Computing casing structure

Details Computing casing structure Computing casing structure

2000-01-25

2001-07-10

Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)

Supports: cabinet structure

For particular electrical device or component

Housing for computer or computer related equipment

C312S265600

Reexamination Certificate

active

06257682

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a computer casing, and in particular to a computer casing comprising a locking mechanism for readily securing/detaching parts of the computer to/from the casing, such as a disk drive and a side panel of the casing.
2. The Prior Art
A computer comprises electronic devices housed in a casing. The electronic devices are usually supported by cages that are fixed inside the casing by means of for example screws. Disk drives are examples that are supported by disk drive cages inside the casing. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a 5.25″ compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM)
100
is fixedly attached to opposite side walls
120
a
of a disk drive cage
120
′ that is in turn fixed to an outside casing
101
. The CD-ROM
100
is fixed to the disk drive cage
120
′ by means of locking screws
180
received in holes
160
defined in the side walls
120
a
and threadedly engaging with mounting holes
140
defined in side walls
100
a
of the CD-ROM
100
.
When attaching the CD-ROM
100
to the disk drive cage
120
′, the CD-ROM
100
must be held with one hand in order to align the holes
160
of the disk drive cage
120
′ with the mounting holes
140
of the CD-ROM
100
. This is inconvenient during assembly and/or maintenance of the CD-ROM
100
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a conventional approach to the problem is to provide a pair of guiding rails
200
fixedly attached to the side walls
100
a
of the CD-ROM
100
. The CD-ROM
100
may be deposited into a disk drive cage
220
with the guiding rails
200
movably received in corresponding guiding grooves
260
defined in side walls
220
a
of the disk drive cage
220
. Locking screws
250
or retaining tabs (not shown) are applied to firmly fix the CD-ROM
100
to the disk drive cage
200
. Even though this suggestion provides convenience when attaching the CD-ROM
100
to the disk drive cage
200
, the guiding rails
200
must be firstly attached to the side walls
100
a
of the CD-ROM
100
which complicates the assembly process.
As the computer evolves quickly, electronic parts thereof operate at a high frequency and emit electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation is blocked by the computer casing. However, to effectively block the electromagnetic radiation, the electronic parts must be tightly enclosed by the casing. This makes it difficult to remove the casing during maintenance.
To overcome such a problem, the computer casing is formed with an opening shielded and covered by a detachable panel. Conventionally, the detachable panel is secured to the casing by means of bolts which is a time-consuming and laborious job. Furthermore, electromagnetic radiation may leak through gap between the side panel and the casing.
It is thus desirable to have a computer casing comprising locking mechanism which facilitates efficient assembly of disk drive cages and side panels to a computers casing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism of a computer casing for facilitates mounting/removing parts of the computer to/from the casing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a computer casing comprising a locking mechanism for facilitating efficient assembly of parts of the computer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer casing capable of effectively eliminating electromagnetic radiation from the computer.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a computer casing capable of facilitating efficient assembly thereof while effectively eliminating electromagnetic radiation.
To achieve the above objects, a computer casing in accordance with the present invention comprises a side panel releasably attached thereto for covering an opening defined in a side wall thereof. The side panel has a first edge from which a perpendicular flange extends. Anchoring tabs perpendicularly extend from the flange. A step is formed on a corresponding edge of the opening with slots defined therein to receive the anchoring tabs with the flange abutting against the step thereby effectively eliminating electromagnetic radiation emitted through the opening. A plurality of locking tabs are formed on an opposite second edge of the side panel. Cutouts are defined in a rear wall of the casing corresponding to the locking tabs. A locking rod movably attached to a rear wall defines a plurality of openings corresponding to the cutouts whereby the locking tabs are allowed to extend through both the cutouts of the casing and the openings of the locking rod when the locking rod is at an unlocked position. When the locking rod is moved to a locked position, edges of the openings of the locking rod engage with notches defined in the locking tabs of the side panel thereby securing the side panel in position. A biasing spring is arranged between the locking rod and the casing for biasing the locking rod to the locked position. A handle is formed on the locking rod for manually moving the locking rod.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5061023 (1991-10-01), Soubliere et al.
patent: 5491611 (1996-02-01), Stewart et al.
patent: 5825626 (1998-10-01), Hulick et al.
patent: 5967633 (1999-10-01), Jung
patent: 5975659 (1999-11-01), Yang et al.
patent: 6157532 (2000-12-01), Cook et al.

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