Computer chassis with retractable access door

Details Computer chassis with retractable access door Computer chassis with retractable access door

1999-03-02

2001-04-17

Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S679090, C361S725000, C312S223200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219226

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to computer systems and, more particularly, the invention relates to doors on a computer chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The interior of a computer chassis commonly is accessible via a door pivotably connected to an exterior face of the chassis. To that end, such a computer chassis typically includes an interior that contains internal computer components, an access port for accessing the internal components from the exterior of the chassis, and a door that removably covers the access port. The interior of a computer chassis commonly contains the many well known hardware components included a conventional computer system, such as a motherboard, expansion cards, memory, and system busses. Removable media drives, such as floppy disk drives and CD-ROM drives, also may be contained within the interior of a computer chassis. Accordingly, removable media may be inserted into such drives via the door.
When the interior of such a chassis is accessed, the computer door is pivoted to extend outwardly from the chassis, consequently interfering with access to the internal components within the chassis. For example, while testing an expansion computer card, the computer door may limit the angles that a person may insert testing equipment for testing the card. This limitation may require that the card be removed from the chassis for testing. Removing the card for testing, however, is cumbersome and inconvenient. Moreover, the computer door is more likely to be inadvertently broken off when extending outwardly from the chassis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an internal component within the interior of a computer chassis is accessible via a chassis door that may be moved into the chassis interior. To that end, the chassis includes a housing defining the interior that contains the internal component, and the door, which is movably coupled to the housing. The housing also includes a front face that forms an access port to the internal component within the interior. The door may be alternatively moved to an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the door substantially covers the access port to prevent access to the internal component. When in the open position, the door is within the housing interior, thus exposing the internal component to the access port.
In preferred embodiments, the chassis includes a guide coupled with the door to direct the door into the interior of the housing to expose the internal component. When in the closed position, the door may be positioned between the access port, and the internal component. All or part of the door may be within the interior when in the closed position. The door preferably includes a door face that covers the access port when in the closed position. When in the open position, the door may be substantially entirely within the housing interior. The door may be coupled to the housing in many manners, such as by being pivotably coupled to the front face of the housing, and also being slidable into the interior of the housing. The door also may be retractably coupled to the housing.
In preferred embodiments, the internal component is a removable media drive. For example, the internal component may be a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive. The chassis also may include a hinge for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. A rail also may be included for guiding the hinge within the interior of the housing. The interior of the housing also may form a door retraction area for receiving the door. In particular, at least a part of the door may be within the door retraction area when the door is in the open position. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, no part of the door is in the door retraction area when the door is in the closed position.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a chassis includes a housing defining the interior containing an internal component, a door that is movably coupled to the housing, and a retractor that guides the door within the housing interior. The housing also includes a front face that forms an access port for accessing the internal component. The door is movable to an open position in which the housing interior is exposed via the access port. In some embodiments, the door is movable to a closed position in which the access port is covered, thus preventing access to the internal component.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computer chassis includes a housing with a front face defining an access port for accessing an internal component, and a chassis door that is movably coupled to the housing and adapted to be slidable into the interior of the housing. When in a closed position, the door prevents access to the internal component via the access port. Conversely, when in an open position, the door is positioned in the interior of the chassis, thus exposing the access port and, consequently, exposing the internal component. The chassis may include a hinge for pivotably coupling the door to the front face, and a rail for guiding the hinge within the interior of the housing. In preferred embodiments, the door includes a securing finger for coupling with the front face to secure the door to the front face. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the door includes vents for venting the interior of the housing.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4997103 (1991-03-01), Daly
patent: 5395165 (1995-03-01), Woerner
patent: 5450285 (1995-09-01), Schlemmer
patent: 5574625 (1996-11-01), Ohgami et al.
patent: 5738536 (1998-04-01), Ohgami et al.
patent: 0 424 558 A1 (1991-05-01), None
patent: 0 798 623 A1 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 2 739 948 (1997-04-01), None
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, “Plastic Front Cover Assembly,” vol. 37, No. 08, Aug. 1994.
“Silicon Graphics 320™ Visual Workstation Owner's Guide,” pp. 9-13, Nov. 18, 1998.

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