Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-03-13
Donels, Jeffrey (Department: 2837)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S727000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201702
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to a computer and method for configuring same, and more particularly, to such a computer and method in which the computer is adapted for rack mounting and for use on a desktop, or the like.
In large installations involving a plurality of computers, such as mini-tower or mid-tower computers, the individual computers are usually placed on a rack mount system formed by a cabinet having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves. Because a rack mount system may only be a certain height (based on industry standards and safety considerations), the amount of available space for mounting each computer is limited especially when a shelf is used for each computer. This problem is especially acute in connection with systems that require a relatively large number of computers because the cumulative space taken up by the shelves is significant.
To overcome these problems, slide assemblies have been developed that mount each computer to the rack system without the need for shelves. These slide assemblies include a pair of telescoping rails with one rail of each pair being attached to a cover of the computer and one rail of the other pair being attached to an opposed cover of the computer. The other rails of each pair are attached to the rack system, and ball bearings extend between the telescoping rails of each pair to permit slidable movement between the rails to enable the computer to slide between a retracted and an extended position. This eliminates the need for shelves and thus saves considerable space in the rack system, especially in connection with systems that contain a relatively high number of computers.
However, mounting the rails directly to the computer in this manner is undesirable because of the resulting screw holes and cosmetic blemishes that are left on the covers of the computer that receive the rails. This, of course, renders the computer unsightly if the rails are removed when it is desired to use the computer on a desktop, or the like.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure, therefore, provides a system and method according to which a component, such as a computer, is rack mountable without the use of shelves, yet can easily be reconfigured for desktop use without any of the above problems.
To this end, a computer, or component, system is provided and includes a first cover attached to a chassis, and a second cover adapted to replace the first cover. Rack mount hardware is mounted on one of the covers for engaging a corresponding member in a rack system when the chassis is mounted in the rack system, and the other cover is free of any rack mount hardware, so that it can be used on a desktop.
A major advantage is achieved with the system and method of the present disclosure because the computer can be used in an environment outside of the rack system, such as on a desktop, without any cosmetic blemishes on any of the covers being visible, yet can easily be reconfigured for use in a rack system without the need for shelves.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4971563 (1990-11-01), Wells, III
patent: 5513068 (1996-04-01), Girard
patent: 5748442 (1998-05-01), Toor
patent: 5896273 (1999-04-01), Varghese et al.
patent: 5971506 (1999-10-01), Dubin
Dell USA L.P.
Donels Jeffrey
Haynes and Boone L.L.P.
LandOfFree
Computer with interchangeable covers and method for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer with interchangeable covers and method for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer with interchangeable covers and method for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2548738