Patent Publication Number: US-2002011032-A1

Title: Computer-mountable wall assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] (a) Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a computer-mountable wall assembly, and more particularly, to a wall assembly that can save desk space where the computer is normally disposed and used, thereby allowing the user to effectively use the space of the desk.  
       [0003] (b) Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Generally, a modernized office is designed such that a plurality of desks are arranged and partitions are disposed around each of the desks so as not to disturb other workers.  
       [0005] In addition, mobile computers such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants, and hand-held computers have become more popular because of their portability.  
       [0006] However, when such a mobile computer is used on a desk and connected with other peripheral devices, the desk becomes untidy, while reducing the desk space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.  
       [0008] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a computer-mountable wall assembly that can save desk space when the computer is disposed and used, thereby allowing the user to effectively use the space of the desk.  
       [0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a computer-mountable wall assembly comprising a wall member provided with a space for mounting a monitor, and a monitor mountable space defined in the wall member to mount a monitor.  
       [0010] The computer-mountable wall assembly may further comprise a cover hingedly mounted on the wall member to cover a screen side of the monitor mounted on the wall member, and a desk panel hingedly mounted on the wall member.  
       [0011] The wall member is further provided with a space for mounting a computer main body such that a port panel is exposed to an outside.  
       [0012] The cover comprises a panel hingedly mounted on the wall member above the monitor such that the panel can cover at least an upper half of the screen side of the monitor when it is folded on the monitor. A light is mounted on the panel.  
       [0013] The cover may comprise a keyboard hingedly mounted on the wall member such that the keyboard can cover at least a lower half of the screen side of the monitor when it is folded to the monitor.  
       [0014] The wall member comprises a partition, and the monitor is selected from the group consisting of an LCD monitor, a notebook monitor, and a wall-mountable TV. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer-mountable wall assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a computer-mountable wall assembly when a computer is completely received in the wall assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electric connection of an assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a picture illustrating an example office where the present invention is employed; and  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a picture illustrating example furniture where the present invention is employed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     [0021]FIG. 1 shows a computer-mountable wall assembly according to a preferred embodiment.  
     [0022] In this invention, the term “wall” defines all kinds of members which can regarded as a wall, for example, a partition or a wall of furniture; and the term “monitor” includes an LCD monitor, a notebook monitor, and a wall-mountable TV.  
     [0023] In this embodiment, a wall is given as an example of the partition  1 . A desk  3  is disposed in front of the partition  1 . The partition  1  is provided with a space in which a monitor  5  and a main body (not shown) are disposed. The desk  3  may be hingedly coupled to the partition  1  so that it can be foldable to the partition  1 . The monitor  5  is connected to an electric source ( 7  in FIG. 3). A monitor cover  9  for covering at least an upper half of a screen side of the monitor  5  is coupled to the partition  1 . The cover  9  is hinged to the partition  1  above the monitor so that it can be opened by being pivoted upward. Mounted on the interior surface of the cover  9  is a light  13  which is also connected to the electric source, as shown in FIG. 3. The light  13  is designed to be automatically turned On when the cover  9  is opened.  
     [0024] In addition, a keyboard  11  is hingedly coupled on the partition  1  below the monitor  5  such that it can be folded to at least a lower half of the screen side of the monitor  5 . In the case of a notebook computer, a main body of the computer may be installed in the keyboard  11 . Instead of hingedly coupling the keyboard on the partition  1 , it may be detachably installed in a space of the partition so that a user can use the keyboard by detaching and disposing the installed keyboard on the desk  3 .  
     [0025] Preferably, the main body is disposed in the partition  1  such that a main body port panel  15  on which, for example, a computer power switch and serial or parallel ports are provided, is exposed so that peripheral devices can be easily connected to the main body.  
     [0026] In a state where the cover  9  is covering the monitor, when the cover  9  is pivoted upward to expose the monitor screen, the light  13  is turned On (see FIG. 1).  
     [0027] In addition, in a state where the keyboard  11  is folded to the screen side of the monitor  5 , when the keyboard  11  is pivoted downward, the user gains access to the keyboard  11 .  
     [0028] In this state, by turning the switch  15  On, the computer is operated.  
     [0029] After using the computer, by folding the keyboard  3  and the monitor cover  9  on the screen side of the monitor  5 , the monitor is completely covered as shown in FIG. 2, thereby providing a tidy environment around the desk  3 .  
     [0030]FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples where the present invention is applied to a partition and to home furniture.  
     [0031] As described above, since the present invention provides a structure in which a computer or a mobile computer can be installed on a wall member, desk space can be effectively utilized.  
     [0032] In addition, since office space can be saved, office maintenance costs can be reduced.  
     [0033] When the computer is installed in a partition, the computer can be easily moved by moving the partition.  
     [0034] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.