Abstract:
A chassis cover supporting apparatus includes a chassis having a plurality of chassis sides and including a cover support receiving member positioned between the chassis sides. A cover is operable to couple to the chassis by sliding engagement with the plurality of chassis sides. A cover support member is coupled to the cover, whereby in response to the sliding engagement of the cover with the chassis sides, the cover support member engages the cover support receiving member.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to supporting a chassis cover. 
   As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
   Some information handling systems such as, for example, rack mounted servers, include a chassis with a large access panel that couples to the sides of the chassis to prevent access to the components in the chassis. It is sometimes desirable to densely pack together a plurality of the information handling systems when they are mounted in a rack, making the overall thickness of the each system critical and raising a number of issues with respect to the supporting of these access panels. 
   Because these large access panels are coupled by their sides to the chassis, they tend to resonate and can create undesirable noise levels when components within the chassis such as, for example, cooling fans, are operated. Conventional methods for dealing with such acoustical problems include stiffening the panel by embossing areas of the panel. However, while such embossing increasing the resistance of the panel to bending, it also can increase the overall thickness of the system. In addition, for some systems, the internal space in the chassis needed for such embossing is needed for system components and is not available. 
   Another method for dealing with the acoustical problems with these panels is to engage the panel near its center from the inside of the chassis with a compliant member such as, for example, a piece of foam or rubber. While this solution helps to damp vibration of the panel, it also tends to induce an upward bow in the panel, which increases the overall thickness of the system. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide for supporting a chassis cover absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one embodiment, a chassis cover supporting apparatus is provided that includes a chassis having a plurality of chassis sides and including a cover support receiving member positioned between the chassis sides. A cover is operable to couple to the chassis by sliding engagement with the plurality of chassis sides. A cover support member is coupled to the cover, whereby in response to the sliding engagement of the cover with the chassis sides, the cover support member engages the cover support receiving member. 
   A principal advantage of this embodiment is that a cover may be supported on a chassis to limit vibration or deformation of the cover without increasing the overall thickness of the system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover support member. 
       FIG. 2   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   a.    
       FIG. 2   c  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   a.    
       FIG. 2   d  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   c.    
       FIG. 3   a  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover. 
       FIG. 3   b  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cover of  FIG. 3   a.    
       FIG. 3   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover of  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis. 
       FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover support receiving member on the chassis of  FIG. 4   a.    
       FIG. 4   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support receiving member of  FIG. 4   b.    
       FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plurality of the cover support members of  FIG. 2   a  being coupled to the cover of  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 5   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   b  engaging to the cover of  FIG. 3   c.    
       FIG. 5   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   b  coupled to the cover of  FIG. 3   c.    
       FIG. 5   d  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plurality of the cover support members of  FIG. 2   c  coupled to the cover of  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cover of  FIG. 5   d  engaging the chassis of  FIG. 4   a.    
       FIG. 6   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the cover support member of  FIG. 2   c  coupled to the cover support receiving member of  FIG. 4   c.    
       FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cover of  FIG. 5   d  secured to the chassis of  FIG. 4   a.    
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
   In one embodiment, information handling system  10 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . In an embodiment, a chassis  26  houses some or all of the components of the information handling system  10 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d , a cover support member  100  is illustrated. Cover support member  100  includes a substantially circular shaped base  102  having a top surface  102   a , a bottom surface  102   b  located opposite the top surface  102   a , and a plurality of securing lips  102   c  and  102   d  located on opposite sides of the base  102 . The cover support member  100  defines a coupling passageway  104  extending through the base  102  from the top surface  102   a  to the bottom surface  102   b . A securing surface  106  is positioned on the base  102  and in the coupling passageway  104 . A plurality of guide arms  108   a  and  108   b  extend from the top surface  102   a  of the cover support member  100  and are located on opposite sides of the base  102  and the coupling passageway  104 . In an embodiment, the cover support member  100  is made from a non-metal material such as, for example, rubber, plastic, or a variety of equivalent non-metal materials known in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , a cover  200  is illustrated. Cover  200  includes a top surface  200   a , a bottom surface  200   b  located opposite the top surface  200   a , a front  200   c , a rear  200   d  located opposite the front  200   c , and a plurality of sides  200   e  and  200   f  extending between the front  200   c  and the rear  200   d  on opposite sides of the cover  200 . Side  200   e  defines a plurality of coupling apertures  200   ea ,  200   eb ,  200   ec ,  200   ed , and  200   ee  positioned in a spaced apart relationship along its length. Side  200   f  defines a plurality of coupling apertures  200   fa ,  200   fb ,  200   fc ,  200   fd , and  200   fe  positioned in a spaced apart relationship along its length. A plurality of cover support coupling members  202   a ,  202   b , and  202   c  are substantially centrally located on the cover  200  between the sides  200   e  and  200   f . Cover support coupling member  202   a , illustrated in detail in  FIG. 3   c , includes a securing lip  202   aa  extending from the bottom surface  200   b  of the cover  200  and defining a support member coupling aperture  202   ab  in the cover  200 . In an embodiment, the cover  200  is made of a conventional sheet metal known in the art and the securing lip  202   aa  is formed by a conventional punch process on the sheet metal. A plurality of guide apertures  202   ac  and  202   ad  are defined by the cover  200 , extend through the cover  200  from the top surface  200   a  to the bottom surface  200   b , and are positioned on opposite sides of the securing lip  202   aa  and in a substantially parallel orientation with the sides  200   e  and  200   f  on the cover  200 . Cover support coupling members  202   b  and  202   c  are substantially similar to the cover support coupling member  202   a  described above with reference to  FIG. 3   c . A plurality of securing tabs  204   a  and  204   b  extend from the bottom surface  200   b  and the front  200   c  of the cover  200 . In an embodiment, the chassis  300  may include, for example, a rack mounted server known in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c , a chassis  300  is illustrated which may be, for example, the chassis  26  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and may house components of an information handling system such as, for example, the information handling system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Chassis  300  includes a front  300   a , a rear  300   b  located opposite the front  300   a , and a plurality of sides  300   c  and  300   d  extending between the front  300   a  and the rear  300   b . Side  300   c  includes a plurality of cover coupling tabs  300   ca ,  300   cb ,  300   cc ,  300   cd , and  300   ce , extending from the side  300   c  and in a spaced apart relationship along its length. Side  300   d  includes a plurality of cover coupling tabs (not shown) similar to cover coupling tabs  300   ca ,  300   cb ,  300   cc ,  300   cd , and  300   ce , extending from the side  300   d  and in a spaced apart relationship along its length. A plurality of cover support receiving members  302   a ,  302   b , and  302   c  are substantially centrally located on the chassis  300  between sides  300   c  and  300   d . Cover support receiving member  302   a , illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   c , includes an embossed member  302   aa  which is raised from an upper surface of the chassis and includes a top surface  302   aaa  and a bottom surface  302   aab  located opposite the top surface  302   aa . Embossed member  302   aa  defines an entry passageway  302   ab  and a securing passageway  302   ac  located adjacent the entry passageway  302   ab . A guide arm channel  302   ad  is defined by the embossed member  302   aa  and is located adjacent the securing passageway  302   ac . Cover support receiving members  302   b  and  302   c  are substantially similar to the cover support coupling member  302   a  described above with reference to  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   c . A plurality of securing members  304   a  and  304   b  are coupled to the front  300   a  of the chassis  300  and positioned in a spaced apart relationship from each other. In an embodiment, the securing members  304   a  and  304   b  are conventional threaded fasteners known in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d , in assembly operation, a plurality of cover support members  100  are coupled to the cover support coupling members  202   a ,  202   b , and  202   c  on the bottom  200   b  of cover  200 . A cover support member  100  is positioned on the cover support coupling member  202   a  such that securing lip  202   aa  extends into coupling passageway  104  and the plurality of guide arms  108   a  and  108   b  on cover support member  100  are positioned in guide apertures  202   ad  and  202   ac , respectively, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . The cover support member  100  may then be coupled to the cover  200  by, for example, roll-riveting, so as to provide a rivet-free connection, where the securing lip  202   aa  is bent such that it engages the securing surface  106  on cover support member  100 . Cover support members  100  couple to the cover support coupling members  202   b  and  202   c  in substantially the same manner as to cover support coupling member  202   a , described above with respect to  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c . With the plurality of cover support member  100  coupled to the cover  200  and the guide arms  108   a  and  108   b  positioned in their respective guide apertures such as  202   ad  and  202   ac , respectively, the cover support members  100  are substantially centrally located on the cover  200  between the sides  200   e  and  200   f  with the plurality of securing lips  102   c  and  102   d  on each cover support member  100  extending from their respective cover support member  100  and toward the sides  200   e  and  200   f  of the cover  200 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2   c ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5   d ,  6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c , in operation, the cover  200  is positioned over the chassis  300  such that coupling apertures  200   fe ,  200   fd ,  200   fc ,  200   fb , and  200   fa  on side  200   f  of cover  200  line up with cover coupling tabs  300   ca ,  300   cb ,  300   cc ,  300   cd , and  300   ce , respectively, on the side  300   c  of chassis  300 , and the coupling apertures  200   ee ,  200   ed ,  200   ec ,  200   eb , and  200   ea  on the side of cover  200  line up with the respective cover coupling tabs (not shown) on the side  300   d  of the chassis. The cover  200  is then lowered towards the chassis  300  such that the cover coupling tabs on the chassis  300  engage their respective coupling apertures on the cover  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   a . With the cover coupling tabs engaging the coupling apertures, each of the cover support members  100  on cover support coupling members  202   a ,  202   b , and  202   c  are positioned adjacent the cover support receiving members  302   a ,  302   b , and  302   c , respectively. The cover  200  is then moved in a direction A relative to the chassis  300 , which results in the cover support member  100  in cover support coupling member  202   a  to enter the entry passageway  302   ab  on cover support receiving member  302   a . Further movement of cover  200  in direction A results in the cover support member  100  entering the securing passageway  302   ac  and the securing lips  102   c  and  102   d  on cover support member  100  engaging the bottom surface  302   aab  of cover support receiving member  302   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   b . With securing lips  102   c  and  102   d  on cover support member  100  engaging the cover support receiving member  302   a , the guide arm  108   a  on cover support member  100  is positioned in the guide arm channel  302   ad . Cover support members  100  in cover support coupling members  202   b  and  202   c  on cover  200  engage cover support receiving members  302   b  and  302   c  in the same manner as cover support member  100  in cover support coupling member  202   a  engages cover support receiving member  302   a , described above with reference to  FIG. 6   b . With cover support members  100  in cover support coupling members  202   a ,  202   b , and  202   c  engaging cover support receiving members  302 ,  302   b , and  302   c , respectively, the front  200   c  of cover  200  engages the font  300   a  of chassis  300 , and the cover  200  is substantially centrally supported between sides  200   e  and  200   f . The engagement of the cover coupling tabs on sides  300   c  and  300   d  of chassis  300  with the coupling apertures on the sides  200   e  and  200   f  of the cover couples the sides  200   e  and  200   f  of the cover to the sides  300   c  and  300   d , respectively, of the chassis  300 . The securing members  304   a  and  304   b  on the front  300   a  of chassis  300  may then engage the securing tabs  204   a  and  204   b  on the cover  200  in order to secure the cover  200  to the chassis  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   c . The support member coupling aperture  202   ab , which results from the coupling of the cover support member  100  to the cover  200 , results in a smaller hole in the cover  200  relative to the hole which results when conventional methods are used to support the cover  200 , which reduces EMI concerns. In an embodiment, when a non-metal material such as, for example, plastic, is used for the cover support member  100 , the support interface between the cover  200  and the chassis  300  results in reduced acoustic levels. Thus, chassis cover support apparatus is provided which is operable to control deformation and vibration of the cover  200  when it is coupled to the chassis  300 . In an embodiment, the chassis  300 , cover  200 , and cover support members  100  provide a chassis cover support apparatus  400 . In an embodiment, the chassis cover support apparatus  400  may include a rack mounted server, and a plurality of the chassis cover support apparatus  400  may be mounted in a conventional rack known in the art. 
   Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.