Abstract:
A computer system having electronic components housed in a central unit having a protective enclosure and a cover. The cover is moveable to provide access to electronic components housed in the central unit. The cover allows access to certain electronic components and prevents access to other electronic components.

Description:
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/634,103, filed Aug. 8, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,486. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a computer system, and particularly to a computer system having a chassis providing safe and easy access to serviceable components of the computer system. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A typical consumer computer system consists of a variety of electronic components, such as a power supply, a processor, and memory. The power supply supplies electrical power to the electrical components of the computer. A processor controls the operation of the computer and operates according to programming instructions stored in the memory. Typically, the power supply, processor, and memory are housed within an enclosure. A typical computer system also includes additional components, such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, or printer. 
   A typical enclosure consists of a base and a cover with the cover being securable to the base. In such an enclosure, the cover must be removed in order to service any of the components within the enclosure. The types of service performed by the typical consumer are usually limited in nature. For example, a consumer might add additional memory to the system. However, a technician is more likely than a consumer to perform repairs to a computer system. Thus, there is little need for a consumer to have ready access to all of the electronic components of a computer system. 
   Generally, removing the cover to access any of the components within the protective enclosure exposes a large number of electrical components that are subject to damage. In addition, a consumer may be unfamiliar with the internal layout of the computer and, thus, have difficulty finding the location of a specific component. For example, a consumer seeking to add additional memory to a computer may not be able to quickly locate the appropriate connector to receive the memory. 
   There exists a need for a computer chassis that facilitates interchangeability of components by a consumer and which directs the consumer to those specific components. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention features a computer system having a central electronics unit and a removable component selectively coupleable to the central electronics unit. The system includes a chassis having a protective enclosure and a movable cover. The protective enclosure forms a barrier to the central electronics unit. When the cover is in a first position, the movable cover forms a barrier to the removable component. When the movable cover is in a second position, an individual may access the removable component. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, a computer system is featured having a protective chassis, a removable component disposable within the protective chassis, and a plurality of electronic components disposed within the protective chassis. The protective chassis is configured to provide access to the removable component and to form a barrier to access to the plurality of electronic components 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of configuring a computer system is featured. The method includes determining a component of a computer system to be made accessible by a consumer. The method also includes determining what component of a computer system is not to be made accessible by a consumer. The method further includes manufacturing an enclosure for the computer system, and configuring the system so that a component is accessible to a consumer by movement of a cover. However, the method also includes protecting other component(s) from ready access. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system, according to an exemplaxy embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the right and front sides of a chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the right and front sides of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a cover removed; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the interior of the cover featured in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the right and front sides of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a cover and a hard drive removed; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the left and front sides of a chassis having a removable device, according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the left and front sides of a chassis, illustrating the portability of a removable device; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the left and front sides of the chassis of  FIG. 6 , illustrating the chassis with the cover over the removable device removed; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the exterior of a cover, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the interior of the cover of  FIG. 9 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the rear of a chassis, according to an embodiment of the present application. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram is illustrated depicting an exemplary computer system, generally designated by the reference numeral  20 . Computer system  20  can be any of a variety of different types, such as a server, desktop computer, or notebook computer. In the illustrated embodiment, a processor  22  controls the operation of computer system  20 . Processor  22  utilizes computer programming to control the operation of system  20 . Electronic memory is coupled to processor  22  to store and facilitate execution of the computer programming. 
   Processor  22  can be coupled to a volatile memory  24 , such as RAM, and a non-volatile memory  26 , such as a hard drive. Non-volatile memory  26  can also include a disk drive, tape drive or read only memory (ROM), such as an EPROM, to be used in conjunction with volatile memory  24 . A variety of memory modules, such as DIMMs, DRAMs, SDRAMs, SRAMs, etc. can be utilized as volatile memory for a given device or application. The memory in system  20  can be expanded by adding additional memory or can be upgraded by replacing existing memory with improved replacement memory. Computer system  20  also includes a power supply  28  that supplies electrical power to processor  22 , volatile memory  24 , non-volatile memory  26 , and the other electronic components of system  20 . 
   Various components of computer  20  can be coupled to processor  22  depending upon the desired functions of the computer system. Generally, a user interface  30  is coupled to processor  22  to enable a user to direct the operation of system  20 . Examples of a user interface  30  include: a keyboard, a joystick, buttons, switches, a light pen, a mouse, and a voice recognition system. A display  32  can also be coupled to processor  22  to provide indications of computer functions. Examples of displays  32  include: a computer monitor, a television screen, LEDs, and even audio speakers. 
   A communications port  34  can be coupled to processor  22  to enable a peripheral device  36 , such as a printer, or a scanner, be coupled to processor  22 . Another communications port  38  can be used to couple processor  22  to an external communication system  40 , such as a telephone system or network. 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a central unit  42  of a computer system is featured. A number of the components discussed above in reference to  FIG. 1  can be disposed in central unit  42 . Central unit  42  includes a chassis  44  that is particularly amenable to providing safe and simple access to customer serviceable components. Additionally, chassis  44  restricts access to other non-customer serviceable components. 
   Chassis  44  of the illustrated embodiment has an enclosure  46  and a cover  48 . Enclosure  46  protects the components disposed therein while providing for ready access to components deemed serviceable by the consumer. A variety of different configurations can be utilized to dispose a consumer serviceable component as part of chassis  44 . For example, a consumer serviceable component can be disposed within enclosure  46  and accessible by moving cover  48 . Additionally, a consumer serviceable component can be disposed on the exterior of enclosure  46 , covered by cover  48 , and accessible by moving cover  48 . In the illustrated embodiment, cover  48  preferably is formed of plastic but other materials can be used. Other portions of enclosure  46  are formed of metal. 
   Enclosure  46  is configured to prevent ready access to certain components of central unit  42 , e.g., components easily damaged and potential sources of electric shock. These limited access components are thus provided with greater physical protection. In the exemplary embodiment, the limited access components are still accessible for servicing by technicians, or consumers, if desired, but a more traditionally disassembly of components is required to achieve access. 
   The illustrated embodiment of enclosure  46  includes a front bezel  50 , a right bezel  52 , and a left bezel  54 . Front bezel  50 , right bezel  52 , and left bezel  54  preferably are formed of plastic. An upper vent  56  and a lower vent  58  allow air to enter and circulate through chassis  44 . 
   A power switch  60  is used to control electrical power to the electronic components within chassis  44 . A light  62  is illuminated when electrical power is on. Another light  64  is illuminated when data is transferring to and from the hard drive. The illustrated embodiment of enclosure  46  also includes a microphone jack  66 , a headphone jack  68 , and two uniform serial bus (USB) ports  70 . Chassis  44  can be configured with a variety of other functions and components. 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 3 , chassis  44  is illustrated with cover  48  removed. In the illustrated embodiment, a hard drive  72  and two memory modules  74  are readily accessible when cover  48  is removed. The selection of specific components to be made readily accessible by displacing cover  48  is a matter of design choice. Thus, additional or alternative components, such as a processor, could be made readily accessible, if desired. Memory modules  74  are secured to connectors  76 . Memory modules  74  can be RAM or another form of memory. 
   In addition to front bezel  50 , right bezel  52 , and left bezel  54 , enclosure  46  also includes a barrier  78 , a shroud  80 , a base plate  82 , and a rear plate  84 . Barrier  78 , base plate  82 , shroud  80 , and rear plate  84  can be constructed of a variety of different materials, such as metal or plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, barrier  78 , base plate  82 , and rear plate  84  are formed of sheet metal and shroud  80  is formed of plastic. Barrier  78  is secured to chassis  44  by a plurality of screws  86 . Shroud  80  has a guide hole  88  and two diagrams  90  illustrating the proper technique for inserting and removing a memory module  74  from connector  76 . 
   Shroud  80  includes an opening  92  that provides access to connectors  76 . The components within enclosure  46  are prevented from emitting radio signals through opening  92  by conductive contacts  94  in cover  48 , as best illustrated in FIG.  4 . When cover  48  is installed on enclosure  46 , conductive contacts  94  contact bare metal portions  96  of barrier  78  and form a conductive bridge across opening  92 . This serves to reduce the radio emissions through opening  92 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting assembly  98  is used to secure hard drive  72  to barrier  78 , i.e., the exterior of enclosure  46 . Alternatively, hard drive  72  can be disposed within enclosure  46 . Electrical power and data are coupled to hard drive  72  by two separate cables. Electrical power to operate the hard drive is supplied by a power cable  100 . Power cable  100  passes through a first opening  102  in barrier  78 . Power cable  100  connects to a power connector  104  on hard drive  72 . A data cable  106  passes through a second opening  108  in barrier  78 . Data cable  106  connects to a data connector  110  on hard drive  72 . Alternatively, a single cable for transmitting data and power can be used. 
   A power supply  112  is used to supply electrical power to the electrical components of central unit  42 . Ground clips  114  are used to electrically ground barrier  78  to power supply  112 . A ventilation fan  116  is disposed directly above power supply  112  to provide a flow of air to cool the electronic components within chassis  44 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , cover  48  can be secured and removed from chassis  44  without the use of any tools. To install cover  48 , cover  48  is positioned so that two tabs  118  on chassis  44  are inserted into two corresponding openings  120  in cover  48 . The tabs restrict the lateral motion of cover  48 . 
   Additionally cover  48  has a latch  122  and a guide pin  124 . Enclosure  46  includes a catch  126  that corresponds to latch  122 . To secure cover  48 , cover  48  is pivoted so that latch  122  engages catch  126 . As cover  48  is pivoted against enclosure  46 , guide pin  124  is inserted into guide hole  88  of shroud  80 . Front bezel  50  and right bezel  52  are shaped to form a recess  128 . An edge  130  along two sides  131  of cover  48  is seated in recess  128  of enclosure  46  when cover  48  is secured to enclosure  46 . 
   To release latch  122  from catch  126  and remove cover  48  from enclosure  46 , a portion  132  of a sidewall  131  of cover  48  is pressed downward. Cover  48  is then pivoted so that latch  122  and guide pin  124  are brought fully free of catch  126  and guide hole  88 , respectively. Cover  48  is then lifted upwards to free cover  48  from tabs  118 . 
   A variety of different configurations can be used to secure cover  48  to enclosure  46 . For example, chassis  44  could utilize a hinge mechanism to secure cover  48  to enclosure  46 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 4 , an interior view of cover  48  is illustrated. Cover  48  has several sidewalls  131  and a front panel  133 . The dimensions of sidewalls  131  and front panel  133  are selected to ensure that the desired components are accessible and yet protected when cover  48  is connected to chassis  44 . This view also illustrates standoffs  134  used to position conductive contacts  94  into proper engagement with metal portions  96  of barrier  78 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 5 , central unit  42  is illustrated with hard drive  72  removed. The illustrated embodiment of hard drive  72  includes three flanged posts  136  and one flanged post  138 . Flanged post  136  and flanged post  138  may be identical. Flanged post  138  is the flanged post oriented on the upper left side of hard drive  72  in FIG.  5 . 
   Mounting assembly  98  includes three securing rails  140 , a securing rail  142 , and a side rail  144 . Each of securing rails  140  and securing rail  142  are configured with a guide channel  146  to guide hard drive  72  into and out of mounting assembly  98 . Flanged post  136  and flanged post  138  each have a flange portion  148  and a post portion  150 . 
   During installation and removal of hard drive  72 , guide channels  146  of securing rails  140  and securing rail  142  direct the post portions  150  of the flanged posts  136  into and out of mounting assembly  98 . Flanged portions  148  are positioned outside of each securing rail. Because flanged portions  148  are wider than guide channels  146 , securing rails  140  and securing rail  142  prevent lateral movement of hard drive  72 . Side rail  144  extends along one side of hard drive  72  and assists in preventing lateral movement of hard drive  72 . 
   A flexible strip  152  is secured to securing rail  142  to prevent removal of hard drive  72  from mounting assembly  98 . During installation of hard drive  72  into mounting assembly  98 , the flange portion  148  of flanged post  138  produces a temporary displacement of flexible strip  152 . When hard drive  72  is fully installed into mounting assembly  98 , flanged portion  148  of flanged post  138  reaches a securing hole  154  in flexible strip  152  and is no longer able to displace flexible strip  152 . Consequently, flexible strip  152  returns to its normal position. Flexible strip  152  and securing hole  154  surround flanged post  138 , forming an obstruction that prevents flanged post  138  and, thus, hard drive  72  from being withdrawn from mounting assembly  98 . In the installed position, hard drive  72  is positioned against a raised portion  156  of barrier  78 . 
   To remove hard drive  72  from chassis  44  power cable  100  and data cable  92  are disconnected from power connector  104  and data connector  94 , respectively. Flexible strip  152  is flexed in the direction away from hard drive  72  so that flanged portion  148  of flanged post  138  is no longer obstructed by flexible strip  152 . Hard drive  72  can then be lifted and guided out of mounting assembly  98 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated that features a removable electronic device  158 . Removable device  158  can take many forms. For example, removable device  158  can be a CD-Rom player or recorder, a DVD player, or a memory storage device that is interchangeable between a notebook computer and a desktop computer. As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , removable device  158  is installed and removed from central unit  42  through an opening  160  in cover  162 . Cover  162  is secured to chassis  44  in the same manner as cover  48 . Alternatively, removable device  158  could be disposed in enclosure  46  and accessed without the use of cover  162 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 8 , removable device  158  is designed to be secured in a device bay  164 . In the illustrated embodiment, device bay  164  is secured to a barrier  166  on the outside of enclosure  46  by several screws  168 . Device bay  164  alternatively can be disposed on the inside of enclosure  46  and accessed by an opening in enclosure  46 . Barrier  166 , like shroud  80 , has a guide hole  170  to align and guide cover  162  onto enclosure  46 . 
   To secure removable device  158  to central unit  42 , removable device  158  is fully inserted into device bay  164 . When fully inserted, removable device  158  is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board  172 . Printed circuit board  172  electrically couples device  158  to other electronic components within enclosure  46 . A ground clip  174  electrically grounds device bay  164  to power supply  112 . 
   An eject mechanism  176  is used to selectively eject removable device  158  from device bay  164 . As illustrated, eject mechanism  176  includes an eject button  178  to initiate the ejection of removable device  158  from device bay  164 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , interior and exterior views of cover  162  are illustrated. Cover  162  includes opening  160  for removable device  158 . Cover  162  also includes a latch  122  and guide pin  124 . A gap  180  in cover  162  is disposed to permit eject button  178  to protrude therethrough. 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 11 , a plurality of electrical connectors are used to couple central unit  42  to other devices. For example, the illustrated embodiment has an audio input jack  180  and an audio output jack  138 . Audio input jack  180  allows an external audio source to be coupled to central unit  42 . An audio device, such as a CD player, also can be configured as removable device  158 . Audio output jack  184  is used to couple an output from any of these audio devices through central unit  42  to external speakers. 
   Other devices can also be coupled to central unit  42 . A monitor can be coupled to central unit  42  via monitor port  186 . A peripheral device, such as a printer, can be coupled to central unit  42  via a parallel port  188 . Additional devices can be coupled to central unit  42  by a serial port  190 . Central unit  42  also includes a mouse port  192  and a keyboard port  194 . An external communications port  196  enables the central unit  42  to be coupled to an external communication system. This port can take many forms, such as a telephone connector, an Ethernet connector, or a coaxial cable connector. These ports are secured to a board  198  that occupies an opening  200  in back plate  84 . 
   Chassis  44  also includes an electrical power connector  202 . The illustrated embodiment can operate on either standard 115 VAC or on 230 VAC electrical power. Chassis  44  includes a switch  204  to select between 115 VAC or 230 VAC electrical power. A portion  206  of back plate  84  adjacent to connector  202  and switch  204  has a number of small holes to allow air to be drawn into fan  116 . 
   It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the central unit can be configured so that components other than a hard drive, memory or a removable device are readily removed. Indeed, the system could be configured so that the processor and motherboard may be easily removed. Additionally, a cover may be secured to the chassis in a variety of ways. For example, a cover could be pivotably secured with a hinge. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.