Computer components adjustable between storage and use configurations

Abstract

A computer arrangement with an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The computer arrangement can include an enclosure, and a support arm can be extendably and retractably retained relative to the enclosure. A monitor and a keyboard can be retained relative to the support arm. The keyboard can be removably coupled to a support unit, and there can be an electrical association between the keyboard, the support unit, and a further computer component, such as a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit. The monitor and keyboard can be components of a laptop computer, and the support unit can comprise a cradle. The support unit can be manually or automatically pivotable between storage and use configurations.

1 . An arrangement for rendering a computer component adjustable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the arrangement comprising: 
 a support member;    means for retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member; and    means for enabling an extension and retraction of the support member;    whereby a computer component can be disposed in an extended configuration for enabling usage thereof and in a retracted configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the means for retaining at least one computer component comprises a means for retaining a computer monitor in relation to the support member for extension and retraction with the support member.  
   
   
       3 . The arrangement of  claim 2  wherein the means for retaining at least one computer component further comprises a means for retaining a computer keyboard for extension and retraction with the support member and the computer monitor.  
   
   
       4 . The arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the means for retaining a computer keyboard comprises a support unit.  
   
   
       5 . The arrangement of  claim 4  wherein the means for retaining a computer keyboard comprises a means for removably and replaceably retaining a keyboard in relation to the support unit.  
   
   
       6 . The arrangement of  claim 4  further comprising at least one computer component electrically associated with the support unit.  
   
   
       7 . The arrangement of  claim 6  wherein the computer component electrically associated with the support unit is chosen from the group consisting of a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit.  
   
   
       8 . The arrangement of  claim 6  further comprising a means for enabling an electrical association between a keyboard and the at least one computer component electrically associated with the support unit.  
   
   
       9 . The arrangement of  claim 8  further comprising a computer keyboard wherein the computer keyboard is integrated with the support unit.  
   
   
       10 . The arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the means for retaining at least one computer component further comprises a means for retaining a computer mouse for extension and retraction with the support member, the computer monitor, and the computer keyboard.  
   
   
       11 . The arrangement of  claim 4  wherein the support unit is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.  
   
   
       12 . The arrangement of  claim 11  further comprising a means for enabling an automated pivoting of the support unit.  
   
   
       13 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the means for retaining at least one computer component comprises a means for retaining a laptop computer for extension and retraction with the support member.  
   
   
       14 . The arrangement of  claim 13  wherein the means for retaining a laptop computer comprises a cradle with a means for enabling a removable and replaceable retention of a laptop computer.  
   
   
       15 . The arrangement of  claim 14  further comprising a means for enabling an electrical association between the cradle and a laptop computer retained thereby.  
   
   
       16 . The arrangement of  claim 15  further comprising a computer component electrically associated with the means for enabling an electrical association between the cradle and a laptop computer whereby a laptop computer can be derivatively electrically associated with the computer component through the cradle.  
   
   
       17 . The arrangement of  claim 16  wherein the computer component electrically associated with the means for enabling an electrical association between the cradle and a laptop computer is chosen from the group consisting of a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit.  
   
   
       18 . The arrangement of  claim 14  wherein the cradle is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.  
   
   
       19 . The arrangement of  claim 18  further comprising a means for enabling an automated pivoting of the cradle.  
   
   
       20 . The arrangement of  claim 19  further comprising a means for enabling an automated retraction of the support member.  
   
   
       21 . The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising an enclosure wherein the means for enabling an extension and retraction of the support member comprises a means for extending and retracting the support member between an extended position and a storage position within the enclosure.  
   
   
       22 . An arrangement for rendering a computer component adjustable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the arrangement comprising: 
 a support member;    means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member;    means for enabling an extension and retraction of the support member;    at least one computer component electrically associated with the means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member chosen from the group consisting of a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit; and    a means for enabling an electrical association between a removable and replaceable computer component and the at least one computer component electrically associated with the means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member;    whereby a computer component can be disposed in an extended configuration for enabling usage thereof and in a retracted configuration.    
   
   
       23 . The arrangement of  claim 22  wherein the means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component comprises a means for retaining a computer keyboard.  
   
   
       24 . The arrangement of  claim 23  further comprising a means for retaining a computer monitor for extension and retraction with the computer keyboard.  
   
   
       25 . The arrangement of  claim 22  wherein the means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member comprises a support unit that is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.  
   
   
       26 . The arrangement of  claim 25  further comprising a means for enabling an automated pivoting of the support unit.  
   
   
       27 . The arrangement of  claim 22  wherein the means for removably and replaceably retaining at least one computer component comprises a means for removably and replaceably retaining a laptop computer.  
   
   
       28 . A system for retaining a computer arrangement comprising: 
 a support surface;    a support member coupled to the support surface;    means for retaining at least one computer component in relation to the support member; and    means for enabling an adjustment of the computer component between a storage configuration and a usage configuration.    
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the support surface comprises a wall panel.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29  further comprising an enclosure within the wall panel for at least partially receiving the computer component when in a storage configuration.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the means for enabling an adjustment of the computer component between a storage configuration and a usage configuration comprises a means for enabling an extension and retraction of the support member.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising at least one computer component retained relative to the support surface in electrical association with the support member chosen from the group consisting of a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit and a means for enabling an electrical association between a computer component retained relative to the support member and the at least one computer component electrically associated with the support member.  
   
   
       33 . The arrangement of  claim 28  wherein the means retaining at least one computer component comprises a support unit for retaining a computer keyboard.  
   
   
       34 . The arrangement of  claim 33  wherein the means retaining at least one computer component further comprises a means for retaining a computer monitor.  
   
   
       35 . The arrangement of  claim 33  wherein the support unit is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.  
   
   
       36 . The arrangement of  claim 35  further comprising a means for enabling an automated pivoting of the support unit.  
   
   
       37 . The arrangement of  claim 28  wherein the means retaining at least one computer component comprises a cradle for removably and replaceably retaining a laptop computer.  
   
   
       38 . A computer arrangement with an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the computer arrangement comprising: 
 an enclosure;    a support member extendably and retractably retained relative to the enclosure;    means for retaining a computer monitor in relation to the support member;    means for retaining a computer keyboard in relation to the support member;    whereby the computer monitor and computer keyboard can be adjusted between an extended configuration extending at least partially from the enclosure and a retracted configuration disposed at least partially within the enclosure.    
   
   
       39 . The computer arrangement of  claim 38  wherein the means for retaining a computer keyboard comprises a support unit for removably and replaceably retaining a computer keyboard.  
   
   
       40 . The computer arrangement of  claim 39  wherein the support unit is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.  
   
   
       41 . The computer arrangement of  claim 40  further comprising a means for enabling an automated pivoting of the support unit.  
   
   
       42 . The computer arrangement of  claim 38  wherein the means for retaining a computer keyboard comprises a support unit and further comprising a computer keyboard wherein the computer keyboard is integrated with the support unit.  
   
   
       43 . The computer arrangement of  claim 38  wherein the means for retaining a computer keyboard comprises a support unit and further comprising at least one computer component electrically associated with the support unit.  
   
   
       44 . The computer arrangement of  claim 43  wherein the computer component electrically associated with the support unit is chosen from the group consisting of a power supply, a memory drive, and a central processing unit.  
   
   
       45 . The computer arrangement of  claim 43  wherein the computer component is retained relative to the support unit.  
   
   
       46 . The computer arrangement of  claim 43  wherein the computer component is retained relative to the enclosure.  
   
   
       47 . The computer arrangement of  claim 38  wherein the means for retaining a computer monitor in relation to the support member and the means for retaining a computer keyboard in relation to the support member comprise a cradle for removably and replaceably retaining a laptop computer for extension and retraction with the support member.  
   
   
       48 . The computer arrangement of  claim 47  further comprising a means for enabling an electrical association between the cradle and a laptop computer retained thereby.  
   
   
       49 . The computer arrangement of  claim 48  further comprising a computer component electrically associated with the means for enabling an electrical association between the cradle and a laptop computer whereby a laptop computer can be derivatively electrically associated with the computer component through the cradle.  
   
   
       50 . The computer arrangement of  claim 47  wherein the cradle is pivotable between a first, storage disposition and a second disposition.