Front accessible computer and chassis

Details Front accessible computer and chassis Front accessible computer and chassis

1998-12-22

2001-07-10

Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S724000, C361S725000, C361S726000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06259605

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to a computer and a method for assembling and disassembling a computer, and, more particularly, to such a system and method in which one or more covers of the computer can be easily removed while the computer is in a rack system to permit access to the interior of the computer.
In large installations involving a plurality of computers, such as mini-tower or mid-tower computers, including those in the form of servers, the individual computers are usually placed on a rack mount system formed by a cabinet having a plurality of vertically space bays. In these installations, the computer is usually placed in a horizontal position on the shelf on one of its sides to minimize the amount of vertical space that is occupied by the computer. Although these arrangements are desirable from a space efficiency standpoint, they are less than desirable when one or more of the computers must be serviced. For example, because it is virtually impossible to service the computer when it is in the rack mount system, the computers must either be manually rotated to an upright position to permit one or both of its side covers to be removed for service, or be completely removed from the shelves and placed on some other surface for service. Both of these techniques are time-consuming. Moreover, in both techniques, several cables must often be disconnected and reconnected at the back of the computer where space is often limited, which adds to the problems.
In an effort to eliminate these problems, some rack systems provide for slidable movement of the computers outwardly from the rack to provide better access to the computers. However, in this position, it is still very difficult to remove a side cover from the chassis of the computer especially because most computers are designed so that its cover must be moved towards the rear of the computer chassis to permit its removal.
Therefore, what is needed is a computer that can rest on one of its side walls in a rack system, can be extended outwardly from the rack, yet can easily be serviced while residing in the system without having to be removed or rotated.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is thus directed to a chassis for a computer having a chassis provided with at least one cover that can easily be removed while the computer is in a rack system by moving it towards the front of the chassis to permit access to the interior of the computer. To this end, the cover is slidable towards the front of the chassis to permits its removal without removing the chassis from a rack system. At least one fastener extends through the cover for attaching the cover to the chassis. A bezel is provided for the front of the chassis and covers the fastener.
A major advantage is achieved with the system and method of the present disclosure because all the space-efficiency advantages of a rack mount system are retained while the computer is easily positioned for service without having to remove it from the latter system.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4901202 (1990-02-01), Leschinger
patent: 4964017 (1990-10-01), Jindrick et al.
patent: 5587877 (1996-12-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 5717570 (1998-02-01), Kikinis
patent: 5740020 (1998-04-01), Palatov
patent: 5754396 (1998-05-01), Felcman et al.
patent: 5896273 (1999-04-01), Varghese et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Front accessible computer and chassis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Front accessible computer and chassis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Front accessible computer and chassis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2477889