The present invention relates to a mobile computer security cart and components therefor for storing and securing computer equipment as well as making such equipment available for usage.
Conventionally, a computer security cart includes a cabinet part with a compartment having one or more shelves and an upper security part with a compartment for containing a display unit (e.g., a computer monitor or display of appropriate depth, a flat panel display and the like) and/or computer and a drawer configured to contain a keyboard. The security arises from the ability to lock one or more of the various drawers or compartments thereby securing the contents.
The upper security part, aside from its sliding drawer, is conventionally made of a one piece construction so as to have a generally L-shape when viewed from the side. Thus, when trying to accommodate the computer security part into a shipping carton, which is generally rectangular or parallelepiped in shape, there is a considerable void forwards of the upright and above the base of the L-shape. Since the shipping cost reflects packaging volume as well as weight, the presence of such a large void within the shipping carton is wasteful. While customizing the carton to the contour of the L-shape would eliminate the void, shipping companies charge a premium for shipping in cartons that are not one of their standard cartons, if they agree to ship the custom carton at all. Further, there is the additional cost of designing and manufacturing custom containers rather than using the standard containers of the shipping companies.
It would be desirable to provide a computer security cart having a combination of features that maximize its usefulness. It would also be desirable to minimize or eliminate the presence of packaging voids during shipment of the computer security cart or its components while employing generally rectangular cartons.
The invention is directed to a component based computer security cart that includes a cabinet configured to accommodate at least one shelf, a platform having an uncovered substantially planar upper surface and an upright suited to accommodate a display unit. The cabinet, the platform and the upright may be configured so that after assembly, the platform rests on a top of the cabinet, the upright being coupled to the platform. Each of the cabinet, the platform and the upright are then secured in position. The cabinet has a front through which a shelf is accessible and has a rear and sides. The upright is positioned in a disassembled condition adjacent to the front, rear or sides of the cabinet while the platform is positioned adjacent the top or bottom of the cabinet.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
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The upper security part 30 includes a platform 32 and an upright 33. The upright 33 may have a door 35 which may optionally include a window 37. The door 35 may also be fitted with a lock 34 for securing the door and any contents stored in the upright (e.g., a display unit or the like). It is understood that a variety of locks, as is as well known in the art, can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The window can be made from variety of materials including but not limited to glass and plastic and can optionally include security features such as laminates and the like. The use of at least a partially transparent window will allow a user to view a display stored in the upright with the door in the closed and/or locked position. The upright may also include a lower opening 39 defining a storage area which may optionally be divided by one or more dividers 41.
The platform 32 may have a drawer 36. The drawer 36 may also be fitted with a lock 31 for securing the drawer and any contents stored in the drawer (e.g., a keyboard, supplies and the like). It is understood that a variety of locks, as is well known in the art, can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The platform 32 has a top surface that includes an uncovered substantially planar surface 38 (i.e., the surface 38 is not completely covered by the upright). The surface 38 may optionally be inclined with respect to horizontal. In this example, the platform 32 and the upright 33 are detached from each other.
For shipping purposes, the upright 33 may be placed to the rear of the cabinet part 20 as shown. The platform 32 may be placed on top of the cabinet part 20 as shown. Suitable packaging materials, such as cardboard, may be placed between the various parts that are positioned adjacent each other to minimize the risk of scratches or damage due to jostling during shipment.
As can be appreciated, the disassembled mobile computer security cart 10 of
After the shipment arrives, the contents are removed to enable assembly of the mobile computer security cart 10 in accordance with
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Further, the cabinet part 20 includes a front, rear, two sides, a bottom and an open top. Within the cabinet, shelving is accessible through the front. The shelving may includes a first shelf 23 (lower) and may optionally include additional shelves (e.g., second shelf 25). The lower shelf 23 may also serve as the bottom of the cabinet part 20. It is to the underside of the lower shelf 23 that the wheels 42 are secured in
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While shipping carton 80 is wider than shipping carton 70, the increase in volume due to this increase is width is considerably less than the volume displaced in the shipping carton 70 due to its increased height over that of shipping carton 80. Thus, from the standpoint of shipping costs, the mobile computer security cart 10 in disassembled condition of
While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.