Computer with exchangeable front bezel

• US 6,535,379 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, James, Mao, Shan-Wen, Smeenge, James G. Jr., Lee, Peter K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US09/586,650
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/724-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.58
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

A computer enclosure assembly comprising of a generally box shaped computer chassis having a plurality of face portions including a first face portion, a first panel member removably mounted on the first face portion; and a latch assembly comprising a first latch portion on the chassis and a second latch portion on the first panel member. One of the first and second latch portions is trippingly deflectable to disengage the first latch portion from the second latch portion through application of pressure to a trip area, the trip area being hidden from view.

Claims

1. A method of replacing a computer front panel comprising:

pivotally lifting a computer top panel;

inserting an elongated tool into a hole in a portion of computer chassis exposed by lifting the top panel;

pushing the elongated tool against a deflectable member associated with the front panel;

pivotally displacing and liftingly removing the computer front panel;

placing a replacement front panel in engagement with a housing pivot structure;

pivoting the replacement front panel into latching engagement with the computer chassis.