Computer enclosure with releasable interlocking mechanism between cover and chassis

• US 6,367,896 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lau, Tim, Peng, Wen Tang
• Primary Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US09/589,572
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/222, 312/293.2, 312/290, 312/300, 312/111, 312/265.6, 361/683, 361/684, 361/724, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 292/19, 292/80, 292/81, 292/83, 292/86, 292/152, 292/DIG.37, 220/323, 220/324, 220/780, 220/782, 220/786
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0894 Spring arm

Abstract

A computer enclosure for enclosing electrical devices comprises a chassis having a bottom panel and a pair of side panels with a reduced height portion adjacent to a rear panel. The rear panel includes a wing fixedly attached to the reduced height portion and is coplanar to the side panel. The reduced height portion defines a recess. A spring latch extends downward and outward from the wing portion of the rear panel. A cover is detachably assembled to the chassis having a top panel and a pair of side panels corresponding to the side panels of the chassis. The cover includes a latch plate received in the recessed portion of the reduced height portion and engaged with the spring latch and a hook is interlocked to a planar portion of the reduced height portion when the cover is assembled to the chassis.

Claims

1. A computer enclosure for enclosing electrical devices therein, comprising:

a chassis having a bottom panel and a pair of side panels at least one of said side panels including a cutout forming a reduced height portion adjacent to a rear panel thereof, said rear panel including a wing fixedly attached to said reduced height portion, said wing being parallel to said at least one side panel, said reduced height portion defining a recessed portion therein;

a spring latch extended downward and outward from said wing portion of said rear panel to a position corresponding to said cutout;

a cover detachably assembled to said chassis having a top panel and a pair of side panels corresponding to said side panels of said chassis, said cover including a latch plate received in said recessed portion and engaged with said spring latch when said cover is assembled to said chassis, said cover further including a hook engagingly received in a space defined between a planar portion of said reduced height portion beside said recessed portion and said wing of said rear panel when said cover is assembled to said chassis.

2. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover further includes a release button accessible to push said spring latch inward to disconnect engagement between said spring latch and said latch plate.

3. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said spring latch includes a first portion extended downward from the rear panel of said chassis, a second portion extended downward and outward from said first portion, and a third portion extending downward from said second portion.

4. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 3, wherein said third portion extends beyond a plane defined by said at least one side panel of said chassis.

5. The computer enclosure as recited in claim 1, wherein said hook is formed very close to a front edge of a corresponding one of said side panels of said cover, thereby effectively preventing said cover from separating from said chassis when said hook and said reduced height portion are interlocked.

6. A computer enclosure for enclosing electrical devices therein, comprising:

a chassis having a bottom panel and a pair of side panels at least one of said side panels including a cutout forming a reduced height portion adjacent to a rear panel thereof, said rear panel including a wing fixedly attached to said reduced height portion, said wing being parallel to said at least one panel, said reduced height portion defining a recessed portion and a planar portion beside said recessed portion therein;

a spring latch extended downward and outward from said wing portion of said rear panel to a position corresponding to said cutout;

a cover detachably assembled to said chassis having a top panel and a pair of side panels corresponding to said side panels of said chassis, said cover including a latch plate received in said recessed portion and engaged with said spring latch, and a hook interlockedly received in a space between said planar portion of said reduced height portion and said wing of said rear panel when said cover is assembled to said chassis.

7. A computer enclosure comprising:

a chassis including at least a first side panel;

a cover positioned above the chassis and including at least a second side panel corresponding to said first side panel;

said first side panel including a reduced height portion defining thereof an inwardly dented recessed portion which is directly stamped from the reduced height portion, and a planar portion beside said recessed portion;

a spring latch being outwardly deflectable above the recessed portion with a free end at a bottom portion thereof;

said second side panel including an inwardly dented latch plate, and a deflectable leaf member positioned above said latch plate;

wherein

when said cover is assembled to said chassis, said latch plate is received within a space defined by said recessed portion, and said spring latch abuts against a top portion of the latch plate.

8. The enclosure as recited in claim 7, wherein said cover further includes an inwardly projecting hook positioned beside the latch plate, and said hook is latchably engaged with an edge of the planar portion of the reduced height portion.