Rotating and translating four bar media door for a computer chassis

• US 6,603,655 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hrehor, Robert D. Jr., Smith, Ronald J., Law, William S., Kim, Sung H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/921,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20030026072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/724-727, D14/300, D14/314, 312/223--22, 163/66, 163/67, 163/58, 163/59, 292/80, 292/87, 292/DIG.11, 292/203, 292/204, 292/209
• US Class Current: 361/679.6
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/32 with two pairs of pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/56 with successive different movements raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/06 with two or more pins E05D7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/14 with four parallel pins and two arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/11 Cover fasteners

Abstract

A computer chassis includes a media access door mounted on a first surface of the chassis. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position. A first hinge portion connects the door to the chassis and permits the door to move in a rotating motion to a first open position. A second hinge portion connects the door to the chassis and permits the door to move in a translating motion along side a second surface of the chassis adjacent the first surface.

Claims

1. A media access door comprising:

a chassis;

an access door mounted on a first side of the chassis and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a first hinge portion connecting the door to the chassis for permitting the door to move in a first motion to a first open position; and

a second hinge portion connecting the door to the first hinge portion for permitting the door to move in a second motion to a second side of the chassis adjacent the first side.

2. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the second hinge portion is connected to the first hinge portion.

3. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the first hinge portion includes a breakaway connection to the chassis.

4. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the first hinge portion includes a hinge body and a pair of spaced apart hinge brackets, each bracket being respectively attached to opposite ends of the hinge body.

5. The door as defined in claim 4 wherein a protrusion extends between one of the hinge brackets and the chassis for causing a hesitating movement between the door and the chassis.

6. The door as defined in claim 4 wherein the hinge body includes a lip portion extending therefrom.

7. The door as defined in claim 6 wherein the hinge body includes a plurality of mounts for the second hinge portion.

8. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the first motion is a pivoting motion.

9. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the door is retained in the closed position by a catch.

10. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the second motion is a translating motion.

11. The door as defined in claim 2 wherein the second hinge portion includes a breakaway connection to the first hinge portion.

12. The door as defined in claim 6 wherein the second hinge portion includes a plurality of plates movably interconnecting the door and the first hinge portion.

13. The door as defined in claim 12 wherein a protrusion extends between at least one of the plates and the chassis door for causing a hesitating movement between the door and the plates.

14. The door as defined in claim 12 wherein each plate moves substantially parallel to each other plate.

15. The door as defined in claim 11 wherein the breakaway connection of the second hinge portion includes a cantilever extension.

16. The door as defined in claim 3 wherein the breakaway connection of the first hinge portion includes a claw extending from a hinge bracket.

17. The door as defined in claim 14 wherein the movement of the plates is limited by the lip.

18. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein the chassis has a hinge edge and the door has a hinge edge.

19. The door as defined in claim 18 wherein the hinge edge of the door includes at least one hook for engagement with the hinge edge of the chassis.

20. A computer housing door comprising:

a computer housing;

an access door mounted on a first surface of the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a first hinge portion connecting the door to the housing for moving the door in a pivoting motion to a first open position;

a second hinge portion connecting the door to the first hinge portion for moving the door in a translating motion to a second open position side-by-side with a second surface of the housing.

21. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

means for holding the door in the closed position.

22. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

means for permitting the first hinge portion to break away from the housing.

23. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

means for permitting the second hinge portion to break away from the first hinge portion.

24. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

means for causing a hesitating movement between the door and the housing.

25. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

means for causing a hesitating movement between the door and the plates.

26. The door as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel plates in the second hinge portion; and

means for limiting movement of the plates.

27. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

an access door mounted on a first side of the chassis and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a first hinge portion connecting the door to the chassis for permitting the door to move in a first motion to a first open position; and

a second hinge portion connecting the door to the first hinge portion for permitting the door to move in a second motion to a second side of the chassis adjacent the first side.

28. A methond of opening a computer housing door comprising:

providing a computer housing;

mounting an access door on a first surface of the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position;

connecting a first hinge portion of the door to the housing for moving the door in a pivoting motion to a first open position pivoted away from the first surface; and

connecting a second hinge portion of the door to the first hinge portion for moving the door in a translating motion to a second open position side-by-side with a second surface of the housing.