Modular cabinet bezel

• US 5,547,272 A
• Filed: 04/24/1995
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: AT&T Global Network Services LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stephan, Werner B., Paterson, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/428,608
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.2, 312/223.1, 312/257.1, 312/138.1, 312/265.5, 312/265.6, 312/204, 361/683, 361/724, 361/695
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

A modular bezel for the front side of a cabinet includes a bezel frame fixedly joinable to the cabinet, with the frame including a plurality of windows therethrough for providing access into the cabinet. A face panel is sized to cover at least one of the frame windows, and is removably fixedly joinable to the frame. The bezel frame provides a common part to which various, interchangeable face panels may be attached.

Claims

1. A modular bezel for covering a front side of a cabinet containing an electrical device comprising:

a bezel frame fixedly joinable to said cabinet, and including a plurality of windows therethrough for providing access into said cabinet, said frame further including a plurality of fasteners accessible from a front side of said frame for joining said frame to said cabinet;

a bezel face panel sized to cover at least one of said frame windows and to cover said fasteners; and

joining means for removably connecting said face panel to said frame.

2. A bezel according to claim 1 wherein said face panel is at least in part ornamental and is interchangeable with similarly configured face panels.

3. A bezel according to claim 2 wherein said face panel includes a control device joined thereto, and operatively joinable to said cabinet electrical device for use in controlling said device.

4. A bezel according to claim 2 wherein said joining means comprise a plurality of hooks extending aft from a back side of said panel for engaging a respective plurality of complementary latches disposed on said frame.

5. A bezel according to claim 4 wherein said joining means further comprise an alignment pin extending from said back side of said panel for engaging a complementary alignment hole disposed in said frame.

6. A bezel according to claim 2 in combination with said cabinet and electrical device therein to define a consumer product, and further comprising a plurality of said electrical devices disposed inside said cabinet, with said frame windows providing access to said devices.

7. A product according to claim 2 further comprising:

a first one of said panels removably connected to said frame to cover at least one of said windows; and

a second one of said panels disposed adjacent to said first panel and removably connected to said frame to cover another one of said windows, said second panel including a control device joined thereto, and operatively joined to said cabinet electrical device for use in controlling said device.

8. A product according to claim 7 in the form of a personal computer (PC), with said cabinet containing a central processing unit (CPU) and at least one data storage device using a removable data element, and one of said frame windows is aligned with said storage device to allow user access thereto.

9. A PC according to claim 8 wherein said first panel is sized to cover at least two of said frame windows to provide access thereto upon disassembly of said first panel from said frame.

10. A PC according to claim 9 further comprising:

an electric fan disposed inside said cabinet;

an air filter removably connected to said cabinet at a respective one of said frame windows covered by said first panel; and

said filter is accessible and manually removable upon removal of said first panel from said frame.

11. A PC according to claim 9 wherein said second panel includes a power switch having a cable extending into said cabinet for switching said PC on and off.

12. A PC according to claim 9 wherein said first and second panels collectively cover at least a portion of said frame and leave exposed at least one frame window.

13. A method of altering said modular bezel according to claim 1 comprising:

providing a plurality of different ones of said face panels being similarly configured for interchangeability on said frame, but having different ornamental appearances; and

affixing one of said different face panels on said frame.