividing panel  5 , is placed between the main box  1  and the front panel  2 , and fixed by screws  36 , shown in  FIG. 5 , through the screws holes  28 . 
         [0041]    The grid  37  contains a dust-proof, replaceable filter. 
         [0042]    The slots  38  allows to place flat cables for connecting internal peripherals  26 ,  31  and switches and lights  42  to the mainboard and to the power supplies unit in the main box  1 . 
         [0043]    The rear panel  96  hosts a slot  30  for a fan (80×80 mm or 90×90 mm), and screw holes  39  for fan fixing. 
         [0044]    Another central screw  40 , shown in  FIG. 7 , allows to fix the lid  3  to the rear panel  6 . 
         [0045]    The internal removable components, for replacement and maintenance are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    A component  8  holds the mainboard, and additional compatible cards. The component  8  is also supplied with two strengthening elements  51  fixed below by rivets along dotted lines, so as to avoid any bending of the component, damaging the mainboard. The screw holes  48  allow the fixing of most popular mainboards on the market. 
         [0047]    The component  9  comes with two supports  10  for screwing of standard power supplies  39 , shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]    The tongues  18  and the threaded hole  20  allow a box fitting  11 , by a screw through a hole  19 . 
         [0049]    The box  11  can contain three 3.5″ internal units. 
         [0050]    On the front panel  2  there is the base  12  fixed on component  4 , as displayed in  FIG. 6 . The base  12  can host two components  13 , fixed by screws, through holes  19 . Each component  13  allows the fixing of one 5.25″ unit, by means of screws through standard holes  41 . Eventually, the tongues  18  of the component  12  are inserted in the openings  17  of parts  13 ,  14 , by means of screws through holes  19  in the screw-cuttings  20 . 
         [0051]    The component  14  supports two 3.5″ units. 
         [0052]    The section of  FIG. 5  shows the outcome of groove-and-tongue joint of the components  1 ,  8 ,  9 ,  5  and  6 . 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 10 , the switches and lights panel  42  are joined inside holes  27 , which holes are made on two tongues obtained on the front panel  2 , as specified on the schematic section of  FIG. 10 , and on the Section “B” of the plan view of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  highlights the fixing system on the whole structure under the worktop. 
         [0055]    The two tracks  7 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , are fixed under the worktop by screws  50  through holes  33 . The guides  16  are fixed on tracks  7  with a C-shaped profile. The pins  15  run through the tracks  7 , and are fixed to the lid  3 . The lid  3  holds the whole structure, as displayed in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0056]    The whole structure can be pulled out just like a drawer. The components  1  and  2  can be separately reversed, to meet the environmental needs where the case will be mounted. 
         [0057]    Reversibility of component  2  is obtained by twisting it around 180° on plan and by twisting the component  12  180° on base plane. 
         [0058]    Reversibility of component  1  is obtained by turning it around 180° on base plane.