PROTECTION MECHANISM FOR CONNECTORS

• US 20060266746A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Wang, Zhao-Yu
• Granted Patent: US 7,665,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/3.200
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0969 Spring projected

Abstract

A protection mechanism is provided for protecting connectors which are to be connected to electronic interfaces at a rear panel of a computer chassis. The protection mechanism includes a bracket secured to the rear panel, a first cover pivotally attached to the bracket for shielding the connectors, a second cover pivotally attached to the bracket, and a locking device. The first cover defines a plurality of slots for extension of cables of the connectors therethrough. The second cover is closed to abut against a side panel of the computer chassis to prevent the side panel from withdrawal. The locking device is so arranged between pivot ends of the first and second covers, that one of the first and second covers can be opened only when the other one is opened.

Claims

1. A protection mechanism for protecting connectors which are to be connected to electronic interfaces at a panel of a computer chassis, the protection mechanism comprising:

a bracket for being secured to the panel;

a first cover pivotally attached to the bracket for shielding the connectors, the first cover defining a plurality of slots for extension of cables of the connectors therethrough;

a second cover pivotally attached to the bracket, wherein the second cover is closed to abut against a side panel of the computer chassis to prevent the side panel from withdrawal; and

a locking device so arranged between pivot ends of the first and second covers, that one of the first and second covers can be opened only when the other one is opened.

2. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket is U-shaped, and comprises two arm portions, the pivot end of each of the first and second covers is pivotally connected to the arm portions.

3. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a crossbeam, the crossbeam has two side plates, the locking device is disposed between the side plates, and the first and second covers are respectively located at two opposite sides of the crossbeam.

4. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking device comprises a latch and a resilient member.

5. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first cover comprises a blocking plate, the second cover comprises a through aperture, and wherein when the blocking plate presses one end of the latch, the other end of the latch enters the through hole, and when the blocking plate leaves the one end of the latch, the other end of the latch withdraws from the through hole.

6. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the side plate of the crossbeam that beside the first cover defines a through hole, and the side plate of the crossbeam that beside the second cover forms a fastening portion;

said one end of the latch extends through the through hole, and said other end of the latch is disposed in the fastening portion, the resilient member is placed around said other end of the latch.

7. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastening portion comprises two opposite hooks and a post disposed between the hooks, a receiving section is thereby defined between the hooks and the post, for receiving said other end of the latch.

8. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lock disposed in the first cover for locking the first cover to the bracket.

9. A protection mechanism comprising:

a bracket for being attached to a rear portion of a computer chassis;

a first cover and a second cover each pivotally attached to the bracket and rotated reversely, the first cover forming a blocking plate; and

a locking device comprising a latch;

wherein when the first cover is closed or open, the blocking plate of the first cover presses or leaves one end of the latch so that the other end of the latch is inserted into or withdrawn from the second cover.

10. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bracket comprises a crossbeam, the crossbeam comprises two opposite side plates, pivot ends of the first and second covers are respectively in the vicinity of the side plates.

11. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein the locking device is disposed between the side plates of the crossbeam, and movable in a direction perpendicular to the side plates.

12. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the side plate of the crossbeam that besides the first cover defines a through hole, the side plate of the crossbeam that besides the second cover forms a fastening portion, said one end of the latch extends through the through hole, and said other end of the latch is disposed in the fastening portion.

13. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fastening portion comprises two opposite hooks, said other end of the latch is a semicolumn disposed between the hooks, a flange is formed between the two ends of the latch, a resilient member is arranged between the flange and the fastening portion.

14. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second cover forms a lug corresponding to the fastening portion, the lug defines a through aperture.

15. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a lock disposed in the first cover for locking the first cover to the bracket.

16. The protection mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second covers define a plurality of ventilation holes.