Device for isolation of electrical components

Abstract

A device for creating a relatively isolated environment for protecting dangerous and/or fragile components, particularly electrical components, from the surrounding environment. The device will typically include a front member and base member which may be formed as a unitary body. A relatively isolated environment will be formed in the area behind the front member and above the base member and the isolation may be enhanced by placing the device near a wall or partition. The device may also include side members for enhancing the isolation of the internal environment. Openings or slots may be located in any of the members to permit the passage of cables or other tubular objects and also to provide ventilation. Retaining elements disposed on the inside of the base member or front member may be used to retain various components in a desired position. The front member may also include a fan or comfort elements for use as a footrest or cooling device.

1 . A device for the relative isolation of at least one electric component, comprising:
 a front member;   a substantially planar base member operatively connected to the front member, the base member comprising at least one selected from (a) a predetermined mass sufficient to maintain the device in a generally upright position when the base member is disposed on a generally horizontal surface, and (b) a predetermined bottom surface area sufficient to maintain the device in a generally upright position when the base member is disposed on a generally horizontal surface; and   wherein the operative connection between the base member and the front member is configured to maintain a desired angle therebetween, the desired angle being no greater than 90 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the front member comprises a plurality of sub-members disposed in varying orientations. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a rear edge of the base member is tapered to facilitate sliding of the base member beneath electronic devices that may be disposed on the generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises at least one electronic component. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the base member is configured to be non-skid. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the base member is configured to be easily movable on a predetermined substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the operative connection between the front member and the base member is configured to allow a predetermined rotation of the front member, relative to the base member. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined rotation is provided by at least one hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening in at least one selected from the base member and the front member. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one side member. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one side member comprises at least one selected from an opening and a slot. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one selected from an opening and a slot is configured to frictionally retain a cable such that any excess cable may be disposed within the device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises at least one selected from a surge protector and an outlet strip. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the front member comprises at least one comfort element. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a fan is operatively connected to an inner surface of the front member. 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a device for the relative isolation of at least one electric component, comprising:
 providing a base member configured to be at least one of (a) weighted, and (b) of sufficient depth and width, so as to provide a stable base for a predetermined front member;   operatively connecting the front member to a front edge of the base member such that a relatively isolated environment is formed in an area created between the base member and the front member.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the base member comprises a variety of sub-members. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising operatively connecting at least one side member to at least one selected from the base member and the front member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the operative connection is configured to allow a predetermined movement of the front member relative to the base member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising configuring a bottom surface of the base member to be one selected from non-skid and easily slideable.