Computer cabinet latching mechanism

• US 5,918,956 A
• Filed: 08/18/1997
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Scholder, Erica
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/912,263
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 312/222, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/293.2, 312/290, 312/300, 312/111, 312/265.6, 361/683, 361/684, 361/724, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 220/323, 220/324, 220/780, 220/782, 220/786, 292/19, 292/80, 292/81, 292/83, 292/86, 292/DIG. 37, 292/152
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/26 using snap-action elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0894 Spring arm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0901 Push or pull rod

Abstract

Apparatus for securing a computer cover to a computer chassis. In a preferred embodiment, a computer cover and computer chassis include a latching mechanism with components attached to each. The cover includes a button and a stop located adjacent to the button. The chassis includes a leaf spring so that, when the cover is closed onto the chassis, the leaf spring engages with the stop, thereby securing the cover to the chassis. Likewise, whenever the button is being depressed, such as by a user, the button pushes the leaf spring away from the stop. As a result, the leaf spring is no longer engaged to the stop and the cover can be easily opened from the chassis.

Claims

1. A computer comprising a cover, a chassis, and a latching mechanism for securing the cover to the chassis, the latching mechanism comprising:

a first hook extending from the cover;

a second hook extending from the chassis so that when the cover is closed on the chassis, the first hook becomes engaged with the second hook, thereby enabling the cover to resist being pried from the chassis;

a button having one end pivotally connected to the cover allowing the button to suspend in a cantilevered manner and extend through an opening formed in the cover;

a stop attached to the cover; and

a leaf spring attached to the chassis, the leaf spring including an indentation so that when the cover is closed onto the chassis, the indentation engages with the stop to limit movement of the cover, thereby securing the cover to the chassis, the button being adjacent the indentation, positioned to pivot and disengage the indentation from the stop, thereby releasing the cover from the chassis.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein, the stop includes a lip portion for engagement with the indentation.

3. The computer of claim 2 wherein movement of the button urges the indentation of the leaf spring out of engagement with the lip portion.

4. The computer of claim 1 wherein the chassis includes a spring stay that limits movement of the leaf spring and thereby protects the leaf spring from being accidentally over-extended.

5. The computer of claim 1 wherein the leaf spring is formed out of the chassis.

6. A computer comprising:

a cover;

a chassis;

a latching mechanism for securing the cover to the chassis, the latching mechanism including a button having a first end pivotally connected to the cover and a second free end extending through an opening formed in the cover;

a first hook mounted on the cover;

a second hook mounted on the chassis so that when the cover is closed on the chassis the first hook becomes engaged with the second hook, thereby enabling the cover to resist being pried from the chassis;

a stop attached to the cover; and

a leaf spring attached to the chassis, a portion of the leaf spring engaging the stop to limit movement of the cover when the cover is closed onto the chassis, thereby securing the cover to the chassis, the button being adjacent to the leaf spring, positioned to pivot and disengage the leaf spring from the stop, thereby releasing the cover from the chassis.

7. The computer of claim 6 wherein the stop includes a lip portion for engagement with the indentation.

8. The computer of claim 7 wherein movement of the button urges the indentation of the leaf spring out of engagement with the lip portion.

9. The computer of claim 7 wherein the chassis includes a spring stay that limits movement of the leaf spring and thereby protects the leaf spring from being accidentally over-extended.

10. The computer of claim 7 wherein the leaf spring is formed out of the chassis.