Electronic processor unit having components mounted on a pivotal

Details Electronic processor unit having components mounted on a pivotal Electronic processor unit having components mounted on a pivotal

1996-07-31

1998-07-21

Phillips, Michael W.

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

361726, G06F 116, H05K 716

Patent

active

057842523

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an electronic processor unit, comprising a base adapted to support first mechanical and electronic components, and an auxiliary frame adapted to support second mechanical and electronic components and to be fixed to the base in order to enclose the said second components.
Known electronic processor units, such as in personal computers, have frames, for supporting and housing the internal components, fixed to the base by means of rows of screws. This type of structure has the disadvantage that it makes it difficult to access the internal components of the processor unit, e.g. in order to replace a faulty part. Furthermore, tools are required to unscrew and tighten the various screws holding the components fixed to the base.
One such electronic unit is disclosed in European Patent Application EP-A-0 428 273, which concerns a computer having a frame carrying a power supply and which is pivotable for being selectively fixed by interlocking means to a base of the computer. The interlocking means comprise a threaded, spring-loaded fastener, which has to be screwed on the base for fixing the frame. The interlocking means have to be operated as a screw, so that the locking and the unlocking of the frame to and from the base are rather laborious.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an electronic processor unit in which it is simple to access both the mechanical and electronic internal components without the aid of tools, or without having to effect uncomfortable operations, such as unscrewing, and in which the auxiliary frame can be moved in a restricted manner in order to ensure access to these components.
This object is achieved by the present invention as defined in the characteristic portion of independent claim 1. Advantageous features of the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.
A preferred electronic processor unit embodying the invention is described below in more detail with reference to the drawings, and has a base supporting mechanical and/or electronic components, and an auxiliary frame fixed to the base and supporting other mechanical and/or electronic components. The auxiliary frame can be pivoted between a rest position and a tilted position providing access to the said mechanical and/or electronic components. Access to these components is thus simple and can be achieved without the need to use tools.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the invention will be made clear from the description of a preferred embodiment given by way of a non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic processor unit embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the processor unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the auxiliary frame of the processor unit of FIG. 1 in one of its operative positions;
FIG. 4 is a view of a detail from FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view of another detail from FIG. 3; and
FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a part of the processor unit


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 designates an electronic processor unit, e.g. of the personal computer type, hereinafter referred to by the abbreviation PC, comprising a cover 11 and a main frame 12, shown in detail in FIG. 2. The main frame 12 consists of a base 13 for supporting first mechanical and/or electronic components and an auxiliary frame 14 for supporting second mechanical and/or electronic components in a modular manner.
For the sake of brevity and simplicity of description, the cover 11, e.g. of conventional type or of a type closed by means of wing nuts as described in International Patent Application No. PCT/EP95/00095, publication No. W095/19594 published 20 Jul. 1995, in the name Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A., and also, the first and second mechanical and/or electronic components will not be described in detail as they are kn

REFERENCES:
patent: 5051868 (1991-09-01), Leverault et al.
patent: 5136468 (1992-08-01), Wong et al.

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