Desktop computer chassis with folding cover

• US 6,665,178 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• 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: Moore, Andrew W., Curlee, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovsky, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/885,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680-687, 361/724-727, 361/741, 361/756, 701/59--62, 109/67, 109/68, 312/244, 312/298, 312/215, 312/219, 312/311, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 220/4.02, 220/254, 220/255, 411/182, 411/549, 411/553, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.48
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409

Abstract

A computer chassis includes a base portion formed of a metal chassis and a cosmetic cover. A top portion of the chassis is formed of a metal chassis and a cosmetic cover. A plurality of first computer components are mounted in the base portion. A plurality of second computer components are mounted in the top portion. A pivotal connection is provided between the top portion and the base portion. The top portion is pivotable about 90° relative to the base portion to an open position immediately exposing all of the first and second computer components for access, without removing any of the cosmetic covers.

Claims

1. A computer chassis comprising:

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

a top portion form d of a metal chassis and a cosmetic cover;

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

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

a pivotal connection between the top portion and the base portion, the pivotal connection including arcuate guides on the base portion; and

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

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

3. The chassis as defined in claim 2 wherein the engagement of the top portion with the bottom portion is maintained by a releasable latch.

4. The chassis as defined in claim 2 wherein the second computer components in the top portion are cooled by a fan mounted in the base portion, the fan being positioned adjacent the second computer component when the top portion is in the closed position.

5. The chassis as defined in claim 1 wherein the top portion includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

6. The chassis as defined in claim 2 wherein engagement of the top portion with the bottom portion is maintained by a latch on each side panel.

7. A computer chassis comprising:

a base portion including a base surface and an integral end wall formed of a metal chassis and a cosmetic cover;

a top portion including a top surface and an integral end wall formed of a metal chassis and a cosmetic cover;

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

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

a pivotal connection between the top portion and the base portion, the pivotal connection including arcuate guides on the base portion, whereby a single pivotable movement of the top portion and its integral end wall relative to the base portion to an open position, immediately exposes all of the first and second computer components for access, without removing any of the cosmetic covers.

8. The chassis as defined in claim 7 wherein the top and bottom portions include side panels which nest together when the top portion is pivoted into engagement with the bottom portion in a closed position.

9. The chassis as defined in claim 8 wherein the engagement of the top portion with the bottom portion is maintained by a releasable latch.

10. The chassis as defined in claim 9 wherein the second computer components in the top portion are cooled by a fan mounted in the base portion, the fan being positioned adjacent the second computer component when the top portion is in the closed position.

11. The chassis as defined in claim 7 wherein the top portion includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

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

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

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

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

a pivotal connection between the top portion and the base portion, the pivotal connection including arcuate guides on the base portion; and

the top portion being pivotable relative to the base portion 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.

13. Th system as defined in claim 12 wherein the top and bottom portions include side panels which nest together when the top portion is pivoted into engagement with the bottom portion in a closed position.

14. Th system as defined in claim 13 wherein the engagement of the top portion with the bottom portion is maintained by a releasable latch.

15. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the second computer components in the top portion are cooled by a fan mounted in the base portion, the fan being positioned adjacent the second computer components when the to portion is in the closed position.

16. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein the top portion includes pins slidably connected to the arcuate guides.

17. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein engagement of the top portion with the bottom portion is maintained by a latch on each side panel.

18. A computer chassis comprising:

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

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

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

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

a pivotal connection including an arcuate guide inter-connecting the base portion and the top portion, and a pin slidably connected to the arcuate guide; and

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