Abstract:
A support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout is disclosed. The support system further includes a front panel, a rear panel, an indicator segment, and an outlet segment. The indicator and outlet segments are detachably mounted to the chassis such that a user can convert the chassis to a front or a rear access position. It is noted that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a support system for housing a variety of types of electronic components and, more particularly, to a support system comprising a chassis with an interchangeable design and layout. 
   2. Background 
   Chassis are utilized to house a variety of different types of electronic components. For instance, a chassis may be utilized to hold CPUs, hard drives, printed circuit boards, and power supplies. Chassis are typically mounted into a rack or cabinet. Using such racks allows chassis that are housing a variety of electronic components to be stored with high space efficiency while permitting easy visual and manual access. Conventional chassis comprising front and rear access panels have traditionally been limited by construction as to which end is accessible for certain connections such as power, input/output, and video. Thus, users have been restricted to either a network setup with front access to particular connections or a lab setup with rear access to particular connections. Traditionally, in order to interchange access between the two ends of the chassis, the user would have to remove and reinstall the components within the chassis, which has drawbacks. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a support system including a chassis having a first and second side. The chassis also includes a front panel and a rear panel, each having an outer end and an interior end. The chassis preferably further comprises an outlet segment and an indicator segment, each having two opposed ends. Preferably, the outlet and indicator segments are detachably mounted to the chassis to be interchangeable with each other. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a support system comprising a chassis in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout which includes a motherboard, and a power source; 
       FIG. 2B  is a partially exploded front perspective of a connection means of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout; 
       FIG. 2C  is a partially exploded rear perspective of a connection means of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout; 
       FIG. 3A  is a partially exploded perspective view of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout, wherein the chassis is in the front access position; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout, wherein the chassis is in the rear access position; and 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective of a support system comprising a chassis having an interchangeable design and layout and including a rack structure in which the chassis is slidably mountable. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, “a,” “an,” or “the” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. The preferred embodiment is now described with reference to the figures, in which like numbers indicate like parts throughout the figures. 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-2C  illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a support system of the present invention comprising a chassis  10  having an interchangeable design and layout. The chassis  10  preferably has a first side  90 , a second side  80 , a top  140 , and a bottom  60 . The support system further comprises a front panel  20  and a rear panel  30 . Each of the respective panels  20 ,  30  includes an outer end and an interior end. The outer end  22  of the front panel  20  is disposed adjacent the first side  90  of the chassis  10 , and the interior end  24  of the front panel  20  is disposed intermediate the first side  90  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . The outer end  32  of the rear panel  30  is disposed adjacent the first side  90  of the chassis  10 , and the interior end  34  of the rear panel  30  is disposed intermediate the first side  90  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . Also the rear panel  30  and the front panel  20  are spaced apart as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B  so that electronic/computer components may be positioned therebetween. The distance between the first side  90  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10  defines the length of the chassis. The longest dimension of the first side  90  and second side  80  make up the depth of the chassis  10 . In a typical embodiment, the chassis  10  has a length of 17 inches, depth of 20 inches, and a standard height of 1.75 inches (commonly referred to as 1U). In comparison to the length of the chassis  10 , the front panel  20  and the rear panel  30  have a preferable length of approximately 12.75 inches, which is about 75% of the length of the chassis  10 . As one skilled in the art will appreciate, however, the length of the front and rear panels may vary depending on the design of the chassis. 
   It is preferred that the support system further comprise an outlet segment  40  and an indicator segment  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Each of the respective segments includes opposed ends—a first end and a second end. The outlet segment  40  and the indicator segment  50  have a preferable length of approximately 4.25 inches which is about 25% of the length of the chassis  10 . As one skilled in the art will appreciate, however, the length of the outlet and indicators segments may vary depending on the design of the chassis. 
   Each of the segments  40 ,  50  are detachably mounted to the chassis  10  such that the segments  40 ,  50  are interchangeable between a first position and a second position. That is, when the indicator segment  50  is positioned adjacent the front panel  20  and the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the rear panel  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3A , the indicator segment  50  and outlet segment  40  are in the first position. Specifically, the first position is achieved when the first end  52  of the indictor segment  50  is positioned adjacent the interior end  24  of the front panel  20 , and the first end  42  of the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the interior end  34  of the rear panel  30 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . The first position also exists when the indicator segment  50  and the outlet segment  40  are twisted around so that the second end  54  of the indicator segment  50  is positioned adjacent the interior end  24  of the front panel  20 , and the second end  44  of the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the interior end  34  of the rear panel  30 . Alternatively, when the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the front panel  20  and the indicator segment  50  is positioned adjacent the rear panel  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , the outlet segment  40  and the indicator segment  50  are in the second position. That is, the second position is achieved when the first end  42  (or alternatively the second end  44 ) of the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the interior end  24  of the front panel  20  and the first end  52  (or alternatively the second end  54 ) of the indicator segment  50  is positioned adjacent the interior end  34  of the rear panel  30 . 
   The segments  40 ,  50  and the panels  20 ,  30  preferably are detachably connected to the chassis  10  by a connection means. In the illustrated embodiment, when the segments  40 ,  50  are in the first position, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the indicator segment  50  and the front panel  20  are detachably connected to the chassis  10  by a front fastener  62 , and the outlet segment  40  and the rear panel  30  are detachably connected to the chassis  10  by a rear fastener  64 . When the segments  40 ,  50  are in the second position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the outlet segment  40  and the front panel  20  are detachably connected to the chassis  10  by the front fastener  62 , and the indicator segment  50  and the rear panel  30  are detachably connected to the chassis  10  by the rear fastener  64 . Alternatively, the indicator segment  50  may be detachably connected to the chassis  10  by the front fastener  62  and the outlet segment  40  may be detachably connected to the chassis  10  by the rear fastener  64  regardless of whether the segments  40 ,  50  are in the first or second position. Other connection means are contemplated to detachably connect the segments and the panels to the chassis including but not limited to captive screws, snap hooks, or latches. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the front fastener  62  defines at least one first opening  65 , at least one second opening  69 , and at least one bottom opening. When the segments  40 ,  50  are in the first position, the first end  52  of the indicator segment  50  defines at least one opening  56  in registry with the first opening  65  of the front fastener  62 . Both openings  56 ,  65  are adapted to receive a first front screw  67  which connects the indicator segment  50  and the front fastener  62  to one another. The indicator segment  50  is similarly connected to the front fastener  62  when the indicator segment  50  is twisted around so that at least one opening  58  of the second end  54  of the indicator segment  50  is in registry with the first opening  65  of the front fastener  62 . As for the front panel  20 , the interior end  24  of the front panel  20  defines at least one opening  26  in registry with the second opening  69  of the front fastener  62 . Both openings  26 ,  69  are adapted to receive a second front screw  70  which connects the front panel  20  and the front fastener  62  to one another. The front fastener  62  coupled with the indicator segment  50  and the front panel  20  is preferably connected to the chassis  10  by a first bottom screw  63  received through a front opening  66  in the bottom  60  of the chassis  10  and through the bottom opening of the front fastener  62 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2C , the rear fastener  64  defines at least one first opening  76 , at least one second opening  71 , and at least one bottom opening. The first end  42  of the outlet segment  40  defines at least one opening  46  in registry with the first opening  76  of the rear fastener  64 . Both openings  46 ,  76  are adapted to receive a first rear screw  78  which connects the outlet segment  40  and the rear fastener  64  to one another. The outlet segment  40  is similarly connected to the rear fastener  64  when the outlet segment  40  is twisted around so that at least one opening  48  of the second end  44  of the outlet segment  40  is in registry with the first opening  76  of the rear fastener  64 . As for the rear panel  30 , the interior end  34  of the rear panel  30  defines at least one opening  36  in registry with the second opening  71  of the rear fastener  64 . Both openings  36 ,  71  are adapted to receive a second rear screw  73  which connects the rear panel  30  and the rear fastener  64  to one another. The rear fastener  64  coupled with the outlet segment  40  and the rear panel  30  is connected to the chassis  10  by a second bottom screw  74  received through a rear opening  68  in the bottom  60  of the chassis  10  and through the bottom opening of the rear fastener  64 . 
   When the segments  40 ,  50  are in the second position, the opening  46  of the first end  42  (or alternatively the opening  48  of the second end  44 ) of the outlet segment  40  and the first opening  65  of the front fastener  62  are in registry and are both adapted to receive the first front screw  67  so that the outlet segment  40  and the front fastener  62  are connected to one another. Moreover, the opening  56  of the first end  52  (or alternatively the opening  58  of the second end  54 ) of the indicator segment  50  and the first opening  76  of the rear fastener  64  are in registry and are both adapted to receive the first rear screw  78  so that the indicator segment  50  and the rear fastener  64  are connected to one another. Other designs are contemplated to couple the segments and panels to the fasteners and the fasteners to chassis including using fusing, soldering, spot welding, chemical adhesives, or other mechanical systems, such as the segments, panels and fasteners having tabs that are complementarily received into respective openings in the fasteners and chassis and then expand to “lock” into position. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2B-2C , the indicator segment  50  and the outlet segment  40  may also detachably connect to the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . When the segments  40 ,  50  are in the first position, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the opening  58  of the second end  54  of the indicator segment  50  and at least one front opening  82  of the second side  80  are in registry and are adapted to receive a first screw  84  which connects the indicator segment  50  to the second side  80 . The indicator segment  50  is similarly connected to the second side  80  when the indicator segment  50  is twisted around so that the opening  56  of the first end  52  of the indicator segment  50  is in registry with the front opening  82  of the second side  80 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , the opening  48  of the second end  44  of the outlet segment  40  and at least one rear opening  86  of the second side  80  are in registry and are adapted to receive a second screw  88  which connects the outlet segment  40  to the second side  80 . The outlet segment  40  is similarly connected to the second side  80  when the outlet segment  40  is twisted around so that the opening  46  of the first side  42  of the outlet segment  40  is in registry with the rear opening  86  of the second side  80 . 
   Moreover, when the segments  40 ,  50  are in the second position, the opening  58  of the second end  54  (or alternatively the opening  56  of the first end  52 ) of the indicator segment  50  and the rear opening  86  of the second side  80  are in registry and are adapted to receive the second screw  88  to connect the indicator segment  50  to the second side  80 . The opening  48  of the second side  44  (or alternatively the opening  46  of the first side  42 ) of the outlet segment  40  and the front opening  82  of the second side  80  are in registry and are adapted to receive the first screw  84  to connect the outlet segment  40  to the second side  80 . 
   The front panel  20  of the chassis  10  preferably includes a plurality of input/output ports  21 , which may include serial ports, a console adapter for a keyboard, mouse and/or video, a USB port, a PCI slot, etc. The front panel  20  is formed from a metal having a plurality of small openings which allows air to flow in and out of the chassis  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . The rear panel  30  is formed from a similar metal having a plurality of small openings to allow air circulate in and out of the chassis  10 . The indicator segment includes at least a first orifice  51  and a second orifice  55 . It is preferred that a rotary controller  53  and a display device  57  are respectively mounted in the first orifice  51  and the second orifice  55  of the indicator segment  50 . Moreover, the first orifice  51  and the second orifice  55  of the indicator segment may vary in shape and size to receive an array of components. The outlet segment  40  of the chassis  10  preferably includes at least one orifice  41  capable of receiving a power jack  43  therethrough. 
   The present invention allows a user to choose which end of the chassis  10  has access to the plurality of input/output ports  21  of the front panel  20 . That is, if the chassis  10  is set up for front access to the plurality of input/output ports  21  (the first position) shown in  FIG. 3A , and the user desires the chassis  10  set up for rear access to the plurality of input/output ports  21  (the second position) shown in  FIG. 3B , the user may first remove the indicator segment  50  from its coupling with the front fastener  62  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . Next, the user removes the outlet segment  40  from its coupling with the rear fastener  64  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . The user then rotates the chassis  10  180 degrees in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Thus, the plurality of input/output ports  21  of the front panel  20  are rotated from a front access position to a rear access position, and the rear panel  30  is rotated from the rear access position to the front access position. The user then connects the indicator segment  50  to the rear fastener  64  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 , which causes the indicator segment to be positioned adjacent to the rear panel  30  as seen in  FIG. 3B . To complete the reconfiguration, the user connects the outlet segment  40  to the front fastener  62  and the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . Thus, the outlet segment  40  is positioned adjacent the front panel  20  as seen in  FIG. 3B . A similar procedure is followed to reconfigure a chassis  10  set up for rear access to the plurality of input/output ports  21  (the second position) to a chassis  10  set up for front access to the plurality of input/output ports  21  (the first position). One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the sequence of the steps in changing the layout of the chassis from the front access to the rear access position or from the rear access to the front access position is not limited to that described above, but encompasses any sequence which achieves the indicator segment  50  positioned adjacent the rear panel  30 , and the outlet segment  40  positioned adjacent the front panel  20  when converting from the front access to the rear access position, or the indicator segment  50  positioned adjacent the front panel  20 , and the outlet segment  40  positioned adjacent the rear panel  30 , when converting from the rear access to the front access position. 
   The chassis  10  of the present invention may further include a face plate  130  as shown in  FIG. 4  to assist a user in removing the support system when it is mounted within a rack system  100 . The face plate  130  is detachably connected to the chassis  10  such that when the chassis  10  is set up in the first position, the face plate  130  is located in front of the front panel  20  and the indicator segment  50  as best shown in  FIG. 3A , and, alternatively, when the chassis  10  is set up in the second position, the face plate  130  is located in front of the front panel  20  and the outlet segment  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The face plate  130  further includes a first opening  132  having a size to complementarily receive a plurality of input/output connections. Moreover, the face plate  130  preferably includes a second opening  134  having a size to complementarily receive the rotary controller  53  and the display device  57  of the indicator segment  50  as well as the power jack  41  of the outlet segment. When the chassis  10  is in the first position, the face plate  130  is positioned in front of the front panel  20  and the indicator segment  50 . When the chassis  10  is in the second position, the face plate  130  is positioned in front of the front panel  20  and the outlet segment  40 . 
   As shown best in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the chassis  10  also includes a motherboard  110  located behind the front panel  20  and connected to the bottom  60  of the chassis  10 . CPUs and memory cards including static ram (SRAM) or dynamic ram (DRAM) may be mounted on the motherboard  110 . When the user changes the layout of the chassis  10  from the first to the second position or from the second to the first position, the location and position of the motherboard  110  remains static. That is, the motherboard  110  remains located behind the front panel  20  and connected to the bottom  60  of the chassis whether the chassis  10  is in the first position or the second position. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the chassis  10  may include a variety of other computer components not specifically discussed by the present invention. 
   Located adjacent to the motherboard  110  and connected to the bottom  60  of the chassis  10  is a power supply  120 . The power supply  120  provides power to the electrical components in the chassis  10 . The power supply  120  is also electrically coupled to the power jack  43 . Furthermore, the support system is preferably slidably mountable within the rack system  100  in both a first mount position and a second mount position. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rack system  100  includes an interior side  102 , an exterior side  104 , a left side  106 , and a right side  108 . The first side  90  of the chassis  10  includes a first slide rail preferably extending substantially the entire length of the first side  90  of the chassis  10 . Similarly, the second side  80  of the chassis  10  includes a second slide rail  89  preferably extending substantially the entire length of the second side  80  of the chassis  10 . When the support system is mounted within the rack system  100 , the first slide rail and the second slide rail  89  are respectively received by a left track  103  mounted on the left side  106  of the rack system  100  and a right track mounted on the right side  108  of the rack system  100 . 
   It is preferred that when the chassis  10  is in the first position, the support system is mounted within the rack system  100  in the first mount position such that the front panel  20  and the indicator segment  50  of the chassis  10  are located adjacent the exterior side  104  of the rack system  100  and the rear panel  30  and the outlet segment  40  are located adjacent the interior side  102  of the rack system  100 . When the chassis  10  is in the second position, the support system is mounted within the rack system  100  in the second mount position such that the rear panel  30  and the indicator segment  50  are located adjacent the exterior side  104  of the rack system and the front panel  20  and the outlet segment  40  are located adjacent the interior side  102  of the rack system  100 . Since the support system may be mounted within the rack system  100  in the first and the second mount positions, the user can change the set up of the chassis  10  from the first to the second position or the second to the first position and still mount the support system within the rack system  100 . 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims. For example, the chassis of the present invention may be used outside of the context of electronics.