Abstract:
A computer with a detachable main casing cover and a method of assembling the same comprises a main casing formed with an opening through which a plurality of hardware components are accommodated therein. The cover is connected to the main casing and is configured to open and close the opening. A hinge is provided between the main casing and the cover. The hinge connects the cover with the main casing to allow the cover to rotatably open and close the opening of the main casing. Additionally, an engaging portion is provided in an engaging region between the main casing and the cover and prevents the cover from rotating relative to the main casing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0048725, entitled “Computer,” filed on Jun. 28, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an improved computer having a detachable main casing. More particularly, to a computer in which the cover of the main casing is conveniently opened by depressing a push button, thereby allowing a user to easily replace and repair hardware components accommodated in the main casing.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, there are frequent occasions when a user replaces or repairs hardware components disposed within a computer.  
         [0006]     To facilitate the replacement or the repair of the hardware components disposed in the computer, computers have recently been manufactured to include a main casing and a cover detachable from the main casing. For example, the computer, disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2001-0068914, comprises a front cover provided with a power switch to turn on/off the computer, a main casing formed with an opening on a predetermined side for accommodating a plurality of hardware components therein, and a cover detachably coupled to the main casing covering the opening of the main casing.  
         [0007]     With this configuration, the cover is detachable from the main casing, thereby facilitating the replacement and the repair of the hardware components accommodated in the computer.  
         [0008]     However, in such conventional computers, because the cover is detachably coupled to the main casing by afastener, a tool is additionally needed to separate the cover from the main casing.  
         [0009]     Furthermore, because the cover and the main casing have completely separate structures from each other, it is difficult to correctly align the cover with the main casing when the cover and the main casing are assembled.  
         [0010]     Therefore, a need exists for a computer having a main casing with an improved detachable cover for allowing a user to easily replace and repair hardware components accommodated in the main casing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention and a method of assembling thereof have been conceived to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide a computer in which a cover is not completely separated from a main casing and is opened and closed in a simple and easy manner.  
         [0012]     The foregoing and other objects are substantially realized by providing a computer comprising a main casing formed with an opening through which a plurality of hardware components are accommodated therein; a cover connected to the main casing, and opening and closing the opening; a hinge provided between the main casing and the cover and connecting the cover with the main casing to allow the cover to rotatably opening and closing the opening of the main casing; and an engaging portion provided in an engaging region between the main casing and the cover and preventing the cover from rotating relative to the main casing, the hinge being slidable to allow the cover to get out of the engaging portion and rotate relative to the main casing.  
         [0013]     The hinge comprises a hinge shaft provided in one of the main casing and the cover, and a slotted hole provided in the other one thereof and accommodating the hinge shaft therein to allow the cover to slide with respect to the hinge shaft.  
         [0014]     The computer further comprises a locking unit provided between the main casing and the cover and allowing the cover to be elastically locked to or released from the main casing.  
         [0015]     The locking unit comprises a locking portion formed in one of the main casing and the cover, and a latch provided in the other one thereof and being elastically locked to or released from the locking portion.  
         [0016]     The locking unit comprises a button contacting the latch to operate the latch.  
         [0017]     The button and the latch are provided in the cover, and the locking unit is formed on the main casing in correspondence to the latch.  
         [0018]     The main casing is provided with a stopper to restrict a movable range of the latch when the latch is released from the locking unit.  
         [0019]     The latch comprises a hook portion being released from or locked to the locking portion according to whether the button is pushed or not, and an extended portion extending from the hook portion and coupled to the main casing.  
         [0020]     The main casing comprises a front cover forming an outer appearance in a front thereof, and the engaging portion comprises a skirt portion and a bending portion formed at a free end of the cover to be engaged with an inside of the skirt portion.  
         [0021]     The elongated hole is long enough to allow the bending portion to extend through the skirt portion. The foregoing and other objects are also substantially realized by providing method of assembling a computer having a main casing formed with an opening by connecting a cover to the main casing for opening and closing the opening. Then, arranging a hinge between the main casing and the cover for connecting the cover with the main casing, and for allowing the cover to rotatably open and close the opening of the main casing. Providing an engaging portion in an engaging region between the main casing and the cover, the engaging portion preventing the cover from rotating relative to the main casing. Lastly, slidably positioning the hinge to allow the cover to disengage from the engaging portion and rotate relative to the main casing.  
         [0022]     Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a disassembled perspective view of a main casing and a cover in a computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the main casing and the cover of the computer of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the computer, taken along line III-III in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing a locking unit of the computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  each are a sectional view and a side view showing that a latch is locked to a locking portion in the computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  each are a sectional view and a side view showing that the latch is released from the locking portion in the computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a side view showing that the cover is opened up from the main casing and opens an opening of the main casing in the computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0031]     Throughout the drawings, the same drawings reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements thereof, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions are omitted for conciseness.  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a computer  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a main casing  10  formed with an opening  12  at a side thereof to accommodate a plurality of hardware components. A cover  20  is connected to the main casing  10  for opening/closing the opening  12 , and a hinge  40  is provided between the main casing  10  and the cover  20  for connecting the cover  20  with the main casing  10 . Thus, allowing the cover  20  to be rotatably opened and closed relative to the opening of the main casing  10 .  
         [0034]     A main board  11  is inserted through the opening  12  of the main casing  10 . Additionally, the main board  11  is mounted with a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. Further, the main casing  10  comprises a front cover  13  forming an outer surface in a front thereof, and a skirt portion  31  bent backward from a top portion of the front cover  13 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cover  20  is rotatable about the main casing  10  with respect to the hinge  40  which is provided in a back region of the main casing  10 . Further, the cover  20  is formed with a bending portion  32  at a free end thereof for engaging with the skirt portion  31  of the front cover  13 . Hereinafter, the bending portion  32  of the cover  20  and the skirt portion  31  of the front cover  13  will be called an engaging portion  30 . The engaging portion  30  stops the cover  20  from being rotated up and opened relative to the main casing  10 . That is, when the cover  20  is urged to rotate from a closed position of the opening  12  toward an open position, the skirt portion  31  contacts and obstructs the bending portion  32 . Thus, the cover  20  is prevented from rotating. On the other hand, in order to allow the cover  20  to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the hinge  40  can slide backward. When the hinge  40  slides backward, the bending portion  32  moves backward and disengages from the skirt portion  31 , thereby allowing the cover  20  to rotate to the open position.  
         [0036]     The hinge  40  comprises a hinge shaft  41  protruding from a side of the cover  20 . Moreover, the hinge includes a slotted hole  42  formed in the main casing  10  corresponding to the hinge shaft  41  and accommodating the hinge shaft  41  therein. Here, the hinge shaft  41  can slide backward along the slotted hole  42  when the cover  20  is pressed backward. That is, when the cover  20  is pressed backward from the closed position kept by the engaging portion  30 , the hinge shaft  41  is pushed backward along the slotted hole  42 . Here, the movable distance of the hinge shaft  41  relative to the slotted hole  42  is preferably at least equal to a distance for allowing the bending portion  32  to get out of the skirt portion  31 .  
         [0037]     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a locking unit  50  is additionally provided between the main casing  10  and the cover  20 . The locking unit  50  allows the cover  20  to elastically lock to or release from the main casing  10 .  
         [0038]     The locking unit  50  comprises a locking portion  51  formed on a front region of the main casing  10 , and a latch  52  elastically locked to or released from the locking portion  51 . Preferably, the locking unit  50  comprises a button  53  contacting and operating the latch  52 .  
         [0039]     Further, on an inner bottom of the main casing  10  is formed a stopper  60  restricting a movable range of the latch  52 .  
         [0040]     The latch  52  is provided in the cover  20  and comprises a hook portion  54  that is elastically released from or locked to the locking portion  51  in correspondence to whether the button  53  is pushed or not. An extended portion  55  extends from the hook portion  54  and is coupled to the cover  20 . Here, a fastener  55   b , such as a screw, is inserted into a coupling boss  22  of the main casing  10  through a fastener hole  55   a  formed in the extended portion  55  of the latch  52 . However, of course, any suitable conventional fastener may be used to fasten latch  52  to the main casing  10 . Thus, the latch  52  is fastened to the main casing  10 . The hook portion  54  of the latch  52  is movable between a locked position and a released position. When in the locked position, the cover  20  is in the closed position and the hook portion  54  is locked to the locking portion  51 . In the released position, the hook portion  54  is released from the locking portion  51 .  
         [0041]     The button  53  is inserted into a button through hole  21  formed on a side of the cover  20 . Further, the button  53  comprises a pushing portion  56  exposed to the outside through the button through hole  21  so as to be pushed by a user, and a contacting portion  57  extends from the pushing portion  56  for contacting the latch  52 . Here, the contacting portion  57  has a diameter larger than that of the button through hole  21 , so that the button  53  is prevented from falling through the through hole  21 .  
         [0042]     A process of rotating the cover  20  and opening the opening  12  of the main casing  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5A through 7 .  
         [0043]     Referring to the computer  1  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the opening  12  of the main casing  10  is covered with the cover  20 , that is, the cover  20  is in the closed position. At this time, the cover  20  cannot be rotated up and opened because the hook portion  54  of the latch  52  is being locked to the locking portion  51 . Further, the skirt portion  31  and the bending portion  32  of the engaging portion  30  are engaged to each other, thereby preventing the cover  20  from being rotated up and opened. Furthermore, the pushing portion  56  of the button  53  is exposed to the outside through the button through hole  21 , and the contacting portion  57  of the button  53  is in contact with the hook portion  54  of the latch  52 .  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 6A , in order to open the opening  12 , a user pushes the pushing portion  56  of the button  53  exposed to the outside of the cover  20 . Consequently, the button  53  moves to the inside of the cover  20  through the button through hole  21 , so that the contacting portion  57  of the button  53  contacts and pushes the hook portion  54  in a moving direction of the button  53 . Thus, the hook portion  54  is released from the locking portion  51 . At this time, the movable range of the hook portion  54  is restricted by the stopper  60  formed on the inner bottom of the main casing  10 .  
         [0045]     In this state, it is still impossible to rotate and open the cover  20  relative to the main casing  10  because the bending portion  32  is engaged with the inside of the skirt portion  31  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, while the button  53  is pushed to release the hook portion  54  from the locking portion  51 , a user slides the cover  20  backward as shown in  FIG. 6B . Then, the hinge shaft  41  slides backward along the slotted hole  42 , so that the bending portion  32  is released from the skirt portion  31 , thereby allowing the cover  20  to rotate. Further, in the state that the hook portion  54  is released from the locking portion  51 , when the button  53  is released from pushing, the hook portion  54  is elastically returned to an original state with respect to the extended portion  55  fastened to the cover  20 .  
         [0046]     In the state that the cover  20  is released from the main casing  10 , a user can rotate the cover  20  from the closed position to the open position with respect to the hinge  40  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). Thus, to replace or repair the hardware component, a user can easily release the cover  20  from the main casing  10  and open the opening  12  of the main casing  10 .  
         [0047]     On the other hand, a process of closing the opening  12  of the main casing is performed in a reverse order as follows.  
         [0048]     In the state that the cover  20  is opened relative to the opening  12  of the main casing  10 , the cover  20  is rotated downward with respect to the hinge  40 . At this time, the hinge shaft  41  of the hinge  40  is positioned at a back end of the slotted hole  42 . Thus, the front cover  13  of the main casing is distant from the cover  20  at a predetermined distance. To couple the front cover  13  with the cover  20 , the cover  20  is moved forward, so that the hook portion  54  of the latch  52  slides along the side of the main casing  10  and is locked to the locking portion  51 . Further, the bending portion  32  is engaged with the skirt portion  31 .  
         [0049]     In the foregoing embodiment, the hinge shaft  41  protrudes from the cover  20 , and the slotted hole  42  is formed in the main casing  10 . However, the hinge shaft may be provided in the main casing, and the slotted hole may be provided in the cover.  
         [0050]     In the foregoing embodiment, the hinge  40  is provided in the back region of the main casing and the cover, but not limited to.  
         [0051]     As described above, the present invention provides a computer, in which an opening of a main casing is conveniently opened, so that a user can easily replace and repair hardware components accommodated in the main casing.  
         [0052]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.