GB2166943A - Computer work station - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer workstation or security enclosure 10 is provided for housing a computer 12, such as a microcomputer. A disc drive unit 14 is also mountable within the work station, and a monitor 16 may be mounted on top of the work station. A front access door 18 is openable to permit the computer to be extended to its in-use working position. The door 18 is lockable. The computer is mounted on slide rails whereby it is freely movable to and from its working position. The lock for the work station is arranged to prevent closure of the door, except when locked, whereby the unlocked condition is clearly evident. The enclosure 10 may be secured to a desktop by nuts and bolts which can only be unfastened from within the enclosure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Computer work station This invention relates to computerworkstations or enclosures for computers such as microprocessors or home computers.

A problem which arises in relation to microcomputers and like apparatus concerns security. In recent rimes, large numbers of microcomputers have been installed in colleges and schools, and it has been found that these are very susceptible to theft, and some means is greatly needed to reduce the losses of such equipment.

it has been proposed to provide a security device for certain electronic equipment in which two frames are provided, oneto be secured to the electronic apparatus and the otherto a desk or other relatively immovable article, and a releasable lock is provided to secure the two frames together. This device provides a degree of security but is rather cumbersom and really fails to provide a computer work station in the sense that the computer itself, togetherwith any ancillary apparatus is leftfully exposed and visible in its place of work sothat itis unprotected from dust, spillages and impacts. Moreover, no convenient provision is made for a monitor on which the work in progress can be viewed.

Various general kinds of security devices exist of course, including electronic type wire sensing devices as used in retail shops for preventing theft, and indeed conventional lockable safes. Neither ofthese ade quately meet the requirements of computer users, especially in schools where there is a need forthe apparatusto be readily and quickly accessible and usuable, neat and tidy when not in use, readily stored away in a secure condition and which, even when exposed to a sustained attempt at theft, can resist such to a substantial degree.

An object of the present invention is to provide comp.uterworkstation orcomputersecurityhousing offering improvements in relation to one or more of the matters discussed above, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a computer work station comprising a lockable enclosure having releasable access means whereby a computer housed therein is readily movablefrom within to its use position.

Preferably, releasablefastening means is provided forsecuring the enclosureto a fixture, such as a bench, said fastening means being releasable only from within said enclosure. For example, said fastening means may comprise coach bolts orthe like of which the domed or otherwise smooth heads are exposed on the underside of the bench, andthe screw threaded ends and nuts are located within the computer housing.

Said access means preferably comprises a hinged front door for said enclosure. Thefront door may serve as a support for the computer in the in-use position ofthe latter.

Means is preferably provided for indicating when the enclosure is in its locked or released condition.

Said means may comprise a stop to prevent complete closure of said door except in the locked condition of the latter. Said means may be provided in the form of a cam orthe like associated with the lock, whereby the door is held in at least a partially open condition.

Where the access door is hinged, the mounting of the hinge is preferably recessed whereby the hinge pin is shielded by an adjacent portion ofthe enclosure to hinder extraction ofthe pin.

Preferably, means is providedforsecuring a computerto said enclosure. Said means mayitmprise a slidable support on which the computer can be partially withdrawn from the enclosure, said support being secu red to the enclosure. The support may be mounted on rails. The enclosure may be provide with releasable locking means wherebythe computer can be released from the enclosure. Such release would normally be needed onlyfor maintenance and the like.

A fu rther preferred feature is that said enclosure comprises a top surface providing a mounting for a computer monitor.

In an embodiment described belowthere is provided a permanent bench-mounted and lockable computer work station which is designed to prevent unauthorised access to a portable computer housed therein, and its associated disc drives and second processor, teletext adaptor or cassette machine, whilst supporting a monitor on top.

The invention also provides apparatus-comprising any novel feature or concept or novel combination of features or concepts disclosed herein.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspectiveviewofacomputerwork station with a front access door open and the computer, associated equipment and monitor not yet installed; Fig. 2 shows the work station of Fig. 1 with the electronic equipment installed; Fig. 3shows afrontviewofthe apparatus of Fig. 2 with the computer brought forward to its in-use position; Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the work station with the front access door open; Fig. 5 shows a view on the iine V in Fig.4; Fig. 6 shows a rear elevation view of the work station; Fig. 7 shows a front elevation view of the work station;; Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show details ofa locking cam and an alternative cam forming part ofthe locking mechanism ofthe apparatas.

As shown in the drawings, a computer work station or security enclosure 10 is provided for housing a computer 12 of the kind known as a microcomputer or home computer, such as the model known as the "B.B.C. model B". Also housed within work station 10 is a disc drive unit 14, or otherancillary apparatus, and mounted on top ofthe work station is a monitor 16 for viewing work in progress on the computer.

Fig 2 shows the work station with a front access door 18 open, and Fig. 3 s hows the apparatus with the computerextendedto its in-use working position.

From the position shown in Fig. 3, the computer can be readily slid back into the work station and access door 18 closed and locked by means of a key operated lock 20, whereupon the computer and disc drive are secure against theft.

Details ofthe construction of station 10 will now be described.

Work station 10 comprises a generally rectangular housing 22 formed from mild steel and comprising a top wall 24, a bottom wall 26, and side walls 28,30.

Access door 18 is mounted by means of a piano type hinge 32which is located within the front edge of housing22,wherebythe hinge pin isshieldedfrom removal for purposes of theft.

A staple 34 secured to doorl8co-operateswith lock 20 which has a locking cam 36 formed with a retaining detect 38 which enters staple 34 in the locked condition ofthe apparatus.

Itwill be seen from Fig. 4that cam 36 is positioned and of such a size that, except when staple 34 is received behind detect 38, the staple will engage the periphery ofthe cam and prevent closing of the door, wherebythe unlocked condition ofthe apparatus will be clearly apparent at a glance.

A shelf 40 is provided between side walls 28 and 30 to carry disc 14 or associated equipment. A rear plate 42 is welded between side walls 28,30 to prevent withdrawal ofthe equipmentfrom the rearwhile leaving openings 44,46 atthe rearforfree entry of air for ventilation.

To retain the computerwithin housing 22, even when access door 18 is open, there is provided a second lock48 which comprises aturnable locking member 50 which, except when turned by means of a key, provides a detent engagable with the computer itself orwith structure secured thereto, whereby removal ofthe computer is prevented.

As shown in Fig. .6 there are provided two slide rails 52,54 on which a tray (not shown) mayfreely slide within housing 22. The tray is securely fastened to the underside ofthe computer and includes an abutment engagablewith locking member 50 to prevent removal ofthe computer, as described above.

To preventtheft ofthe entire work station in its locked condition, there are provided coach bolts 56, 58,60 and 62 whereby the work station is secured to a bench top 63, or other work surface or relatively immovable object 5fixture. twill be noted thatthe heads 64 ofthe bolts are exposed whereas the threaded shanks 66 on which nuts are received are within housing 22. The heads have associated square section shank portions which preventturning ofthe bolts and thus removal of the bolts is only possible from within the housing.The work station is prefer ably secured to a benchatalocationsothatthefront edge of access door 18 is aligned with and directly above the front edge of the bench.

In use, computer apparatuswithin thework station isbroughtintc use merely byunclocking lock20, opening door 18, pulling outthecomputertothe position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon work can immediately commence. Atthe end of such work, the above sequence of operations is reversed.

Once the door 18 has been locked,the apparatus within housing 22 cannot be removed eitherfrom the front orthe back, nor can the workstation be removed from the bench.

Itwill be appreciatedthatthe above embodiment provides a computer work station providing a secure housing for the expensive electronic apparatus. The housing provides a mounting for a monitor and allows immediate use ofthe apparatus on unlocking.

Moreoverthe apparatus is shielded from dust and the like and cannot be made to appearto be locked when it is not.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative locking cam profile which could be used in place ofthatof Fig. 8.

Many modifications could be made in the above embodimentwhile remaining within the scope of the invention, including alternativetray and guide rail arrangements, details of the locking apparatus, and of the internal shelf.

Claims (16)

1. A computerworkstation comprising a lockable enclosure having releasable access means whereby a computerhousedtherein is readilymovablefrom within to its use position.

2. Acomputerworkstation according to claim 1 wherein releasable fastening means is provided for securing the enclosure to a fixture, such as a bench, said fastening means being releasable only from within said enclosure.

3. Acomputerworkstation according to claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises coach bolts orthe like, of which the domed or otherwise smooth heads are exposed on the underside of the bench, and the screwthreaded ends and nuts are located within the computer housing.

4. Acomputerworkstation according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said access means comprises a hinged front doorfor said enclosure.

5. Acomputerworkstation according to claim 4 wherein said front door serves as a supportforthe computerinthe in-use position ofthe latter.

6. A computer work station according to any one ofthe preceding claims comprising meansfor indicat ing when the enclosure is in its locked or released condition.

7. Acomputerworkstation according to claim 6 wherein said means for indicating comprising a stop to prevent complete closure of said door exceptin the locked condition ofthe latter.

8. A computer work station according to claim 7 wherein said means for indicating is provided in the form of a cam orthe like associated with the lock, wherebythe dooriseheld in at least a partially open condition.

9. Acomputerworkstation according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein an access doorto the computerworkstation is hinged, the mounting ofthe hinge being recessed, wherebythe hinge pin is shielded by an adjacent portion of the enclosure to hinder extraction ofthe pin.

10. A computerworkstation according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means for securing a computerto said enclosure.

11. A computer work station according to claim 10 wherein said means comprises a slidable support on which the computer may be partiallywithdrawnfrom the enclosure, said support being secured to the enclosure.

12. A computer work station according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said support is mounted on rails.

13. A computer work station according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein releasable locking means is provided whereby the computer can be released from the enclosure.

14. A computer work station according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said enclosure comprises a top surface providing a mounting for a computer monitor.

15. Acomputerworkstation according to claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Acomputerworkstation constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.