Support base

Abstract

A support base ( 10 ) for a computer ( 11 ) having a support body ( 15 ) with an upper surface side walls ( 16, 23, 26 ) and a lower edge or body. The support base includes retention means which may preferably comprises a recess in the upper surface. The support means also includes weight bearing means which may comprise a series of spaced feet ( 19 ). The feet may terminate in non-slip surfaces or alternatively wheels. The support base preferably also includes an anterior wall ( 20 ) which may be hingedly fixed to the support base. The interior wall may be removable from the support body and be also continuous with side returns. The anterior wall is adapted to receive and display visual indicia. It may include the capacity to receive accessory components for the computer. The anterior wall may be adapted to provide access to control buttons and similar. Most preferably the support base further includes a rearward cable shield ( 24 ). The cable shield may be adjustable in relation to its spacing from the interior wall. The support base may also include a cable storage space under the support body with a communicating aperture to provide access for cables to receiving plugs in the back of a computer. The support base is suitable for both tower and desktop configurations.

1 . A support base for a computer, said support base comprising: 
 a support body having an upper surface, side walls supporting the upper surface and a lower surface or edge;    retention means for retaining the computer on the support body; and    weight bearing means for carrying the support body above a supporting surface.    
   
   
       2 . The support base of  claim 1  wherein the support body is dimensioned to extend beyond an outer perimeter of an outer casing of the computer.  
   
   
       3 . The support base of  claim 2  wherein the retention means is a recess formed in or on the upper surface of the support base.  
   
   
       4 . The support base of  claim 3  wherein the recess is dimensioned to receive a lower portion of the outer casing of the computer.  
   
   
       5 . The support base of  claim 3  wherein the recess is defined by continuous internal wall surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . The support base of  claim 5  wherein the internal wall surfaces may include at least one rib sloping inwardly and downwardly to enhance contact with the outer casing.  
   
   
       7 . The support base of  claim 3  wherein the recess is defined by a plurality of vertical fingers.  
   
   
       8 . The support base of  claim 3  further comprising an anterior wall.  
   
   
       9 . The support base of  claim 8  wherein the anterior wall is formed integrally with the support body.  
   
   
       10 . The support base of  claim 8  wherein the anterior wall is formed separately from the support body.  
   
   
       11 . The support base of  claim 10  wherein the anterior wall is removably engageable with the support body.  
   
   
       12 . The support base of  claim 10  or  claim 11  wherein the anterior wall is hindedly connected to the support body.  
   
   
       13 . The support base of  claim 12  wherein the anterior wall is hingedly connected by a saddle and aperture coupling.  
   
   
       14 . The support base of  claim 8  wherein the anterior wall is continuous with opposed side walls returns.  
   
   
       15 . The support base of  claim 14  wherein an upper edge of the opposed side walls slopes downwardly and backwardly.  
   
   
       16 . The support base of  claim 8  further comprising a cable shield positioned towards an end of the support body and which is spaced from the anterior wall.  
   
   
       17 . The support base of  claim 16  wherein the cable shield is removably engaged with the support body.  
   
   
       18 . The support base of  claim 16  or  17  wherein the cable shield is hingedly engaged with the support body.  
   
   
       19 . The support base of  claim 17  wherein the spacing of the cable shield from the anterior wall is adjustable.  
   
   
       20 . The support base of  claim 17  wherein the cable shield is engaged with the support body through pin and recess coupling.  
   
   
       21 . The support base of any one of  claims 16  to  20  wherein the cable shield includes at least one ventilation aperture.  
   
   
       22 . The support base of  claim 16  wherein the weight bearing means is a plurality of spaced feet.  
   
   
       23 . The support base of  claim 22  wherein the spaced feet are positioned, at least in part, outside an outer perimeter of the outer casing.  
   
   
       24 . The support base of  claim 23  wherein the spaced feet are formed as individual columns.  
   
   
       25 . The support base of  claim 24  wherein the spaced feet terminate in non-slip surfaces.  
   
   
       26 . The support base of  claim 24  wherein the spaced feet terminate in wheels.  
   
   
       27 . The support base of  claim 22  wherein the side walls of the support body define an internal cavity adapted to receive excess cables.  
   
   
       28 . The support base of  claim 27  wherein the internal cavity communicates with the rear of the computer through an access aperture.  
   
   
       29 . The support base of  claim 27  wherein the side walls have a plurality of apertures to provide ventilation under the support body.  
   
   
       30 . The support base of  claim 27  further comprising auxiliary support means adapted to receive one or more of a web camera, a microphone, speakers and a disk drive.  
   
   
       31 . The support base of  claim 27  wherein the side walls flare outwardly.  
   
   
       32 . The support base of  claim 27  wherein the support base is formed from one or more of neoprene, nylon, carbon fibre material, acrylobutylene styrene and polycarbonate and perspex.  
   
   
       33 . The support base of  claim 32  wherein the anterior wall has a planar surface.  
   
   
       34 . The support base of  claim 27  further comprising illumination means for illuminating the anterior wall, and/or the posterior wall and/or the support base.  
   
   
       35 . The support base of  claim 27  further comprising at least one drainage aperture adapted to drain liquid from the upper surface.