Computer case

• US 7,184,261 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chung, Cheng-Kuang
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/988,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20050185370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683
• US Class Current: 361/679.56
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

A computer case includes a chassis (10), a cover (60) and a lock (80). The chassis comprises a bottom panel (12), two side panels (14) and a front panel (16), the bottom panel engaging two first support members (40) and a second support member (52) between the first ones. Each of the side panels defines a fixing slot (19). The cover defines two fixing apertures (63) in respective opposite sides. The lock comprises an operating member (90) getting through the front panel, and two locking bars (100). Each of the locking bars is supported between the first and the second support members. The locking bars are connected by a spring (110). In assembly, each of the apertures aligns with the fixing slot, and the pushing part pushes the locking bars successively getting through the aperture and slot, thereby mounting the cover to the chassis.

Claims

1. A computer case comprising:

a chassis comprising a bottom panel, two side panels and a front panel, two first support members arranged on the bottom panel and a second support member between the first ones, each of the side panels defining a first fixing aperture corresponding to the first support member;

a cover pivotally attached to the chassis, the cover having two opposite flanges each defining a second fixing aperture corresponding to the first fixing aperture, each of the second fixing apertures located between the first support member and the first fixing aperture of the side panel; and

a lock comprising an operating member getting through the front panel, and two locking bars, each of the locking bars supported between the first and the second support members, the locking bars connected by a resilient member, the operating member comprising a pushing part, the pushing part pushing each of the locking bars successively getting through the first and second fixing apertures, thereby mounting the cover to the chassis.

2. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each side panel of the chassis forms a rotating base for pivotally engaging the cover.

3. The computer case as claimed in claim 2, wherein an arc-shaped slot is defined in each of the side panels in front of the rotating base, and a guiding protrusion is formed from the flange of the cover to slide into the arc-shaped slot therein.

4. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front panel of the chassis defines a mounting opening in the middle portion for the lock extending therethrough.

5. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first support members is L-shaped, and comprises a mounting piece and a supporting piece perpendicularly extending from an edge portion of the mounting piece.

6. The computer case as claimed in claim 5, wherein the supporting piece defines a through aperture for receiving the corresponding locking bar.

7. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second support member comprises a fixing flake, and two locating flakes vertically extend from respective free ends of the fixing flake.

8. The computer case as claimed in claim 7, wherein each locating flake of the second support member defines a narrow slot for receiving the locking bars.

9. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating member further comprises a support base supported by the front panel and an exterior part extending from an end of the support base, the pushing part is formed from the other end of the support base.

10. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pushing part is elliptic, and when the pushing part is rotated, it pushes the locking bars successively getting through the first and second fixing apertures, thereby mounting the cover to the chassis.

11. The computer case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the locking bars comprises a sliding portion received in corresponding narrow slot of the second support member, a connecting portion engaging the spring, and a long locking arm for insertion into first fixing aperture in the side panel through the second fixing aperture of the cover.

12. A computer case comprising:

a chassis comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, and two opposite side panels, each of the side panels defining a first fixing aperture;

a cover pivotally connected to a rear portion of the chassis, the cover having two opposite flanges each defining a second fixing aperture corresponding to the first fixing aperture;

a plurality of support members arranged on the bottom panel; and

a lock comprising;

an operating member pivotally supported by the front panel, with an exterior pad exposed outside the front panel and an interior pushing part inside the front panel; and

two locking bars supported by and horizontally slidable on the support members, two neighboring ends of the locking bars connected by a resilient member and sandwiching the pushing part;

wherein

the operating member is rotated so that the pushing pan pushes the locking bars away from each other to extend through corresponding first and second fixing apertures, thereby locking the cover to the chassis.

13. The computer case as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pushing part is elliptic, when the pushing part is rotated, it pushes the locking bars successively getting through the first and second fixing apertures.

14. The computer case as claimed in claim 12, wherein each side panel of the chassis forms a rotating base for pivotally engaging the cover, and defines an arc-shaped slot in front of the rotating base, where a guiding protrusion is formed from the flange of the cover to slide into the arc-shaped slot therein.

15. The computer case as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support members arranged near the side panel is L-shaped, and comprises a mounting piece and a supporting piece with a through aperture for receiving the locking bar, the supporting piece perpendicularly extending from an edge of the mounting piece.

16. The computer case as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support members arranged in the middle comprises a fixing flake, and two locating flakes vertically extend from respective free ends of the fixing flake, each locating flake defines a narrow slot for receiving the locking bars.

17. The computer case as claimed in the claim 12, wherein the operating member further comprises a support base supported by the front panel and an exterior part extending from an end of the support base, the pushing part is formed from the other end of the support base.

18. The computer case as claimed in the claim 12, wherein each locking bar comprises a sliding portion, a connecting portion engaging the resilient member, and a long locking arm for insertion into first fixing aperture in the side panel through the second fixing aperture of the cover.

19. A computer case comprising:

a chassis defining an inner space therein;

a cover pivotally attached to said chassis at one side thereof, said cover having a receiving space thereof for receiving at least one device therein, and said at least one device movable together with said cover so as to move into said inner space of said chassis due to pivoting of said cover relative to said chassis; and

a lock comprising an operating member and at least one locking bar installed in said chassis, said at least one locking bar resiliently movable toward said cover to fix said cover to said chassis in a first position thereof, and resiliently movable away from said cover to allow said pivoting of said cover in a second position thereof, said operating member adapted to engage with said at least one locking bar so as to drive said at least one locking bar moving between said first and second positions, wherein said lock further comprises another locking bar resiliently attached to said at least one locking bar and movable toward said cover to fix said cover to said chassis in a direction opposing to said at least one locking bar.

20. The computer case as claimed in claim 19, wherein said operating member has an elliptic pushing part to rotatably engage with said at least one locking bar in order to drive said at least one locking bar moving aside.

21. The computer case as claimed in claim 19, wherein a rod is formed along said one side of said cover, and engagable with a plurality of supporting tabs extending from said cover during said pivoting of said cover.