Background Art As well known to those skilled in the art, conventional desktop computers and their video monitors are designed to be laid on the top surfaces of desks.

Such a conventional desktop computer and its monitor thus consume a large area on the top surface of a desk, and so they reduce the effective area of the desk and leave only a small effective area on the desk. The conventional desktop computer is thus inconvenient for a user who wants to commonly use the desk while operating the computer or executing paper document work, such as writing a document, on the desk.

Therefore, a user, wanting to use a large effective empty area in addition to a specified area for the conventional desktop computer, is forced to purchase a computer table in addition to a conventional desk, with the desktop computer and its monitor seated on the computer table.

Nowadays, notebook computers are preferably used. Such a notebook computer is compact in size in comparison with the conventional desktop computers, and so it allows a user to use a large effective area on the top surface of a desk even though it is laid on the desk. However, the notebook computers are problematic in that they are so expensive that most people hesitate to purchase them.

Disclosure of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a self-sustaining computer, which is designed to directly stand on a flat bottom, such as a floor, in place of the top surface of a desk.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-sustaining computer, which does not occupy any surface of a separate desk, thus allowing a user to effectively use the top surface of the desk.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a self-sustaining computer, comprising: a computer body having a flat upper surface and a stepped lower surface, with a thin front portion and a thick rear portion being formed by the stepped lower surface, and a plurality of support legs vertically mounted to the stepped lower surface of the computer body and used for supporting the computer body on a flat bottom.

The self-sustaining computer of this invention is thus not necessarily laid on the top surface of a separate desk or a conventional computer table, but is self- sustained on a flat bottom, such as a floor. The self-sustaining computer also allows a user to use the flat upper surface thereof while executing paper document work, such as writing a document, or to lay a video monitor on the flat upper surface thereof.

The self-sustaining computer of this invention further comprises two channeled guide rails extending along opposite sidewalls of the computer body, two keyboard panel support members movably inserted into the channels of the two guide rails at the rear end portions thereof so as to be movable along the channels forward and backward, and a keyboard panel unit seated on the front portions of the two support members.

In the self-sustaining computer of this invention, the keyboard panel unit is normally retracted into a first position under the computer body, and selectively extends from the first position to a second position projected from the front wall of the computer body, when it is desired to use a keyboard held on the keyboard panel unit. The self-sustaining computer is thus convenient for a user.

In the self-sustaining computer, the keyboard panel unit comprises two

second guide rails transversely mounted to the front portions of the two keyboard panel support members and parallely extending while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap, a mouse support panel movably seated between the two second guide rails so as to be linearly movable to the left and right under the guide of the second guide rails, and a keyboard support panel laid on the two second guide rails and used for supporting a keyboard thereon.

In the above self-sustaining computer, it is possible for a user to conveniently use a keyboard laid on the keyboard support panel and a mouse laid on the mouse support panel, with the two panels being movable to the left and right as desired.

The self-sustaining computer of this invention may further comprise one or more document trays hinged to predetermined positions of the upper surface of the computer body using hinge shafts. The document trays are rotatable on the upper surface of the computer body around the hinge shafts, and are used for holding documents thereon. The trays thus enlarge the effective area of the upper surface of the computer body, and are more convenient for the user of the self- sustaining computer.

In the self-sustaining computer with such document trays, a top cover panel may be preferably seated on the upper surface of the computer body. This top cover panel comprises a rectangular flat board, and a spacer mounted to the lower surface of the flat board. When the top cover panel is seated on the upper surface of the computer body, the spacer comes into contact with the upper surface of the computer body to form a horizontal gap between the flat board and the upper surface of the computer body, with the document trays being rotatably seated in the horizontal gap.

In another embodiment of this invention, the self-sustaining computer comprises a computer body having a flat upper surface and a stepped lower surface so as to form a thin front portion and a thick rear portion, a plurality of support legs vertically mounted to the stepped lower surface of the computer body so as to support the computer body on a flat bottom, and a desk panel seated on the upper surface of the computer body.

In this embodiment, the desk panel, laid on the upper surface of the computer body, is preferably used in place of a conventional desk. The size of the desk panel of this embodiment may be changed as desired.

In a further embodiment of this invention, the self-sustaining computer comprises a computer body having a flat upper surface and a stepped lower surface so as to form a thin front portion and a thick rear portion, a desk panel mounted on the upper surface of the computer body, and a plurality of support legs vertically mounted to the lower surface of the desk panel so as to support the desk panel along with the computer body on a flat bottom.

This embodiment is equivalent to an attachment of the computer body to the lower surface of the top panel of a conventional desk. This particularly allows a user to attach a computer to a surplus area of a conventional desk, thereby improving the space efficiency of such a conventional desk and being convenient for the user.

Brlef Descrlptlon of the Drawings The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view, showing the construction of the computer body included in a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the primary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of the self-sustaining computer in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a keyboard panel support member included in the self-sustaining computer according to the second embodiment of this

invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional view, showing a movable engagement of the keyboard panel support member with a channeled guide rail in the self-sustaining computer according to the second embodiment of this invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the self-sustaining computer according to the third embodiment of this invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the self-sustaining computer according to the third embodiment of this invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a top cover panel included in the self-sustaining computer according to the fourth embodiment of this invention; Fig. 12 is a top perspective view of the top cover panel included in the self-sustaining computer according to the fourth embodiment of this invention; Fig. 13 is a sectional view, showing the position of the top cover panel relative to the flat upper surface of the computer body according to the fourth embodiment of this invention; Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard panel unit included in a self-sustaining computer according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer assembled with a rectangular desk panel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrymg Out the Invention Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, showing the construction of the computer body 10 included in a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the computer body 10 of the self-sustaining computer of this invention has a flat upper surface 12 and a stepped lower surface.

The thickness of the computer body 10 varies because of the stepped lower surface of the body 10. That is, the computer body 10 consists of a thin front portion FP and a thick rear portion RP.

The thick rear portion RP of the computer body 10 is suitable for seating a variety of parts of the computer, such as a power supply and a main board, therein.

A plurality of connectors 13a, 13b and 13c, including a variety of input and output ports, are provided at a sidewall 13 of the computer body 10 for connecting the computer body 10 to a variety of peripheral equipments, such as a printer, using cables. Since the connection between the peripheral equipments and the connectors 13a, 13b and 13c is not necessary to be manipulated additionally by a user once the peripheral equipments are completely connected to the connectors 13a, 13b and 13c using cables, the position of the connectors 13a, 13b and 13c on the sidewall of the computer body 10 is convenient for the user.

However, it should be understood that the connectors 13a, 13b and 13c may be set on the rear wall 17 of the computer body 10 in place of the sidewall 13 without affecting the functioning of the present invention.

Since the lower surface of the computer body 10 is stepped to allow the lower surface of the front portion FP of the body 10 to be positioned higher than the rear portion RP, the front portion FP thus forms a recess, receiving the user's legs without interfering with the legs when the user operates the computer while sitting on a chair in front of the computer. The computer of this invention is thus convenient for the user.

A variety of devices, such as a CD-ROM Drive 15a, a Floppy Disk Drive 15b, a power switch, control buttons 15c, are preferably set on the front wall 15 of the front portion FP of the computer body 10.

Since the devices, including the control buttons 15c, are set on the front wall 15 of the computer body 10 as described above, the computer of this

invention is convenient for the user, who operates the computer while sitting on a chair in front of the computer.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the primary embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of support legs 20 are vertically mounted to the stepped lower surface of the computer body 10, and so the computer stands freely on a flat bottom.

That is, the support legs 20 are vertically mounted to the stepped lower surface of the computer body 10 at desired positions, and so the computer stands freely on a desired flat bottom and allows the user to effectively use the flat upper surface 12 of the computer body 10 in place of a conventional desk. The user can use the flat upper surface of the body 10 while writing a document or can lay a video monitor on the upper surface of the body 10 as desired. In addition, it should be understood that the legs 20 may be somewhat freely designed if the legs 20 firmly and stably support the computer body 10 on a desired flat bottom. For example, the self-sustaining computer of this invention may have four legs 20 mounted at the four corners of the body 10. Alternatively, the computer of this invention may have two legs 20 as shown in Fig. 3.

One or more wheels 22 are preferably mounted to the lower end of each leg 20, and so the user easily and freely moves the computer body 10 to a desired position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the primary embodiment are used to designate the same or similar components.

As shown in the drawing, the self-sustaining computer according to the second embodiment of this invention comprises a computer body 10 and a plurality of support legs 20. The computer body 10 of this embodiment has the same shape as that described for the primary embodiment, with a flat upper surface 12 being usable as the top surface of a conventional desk.

Since the lower surface of the computer body 10 is stepped to allow the lower surface of the front portion FP of the body 10 to be positioned higher than

the rear portion RP, the front portion FP thus forms a recess capable of receiving a keyboard panel unit 30, with a conventional keyboard K being seated on the panel unit 30.

In the self-sustaining computer of this embodiment, two channeled guide rails 32 extend along opposite sidewalls of the computer body 10. Two keyboard panel support members 34 are movably inserted into the channels of the two guide rails 32 at the rear end portions thereof so as to be movable along the channels forward and backward. The keyboard panel unit 30 is firmly seated on the front portions of the two support members 34.

As best seen in Fig. 6, each of the guide rails 32 has a U-shaped cross- section and is mounted to a sidewall of the body 10 in such a way that the open side of the rail 32 is positioned toward the sidewall of the body 10. Each of the two guide rails 32 thus forms a channel extending along the sidewall of the body 10. Two or more rollers 34a, rotatably mounted to each of the keyboard panel support members 34, are movably seated in the channel of the guide rail 32. Of course, it should be understood that the shape of the guide rails 32 is not fixed by the above-mentioned design, but may be somewhat freely changed if the guide rails 32 rotatably support the rollers 34a of the support members 34.

As shown in Fig. 5, the support members 34 support the keyboard panel unit 30 relative to the guide rails 32 while allowing the keyboard panel unit 30 to be normally retracted into a first position under the front portion FP of the computer body 10 and to selectively extend from the first position to a second position projected from the front wall of the computer body 10. The two or more rollers 34a, rotatably mounted to each of the support members 34, are movably seated in the channel of each guide rail 32 as described above, and so the keyboard panel unit 30 is movable between the first position under the front portion FP of the body 10 and the second position in front of the computer body 10.

That is, the keyboard panel unit 30, supported on the front portions of the support members 34, is retractable into the position under the front portion of the computer body 10. The keyboard panel unit 30, fully retracted into the position under the front portion of the computer body 10, is shown in Fig. 4.

When the keyboard panel unit 30 is placed at the first position under the front portion of the computer body 10 as shown in Fig. 4, the lower surface of the keyboard panel unit 30 is nearly level with the lower surface of the thick rear portion of the computer body 10.

Of course, the keyboard panel unit 30 may be preferably used for supporting a keyboard K and a mouse M.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard panel unit included in a self-sustaining computer according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, two parallel second guide rails 36a and 36b, individually having an L-shaped cross-section, are transversely mounted to the front portions of the two support members 34 at their end portions. A mouse support panel 31 is movably set between the two second guide rails 36a and 36b so as to be linearly movable to the left and right under the guide of the guide rails 36a and 36b. When it is desired to enlarge the effective area of the mouse support panel 31, the panel 31 extends outward under the guide of the two guide rails 36a and 36b.

In the embodiment of the drawing, the two parallel second guide rails 36a and 36b individually have an L-shaped cross-section as described above.

However, it should be understood that the shape of the guide rails 36a and 36b is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, but may be somewhat freely changed if the guide rails 36a and 36b movably support the mouse support panel 31 so as to allow the panel 31 to be stably movable to the left and right.

A keyboard support panel 33, used for supporting a keyboard thereon, is laid on the two guide rails 36a and 36b. Of course, the shape of the keyboard support panel 33 may be somewhat freely changed, if the panel 33 is supported on the two guide rails 36a and 36b and holds a keyboard thereon.

In the embodiment of the drawing, the keyboard support panel 33 comprises a panel, having a U-shaped cross-section and being movably laid on the two guide rails 36a and 36b in such a way that it opens downwards and is movable to the left and right under the guide of the rails 36a and 36b.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with

the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the primary and second embodiments are used to designate the same or similar components.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the self-sustaining computer, and Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the computer taken along the line A-A of Fig. 7. As shown in the drawings, two document trays 30 and 32 are hinged to predetermined positions of the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10 using two hinge shafts 30a and 32a. Therefore, the two trays 30 and 32 are rotatable on the upper surface 12 around the hinge shafts 30a and 32a. The above documents trays 30 and 32 are used for holding desired documents thereon, and are rotatable between a fully retracted position inside the edge of the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10 and an extended position partially projected from the edge of the upper surface 12.

Therefore, it is possible for the user of the computer to selectively use the document trays 30 and 32 as desired while freely rotating each of the document trays 30 and 32 between the retracted position and the extended position.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the self-sustaining computer according to the third embodiment of this invention. This third embodiment is to provide a structure for rotatably supporting the hinge shafts 30a and 32a of the two document trays 30 and 32 in such a way that the two document trays 30 and 32 are horizontally rotatable around the hinge shafts 30a and 32a. In the third embodiment, two hinge bearings 30b and 32b are vertically mounted to the interior surface of the sidewall of the computer body 10 at opposite positions under the upper surface 12. The two hinge bearings 30b and 32b rotatably receive the two hinge shafts 30a and 32a, thus allowing the two document trays 30 and 32 to be horizontally rotatable around the hinge shafts 30a and 32a. This allows a user to easily and conveniently use the document trays 30 and 32.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer in accordance with the fourth embodiment of this invention. This fourth embodiment is to provide a structure for rotatably supporting the hinge shafts 30a and 32a of the two document trays 30 and 32 in such a way that the two document trays 30 and 32 are automatically rotatable around the hinge shafts 30a and 32a. In the fourth

embodiment, two drive boxes D, individually having a rotating shaft 38 provided with a vertical bearing hole for receiving a hinge shaft 30a or 32a, are mounted to the interior surface of the sidewall of the computer body 10 at opposite positions under the upper surface 12. The rotating shaft 38 of each drive box D is rotatable in conjunction with a drive motor (not shown) set within the drive box D. The two hinge shafts 30a and 32a of the document trays 30 and 32a are fixedly set within the bearing holes of the two rotating shafts 38, thus being automatically rotatable along with the rotating shafts 38 by the rotating force of the drive motors.

The two document trays 30 and 32 are thus automatically rotatable around the hinge shafts 30a and 32a.

When the self-sustaining computer of this invention is provided with the two document trays 30 and 32 on the computer body 10, the two trays 30 and 32 are rotatable on the upper surface 12 of the body 10 between the fully retracted position inside the edge of the upper surface 12 and the extended position partially projected from the edge of the upper surface 12. In such a case, the two document trays 30 and 32 occupy the area of the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10, and so there may be left only a small empty area for a video monitor on the upper surface 12.

Therefore, it is preferable to prepare a separate area for a monitor on the self-sustaining computer when the two document trays 30 and 32 are provided on the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10. In order to accomplish the above object, the self-sustaining computer may be provided with a top cover panel 40 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, showing an alteration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the top cover panel 40. Fig. 12 is a top perspective view of the top cover panel 40. Fig. 13 is a sectional view, showing the position of the top cover panel 40 relative to the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10.

As shown in the drawings, the top cover panel 40 is set on the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10, with horizontal gaps being formed between the top cover panel 40 and the upper surface 12 of the body 10 and receiving the

two document trays 30 and 32 therein. Desired peripheral equipment, such as a monitor or a printer, may be seated on the upper surface of the top cover panel 40.

In the embodiment of the drawings, the top cover panel 40 comprises a rectangular flat board 42 preferably made of a steel plate, and a spacer 44 mounted to the lower surface of the board 42.

The spacer 44, having an I-shaped profile, comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10, when the cover panel 40 is laid on the upper surface 12. The spacer 44 thus supports the top cover panel 40 on the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10, and forms the desired horizontal gaps between the board 42 and the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10. The two rotatable document trays 30 and 32 are seated in the horizontal gaps in such a way that the two trays 30 and 32 are rotatable between the fully retracted position inside the edge of the upper surface 12 and the extended position partially projected from the edge of the upper surface 12.

Of course, it should be understood that the shape and size of the spacer 44 may be somewhat freely designed if the spacer 44 defines desired horizontal gaps capable of allowing the two trays 30 and 32 to be rotatable without interfering with the upper surface 12 of the computer body 10, the board 42, or the spacer 44.

As best seen in Fig. 12, two edge rails 46, individually having a U-shaped profile, are mounted along opposite edges of the upper surface of the top cover panel 40. The two edge rails 46 reinforce the strength of the edges of the cover panel 40 in addition to allowing a user to easily arrange documents on the upper surface of the top cover panel 40.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a self-sustaining computer assembled with a rectangular desk panel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the self-sustaining computer according to the sixth embodiment, a rectangular desk panel 50 is seated on the upper surface of the computer body 10 according to the primary embodiment of Fig. 2. When the rectangular desk panel 50 is seated on the upper surface of the computer body 10, the self-sustaining computer may be usable in place of a conventional desk. In the sixth embodiment, the general shape of the computer except for the desk panel 50

remains the same as that of the computer according to the primary embodiment, and further explanation is thus not deemed necessary.

Of course, it should be understood that the construction of the self- sustaining computer according to the sixth embodiment of Fig. 15 may be altered as desired if the alteration does not affect the functioning of this invention. For example, the legs 20 may be mounted to the lower surface of the desk panel 50 in place of the lower surface of the computer body 10 different from the embodiment of Fig. 15. This alteration is equivalent to an attachment of the computer body 10 of this invention to the lower surface of the top panel of a conventional desk.

This alteration particularly allows a user to have a self-sustaining computer in addition to a desk panel 50 having an enlarged effective area. Of course, the size of the desk panel 50 may be enlarged or reduced as desired.

As described above, the self-sustaining computer according to the present invention comprises a computer body having a flat upper surface and a stepped lower surface, with a thin front portion and a thick rear portion being formed by the stepped lower surface. A plurality of support legs are vertically mounted to the stepped lower surface of the computer body, thus supporting the computer body on a flat bottom, such as a floor. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

IndustrialApplicability As described above, the present invention provides a self-sustaining computer, designed to directly stand on a flat bottom, such as a floor, in place of the top surface of a conventional desk. Therefore, the self-sustaining computer of this invention does not force a user to purchase a separate conventional desk or a separate computer table for seating the computer thereon. The self-sustaining computer of this invention will be preferably and widely usable in a variety of computer-added industries.