Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a system for providing a removable access panel for utilization with electronic devices. The panel of the present invention is connected to the frame of an electronic device through the use of a pocket hinge which allows a curved extension on the cover to engage a corresponding curved surface included in the pocket. Utilization of the present invention allows for the electronic device to maintain its overall provide while providing a hinge system allowing for ease of access and removable functionality.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the field of electronics, and particularly to a system for providing a self-extracting access panel.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Presently, electronics and associated components are an ever increasing factor in our society as a whole. As electronics continue to permeate society specialty devices associated with the industry become more important due to the vast markets involved as well as solving problems specific to certain segments of the electronics field.  
           [0003]    Currently, electronic chassis designs require that the internal electronic components be accessible in the case of failure, upgrade or the like. Additionally, chassis for electronics are specially designed to protect internal components from foreign contaminates, electromagnetic interference and the like. As a result of these requirements, chassis for electronic devices typically include either removable covers or hinged panels.  
           [0004]    The major drawbacks to removing the cover of an electronic device are that the procedure is generally complicated and the increased likelyhood for contamination or other problems. Furthermore, depending on the conditions the electronic device may be large or located in a position ill-suited for removing the entire cover.  
           [0005]    Alternatively, hinged panels allow for access to the internal components without having to remove the entire cover. Thus utilization of hinged panels allows for access to critical internal components without exposing the entire electronic device to contaminates experienced with removal of the entire cover of the electronic device. While hinged panels offer increased functionality, often such panels include drawbacks which negate their effectiveness for certain applications. For example, by including a hinged panel design as part of a frame or chassis the profile of the overall device often can become undesirable due to hinges and the like extending out from the frame, thus distorting the frame&#39;s overall profile and in certain circumstances requiring additional clearance space around the device.  
           [0006]    An additional drawback to fixed hinged panels is that the rotation of the panel often may cause the panel to interfere with work to be conducted on the electronic device. For example, a hinged panel on a data storage system may disrupt the external profile of the frame thus interfearing with user access to internal components.  
           [0007]    Further, hinged panels often require additional manufacturing which increases the overall cost to the manufacturer, which in-turn is passed on to the purchaser.  
           [0008]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a removable access panel system that is capable of self-extracting the panel from the hinge to allow for easy access, while achieving lower cost manufacturing and reducing the overall profile of an electronic device employing the current invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a removable access panel system for utilization with electronic devices.  
           [0010]    The removable access panel system of the present invention includes a frame suitable for containing an electronic component. The frame includes an aperture, which may be utilized to gain access for repairs or upgrades. Adjacent to the access aperture is at least one pocket with a generally arced surface. The generally arced surface of the pocket extends into the pocket from the side opposite the aperture.  
           [0011]    Further, the removable access panel system includes a panel door designed to cover the associated aperture. The panel door is capable of rotating to obtain an open and a closed position. The panel door includes at least one extension. Individual extensions include a generally arced surface suitable for being accepted into the corresponding individual pocket included in the frame.  
           [0012]    Additionally, the removable panel access system contains a mechanism for securing the panel door in a closed position. For example the panel door may be secured to the frame utilizing a latch.  
           [0013]    In further embodiments, the panel door is capable of obtaining an open position such that the removable panel door is capable of self-extracting. For example, the panel door may be rotated from the closed position into a sufficient open position such that an extension on the panel door moves sufficiently outward to extract the panel door from the pocket included in the frame.  
           [0014]    In further embodiments, individual pockets in the frame are disposed generally below the aperture when the aperture is aligned with gravity. For example, by arranging the removable access panel system in the present manner the panel door may rotate about the arced surface of the pocket in an efficient manner.  
           [0015]    It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1A is a side cut-out view of an exemplary embodiment of a removable access panel door system;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a removable access panel door system;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a panel door included in removable access panel door system, in an intermediate opening position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a panel door included in removable access panel door system, in a further intermediate opening position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a removable access panel door system wherein the panel door is in a further intermediate opening position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a removable access panel door system wherein the panel door is generally in a open position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an individual extension including a taper interacting generally with an individual pocket included in a frame; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a side cut-out view of a removable access panel system, wherein a panel door is disposed in an intermediate open position; the access panel system further including a latch securing mechanism and an alignment device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0026]    Referring generally to FIGS. 1A through 6, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be discussed, wherein a removable access panel system is utilized with an electronic device. The present invention allows for ease of access to interior electronic components without the need for exterior hinges mounted to the exterior frame of an electronic component. Utilization of the present invention allows for an electronic device employing the present invention to retain its profile.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 1A &amp; B a removable access panel system  100  is discussed. In the present embodiment, the removable access panel system  100  includes a frame  102 . The frame  102  is suitable for containing an electronic component, such as a data storage system. Included in the frame  102  is an aperture  104 . For example, the aperture  104  is designed to allow for repair or upgrades to electronic components contained in the frame  102 .  
         [0028]    Adjacent to the aperture  104  is at least one pocket  106 . The at least one pocket  106  includes an arced surface protruding into the pocket  106 . In the present embodiment, the arced surface of the pocket  106  protrudes into the pocket from the surface of the pocket  106  generally opposite the aperture  104 . In various embodiments, the arced surface of the pocket  106  may be better understood as being shaped similar to a quarter of a cylinder, running generally the length of the pocket  106 , with a radius slightly smaller than that of the depth of the pocket  106 . In these embodiments, the maximum protrusion into the pocket  106  by the arced surface occurs generally at the exterior of the frame  102 .  
         [0029]    Further, included in the removable access panel system  100  is a panel door  108 . The panel door  108  in the present embodiment is capable of rotating to obtain an open position and a closed position. See generally FIGS. 1A&amp;B, and  3 A&amp;B. The panel door  108  in the present embodiment is designed to cover the aperture  104 .  
         [0030]    Included in the panel door  108  is at least one extension  110 . The at least one extension  110  includes a generally arced surface suitable for being accepted into the at least one pocket  106 . The rotational motion of the panel door  108  including the at least one extension  110  causing the at least one extension  110  to interlock with the at least one pocket  106 .  
         [0031]    Further included in the removable access panel system  100  is a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism is capable of securing the panel door  108  to the frame  102  when the panel door  108  is orientated in the closed position. The securing mechanism is at least one of a latch  112 , a screw, a slide lock and a twist lock. In the present embodiment, the securing mechanism is disposed on the opposite end of the panel door  108  than the at least one extension. The latch  612 , as may be best understood in FIG. 6 wherein a panel door  608  is orientated in an opening position.  
         [0032]    In further embodiments, the removable access panel system  100  includes an alignment device to aid in the alignment of the panel door  108  in relation to the aperture  104 . Alignment devices include corresponding structures on the panel door  108  and the frame  102  limiting the panel door  108  from achieving closed positions with incorrect alignments. Examples of alignment devices include a pin  114  and hole, a frame protrusion or the like.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 2 an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein a removable access panel system  200  will be discussed. The removable access panel system  200  of the present invention is illustrated with a panel door  208  orientated in an intermediate opening position. Further, in the present aspect of the invention a frame  202  suitable for containing an electrical component includes an aperture  204 . Adjacent to the aperture  204  and disposed generally below the aperture  204  when aligned with gravity is at least one pocket  206  formed in the frame  202 . When the aperture  204  and pocket  206  are disposed in the present arrangement with gravity acting in a downward fashion, whereby gravity would result generally in a free fall of the panel door  208  should the panel door  208  not be guided.  
         [0034]    Referring generally to FIG. 3A &amp; B an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein a panel door  308  including at least one extension  310  is orientated in an intermediate opening position. For example, when a removable access panel system  300  is orientated with gravity such that at least one pocket  306  contained within a frame  302  is located in an adjacent position generally below an aperture  304  in the frame  302  the panel door  308 , including at least one extension  310  may begin to exit the pocket  306 .  
         [0035]    As the panel door  308  rotates to obtain an open position the arced surface of the at least one extension  310  separates from the arced surface of the pocket  320 . During this initial stage of opening the extension  310  may come in contact with an initial pivot point  324 . The initial pivot point  324  may cause the hinge to being to move in a generally upward and outward direction from the pocket  306 .  
         [0036]    As the panel door rotates further, see generally FIGS. 1A&amp;B,  2  the panel door comes in contact with a contact point on the frame  322 . The contacting of the panel door and the frame further may cause the extension  310  to move generally upwards and outwards from the pocket. Once a sufficient rotation has been achieved the extension  310  may achieve a fully withdrawn position from the pocket. See FIG. 4. Furthermore, in embodiments when the removable access panel system is aligned with gravity, the general rotation of the panel door may occur as a result of the action of gravity on the panel door such that the self-extraction occurs virtually automatically.  
         [0037]    Further, when the panel door  308  obtains a sufficient degree of opening the lower portion of the panel door  308  comes in contact with the frame  302 , thus resulting in the panel door&#39;s at least one extension  310  moving in a generally outward direction from the at least one pocket  306 .  
         [0038]    Referring generally to FIG. 4, in the present orientation, upon obtaining a open position a panel door  408  including at least one extension  410  is self-extracted from a frame  402  including a pocket  406 .  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. In present embodiment, a removable access panel system  500  includes a panel door  508  with at least one extension  510 . Further, individual extensions of the at least one extension  510  in the current aspect, includes tapers  512  on two surfaces of the extension generally perpendicular to the surface of the extension  510  with a generally arced surface  514 . At least one pocket  506 , is included in a frame  502 . Each pocket  506  individually, contains two taper structures  516  capable of accepting the tapered surfaces of one extension  510 . The interlock of the tapered portion of individual extension  510  with the corresponding tapered structures of the individual pocket further inhibiting the panel door  508  from lateral movement.  
         [0040]    Referring generally to FIG. 6, a latch  612  securing mechanism capable of securing a panel door  608  to a frame  602  may be more clearly seen. Additionally, in the present embodiment a pin alignment device is employed to inhibit the panel door  608  from lateral movement.  
         [0041]    It is believed that the SELF-EXTRACTION PANEL HINGE of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.