1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switch, and in particular it relates to rack-mounting a combined KVM switch with a monitor, a keyboard, and a pointing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many computers capable of performing general purpose and specialized tasks require a computer room with raised flooring and air conditioning. Because such computer room space is quite expensive, more of such computers can be accommodated in the room if mounted in a rack. Having a separate video display, character input device, and pointing device for each computer is impractical and wastes valuable computer room space. Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switches allow a single console (or a few), each including a video display, a character input device such as a keyboard, and a pointing device such as a mouse to communicate with a plurality of computers. Behrens et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,034) describes a KVM switch fully integrated with a console, eliminating the separate storage of, and the separate access to, the KVM switch and attached console. Behrens et al. also describes mounting the integrated KVM switch with console on a rack by means of a pair of sliding rails attached to the rack. A user slides the console on the rails out of the back of the rack from a storage position to an open position extending out of the rack, and slides it back in for storage.
The present invention is directed to a rack-mounted KVM switch with console that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a rack-mounting structure for a KVM switch with console that is easy and convenient to use, easy to assemble and reduces manufacturing cost.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a combined keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch and console device adapted for rack mounting, which includes: a KVM switch module adapted to be fixedly mounted on one or more posts of a rack; a monitor for displaying video signals; and an input module for generating input signals, wherein a first one of the monitor and the input module is pivotally attached to the KVM switch module, wherein a second one of the monitor and the input module is pivotally attached to either the KVM switch module or to the first one of the monitor and the input module, and wherein the monitor and the input modules are electrically connected to the KVM switch module. In one embodiment, the monitor is pivotally attached to the KVM switch module by a first set of one or more hinges and the input module is pivotally attached to the monitor by a second set of one or more hinges. Optionally, a first locking mechanism releaseably locks the input module to a horizontal position, and a second locking mechanism releaseably locks the monitor to a vertical position.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a console device for a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch adapted for rack mounting, which includes: a base adapted to be fixedly mounted on one or more posts of a rack; a monitor for displaying video signals; and an input module for generating input signals, wherein a first one of the monitor and the input module is pivotally attached to the base, wherein a second one of the monitor and the input module is pivotally attached to either the base or to the first one of the monitor and the input module, and wherein the monitor and the input modules are electrically connected to the base. In one embodiment, the monitor is pivotally attached to the base by a first set of one or more hinges and the input module is pivotally attached to the monitor by a second set of one or more hinges. Optionally, a first locking mechanism releaseably locks the input module to a horizontal position, and a second locking mechanism releaseably locks the monitor to a vertical position.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch device, which includes: a KVM switch module; and a console pivotally and electrically connected to the KVM switch module, wherein the console includes a monitor and an input module, wherein the monitor and the input module are both pivotable with respect to the KVM switch module.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
a and 1b illustrate a combined KVM switch with console according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a rack in a first configuration.
a through 6b illustrate the combined KVM switch with console mounted on the rack in a second through a sixth configuration, respectively.
a and 8b are perspective views of the input module in a locked position with respect to the KVM module.
a and 9b are perspective views of the input module in an unlocked position.
a and 10b are perspective views showing a second locking mechanism of the console.
a is an assembled view and
a-1 to 12d-2 illustrate the state of the second locking mechanism when the monitor is in various positions.
As required, detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the present invention. The following presents a detailed description of the preferred embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings.
a through 6b illustrate a combined KVM switch with console according to one embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a rack in six of the many possible configurations.
At the rear of the KVM module 11 inside the rack are connectors 16 (see
In the first configuration, as shown in
a and 2b show the console 10 rack-mounted with the input module 13 still locked in the horizontal plane and the monitor 12 swiveled up vertically, until it becomes substantially perpendicular to the input module 13. In this second configuration the open console 10 could be fully used by a user standing in front of it. The user may lift the monitor 12 from its position shown in
In
From the configuration in
In
In
The monitor 12 is electrically connected to the base 21 and/or KVM switch 20 by short and/or flexible cables. The input module 13 is electrically connected to the monitor 20 by conductors and/or flexible cables inside the hinges 24, so that electrical signals are transmitted between the base 21/KVM switch 20 and the input module 13 via the monitor 12.
As shown in
When both release assemblies 19 are pulled toward the user using the knobs 26, the springs 29 can be retracted sufficiently to remove the pins 31 from the holes 25.
a to 12d-2 illustrate a second locking mechanism 40 for the console 10 that locks the position of the monitor 12 with respect to the base 21 or the posts 102. The second locking mechanism 40 is optionally provided in addition to the first locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism locks the input module 13 to the base 21 at a horizontal position; the second locking mechanism 40 locks the monitor 12 to the base 21 at approximately vertical angles. If the second locking mechanism 40 is not provided, the monitor 12 can be maintained at a desired angle with respect to the input module 13 by the friction in the hinges that join the monitor 12 and the input module 13. Providing the second locking mechanism 40 can help lock the position of the monitor 12 even when the input module 13 is being rotated.
As shown in
a-1 is a top view and
When the monitor 12 is at a position where it is not locked by the second locking mechanism 40, the monitor 12 can be maintained at a desired angle by the friction in the hinges that join the monitor 12 and the input module 13.
From the horizontal position, the monitor 12 can continue to rotate downwards to a dropped vertical position (see
While the structure of the second locking mechanism 40 is described in considerable detail, the second locking mechanism may be implemented by other suitable structures, so long as it can lock the monitor near the raised vertical position and/or dropped vertical position. More generally, the second locking mechanism has a lock member that interferes with the rotation of the monitor to lock the monitor at desired positions, and a release member that clears the interference to permit the monitor to rotate.
Compared to the sliding method of rack mounting a console integrated with KVM switch as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,034, the mounting structure according to embodiments of the present invention eliminates the need for sliding rails, reducing the cost as well as the risk of malfunction of the KVM switch and the console due to the sliding motion. The mounting structure is easier to assemble, and also provides more flexible configurations of the monitor and the input module. In particular, it allows the monitor to be in a viewable position even when the rack door is closed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the monitor 12 is pivotally attached to the base 21 and the input module 13 is pivotally attached to the monitor. Alternatively, the input module 13 may be pivotally attached to the base 21 and the monitor 12 may be pivotally attached to the input module 13. As another alternative, the monitor 12 and the input module 13 are each pivotally attached to the base independently.
In the illustrated embodiment the monitor 12 is electrically connected to the base 21 and/or KVM switch 20 directly and the input module 13 is electrically connected to the monitor 13. Alternatively, the input module 13 may be electrically connected to the base 21 and/or KVM switch 20 directly and the monitor 12 may be electrically connected to the input module 13. As another alternative, both the monitor 12 and the input module 13 may be electrically connected to the base 21/KVM switch 20 independently.
In addition, although the illustrated embodiments show a rack-mounted integral device that includes both the KVM switch and the console (the monitor and the input module), the invention may also be a rack-mounted console alone, without the KVM switch. In this case the console has a base that is mounted on the rack, and the KVM switch may be located near or at a distance from the console.
Moreover, although the embodiments are illustrated in an environment where the KVM switch and the console are rack mounted, the invention also covers integrated KVM switch and console that are not rack mounted. The KVM switch disclosed in the embodiments of the invention may be referred to as “foldable rack-mounted KVM” or “foldable LCD KVM”.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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