Patent Publication Number: US-10761562-B2

Title: Accessory storage system for computers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, the provisional patent application entitled “Storage System For Computer Monitors”, filed Apr. 3, 2014, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 61/974,874 and naming Israel Schwartz, the named inventor herein, as sole inventor, the contents of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates in general to accessories for computer monitors. In particular, the present invention relates to a storage tray that is attached to a lower edge of a monitor, and includes both an integral storage compartment and one or more removable containers that attach to the storage tray. 
     Background of the Invention 
     There is typically a shortage of space in work environments for a variety of items that often clutter the surface of a desk. Often, items are scattered such that they may be difficult to locate when needed. It would be desirable to have a convenient storage area for small items such that they would be easy to locate when needed, while at the same time being kept off of the surface of a desk. 
     While the prior art has provided basic notice to vehicle drivers of a temporary change in speed limits and other events, it has failed to provide a proactive system that can inexpensively and conveniently notify the driver of the reduced speed limit even if the driver is not paying attention to the signage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides an attachable storage system that is secured to a computer monitor. The system includes a tray that extends across the lower edge of the monitor and one or more detachable storage compartments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of a first embodiment of a storage tray that secures to a monitor: 
         FIG. 2  presents a front view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 : 
         FIG. 3  presents a side elevation view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the storage tray is secured to a computer monitor; 
         FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of another embodiment of a storage tray that secures to a monitor, 
         FIG. 6  presents a front view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents a side edge view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  presents an isometric view of the storage tray originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the storage tray is secured to a computer monitor; and 
         FIG. 9  presents a front isometric view of a storage container that attaches to the storage trays of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of a first exemplary storage tray  100 , where the storage tray  100  is configured to be secured to a monitor  300  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The storage tray  100  includes a front wall  102 , a bottom wall  103 , a rear wall  104 , and an attachment wall  105 , where an attachment surface  105   a  of the attachment wall  105  is secured to the bottom of a monitor via an adhesive, double stick tape, etc. The front wall  102 , the bottom wall  103 , and the rear wall  104  are formed as a unitary structure having a form of an extruded U shape. The front wall  102  and the bottom wall  103  are contiguous with and transition between one another, and the bottom wall  103  and the rear wall  104  are contiguous with and transition between one another collectively forming the U shape. The storage tray  100  provides a storage compartment  109  for storing articles. The storage compartment  109  is partially defined by a interior surface  103   a  of the bottom wall  103  and an interior surface  104   a  of the rear wall  104 . Details of the storage compartment are described in  FIG. 3 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable method of securing the storage tray  100  to a monitor can be used. The attachment wall  105  extends substantially perpendicular from an upper, free end of the rear wall  104 . In the exemplary illustration, the attachment wall  105  cantilevers forward from the upper, free end of the rear wall  104 . 
     The storage tray  100  can be fabricated from any suitable material, and can be formed using any suitable manufacturing process, including extruding, molding, etc. 
       FIG. 2  presents a front view of the storage tray  100  originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; the illustration showing a storage tray  100  that secures to the monitor  300 . The figure shows the storage compartment  109 , the front wall  102 , the rear wall  104 , and the attachment surface  105   a  of the attachment wall  105 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a side edge view of the storage tray  100  originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; the illustration showing the front wall  102 , the bottom wall  103 , the rear wall  104 , and the attachment wall  105 . The illustration best presents the storage compartment  109 . The storage compartment  109  is defined by the interior surface of the storage tray  100 , including an interior surface  102   a  of the  102  an interior surface  102   a  of the front wall  102 , the interior surface  103   a  of the bottom wall  103 , and the interior surface  104   a  of the rear wall  104 . The attachment surface  105   a  of the attachment surface  105  of the first exemplary storage tray  100  is formed along a substantially horizontally oriented plane. 
       FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of the storage tray  100  attached to the monitor  300 . The monitor  300  can be any commercially available monitor  300 , wherein the monitor includes a display  310  supported by an enclosure  312 . The enclosure  312  includes a lower enclosure surface or monitor lower edge  314 . The attachment surface  105   a  of the storage tray  100  is attached to the lower enclosure surface  314  of the monitor  300 . 
       FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of another embodiment of a storage tray  200  that secures to a monitor  300  ( FIG. 4 ). The storage tray  200  and the storage tray  100  include a number of like elements and like structure. Like elements of the storage tray  200  and the storage tray  100  are numbered the same, where the elements of the storage tray  200  are preceded by the numeral “2”. This storage tray  200  includes a front wall  202 , a bottom wall  203 , a rear wall  204 , and an attachment wall  205  having an attachment surface  205   a  that secures to a rear  320  ( FIG. 4 ) of the monitor  300 . The attachment wall  205  extends substantially parallel to the rear wall  204  in an upward direction. The attachment wall  205  can be offset from the rear wall  204  by an attachment wall offset member  208 . In the exemplary illustration, the attachment wall  205  is offset from the rear wall  204  by an attachment wall offset member  208 , where the attachment wall offset member  208  extends rearward from an upper, free end of the rear wall  204  and the attachment wall  205  extends upward from the opposite end of the attachment wall offset member  208 . 
       FIG. 6  presents a front view of the storage tray  200  originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; the illustration showing a storage tray  200  that secures to the monitor  300 . The exemplary illustration shows the front wall  202 , the storage compartment  209 , and the attachment surface  205   a  of the of the attachment wall  205 . The distinction between the attachment wall  205  of the second exemplary storage tray  200  and the attachment wall  105  of the first exemplary storage tray  100  is that the attachment wall  205  of the second exemplary storage tray  200  is vertically oriented, whereas the attachment wall  105  of the first exemplary storage tray  100  is horizontally oriented. The attachment wall  205  extends substantially parallel to a free end of the rear wall  204 . 
       FIG. 7  presents a side edge view of the storage tray  200  originally introduced in  FIG. 5 ; the illustration showing the front wall  202 , the bottom wall  203 , the rear wall  204 , and the attachment wall  205  front wall  202  and the attachment wall  205 . The illustration best presents the storage compartment  209 . The storage compartment  209  is defined by the interior surface of the storage tray  200 , including an interior surface  202   a  of the front wall  202 , the interior surface  203   a  of the bottom wall  203 , and the interior surface  204   a  of the rear wall  204 . The attachment surface  205   a  of the attachment surface  205  of the second exemplary storage tray  200  is formed along a substantially vertically oriented plane. 
       FIG. 8  presents an isometric view of the storage tray  200  attached to the monitor  300 . The enclosure  312  includes a lower enclosure surface or monitor lower edge  314  and a lower region of a rear surface. The attachment surface  205   a  of the storage tray  200  is attached to the lower region of the rear  320  of the monitor  300 . 
       FIG. 9  presents an exemplary storage container  400  that attaches to the storage tray  100 ,  200  of  FIGS. 1-7 . The storage container  400  includes a storage cup  410  and an attachment clip  412 . The storage cup  410  can take any suitable shape. Likewise, the attachment clip  412  is intended to slidably attach to the front wall  102 ,  202  of the storage tray  100 ,  200 , such that it can be easily positioned by the user. 
     As can be seen, the invention provides multiple ways in which items can be conveniently stored until needed. 
     While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The types of materials used can vary, the method of attachment can vary, etc. Therefore, the invention shall be limited solely to the scope of the claims.