Mobile storage and computer cart

Abstract

A mobile storage and computer cart having a wheeled base, a storage section supported by the base and including one or more drawers, computer mounting structure for mounting a computer above the storage section, and a locking structure for the storage section. The locking structure includes a lock that is operable to release the drawers. The locking structure is adapted to automatically lock an open drawer when such drawer is closed.

1 . A mobile storage and computer cart, comprising: 
 a wheeled base;    a storage section supported by the base and comprising one or more drawers;    computer mounting structure for mounting a computer above the storage section; and    a locking structure for the storage section comprising a lock that is operable to release the drawers, the locking structure adapted to automatically lock an open drawer when the drawer is closed.    
   
   
       2 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mounting structure comprises a locking cover for selectively overlaying at least a portion of the computer.  
   
   
       3 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mounting structure comprises a cable that can be selectively placed and secured over a portion of the computer.  
   
   
       4 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the locking structure is adapted to lock all of the drawers unless the lock is unlocked.  
   
   
       5 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 4 , wherein the locking structure comprises a lock that is turned from a locking to an unlocking position to release the drawers.  
   
   
       6 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 5 , wherein the locking structure further comprises a mechanical structure that releasably engages with all of the drawers and is operatively coupled to the lock.  
   
   
       7 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 6 , wherein the mechanical structure comprises a locking bar that is engaged with all of the drawers unless the lock is unlocked.  
   
   
       8 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 7 , wherein the locking structure further comprises an urging member coupled to the lock to return the lock to the locking position when the lock is not held in the unlocking position by the user.  
   
   
       9 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mounting structure comprises at least a first essentially horizontal shelf.  
   
   
       10 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 9 , wherein the computer mounting structure further comprises a second essentially horizontal shelf spaced from and below the first shelf.  
   
   
       11 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 10 , wherein the second shelf is hingedly connected to the first shelf.  
   
   
       12 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 11 , wherein the computer mounting structure further comprises one or more standoffs between the first and second shelves.  
   
   
       13 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 12 , wherein the hinged connection is located where the standoffs contact the second shelf.  
   
   
       14 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 9 , wherein the computer mounting structure further comprises a mechanical structure coupled to the first shelf and extending between the two shelves and above and near one side of the first shelf, to create space for a device to fit between the shelves.  
   
   
       15 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 14 , wherein the device is the display portion of the laptop computer.  
   
   
       16 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 15 , wherein the laptop computer also has a base portion to which the display portion is hingedly attached, and the base portion sits on the first shelf.  
   
   
       17 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 14 , wherein the mechanical structure comprises a bar that sits on the second shelf.  
   
   
       18 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 17 , wherein the bar is releasably couplable to the second shelf.  
   
   
       19 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 17 , wherein the bar defines two projecting lobes extending above the first shelf.  
   
   
       20 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 19 , wherein the bar further defines an intermediate section between the lobes that extends down to the second shelf.  
   
   
       21 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mounting structure further comprises a tray for a computer keyboard.  
   
   
       22 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 21 , wherein the tray comprises a retractable mouse-holding portion.  
   
   
       23 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mounting structure further comprises a tablet computer holder.  
   
   
       24 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 23 , wherein the tablet computer holder comprises one or more structures that releasably capture the tablet computer.  
   
   
       25 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 24 , wherein the tablet computer holder comprises structures that overly at least three edges of the tablet computer when the tablet computer is on the tablet computer holder, at least one of which comprises a movable protruding section that can be moved to overly an edge of the tablet computer.  
   
   
       26 . The mobile storage and computer cart of  claim 25 , wherein the tablet computer holder further comprises a device for locking the protruding section in place while it overlies the edge of the tablet computer.  
   
   
       27 . A mobile storage and computer cart, comprising: 
 a wheeled base;    a storage section supported by the base and comprising one or more drawers;    computer mounting structure for mounting a computer above the storage section, and comprising at least a first essentially horizontal shelf; and    a locking structure for the storage section comprising a lock that is turned from a locking to an unlocking position to release the drawers, the locking structure adapted to automatically lock an open drawer when the drawer is closed, wherein the locking structure is adapted to lock all of the drawers unless the lock is unlocked.