Bezel mounting device

Details Bezel mounting device Bezel mounting device

1999-08-24

2001-05-22

Hansen, James O. (Department: 3624)

Supports: cabinet structure

For particular electrical device or component

Housing for computer or computer related equipment

C312S265600

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234593

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a device for mounting a bezel to a computer casing, and in particular to a device that allows ready mounting/dismounting of a bezel.
2. The Prior Art
A personal computer comprises a chassis for supporting and fixing components thereof. A casing houses the chassis and the components therein. A bezel is mounted to a front panel of the casing for aesthetic purposes. The bezel is made of plastic with resilient barbs integrally formed therewith for engaging with corresponding holes defined in the front panel of the casing to secure the bezel to the casing. A disadvantage of the conventional bezel is that the resilient barbs may become damaged and lose their function after repeated engagement/disengagement. Means for facilitating engagement/disengagement of the resilient barbs with the casing are available on the market. Such means require simultaneously depressing several push buttons and thus are very inconvenient.
Metal fastening devices are also available for replacing the integrally formed plastic barbs. The metal fastening devices may become fatigued after frequent operation.
A bezel is an important appealing factor for the general consumer. Normally, each specific computer casing design is associated with a specific bezel, so the general consumer is prevented from choosing a preferred bezel design.
It is thus desired to provide a bezel mounting device for addressing the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bezel mounting device for facilitating mounting/dismounting of a bezel to/from a computer casing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bezel mounting device which allows a user to selectively and readily mount different bezels to a computer casing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a bezel mounting device which allows a bezel to be mounted to different computer casings.
To achieve the above objects, a bezel mounting device in accordance with the present invention comprises a rectangular frame having top and bottom sections connected by opposite side sections. The rectangular frame is interposed between a bezel and a front panel of a computer casing for mounting the bezel to the front panel. Each side section of the frame defines elongate slots for movably receiving corresponding posts extending from the bezel for movably attaching the bezel mounting device to the bezel whereby the bezel mounting device is movable between a locking position and a releasing position. Arcuate resilient members are formed on the bottom section and supported by a bottom flange of the bezel for biasing the bezel mounting device toward the locking position. A plurality of barbs are formed on the top and side sections and received in corresponding slots defined in the front panel whereby the barbs simultaneously engage with the slots of the front panel by being biased by the arcuate resilient members to attach the bezel mounting device to the front panel. The bottom section forms a handle for facilitating manually moving the bezel mounting device against the arcuate resilient members to disengage the barbs from the slots of the panel thereby releasing the bezel mounting device from the casing.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5349132 (1994-09-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5547272 (1996-08-01), Paterson et al.
patent: 5568611 (1996-10-01), Khatri et al.
patent: 5742360 (1998-04-01), Kwon et al.
patent: 5964513 (1999-10-01), Korinsky et al.

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