Front panel assembly for computer enclosure

Details Front panel assembly for computer enclosure Front panel assembly for computer enclosure

2002-11-15

2004-09-28

Duong, Hung Van (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S736000, C345S905000, C248S917000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06798664

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer enclosures, and more particularly to front panel assemblies of computer enclosures which provide access to electronic devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the advent of various new portable universal serial bus (USB) and FireWire technology, users frequently need to plug a device such as a digital camera or an MP3 player into a data storage to download data or upload data. A typical data storage used is a personal computer (PC) that has suitable ports installed at a back panel of an enclosure thereof. However, it is inconvenient for the user to have to reach around to the back of the enclosure. The latest enclosure technology addresses this problem by offering mounting ports in a front panel of the enclosure. Such ports are often protected by a pivotable cover, which helps prevent the ports from sustaining contamination or accidental damage.
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, a conventional front panel assembly comprises a front panel
10
′ and a pivotable cover
20
′. A recess
12
′ is defined behind the cover
12
′, for accommodating components such as ports secured in the front panel
10
′. A pair of pins
14
′ protrudes inwardly from respective opposite side edges of the front panel
10
′ at the recess
12
′. The cover
20
′ comprises a pair of connecting portions
22
′ movably connected to the pins
14
′. The cover
20
′ is pivoted outwardly to expose the recess
12
′ and gain access to the ports. However, the cover
20
′ itself is then exposed outside a main face of the front panel
10
′. Therefore the cover
20
′ is itself liable to sustain accidental damage. Furthermore, the pins
14
′ and connecting portions
22
′ are prone to wear out after repeated use, and can eventually break.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a front panel assembly which provides access to components, which protects the components, and which has a substantially integrating configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a front panel assembly which is sturdy, durable and shock-resistant.
To achieve the above objects, a front panel assembly for a computer enclosure in accordance with the present invention comprises a front panel, a lining panel and a cover. The front panel has a generally arch-shaped profile. An opening is defined in an upper portion of the front panel. A pair of parallel first arcuate guideways is formed on an internal surface of the front panel, at upper and lower extremities respectively of the opening. The lining panel has a profile generally matching the arch-shaped profile of the front panel, and comprises a central vertical beam. An opening and a recess are defined in the lining panel at opposite sides respectively of the beam. A pair of parallel second arcuate guideways is formed at upper and lower extremities respectively of the recess, corresponding to the first guideways of the front panel. The beam has a slanting edge portion. A plurality of ports or other components is installed in the lining panel at the recess. The cover is received in the recess of the lining panel, and is slidable along the first and second guideways. The cover is slid toward the beam and snappingly engaging with the slanting edge portion of the beam, thus protecting the ports or other components in the recess from contamination or accidental damage.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:


REFERENCES:
patent: 5600538 (1997-02-01), Xanthopoulos
patent: 6445577 (2002-09-01), Madsen et al.
patent: 6590765 (2003-07-01), Crowley

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