Tongue and groove gasket seam for EMI

• US 6,570,755 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Curlee, James D., Shepherd, Jason Alan, Worley, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/885,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/680-682, 361/684-687, 361/724-727, 439/541.5, 439/607, 439/710, 312/223--22
• US Class Current: 361/679.58
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0015 Gaskets or seals

Abstract

A computer chassis includes a metal chassis base portion and a metal chassis top portion. A pivotal connection is provided between the top portion and the base portion for movement of the top portion between an open position and a closed position with the base portion. A tongue and groove edge connection extends between the top portion and the base portion. An adhesive free gasket is mounted in the groove for sealing engagement with the tongue.

Claims

1. A computer chassis comprising:

a metal chassis base portion and a base cosmetic cover;

a metal chassis top portion and a top cosmetic cover;

a pivotal connection between the top portion and the base portion for movement of the top portion and the top cosmetic cover between an open position and a closed position with the base portion and the base cosmetic cover;

a tongue and groove edge connection between the top portion and the base portion; and

an adhesive free gasket mounted in the groove for sealing engagement with the tongue.

2. The chassis as defined in claim 1 wherein the metal chassis base portion includes a first pair of opposed sidewalls and the metal chassis top portion includes a second pair of opposed sidewalls matingly engaged with the first pair of side walls.

3. The chassis as defined in claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection includes arcuate guides on the base portion.

4. The chassis as defined in claim 1 wherein the top and base portions of the cosmetic cover include panels which nest together when the top portion of the metal chassis is pivoted into engagement with the base portion of the metal chassis in a closed position, and wherein the first computer components are nested side-by-side with the second computer components when the top and base portions of the metal chassis are in the closed position.

5. The chassis as defined in claim 2 wherein one of the first and second pair of sidewalls includes the tongue and the other of the first and second pair of sidewalls includes the groove.

6. The chassis as defined in claim 3 wherein the top portion includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

7. The chassis as defined in claim 4 wherein the engagement of the top portion of the cosmetic cover with the base portion of the cosmetic cover is maintained by a releasable latch.

8. The chassis as defined in claim 4 wherein the second computer components in the top portion of the metal chassis are cooled by a fan mounted in the base portion of the metal chassis, the fan being positioned adjacent the second computer components when the top portion of the metal chassis is in the closed position.

9. The chassis as defined in claim 4 wherein engagement of the top portion of the cosmetic cover with the base portion of the cosmetic cover is maintained by a latch on each side panel.

10. The chassis as defined in claim 5 wherein the gasket is compressed into the groove.

11. A computer chassis comprising:

a base portion formed of a metal chassis and a base cosmetic cover;

a top portion formed of a metal chassis and a top cosmetic cover;

a plurality of first computer components mounted in the base portion of the metal chassis;

a plurality of second computer components mounted in the top portion of the metal chassis;

a pivotal connection between the top portion of the metal chassis and the base portion of the metal chassis;

the top portion of the metal chassis being pivotable relative to the base portion of the metal chassis to an open position immediately exposing all of the first and second computer components for access, without removing any of the cosmetic covers;

a tongue and groove edge connection between the top and base portions of the metal chassis; and

an adhesive free gasket mounted in the groove for sealing engagement with the tongue.

12. The chassis as defined in claim 11 wherein the pivotal connection includes arcuate guides on the base portion.

13. The chassis as defined in claim 12 wherein the top portion of the metal chassis includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

14. A computer system comprising:

a chassis having an internal computer component cavity defined therein;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to the microprocessor;

a base portion of the chassis formed of a metal portion and a base cosmetic cover;

a top portion of the chassis formed of a metal portion and a top cosmetic cover;

a plurality of first computer components mounted in the base portion of the metal chassis;

a plurality of second computer components mounted in the top portion of the metal chassis;

a pivotal connection between the top portion of the metal chassis and the base portion of the metal chassis;

the top portion of the metal chassis and the top cosmetic cover being pivotable relative to the base portion of the metal chassis and the base cosmetic cover to an open position immediately exposing the cavity and the plurality of first and second computer components for access, without removing any of the cosmetic covers;

a tongue and groove edge connection between the top and base portions of the metal chassis; and

an adhesive free gasket mounted in the groove for sealing engagement with the tongue.

15. The system as defined in claim 14 the metal chassis base portion includes a first pair of opposed sidewalls and the metal chassis top portion includes a second pair of opposed sidewalls matingly engaged with the first pair of side walls.

16. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the pivotal connection includes arcuate guides on the base portion.

17. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the top and base portion of the cosmetic cover include panels which nest together when the top portion of the metal chassis is pivoted into engagement with the base portion of the metal chassis in a closed position, and wherein the first computer components are nested side-by-side with the second computer components when the top and base portions of the metal chassis are in the closed position.

18. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein one of the first and second pair of sidewalls includes the tongue and the other of the first and second pair of sidewalls includes the groove.

19. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the top portion includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

20. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein the gasket is compressed into the groove.