Patent Abstract:
A computer unit holder for supporting a computer unit under a desk or other work surface is disclosed. The computer unit holder includes a cable that extends downwardly and underneath the computer unit to support it. The cable may be supported by two side panels, one of which includes an adjustment mechanism for changing the length of the exposed cable. One of the side panels may be adjustable toward and away from the other side panel. A movable mount may also be included so that the load of the computer unit will always be centered under the mount.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to electronic unit holding devices, and more particularly to a computer holding unit that is positioned underneath a surface, such as a work surface.  
           [0002]    The use of computers at home and in the office has grown tremendously in the last decade. Currently, computers are often sold with a number of physically separate parts. These typically include a monitor, a keyboard, and a main computer unit. The monitor or display is typically placed on top of a work surface, while the keyboard is either also placed on a work surface or on an adjustable keyboard holder that may be adjustably mounted to the underside of a work surface. The main computer unit is typically a rectangular unit that rests on the floor in a location somewhat removed from the computer monitor. Cables run between the computer monitor, the keyboard, and the main computer unit. The main computer unit typically houses the computer motherboards and daughter boards, memory, and CD ROM and disc drives.  
           [0003]    Oftentimes the placement of the main computer unit on the floor is undesirable. Positioning the computer unit on the floor may subject it to being kicked by the user&#39;s legs, may require the user to uncomfortably bend over to access the computer unit, and/or it may make it very difficult to connect and disconnect the cabling to the computer unit. In order to avoid these and other problems, computer unit holders have been developed in the past. One such prior art computer unit holder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,111 issued to Stewart et al. Prior art computer unit holders such as this one, however, have suffered from various disadvantages. For example, the computer unit holder disclosed in the Stewart patent is essentially made up of a rectangular, rigid body. Such a holding unit often does not perform satisfactorily for computer units that may not be completely rectangularly shaped. In other words, computer units that don&#39;t match the rigid shape of the holding unit disclosed in this patent cannot be held as well by this computer unit holder.  
           [0004]    Prior art computer unit holders have also had other disadvantages. In some cases, the computer unit holder has limited adjustability. The computer unit therefore cannot be easily manipulated while held by the computer holder. This may make the connection or disconnection of cables and cords unduly difficult. Also, this may make other tasks difficult where access to the computer unit is necessary.  
           [0005]    Another difficulty with prior art computer unit holders is the manner in which they support the computer unit. If the computer unit is not centered underneath the mounting portion of the holder, this can create uneven loads on the mounting portion of the holder. This can cause excessive stress either on the mounting portion itself, or the work surface to which the computer unit holder is attached. This can also require the use of higher strength materials and more complex designs for the computer unit holder, which all may tend to increase the overall cost of the computer unit holder.  
           [0006]    Another disadvantage of the prior art computer unit holders is the fact that these holders only function to support the computer unit. Computers are generally expensive pieces of electronic equipment. As such, they can be the targets of theft. Prior art computer unit holders often provide little deterrence against such theft, as they can be easily manipulated so as to release the computer unit mounted therein. The desire can therefore be seen for a computer unit holder that overcomes these and other disadvantages.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved computer unit holder that alleviates many, if not all, of the above-mentioned difficulties. The computer unit holder of the present invention provides theft deterrence, easy adjustability, and centered load support. The computer unit of the present invention also accommodates computer units whose shape is not rectangular.  
           [0008]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer unit holder is provided that includes a base, a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated flexible member. The first side panel is mounted to the base and oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to the base. The second side panel is adjustably mounted to the base and is also oriented generally perpendicular to the base. The first and second side panels are oriented generally parallel to each other. The second side panel is adapted to be moved toward and away from the first panel along the base. The elongated flexible member is mounted to one or both of the first and second side panels and extends away from the first and second side panels in a direction opposite the base. The elongated flexible member has a length sufficient to extend underneath a computer unit positioned underneath the base and between the first and second side panels.  
           [0009]    A computer unit holder according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a base, an elongated flexible member, an adjustment mechanism, and a keyway. The elongated flexible member is supported by the base and is of a length sufficient to extend underneath a computer unit positioned underneath the base. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the distance which the elongated flexible member extends downwardly from the base. The adjustment mechanism includes a lock that is adapted to allow the distance of the elongated flexible member to be decreased, but not increased. The keyway is defined such that it is in communication with the lock. The keyway is adapted to allow a key to be inserted therein and to unlock the lock so that the distance that the elongated flexible member extends downwardly from the base can be increased when a key is inserted in the keyway.  
           [0010]    A computer unit holder according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes an elongated base, an elongated flexible member, and a mount. The elongated base has a top, a bottom, and first and second ends. The elongated flexible member is supported by the base and extends downwardly from the bottom of the base. The elongated flexible member is sufficiently long to extend underneath a computer unit positioned underneath the base. The mount is adjustably attached to the base and positioned on the top side of the base. The mount is adapted to be able to rotate about the base around a substantially vertical axis when the mount is attached to a stationary supporting structure positioned above the base. The mount is further adapted to be adjustably moved along the base toward and away from the first and second ends of the base.  
           [0011]    According to other aspects of the present invention, the elongated flexible member may be a cable. The portion of the cable underneath the first and second side panels, or the base, may be free from any contact with any rigid structures, other than a supported computer unit, so that the cable is free to flex to the shape of the computer unit. The adjustment mechanism may include a circular member attached to a ratchet wheel which is operably connected to a pawl. The mount may be adapted to be supported by an elongated tray that is attached to a support structure wherein the mount can slide back and forth along the length of the tray. The cable or elongated flexible member may include one or more cable guides that contact a portion of the supported computer unit. The base may be constructed of extruded aluminum and the side panels may be constructed of molded plastic.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer unit holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a front, elevational view of the computer unit holder of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3. is an exploded perspective view of the computer unit holder of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of the computer unit holder of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first side panel taken from a first direction;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first side panel taken from a second direction and shown with a ratchet wheel and cover in place;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side, elevational view of the side panel of FIG. 6;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a front, elevational view of the first side panel of FIG. 7;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first side panel illustrating a cable attachment structure;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first side panel;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a ratchet wheel taken from a first direction;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the ratchet wheel of FIG. 11 taken from a second direction;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ratchet handle;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a ratchet cover;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of four cable guides;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a handle;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a perspective, exploded view of various components of a mount;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mounting plate;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a side, elevational view of a mounting bracket;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a first end cap;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a second end cap; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a retainer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    The present invention will now be described wherein the reference numerals appearing in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the several drawings. A computer unit holder  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. Computer unit holder  30  is adapted for mounting to a stationary structure  41 , such as the underside of a desk work surface, or other type of work surface (FIG. 2). Computer unit holder  30  includes a mount  32  which may be directly mounted by fasteners, or otherwise, to the underside of a work surface. Alternatively, mount  32  may be mounted to a tray that is attached to the underside of a work surface as will be described more herein. Computer unit holder  30  includes a cable  34  that extends downwardly from a first and second side panel  36   a  and  b . First and second side panels  36  are mounted on a base  40 . Cable  34  is threaded through four cable guides  38 . Cable  34 , first and second side panels  36 , and base  40  define a boundary around an area in which a computer unit  42  (FIG. 2) may be held. In the example of FIG. 2, computer unit  42  is illustrated as having a rectangular shape. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that computer unit holder  30  can be used with computer units  42  having shapes other than rectangular. By way of a non-exhaustive list of examples, computer unit  42  may be square, have rounded sides, or be completely circular. Additionally, computer unit  42  may be used to house other components besides computer units.  
         [0035]    Computer unit holder  30  can be easily adjusted to accommodate different size computer units. Second side panel  36   b  can be slid along the base  40  in the direction identified by arrow  44  (FIGS. 1 and 2). This sliding movement allows the space between first and second side panels  36   a  and  b  to be altered. Different widths of computer units  42  can thereby be accommodated by computer unit holder  30 . As will be described in more detail below, the length of cable  34  can be adjusted so that the overall size of the computer unit  42  can be varied. Other than a mounting plate  46 , the entire computer unit holder  30  is also pivotable about a vertical axis  48  (FIGS. 1 and 2). This pivoting is facilitated by a handle  60  and allows the computer unit  42  to be rotated to an orientation that is more accessible by the user. This also allows the cable connections that may need to be made to the computer unit, which are usually made on the back of the unit, to be easily made.  
         [0036]    After a computer unit  42  is placed on top of cable guides  38 , the length of cable  34  is shortened until the computer unit is snugly held in place. Second side panel  36   b  is also moved until its inner surface is in contact with the computer unit  42 . In this configuration, computer unit  42  is snugly held in place by computer unit holder  30 . By increasing the tightness of cable  34 , computer unit  42  can be held securely so that it cannot be removed from computer unit holder  30 . In order to remove the computer unit  42 , a key must be inserted into a keyway  50  and manipulated therein so that the length of cable  34  can be increased. Computer unit holder  30  therefore provides a deterrent against theft of computer unit  42 .  
         [0037]    Mount  32  of computer unit holder  30  is also slidable along base  40  in the direction of arrow  44 . Regardless of the width of computer unit  42 , mount  32  can therefore be positioned directly above the center of computer unit  42 . In this manner, the weight of computer unit  42  is directly centered under mount  32 . This decreases the stresses applied to mount  32 , and the stationary structure to which it may be attached. This also simplifies the design and construction of computer unit holder  30 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of computer unit holder  30 . In addition to those components described above, computer unit holder  30  further includes two end caps  52   a  and  b , two ratchet wheels  54   a  and  b , two ratchet handles  56   a  and  b , and two ratchet covers  58   a  and  b . FIG. 3 also illustrates handle  60 , a pawl  62 , the various components of mount  32 , and a plurality of compressible pads  64 .  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 4, base  40  is made up of two base bars  66   a  and  b . Base bars  66   a  and  b  may be made from metal, such as aluminum or other parts. Preferably base bars  66   a  and  b  are extruded, although other manufacturing techniques can be used. Base bars  66   a  and  b  each include a top surface  68 , first and second ends  70   a  and  b , an interior side  72 , and an exterior side  74 . Base bars  66   a  and  b  are arranged so that interior sides  72  face toward each other. Top surface  68  of base bars  66  extends toward interior side  72   a  greater distance than the bottom surface of base bars  66 . This creates a flange  76  that extends outwardly from interior side  72 . Flange  76  includes an underside  78 , which is used to secure mount  32  to base  40  as will be described in more detail herein. First and second ends  70   a  and  b  of base bars  66   a  and  b  each include a pair of screw holes  80 . Screw holes  80  receive screws that are used to secure end caps  52   a  and  b  to each end of base bars  66 .  
         [0040]    Second side panel  36   b  is slidingly mounted on base  40 . Second side panel  36   b  includes a base aperture  82  through which base bars  66   a  and  b  are inserted. A fastener handle  84  is included on second side panel  36   b . Fastener handle  84  fits through an aperture  92  defined in side panel  36   b  and is attached to a threaded shaft inside of a retainer  86 , (FIG. 5). Retainer  86  includes a threaded aperture (not shown) which receives the threaded shaft of fastener handle  84 . Rotation of fastener handle  84  therefore causes retainer  86  to move in one of the directions indicated by arrow  88 , depending upon the direction of rotation of fastener handle  84 . Retainer  86  includes two shoulders  90  which contact underside  78  of base bars  66   a  and  b . When fastener handle  84  is rotated so that retainer  86  moves upwardly toward fastener handle  84 , shoulders  90  will squeeze against underside  78  of base bars  66   a  and  b . By tightening fastener handle  84 , the frictional engagement of shoulders  90  with underside  78  will cause second side panel  36   b  to be locked in a given position along the length of base  40 . Loosening fastener handle  84  will cause shoulders  90  to disengage from underside  78  of base bars  66   a  and  b , thereby allowing second side panel  36   b  to slide along the length of base bars  66 . Preferably, although not necessarily, second side panel  36   b  is slid along base bars  66  and b until it comes in contact with a side of computer unit  42 . Thereafter, fastening handle  84  is tightened so that second side panel  36   b  remains in a position on base  40  in which it is in contact with computer unit  42 . Retainer  86  is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 24.  
         [0041]    Second end panel  36   b  includes an internal bearing member  94 . Internal bearing member  94  extends only part way through base aperture  82 . Each internal bearing member  94  includes a top surface  96 , a side surface  98 , and a bottom surface  100  (FIG. 7). These surfaces provide bearing surfaces that contact base  40  as side panel  36   b  slides back and forth along base  40 . Second end panel  36   b  includes a cylindrical member  102  that surrounds an aperture  104  (FIGS.  5 - 6 ). Cylindrical member  102  includes an exterior surface  106  which provides a bearing surface about which ratchet wheel  54  rotates, as will be described more herein.  
         [0042]    Ratchet wheel  54  includes a gear portion  108  and a cylindrical portion  110  (FIGS.  11 - 12 ). Cylindrical portion  110  includes an outer cylindrical member  112  and an inner cylindrical member  114  that are arranged concentrically to each other. Inner cylindrical member  114  includes an interior surface  116 . Interior surface  116  is made up of an inner portion  118  and an outer portion  120 . The inner portion  118  defines a surface having a smaller radius than the surface defined by outer portion  120 . This difference in radii defines an edge  122  between inner and outer portions  118  and  120 . Edge  122  provides a structure for securing ratchet wheel  54  to side panel  36 . Specifically, side panel  36  includes four flexible tabs  124  positioned generally about the circumference of cylindrical portion  110  (FIG. 5). Flexible tabs  124  each include a sloped surface  126  and a bottom surface  128 . Flexible tabs  124  allow ratchet wheel  54  to be snap-fittingly attached to side panel  36 . As ratchet wheel  54  is placed over cylindrical portion  110 , sloped surfaces  126  contact inner portion  118  of inner cylindrical member  114  on ratchet wheel  54 . Because of the sloped nature of sloped surface  126 , as well as the relative position of flexible tabs  124  with respect to ratchet wheel  54 , flexible tabs  124  are pushed inwardly towards each other as ratchet wheel  54  is pushed on to side panel  36 . When ratchet wheel  54  is completely pushed onto side panel  36 , flexible tabs  124  snap back to their un-flexed position. This is possible due to the greater radius of outer portion  120  as compared to inner portion  118 . When flexible tabs  124  snap back to their un-flexed position, bottom surface  128  of flexible tabs  124  is in engagement with edge  122  of inner cylindrical member  114 . This engagement between bottom surface  128  and edge  122  prevents ratchet wheel  54  from being removed from side panel  36 , unless flexible tabs  124  are manually flexed so that bottom surfaces  128  come out of engagement with edge  122 . Ratchet wheel  54  can thereby be easily and securely fastened to side panel  36  without the use of any separate fasteners.  
         [0043]    As illustrated in FIG. 12, ratchet wheel  54  includes a pocket  130  into which cable  34  is inserted. An enlarged head portion  132  is attached to one end of cable  34 . Head portion  132  has a dimension that is thicker than a neck portion  134  of pocket  130 . Thus, when head portion  132  is inserted into pocket  130 , enlarged head portion  132  cannot travel through neck portion  134 . One end of cable  34  is thereby secured to ratchet wheel  54 . From pocket  130 , cable  34  travels internally through ratchet wheel  54  to an opening  136  (FIG. 11). From opening  136 , cable  34  travels around an exterior surface  138  of outer cylindrical member  112 . Depending on how many times ratchet wheel  54  has been rotated, cable  34  wraps around exterior surface  138  one or more times, or merely contacts a portion of it. The unwrapped portion of cable  34  extends downward from ratchet wheel  54  and out of side panel  36 , where it provides support to the computer unit. Cable  34  travels underneath the computer unit and is mounted around the exterior surface  138  of a ratchet wheel  54  on first side panel  36   a . After looping over the exterior surface  138  of the ratchet wheel  54   a  in first side panel  36   a , the cable exits out of first side panel  36   a  and travels again underneath the computer unit. It continues on up and back into second side panel  36   b . Cable  34  is received in side panel  36   b  in a channel  140  (FIG. 9). Channel  140  extends vertically inside of side panel  36   b  up to an opening  142  at the top end of channel  140 . Opening  142  includes a circular portion  144 , a neck portion  146  and a head portion  148 . The end of cable  34  that is secured in channel  140  also includes an enlarged head portion  132 . Cable  34  is inserted through channel  140  and out of circular portion  144 . The enlarged head portion is then placed back into head portion  148  of opening  142 . Because the enlarged head portion  132  is of a greater dimension than neck portion  146 , cable  34  cannot be retracted out of second side panel  36   b . After cable  34  has been properly threaded through opening  142 , a compressible pad  64  may be placed over opening  142 .  
         [0044]    Ratchet handle  56  is also secured to ratchet wheel  54  in a snap-fitting manner. As illustrated in FIG. 13, ratchet handle  56  includes a plurality of flexible tabs  150 . Each flexible tab  150  includes a sloped surface  152  and a bottom surface  154 . Ratchet handle  56  is secured to ratchet wheel  54  by inserting flexible tabs  150  into respective openings  156  defined in ratchet wheel  54  (FIG. 12). As flexible tabs  150  are inserted therein, sloped surface  152  contacts a side of openings  156  and is flexed radially inwardly. This inward flexing continues until ratchet handle  56  is fully attached to ratchet wheel  54 . At that moment, flexible tabs  150  snap back to their un-flexed position. Bottom surfaces  154  of flexible tabs  150  contact a shoulder surface  158  in this un-flexed position. The engagement of shoulder surface  158  and bottom surface  154  of flexible tabs  150  prevent ratchet handle  56  from being removed from ratchet wheel  54 . Ratchet handle  56  includes a number of external ribs  160  positioned about a cylindrical body portion  162 . Ribs  160  fit in between a plurality of ribs  164  defined on an interior surface of outer cylindrical member  112  of ratchet wheel  54 . The interaction of ribs  160  and  164  ensures that when ratchet handle  56  is rotated, this causes a corresponding rotation of ratchet wheel  54 . The rotation of ratchet handle  56  is facilitated by four gripping surfaces  166 . Gripping surfaces  166  provide a surface for a user to grab a hold of and manually rotate ratchet handle  56 , as well as ratchet wheel  54 .  
         [0045]    Pawl  62  is depicted in FIG. 5 in exploded form. Pawl  62  consists of a first half  168  and a second half  170 . Each half of pawl  62  includes a flexible spring portion  172 , a shaft aperture  174 , and a gripping edge  176 . Shaft apertures  174  are inserted over a pawl shaft  178  defined on second side panel  36   b . Pawl shaft  178  includes an end member  180  that extends radially outward a greater distance than the circumference of the main portion of pawl shaft  178 . In order to insert pawl  62  onto pawl shaft  178 , shaft apertures  174 , which include accommodations for end member  180 , must be properly aligned with shaft aperture  174  and end member  180 . Once inserted onto shaft aperture  174 , pawl  62  is slightly rotated so that end member  180  serves to secure first and second halves  168  and  170  on pawl shaft  178 . When secured on pawl shaft  178 , flexible spring portions  172  contact an upper surface  182  defined on second side member  36   b . Flexible spring portion  172  and upper surface  182  are dimensioned and positioned so that first and second halves  168  and  170  are biased towards and against the teeth of ratchet wheel  54   b . Specifically, gripping edges  176  are biased in between the teeth of ratchet wheel  54 . Because of this biasing, as well as the shape and position of pawl  62 , ratchet wheel  54  is only permitted to rotate in one direction. This direction is one in which cable  34  becomes more and more wrapped around ratchet wheel  54   b . Rotation of ratchet wheel  54   b  in this direction thereby causes the length of the exposed portion of cable  34  to be decreased. This tightens cable  34  against any computer unit  42  that may be positioned inside of and held by computer unit holder  30 .  
         [0046]    First half  168  of pawl  62  includes a keyway aperture  184 . When first half  168  of pawl  62  is positioned on pawl shaft  178 , keyway aperture  184  is aligned with keyway  50  defined in ratchet cover  58 . A user can therefore insert a key through keyway  50  and into keyway aperture  184 . After a key is so inserted, the key can be pivoted so as to exert a force on pawl  62  that moves the griping edges  176  out of contact with the teeth on ratchet wheel  54 . The insertion and manipulation of the key thereby temporarily disengages pawl  62  from ratchet wheel  54 . When so disengaged, ratchet wheel  54  can be rotated in an opposite direction in which the length of the exposed portion of cable  34  can be increased. When a person desires to remove a computer unit from computer unit holder  30 , the insertion of a key into keyway  50 , along with the manipulation of the key, allows more cable to be exposed, thereby creating enough slack so that computer unit  42  can be removed from holder  30 .  
         [0047]    In the illustrated embodiment, keyway  50  and keyway aperture  184  are simply cylindrically shaped. Preferably, although not necessarily, the diameter of keyway  50  and keyway aperture  184  are smaller than a typical pen or pencil, or other readily available office items. In this way, readily available office supplies cannot be used to disengage and remove a computer from holder  30 . While other diameters are possible, keyway  52  and keyway aperture  184  may have a diameter of 2-3 millimeters. The key that is inserted into keyway  52  and keyway aperture  184  may be any rigid, elongated member that has a sufficiently small diameter to fit inside of these apertures. An Allen wrench having a diameter of 2 millimeters is one tool that can be used as a key. Allen wrenches having different dimensions can also be used. Further, other tools besides Allen wrenches can be used as keys. Preferably, although not necessarily, the key has a length of more than two inches. This length provides greater leverage after the key has been inserted into keyway aperture  184 . This greater leverage decreases the amount of force that a user has to exert to overcome the tensioning force of flexible spring portion  172  of pawl  62 .  
         [0048]    Ratchet cover  58  includes two slots  186  that provide an exit for cable  34  as it comes off of ratchet wheel  54  (FIG. 14). Ratchet cover  58  is also snap fittingly secured to side panel  36 . Ratchet cover  58  includes a plurality of flexible tabs  188 . Flexible tabs  188  allow ratchet cover  58  to be snap fittingly secured to side panel  36  in the same manner that the other flexible tabs  124  and  150  do. Flexible tabs  188  fit into corresponding attachment slots  190  defined in side panel  36  (FIG. 9). As flexible tabs  188  are inserted into attachment slots  190 , they flex inwardly. After being fully received in attachment slots  190 , they snap back to their un-flexed position. This retains ratchet cover  58  on side panel  36  and it conceals ratchet wheel  54 . Access to ratchet wheel  54  is not permitted other than through keyway  50 , as has been described above. Ratchet cover  58  further includes a slot  192  defined along the edge of its top surface (FIG. 14). Slot  192  accommodates the end of cable  34  that is secured in opening  142 .  
         [0049]    Side panels  36   a  and  b  may include a number of compressible pads  64  that are positioned to be in contact with a computer held by computer holder  30 . Side panels  36  include an interior surface or side  194  on which three compressible pads  64  may be placed. Compressible pads  64  are secured to side panel  36  by way of a suitable adhesive. In the illustration of FIG. 9, only two of the compressible pads  64  are secured to interior side  194 . The third compressible pad has been removed to illustrate the position of opening  142 . A third compressible pad  64  can be placed over this opening. Side panel  36  also includes a bottom surface  196  on which one or more compressible pads  64  may be placed (FIG. 8). Compressible pads  64  help to prevent scratching or marring of the outer surface of computer unit  42 . They also help provide a frictional grip against computer unit  42  when cable  34  has been tightened.  
         [0050]    Four cable guides  38  are illustrated in FIG. 15. Each cable guide  38  includes a horizontal surface  198  and a vertical surface  200 . Horizontal surfaces  198  and vertical surfaces  200  meet each other at a right angle. A compressible pad  64  may be placed on each surface  198  and  200 . Cable guides  38  each include a corner portion  202 . A channel  204  is defined in corner portion  202 . Cable  34  is threaded through channel  204 . When so threaded, cable guides  38  cannot be removed from cable  34  without removing cable  34  out of channel  204 . Horizontal and vertical surfaces  198  and  200  are adapted to be in contact with the exterior surface of the computer unit held by computer unit holder  30 . Cable guides  38  are thus particularly suited for supporting computer units  42  that have square cornered bottoms. To the extent computer unit  42  does not have a square cornered bottom, computer unit holder  30  can still be used to support the computer unit, either with or without cable guides  38 .  
         [0051]    Computer unit holder  30  may include a handle  60  that attaches to base  40  for facilitating the manipulation of computer unit holder  30  (FIG. 16). Handle  60  may include a circular gripping portion  206  and an attachment portion  208 . Attachment portion  208  includes four flexible tabs  210 . A pair of these flexible tabs  210  are positioned at each end of attachment portion  208 . Flexible tabs  210  include an interior surface  212  that is curved to generally match the curvature of exterior side  74  of base bars  66   a  and  b . Handle  60  is secured to the underside of base  40  by positioning the flexible tabs  210  that are farthest away from gripping portion  206  around the exterior side  74  of one of the base bars  66   a  and  b . Then, the other set of flexible tabs  210  are pushed upwardly against base  40 . This upward movement causes these tabs to flex outwardly and around exterior side  74  of the opposite base bars  66   a  and  b . When pressed fully against base  40 , flexible tabs  210  return to their un-flexed position. Handle  60  is thus secured to base  40 . Removal of handle  60  from base  40  requires the physical manipulation of flexible tabs  210 . Handle  60  is preferably attached to base  40  such that gripping portion  206  extends forwardly from base  40 . That is, gripping portion  206  should be positioned above the front end of computer unit  42 . Handle  60  allows a user to easily pull computer unit holder  30  toward themselves when computer unit holder  30  is mounted in a sliding tray, as will be discussed more below. Further, handle  60  allows a user to easily rotate computer unit holder  30  about vertical axis  48 .  
         [0052]    The various components of mount  32  are depicted in more detail in FIGS. 17 and 18. Mount  32  includes a mount body  214 , a mounting bracket  216 , mounting plate  46 , a plurality of fasteners  218 , and a pair of elongated bearings  220 . Mount body  214  includes a top side  222  and a bottom side  224 . Mount body  214  may be made of a molded plastic material, and include a plurality of internal ribs  226  that facilitate the molding of body  214 , as well as provide it with sufficient structural strength. Mount body  214  includes four fastener holes  228  that receive four bolts  218 , or other suitable types of fasteners. Bolts  218  pass through corresponding fastener holes  232  in mounting bracket  216 . Bolts  218  thus secure mounting bracket  216  to the bottom side  224  of mount body  214 . A plurality of nuts  234  may be inserted into holes  228  to threadingly receive and attach to bolts  218 .  
         [0053]    Mounting plate  46  is secured to the top side of  222  of mount body  214  by way of a vertically oriented bolt that passes through a center hole  236  in mounting plate  46 , as well as a center hole  238  defined in mount body  214 . A nut (not shown) may be used on the bolt, or other type of fastener that is used to secure mounting plate  46  to mount body  214 . A plurality of washers (not shown) may be positioned on the top and bottom sides  222  and  224  as well as on the top of mounting plate  46 . The fastener used to secure mounting plate  46  to mount body  214  may be a pivot bolt having a socket head. The washers used in conjunction with the bolt may be low friction nylon washers, or other similar types of washers. A nut is attached to the bolt and tightened sufficiently to maintain mounting plate  46  to mount body  214 , yet allow mount body  214  to rotate with respect to mounting plate  46 . This rotation takes place about vertical axis  48 , which passes through center holes  236  and  238 . Thus, mounting plate  46  will remain in a stationary orientation when mount body  214 , as well as the rest of computer unit holder  30 , is rotated about vertical axis  48 .  
         [0054]    Plate  46  may be attached to a stationary structure  41  in at least two different manners. As illustrated in FIG. 18, mounting plate  46  includes four fastener apertures  240 . Screws may be inserted through fastener apertures  240  and drilled directly into the underside of whatever stationary structure computer unit holder  30  is to be mounted to. When computer unit holder  30  is mounted in this manner, the holder is only capable of rotational movement. Linear movement of the holder is not permitted. Linear movement, however, can be permitted by use of a sliding tray  242  (FIG. 18). Sliding tray  242  includes a top wall  244  in which a plurality of fastener apertures  246  may be defined. Fastener apertures  246  receive screws, or other types of fasteners, that are used to stationarily secure sliding tray  242  to the underside of stationary structure  41 . Sliding tray  242  includes two side walls  248  and two horizontal flanges  250 . Side walls  248  are horizontally spaced apart slightly greater than the horizontal extent of mounting plate  46  to thereby allow mounting plate  46  to be inserted between side walls  248 . Horizontal flanges  250  extend inwardly toward each other a sufficient distance such that, when mounting plate  46  is positioned between side walls  248 , horizontal flanges  250  prevent mounting plate  46  from falling out of sliding tray  242 . Mounting plate  46  can thus slide linearly within sliding tray  242  in a direction parallel to arrow  252  (FIG. 18). The length of sliding tray  242  can be made to any desirable length. This length will determine the degree of linear movement of computer unit holder  30 . In some situations it may be desirable to move computer unit  42   a  great distance underneath a desk, or other stationary structure, when it is not in use. In such situations, a longer sliding tray  242  can be utilized. When a user desires to utilize computer unit  42 , he or she can grab handle  60  and pull computer unit holder  30  toward themselves. This movement will be accommodated by the sliding of mounting plate  46  in sliding tray  242 .  
         [0055]    In order to facilitate the sliding movement of mounting plate  46  in sliding tray  242 , four bearing mount holes  254  are provided in mounting plate  46  (FIG. 18). Bearing mount holes  254  are dimensioned and configured to receive bearing members, which may comprise elongated strips of tough, flexible plastic material, which preferably have a low coefficient of friction. Bearing mount holes  254  are particularly suited to receive the type of bearings that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,127 issued to Vander Heide et al., and identified therein by reference numeral  80 . The disclosure of this Vander Heide et al. patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.  
         [0056]    Mounting bracket  216  includes a pair of upper arms  256  and lower arms  258  (FIG. 19). A downwardly depending flange  260  is positioned at the end of each of upper arms  256 . Elongated bearings  220  (FIG. 17) fit onto each of flanges  260 . Elongated bearings  220  are preferably made of a relatively low friction, plastic material. They are dimensioned to be frictionally retained on flanges  260 . The undersides of elongated bearings  220  contact, and slide along, top surfaces  68  of base bars  66   a  and  b , when computer unit holder  30  is fully assembled. Elongated bearings  220  generally prevent scratching between mounting bracket  216  and base bars  66 , both of which may be manufactured of extruded aluminum. Lower arms  258  of mounting bracket  216  include an upper, roughened surface  262 . Surface  262  contacts the underside of base bars  66   a  and  b . The roughened nature of surface  262  helps prevent mounting bracket  216  from sliding too easily along the length of base bars  66 . This sliding movement of mounting bracket  216  along base bars  66  allows a user to position mount  32  precisely above the center of computer unit  42 . This ensures that the loads and stresses placed on mount  32  will generally be uniform. This allows computer unit holder  30  to be more solidly and securely attached to the stationary structure  41 .  
         [0057]    Base bars  66   a  and  b  are secured together in spaced relation by a pair of end caps  52   a  and  b  (FIGS. 22 and 23). Each end cap  52  includes a pair of fastener holes  264 . Screws, or other types of fasteners, are inserted through fastener holes  264  and into screw holes  80  defined in base bars  66   a  and  b . End caps  52  are thereby secured to base bars  66   a  and  b . End caps  52  maintain base bars  66   a  and  b  in a spaced relationship by way of separator portions  266 . Separator portions  266  fit between each of the base bars  66 . Separator  266  has an exterior surface  268  that is shaped generally to match the shape of interior side  72  of base bars  66 . End caps  52  further include a number of ribs  270  that fit in between corresponding ribs defined along base bars  66 .  
         [0058]    Retainer  86  is depicted in more detail in FIG. 24. Retainer  86  includes shoulders  90  that contact the underside  78  of flange  76  of base bars  66 , as has been described previously. Retainer  86  includes a central aperture  87  that receives a fastener from either fastener handle  84 , or another type of fastener. A nut  272  may be used to secure the fastener to retainer  86 . In the illustrated embodiment, second side panel  36   b  includes a fastener handle  84  that is received in central aperture  87  of retainer  86 . First side panel  36   a  is illustrated as simply using a screw, or other type of fastener, to secure first side panel  36   a  to base  40  by way of retainer  86 . First side panel  36   a  therefore remains stationary along the length of base  40  in the illustrated embodiment. The spacing between first and second side panels  36   a  and  b  is therefore most easily adjusted by loosening fastener handle  84  and moving second side panel  36   b . If desired, computer unit holder  30  could be manufactured to include two fastener handles  84 , one on each of first and second side panels  36   a  and  b . Movement of only a single side panel  36 , however, is sufficient to provide all the necessary adjustability to computer unit holder  30 .  
         [0059]    While the foregoing description of side panels  36  has primarily been specifically directed to second side panel  36   b , the construction of first side panel  36   a  is identical to second side panel  36   b  in all respects but one. The one difference is that first side panel  36   a  does not include a pawl  62 . Rotating ratchet wheel  54  in first side panel  36   a  therefore does not alter the length of the exposed portion of cable  34 . The rotation of ratchet wheel  54   a  simply has no effect. Adjustments to the length of the exposed portion of cable  34  are made solely by way of ratchet wheel  54   b  and second side panel  36   b . The two ends of cable  34  are secured in second side panel  36   b , while cable  34  is simply looped over ratchet wheel  54   a  in first side panel  36   a.    
         [0060]    As has been discussed previously, base  40  and mounting bracket  216  may be manufactured from extruded aluminum. Side panels  36   a  and  b  may be constructed entirely from plastic. Pawl  62 , ratchet wheels  54 , ratchet handles  56 , and ratchet covers  58  may likewise be constructed entirely of plastic. Further, end caps  52 , cable guides  38 , and mount body  214  may also be constructed of plastic. Mounting plate  46  is preferably constructed of steel, or other suitable material. Retainers  86  may also be constructed of plastic.  
         [0061]    While the present invention has been described in terms of the embodiments discussed in the above specification, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the present in invention is not limited to these particular embodiments, but includes any and all modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention that is defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5