Abstract:
An enclosure and method of construction for use with electronic devices such as computers, amplifiers, switching systems, receivers, video monitors, and televisions, allows a user to access virtually all connector ports on a given piece of equipment from the front of the equipment by displacing a moveable front accessible control panel which supports control mechanisms by which to regulate the equipment. The ideal enclosure may be elevated on adjustable feet such that connector cables from connected peripheral devices may be routed beneath the enclosure to corresponding connector ports at the front of the enclosure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to improved technology in the field of enclosures for electronic equipment, and more particularly to an enclosure and method of construction which enables a user frontal access to virtually all connector ports on a given piece of equipment via displacement of a movable front accessible control panel, and which also allows a user to quickly and concealably route connector cables from connected devices to the front of the enclosure by routing the cables beneath the enclosure. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Currently available electronic devices such as computers, amplifiers, switching systems, receivers, televisions, and various other kinds of equipment may support a limited number of connector ports mounted on a front face for ease of accessibility. Such ports are usually directed toward temporary applications, and their functionality range is generally very limited, e.g., to USB ports, earphone jacks, temporary camera connections, or the like. Other less-frequently accessed or semi-permanent type ports, such as coaxial, network, DIN, HDMI, optical, digital, S-video, keyboard, mouse, component video, CAT-5, speaker wire, VGA, or RCA, for example, depending on the type of equipment in question, are typically mounted on the backs of enclosures and are therefore extremely difficult to access. This is especially true at times where more frequent access may be necessary, as during an initial set-up or during evaluation or trouble-shooting of the equipment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Many currently available varieties of audio, video, switching, amplifier, and computer equipment provide limited numbers and limited types of connector ports on a front surface to allow a user quick and easy access. Often, however, front access connector ports provide the advantage of convenience and quick access only for universal jacks or USB compatible devices, such as headphones or thumb drives, or other similarly limited applications in which a user is highly likely to access the provided ports with a great degree of regularity. 
   Conversely, semi-permanent wiring on equipment such as audio, video, or computer units are usually located at the rear of the equipment, making it necessary for a user to physically manipulate a given unit to gain access to a majority of its connector ports. Over the life of an installation, these connections may need to be accessed from time to time as peripheral devices change or as problems arise that require rearranging connections for debugging and the like. 
   This is particularly problematic if the equipment in question is located in a small or confined area. Where space does not allow for lateral displacement of the equipment, the only option left to a user for accessing the rear panel connector ports may be to move the equipment directly forward of its initial location. This increases the possibility of accidentally disconnecting cables that are already connected to the equipment, and thus may also increase a user&#39;s investment of time and effort by necessitating a search to locate the rear connector ports from which the cables were disconnected. Worse yet, in the event of multiple disconnects, a user may have to engage in a series of wiring experiments in order to determine what the original configuration of the cables was. 
   In some cases, the cables connected to the rear connector ports may be so short that even pulling the equipment forward of its initial location is not feasible. Extreme space restriction such as this may require a user to resort to a flashlight and a mirror to assess and/or alter cable connections. This can be extraordinarily frustrating, and may even prove to be an impossible alternative in situations where there are large numbers of connectors in use. 
   The task of accessing the connector ports can also be a challenge where equipment is mounted to a rack or is stacked underneath other equipment. Often, turning a rack to access connections at the rear of the equipment mounted on the rack may not be practicable, especially where space is limited. Access is further complicated where the equipment is heavy or cumbersome, which is frequently the case. A single user may not be physically able to handle the weight of unwieldy electronic equipment without assistance, either in human form or in the form of a temporary support structure, which may or may not be available at the specific moment that access is needed. Further, even where help can be had in lifting or moving the equipment, there is still the possibility of dropping the unit and causing damage to fragile or expensive equipment, personal injury, or both. 
   What is therefore needed is an enclosure and method of construction which will allow a user to fully access virtually all connector ports on a given piece of electronic equipment from the front of the equipment. The enclosure includes a moveable front accessible control panel which supports control mechanisms by which to adjust the equipment. The ideal enclosure is elevated on feet such that connector cables from connected devices may be passed beneath the enclosure and routed to peripheral devices from the corresponding connector ports at the front of the enclosure. Routing the cables in this manner will allow a user to quickly and efficiently neaten the appearance of the enclosure set-up after settling on a desired wiring configuration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the first embodiment of the present invention and illustrates an enclosure with a recessed connector panel, accessible through a moveable front accessible control panel (shown in an open position) and having a plurality of connector ports thereon, and cabled connectors attached to the connector ports; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1  and illustrates the moveable front accessible control panel in a closed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the enclosure of  FIGS. 1 and 2  which illustrates a rear wall and connector cables extending from underneath the enclosure, and  FIG. 3  also illustrates a power cord at the rear of the enclosure; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of the present invention and illustrates an enclosure which is nearly identical to the enclosure of the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  but which includes a fixed front panel in addition to a moveable front accessible control panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The description and operation of the invention will be best initiated with reference to  FIG. 1 , which is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the present invention and illustrates an enclosure  47  and which includes a housing  49  equipped with adjustable feet  51  and a moveable front accessible control panel  53 . Moveable front accessible control panel  53  is shown in an open position so that its rear surface  55  is visible, as is recessed connector panel  57  which is normally concealed by moveable front accessible control panel  53  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is in a closed position. 
   Moveable front accessible control panel  53  is illustrated as having hinges  59  by which it is attached to housing  49  of enclosure  47 . Moveable front accessible control panel  53  is shown as being hinged at the top, although it could conceivably be hinged at the bottom or at the left or right sides. Moreover, moveable front accessible control panel  53  could be completely detachable from housing  49  to provide unrestricted access to recessed connector panel  57  without the worry of damaging or stressing hinges  59  during access. Finally, although moveable front accessible control panel  53  is illustrated as being hinged, it may conceivably be secured to housing  49  by any method of attachment which will allow moveable front accessible control panel  53  to be displaced such that front access to recessed connector panel  57  is possible. 
   Moveable front accessible control panel  53  may further include an opening  61  through which may allow a user to access certain components of enclosure  47  through moveable front accessible control panel  53  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is closed. Moveable front accessible control panel  53  further includes a recess  63  to accommodate and prevent crimping of a ribbon connector  65  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is in a closed position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , moveable front accessible control panel  53  may enclose a circuit board (not illustrated) such that ribbon connector  65  would facilitate communication between any controls that may be located on moveable front accessible control panel  53  and any controlled components inside housing  49 . Moveable front accessible control panel  53  may also include a transmitter  66  which may be an optical or radio transmitter, for example, for communicating with components in housing  49 . 
   For exemplary purposes, recessed connector panel  57  is illustrated as having a pair of multi-pin connector ports  93 , several parallel ports  97 , a switch  99 , a plurality of male connector ports  101 , a ground  103 , and several HDMI connectors  105 , although the possibilities for connector types or combinations on recessed connector panel  57  are limitless and depend only upon the intended function of the overall device. 
   A receiver  106  on recessed connector panel  57  may receive a signal from transmitter  66 , such as an optical or radio signal, to allow control of components inside housing  49  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is closed and transmitter  66  and receiver  106  are aligned. This may be a desirable feature where moveable front accessible control panel  53  is designed to be fully removable from enclosure  47 . Enclosure  47  also includes a disk drive  107 , which is situated forward of recessed connector panel  57  to facilitate user access to disk drive  107  through opening  61  in moveable front accessible control panel  53  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is in a closed position. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a first connector  109  having an attached first connector cable  111  and coupled with one of the multi-pin connector ports  93 , a second connector  113  having an attached second connector cable  115  and coupled with one of the connector ports  101 , and a third connector  117  having an attached third connector cable  119  and coupled with another of the male connector ports  101 . 
   Connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119  are furthermore shown extending underneath enclosure  47  between adjustable feet  51  and toward the rear of enclosure  47 . Once connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119  exit the rear of enclosure  47 , they may be subsequently connected to peripheral equipment and the like while corresponding connectors  109 ,  113 , and  117  remain fully accessible to a user from the front of enclosure  47 . 
   Recessed connector panel  57  is ideally recessed from front edge of housing  49  so that there is sufficient space between recessed connector panel  57  and rear surface  55  of moveable front accessible control panel  53  to minimize deformity of attached connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119  when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is in a closed position. For example, bigger and/or less flexible cables requiring a wider radius will require greater clearance between recessed connector panel  57  and moveable front accessible control panel  53 , while smaller and/or more flexible cables capable of a tighter radius will require less clearance. It may be that a device having all small/flexible cables might require less clearance, a device having all larger/inflexible cables might require greater clearance and a mixed set of cables would require at least enough clearance to accommodate the largest or most inflexible cable in the grouping. For example, the setback space between recessed connector panel  57  and moveable front accessible control panel  53  may be anywhere from about 1 inch to about 6 inches in some equipment. 
   Adjustable feet  51  may be vertically extended to create sufficient space beneath enclosure  47  to pass multiple cables such as connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119 . The lower front edge of housing  49  may include an indentation  121  which, together with rear surface  55  of moveable front accessible control panel  53 , would define an accommodation space to protect and conceal connector cables (such as connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119 ) routed underneath enclosure  47  from being pinched or bound when moveable front accessible control panel  53  is in a closed position. Moveable front accessible control panel  53  may also extend below the lower front edge of housing  49  to further conceal connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119  from sight. 
   Where heat dissipation makes it undesirable to compromise air flow by routing numerous cables underneath enclosure  47 , adjustable feet  51  may be further extended vertically to increase the available space between enclosure  47  and any supporting structure such as a table. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a series of vents  123  at the right side of housing  49  to aid in ventilation of components within enclosure  47 . Although vents  123  are illustrated as limited to only one side of housing  49 , housing  49  could conceivably include additional vents along the top, bottom or left side. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of the enclosure  47  of  FIG. 1  which illustrates moveable front accessible control panel  53  in a closed position, completely concealing recessed connector panel  57  and instead revealing front surface  125  of moveable front accessible control panel  53 . 
   For exemplary purposes,  FIG. 2  illustrates front surface  125  of moveable front accessible control panel  53  as having a power button  127 , a plurality of vernier knobs  129 , a pair of sockets  131 , a number pad  133 , an video output device  135 , a dial  137 , a multimedia slot  139 , a rotary knob  141 , a pair of jacks  143  and a pair of female connector ports  145 , all of which may control a variety of controlled components inside enclosure  47 . Moveable front accessible control panel  53  may have a greater number, a lesser number, and/or an entirely different variety of controls than those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , depending on the function of the overall device. Also visible in  FIG. 2  are adjustable feet  51  and disk drive  107 , which is visible through opening  61  in moveable front accessible control panel  53 . 
     FIG. 3  is a rear view of enclosure  47 , including rear surface  146  of housing  49 , Also visible in  FIG. 3  are connector cables  111 ,  115 , and  119  extending from underneath enclosure  47  between adjustable feet  51 . A power cord  157  extending from rear surface  146  is also visible at the rear of enclosure  47 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of the present invention which illustrates an enclosure  159  which is nearly identical to enclosure  47  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  with the exception of a few salient features which will be illuminated after a brief enumeration of the features common to both the first and second embodiments. 
   Like enclosure  47 , enclosure  159  may include a housing  161  having side vents  163 , adjustable feet  165 , a moveable right front accessible control panel  167  shown in an open position such that rear surface  169  visible, and a recessed connector panel  171  which is concealed when moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is closed. Moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is illustrated as attached to housing  161  by hinge  173  and includes a transmitter  174 , and a recess  175  for accommodating ribbon connector  177 . 
   For exemplary purposes, recessed connector panel  171  is illustrated as having a receiver  195  corresponding to transmitter  174 , several parallel ports  197 , a switch  199 , a plurality of male connector ports  201 , a ground  203 , and several HDMI connectors  205 . 
   A first connector  207  having an attached first connector cable  209  is illustrated as coupled with one of the male connector ports  201  and a second connector  211  having an attached second connector cable  213  is illustrated as coupled with another of the male connector ports  201 . Both connector cables,  209  and  213 , extend underneath enclosure  159  between adjustable feet  165  and toward the rear of enclosure  159 . The lower front edge of housing  161  may include an indentation  215  which, together with rear surface  169  of moveable front accessible control panel  167 , may define an accommodation space to protect cables when moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is closed. 
   Illustrated adjacent moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is a fixed left front panel  217  which is fixed relative to housing  161  and includes a disk drive  219 , a power button  221 , and a pair of sockets  223 , all of which may be hard-wired to the internal components of enclosure  159 . This arrangement might be desirable where enclosure  159  includes components such as removable media disk drives, fixed volume controls, or multi-pole switching assemblies. 
   Although the size of moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is shown approximately twice that of fixed left front panel  217  in  FIG. 4 , and although the shapes of both moveable right front accessible control panel  167  and fixed left front panel  217  are generally rectangular in  FIG. 4 , it is conceivable that either panel could be moveable and either panel, whether fixed or moveable, could be any shape or width which complements the adjacent panel. Further, although moveable right front accessible control panel  167  and fixed left front panel  217  completely conceal recessed connector panel  171  when closed, it is conceivable that recessed connector panel  171  may be partially or fully exposed as custom design warrants. 
   As in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , recessed connector panel  171  is optimally set back from rear surface  169  of moveable right front accessible control panel  167  as required to minimize damage to connector cables. Additionally, although moveable right front accessible control panel  167  is shown with centered hinge  173 , moveable right front accessible control panel  167  may be hinged at any side, may be completely removable, or may be attached to housing  161  by any method which allows similar movement or removal. Likewise, recessed connector panel  171  may have any number and variety of connectors thereon and is not limited to the type and configuration of connectors in  FIG. 4 , which are primarily shown as examples. 
   Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.