Abstract:
A computer case has a rectangular case section having an open side. All the walls of the rectangular case section are formed of a transparent material to allow individuals to see inside the computer case. The walls of the rectangular case are molded together. A chassis is coupled to an interior section of the rectangular case. The chassis is used for holding computer components inside the computer case. A movable transparent side wall is slidable coupled to the open section of the rectangular case. The movable side wall allows individuals access to the inside of the computer case. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the movable transparent wall for automatically opening and closing the movable transparent side wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to computer systems and, more specifically, to a new computer case having a sliding door to allow easy access to the internal components of the computer. The computer case will further have a unique cooling system that will more efficiently cool the interior section of the computer case.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Almost all desktop personal computers have a main unit which is built in a similar manner. The main unit will have a rectangular shaped case that comprises a chassis frame and an outer shell. The chassis frame typically is a metal frame on which the various computer components and devices are mounted. Usually at one end of the frame several device bays are positioned. Each device bay is designed to hold a computer device, such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a floppy disk drive, CD or DVD drive, or other computer component. The chassis frame also has places or brackets for holding a power supply and various boards, including the computer&#39;s motherboard and I/O boards.  
         [0005]     An outer shell is positioned over the chassis frame. The outer shell protects the computer components from dust and certain other environmental hazards. The outer shell is generally made out of a light weight metal such as aluminum. The outer shell is generally solid except for a plurality of small holes which may be drilled through the outer shell for ventilation. The outer shell slides on to the chassis frame and is secured to the chassis frame with a plurality of screws.  
         [0006]     While present computer cases do work, there are several problems associated with them. First, in order to perform any type of work on the main unit of a desktop computer, one must remove the outer shell from the chassis frame. This requires one to remove all of the screws which hold the outer shell on to the chassis frame. This is very inconvenient and time consuming. Second, the ventilation system in most computers is very basic. Most computer cases generally use a small horsepower fan to cool the components in the computer case. The fan is used to vent the warm air out of the computer case. While the fan does work, a better cooling system will increase the efficiency of the computer system. Third, most computer cases are very dull looking. Many people would prefer to have a computer case that is more stylish looking. A more stylish looking computer case could increase sales to sagging computer sales.  
         [0007]     Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved computer case. The improved computer case must overcome the problems associated with prior art computer cases.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved computer case.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved computer case that overcomes the problems associated with prior art computer cases.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a computer case is disclosed. The computer case has a rectangular case section having an open side. All the walls of the rectangular case section are formed of a transparent material to allow individuals to see inside the computer case. The walls of the rectangular case are molded together. A chassis is coupled to an interior section of the rectangular case. The chassis is used for holding computer components inside the computer case. A movable transparent side wall is slidable coupled to the open section of the rectangular case. The movable side wall allows individuals access to the inside of the computer case. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the movable transparent wall for automatically opening and closing the movable transparent side wall.  
         [0011]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a simplified block diagram of the cooling system used in the computer case of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a simplified functional block diagram of the cooling system used in the computer case of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to the Figures, an improved computer case  10  is shown. The computer case  10  is unique in that the entire computer case  10  is transparent. A clear plastic, acrylic material, or the like may be used to construct the computer case  10 . By having a transparent computer case  10 , one can see the internal components placed inside the computer case  10 . The computer case  10  is a rectangular shape box where each side of the box is made from a transparent material. No screws are required to secure the walls of the computer case  10  together. All of the walls, with the exception of one side wall  12 , are bonded together. The bond may be an epoxy, heat mold, and the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. Other methods of bonding the walls of the computer case  10  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0021]     A side wall  12  is moveably coupled to the computer box  10 . The side wall  12  allows one to open the computer box  10  and have access to the components internal to the computer box  10  without having to remove a plurality of screws as in the prior art. Thus, one can more easily gain access to the interior of the computer box  10  in order to work on components inside the computer box  10 . The side wall  12  will slide open in order to allow one to have access to the interior of the computer box  10 . In general, a sliding mechanism  14  is coupled to the side wall  12 . The sliding mechanism  14  will be coupled to a small motor device  20 . The motor device  20  is used to open and close the side wall  12 . The motor device  20  may be operated via a switch  20 A or by a remote control device  20 B.  
         [0022]     The sliding mechanism  14  may take several different forms. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding mechanism  14  uses a track system  16 . The track system  16  allows the side wall  12  to slide forward to expose the interior of the computer box  10 . The track system  16  is directly coupled to the side wall  12 . A belt or gear and pulley system  18 A is coupled to the bottom of the track system  16  and to the motor  20 . The belt/gear and pulley system  18 A will move in a forward or reverse direction based on the operation of the motor  20 . This will allow one to open and close the side wall  12 . Alternatively, a retractable arm may be coupled to the bottom of the track system  16  and the motor  20 . Operation of the motor  20  will either extend the arm to slide the side wall  12  in an open position or retract the arm to slide the side wall  12  back to a closed position.  
         [0023]     A chassis  22  is coupled to the interior of the computer box  10 . The chassis  22  is made of the same transparent material as the computer case  10 . The chassis  22  is used to hold the various computer components and devices inside the computer case  10 . The chassis  22  also has places or brackets for holding a power supply and various boards, including the computer&#39;s motherboard and I/O boards.  
         [0024]     In order to couple the computer components to the chassis  22 , a side access door  19  is formed on the computer case  10 . The side access door  19  is formed on the opposite side of the computer case  12  where the side wall  12  is situated. The side access door  19  is used to allow one to secure computer components to the side of the chassis  22  opposite of the side wall  12 . The side access door  19  is generally hinged to the computer case  10  to allow one to open and close the side access door  19  and gain access to the inside of the computer case  12 .  
         [0025]     Internal to the computer case  10  is a unique cooling system  30 . The cooling system  30  will provide a constant temperature of approximately 70° F. to 72° F. Sensors may be located in the computer case  10  to monitor the temperature. In general, the sensors will be coupled to the processor  39  of the computer system to measure the temperature of the processor  39 . The cooling system  30  will have a control unit  30 A which is coupled to the processor  39  of the computer system. The control unit  30 A will activate and deactivate the cooling system  30  to keep a constant temperature of approximately 70° F. to 72° F. in the computer case  10 .  
         [0026]     The cooling system  30  may have one or both of the following: a thermoelectric cooler  32  and/or a Freon cooler  34 . The thermoelectric cooler  32  has a heatsink  32 A. The heatsink  32 A removes heat by exchanging it with air in a more efficient manner. The heatsink  32 A does this by providing more surface area for dissipating the heat. The heatsink  32 A has a group of fins  32 B. The longer the fins, and the more of them, the higher the surface area, and the better the efficiency.  
         [0027]     A Peltier device  32 B (also known as a thermoelectric (TE) module) is coupled to the heatsink  32 A. The Peltier device  32 B is a small solid-state device generally a few millimeters thick by a few centimeters square. The Peltier device  32 B is formed by two ceramic plates with an array of small Bismuth Telluride cubes (“couples”) in between. When a DC current is applied heat is moved from one side of the Peltier device  32 B to the other. Thus, one side of the Peltier device  32 B will heat up while the other side of the Peltier device  32 B will turn cold. The heat from the hot side is then dissipated by the heatsink  32 A.  
         [0028]     An insulator plate  33  is coupled to the heat sink  32 A.  
         [0029]     The insulator plate  33  is formed around the Peltier device  32 B.  
         [0030]     The insulator plate  33  is used to insulate the Peltier device  32 B so that the heat from the hot side of the Peltier device  32 B won&#39;t affect the coolness of the cold side of the Peltier device  32 B.  
         [0031]     Any type of insulating plate may be used. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a canvas based phenolic is used. However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0032]     A second fan  36 A is coupled to the insulator plate  33  and the cold side of the Peltier device  32 B. The second fan  36 A is coupled to the insulator plate  33  via a second heatsink  36 B. The cold air from the cold side of the Peltier device  32 B is circulated through the fins  36 C of the heatsink  36 B, thereby cooling the air even more. The fan  36 A then sends the cool air out to cool the computer case  10 . The dual fan unit of the thermoelectric cooler  32  causes a vacuum effect which causes the second fan  36 A to run. If the temperature in the computer case  10  rises to an elevated temperature, the second fan  36 A may be turned on to a higher Revolution Per Minute (RPM) level created by the vacuum effect to cool off the computer case  10 .  
         [0033]     A freon cooler  34  may also be placed inside the computer case  10 . A freon cooler  34  works by having a spray device  35  spray freon onto a heat sink  35 A. The freon cools the heat sink  35 A causing the fins on the fan  35 B to rotate. The cool air from the fan  35 B will be blown on the components in the computer case  10  there by cooling the components. Cooler components run more efficiently thereby increasing the efficiency of the computer system. As may be seen more clearly in  FIG. 6 , air ducts  37  may be used to directly channel the cool air generated by the freon cooler onto components in the computer case  10 .  
         [0034]     An addition fan unit  41  may be positioned in the front of the computer case  10 . The fan unit  41  works in conjunction with the cooling system  30  to create a vacuum effect. Thus, outside air is drawn into the computer case  10  and warm air is expelled from, the computer case  10 .  
         [0035]     In operation, the cooling system  30  works in the following manner. The Peltier device  32 B will draw heat from the components located inside the computer case  10 . The heat from the hot side of the Peltier device  32 B is then dissipated by the heatsink  32 A. The first fans  34  will draw in outside air and blow the heat off the first side of the Peltier device  32 B. The hot air will be dissipated through the side exits as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0036]     The cold air from the cold side of the Peltier device  32 B is circulated through the fins  36 C of the heatsink  36 B, thereby cooling the air even more. The fan  36 A then sends the cool air out to cool the computer case  10 . The thermoelectric cooler  32  is more efficient than prior art system which just have a fan which blows the hot air out of the computer case. By blowing hot air out and cool air into the computer case  10 , the computer case  10  will be cooler than prior art cases. By having a cooler computer case  10 , the components inside the computer case  10  will run more efficiently.  
         [0037]     To even further cool the computer case  10 , the freon cooler  34  will spray freon onto the heat sink  35 A. The Freon cools the heat sink  35 A causing the fins on the fan  35 B to rotate. The cool air from the fan  35 B will be blown on the components in the computer case  10  there by cooling the components.  
         [0038]     In all prior art computer systems, wires are run all through the interior of the computer case. Many times twist ties or other plastic ties are used to group and hold the wires together in order to make the computer case less cluttered. However, the twist ties are still unsightly and have a tendency to break thereby allowing the wires to spread out again. In the computer case  10  of the present invention, wire looms  36  are used to group and hold groups of wire together. Wire looms  36  will better hold the groups of wires togther and do a better job of organizing and covering the wires since the wire looms  36  cover all of the wire. Chrome finish wire looms  36  may be used to provide a sleeker look to the interior of the computer case  10 . This is important since the computer case  10  is transparent.  
         [0039]     A plurality of different lights may be used in the computer case  10 . The lights can be used for artistic purposes as well as to shine and highlight different components inside the computer box  10 . For example, lighted tube wiring  38  may be used. The lighted tube wiring  38  may be wrapped around the wire looms  36 . Thus one can see the wiring in the dark. The lighted tube wiring  38  may further be positioned through out the computer case  10 . Laser lights  40  may also be used. The laser lights  40  may be a beam light or it may be a patterned light. The laser lights  40  may be used for artistic purposes or for shining on a particular component inside the computer case  10 . The laser lights  40  may be an LED light like a fisheye LED. However, this should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0040]     The lighted tube wiring  38  and the laser lights  40  are coupled to a lighting control unit  39 . The lighting control unit  39  will provide power to the lighted tube wiring  38  and the laser lights  40 . The lighting control unit  39  will further allow one to control the lighted tube wiring  38  and the laser lights  40 . Thus, one can turn on and off different lights in the computer case  10 . The lighting control unit  39  is generally the main processor unit of the computer case  10 . As can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 7 , the processor unit  39  can also be used to control and display status lights for the computer case  10 , LEDs for case lighting, a numeric display to show processor speed or the temperature of the computer case  10 , etc. The processor  39  can further be used to control the cooling system  30  so that the computer case  10  remains at a constant temperature.  
         [0041]     A plurality of different colored face plates  42  may be coupled to the exterior of the computer case  10 . The face plates  42  are used to cover up openings where a DVD drive, a CD drive, a floppy drive, and the like will be positioned in the computer case  10 . The face plates  42  are removable. Thus, one can easily remove the face plate  42  and insert a different face plate  42  of a different color. By having different color face plates  42 , one can customize the look and appearance of the computer case  10 .  
         [0042]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.