Industrial computer systems commonly used for process control purposes are typically made up by combining a plurality of system components made by different manufacturers to meet the performance requirements of different system applications. While it is frequently possible to adapt each individual component for use in a harsh factory environment by providing sealing means in each compartment for excluding dust, moisture, chemical fumes and the like, the provision of such sealing means on an individual component basis is expensive and typically results in components which are characterized by the difficulties encountered in servicing the components. More important, the need for providing system components which are individually sealed seriously limits the variety of systems which can be set up using commercially available components. It has been found that the provision of sealed compartments for such systems has resulted in similar difficulties with respect to permitting free use of various components in the harsh factory environments while also permitting easy servicing of system components in a system console which facilitates operation of a system by a system operator.
In an effort to resolve these problems, factory floor operator interface consoles have been proposed, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,439. While this console provides a sealed compartment chamber for a plurality of process control or computer system components including a central processing unit of a computer, a video display unit having a screen at one end for displaying data provided by the computer, and typically a recorder unit or the like, it does not provide protection for the keyboard when not in use, or a sealed enclosure for a printer, or means to access printer output from a position external to the sealed enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,121 discloses a space-efficient cabinet for housing a computer workstation. This patent discloses a space-efficient cabinet for housing a computer workstation which can include a video display monitor, a central processing unit with disk drive and a keypad. This cabinet has two generally opposed sidewalls and generally opposed front and back walls, which extend between the sidewalls. At least one horizontal surface is provided extending between the front, back and opposed sidewalls to carry the video display monitor. An inner angled shelf is also present, and is affixed between the sidewalls, to carry the central processing unit and disk drive. The shelf is angled downwardly from front to back relative to the horizontal allowing access to the central processing unit and disk drive whereby disks can be readily inserted into or removed from the central processing unit and disk drive. The angle of the shelf carrying the central processing unit and disk drive ensures a minimal footprint of the cabinet on the floor thus saving floor space. A movable partition is also provided to support the keypad. However, this device does not provide for any sealed environment to protect the computer system from a harsh industrial environment, and does not provide a printer enclosure or means to have access to the printer output from externally of the cabinet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,740 discloses a housing and storage mechanism for a terminal keyboard and display panel. This patent discloses a rectangular housing mounted vertically on a wall having a front face hinged along the lower edge for opening to a horizontal position. A keyboard is mounted on the upper portion of the housing face interiorly of the housing. A data display panel is pivotally suspended from the lower edge of the keyboard. A mechanism activated by the front face engages the lower edge of the display panel and elevates the panel to an angle inclined for convenient viewing when the front face is lowered to a horizontal position. This device is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,604 which provides for the secure positioning of the keyboard adjacent to the video display unit in either a lowered, use position or a raised, stored position. In the use position, the keyboard is maintained in a stable horizontal orientation immediately below and forward of the face plates of the video display unit. In the stored position, the keyboard is securely maintained in a generally vertical orientation immediately forward of the video display unit's face plate so as to provide protection therefore and enhance the portability of the computer terminal. While these devices provide for the protection of the keyboard and the video display terminal, there is no provision for enclosing and protecting the central processing unit and a printer, or for providing access to printer output external to the enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,917 discloses construction for a sound reducing printer box. However, this soundproof box construction is not designed to protect the printer from damage in an industrial environment, and has no provision for enclosing the other components of the computer system, or for providing access to printer output external to the enclosure.