Abstract:
A panel assembly includes a panel ( 10 ) having a light-pervious area ( 142 ), a light source ( 60 ) attached on the panel for lighting the light-pervious area, a variable resistor ( 30 ) electrically connected in series with the light source, and a rotating member ( 40 ) rotatably attached on the panel, the rotating member is engagingly coupled to the variable resistor and is manually rotatable in a manner that a resistance of the variable resistor is adjusted accordingly.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to computer panels of computer systems, and more particularly to a computer panel with a light-adjusting mechanism. 
         [0003]    2. General Background 
         [0004]    Usually, a light source, such as a light-emitting diode, is installed on a front panel of a computer system, in order to display the working state of the computer system. Generally, a light-pervious switch button is positioned on the front panel. When the switch button is pushed to press an electrical switch, the power supply switches on and the light source emits light, and the switch button is illuminated. However, in conventional computer systems, one light source corresponds to only one switch button. If another switch button or light-pervious member needs illumination, additional light-emitting diodes should be provided. In addition, the light-emitting diode as a spot light source, lights only a limited area. 
         [0005]    Another conventional apparatus is provided for illuminating more light-pervious members and enlarging the lit area of the light source, which includes an arcuate flat light-reflecting member mounted on a computer panel. The light-reflecting member includes a light incident surface, a light-guiding portion, and a light-showing portion. A bracket is disposed above the light incident surface for receiving a light source. Rays emitted by the light source are reflected by the light-guiding portion, and illuminate a larger area of the computer panel via the light-showing portion. However, the light of the computer panel cannot be adjusted when users don&#39;t want to see the light while the computer is running. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is a computer panel with a light-adjusting mechanism adjusting brightness of the light source when so desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A panel assembly includes a panel having a light-pervious area, a light source attached on the panel for lighting the light-pervious area, a variable resistor electrically connected in series with the light source, and a rotating member rotatably attached on the panel, the rotating member is engagingly coupled to the variable resistor and is manually rotatable in a manner that a resistance of the variable resistor is adjusted accordingly. 
         [0008]    Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with attached drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric partial view of a computer panel with a light-adjusting mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a computer panel. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, isometric view of the light-adjusting mechanism of  FIG. 1 , including a light-reflecting member, a rotating member, a variable resistor, a switch module, an elastic member, and a light source; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged isometric view of the variable resistor of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the switch module, the elastic member, and the light-reflecting member of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the switch module, the elastic member, the rotating member, the variable resistor, and the light-reflecting member of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an assembled partial view of the light-adjusting mechanism; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 6 , but viewed from another aspect. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a computer panel with a light-adjusting mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes a computer panel  10 , a light-reflecting member  20 , a variable resistor  30 , a rotating member  40 , an elastic member  50 , a light source  60 , and a switch module  70 . 
         [0017]    The computer panel  10  includes a base  12 , and a bent plate  14  generally perpendicular to the base  12 . Two pairs of elongated hooks  13 ,  15  protrude from the inner surface of the base  12 . Each elongated hook  13  includes a supporting portion  131  and a clasp  133  protruding from a free end of the supporting portion  131 . Each elongated hook  15  includes a supporting portion  151  and a clasp  153  protruding from a free end of the supporting portion  151 . A quadrate receiving hole  122  is defined in the base  12  between the elongated hooks  13 ,  15 . A positioning post  126  with a positioning hole  128  defined therein protrudes from the base  12  nearby the receiving hole  122 , between the elongated hooks  13 ,  15 . A pair of parallel guiding protrusions  144 , each with a slot defined therein, is formed on an inner surface of the bent plate  14 , and extends along a direction perpendicular to the base  12 . A generally ellipse-shaped through opening is defined in the bent plate  14 , and extends along a direction perpendicular to the guiding protrusions  144 . A light-pervious area, such as a generally ellipse-shaped transparent board  142 , is fitted into the through opening by engaging with the slots of the guiding protrusions  144 . 
         [0018]    The light-reflecting member  20  is configured to be disposed on the inner surface of the base  12  of the computer panel  10 , for reflecting rays of the light source  60 , and enlarging an illuminated area. The light source  60  may, for example, be a light-emitting diode. The light-reflecting member  20  has a hollow body  22  and a securing portion  23  extending from a rear end of the hollow body  22 . The hollow body  22  includes a semicircular top wall  222 , a semicircular bottom wall  223  parallel to the top wall  222 , and a generally embowed sidewall  224 . A generally rectangular through opening  225  for light passing through, is defined by adjacent edges of the top wall  222 , the bottom wall  223 , and the sidewall  224 . A pair of extending clips  24  protrudes from the sidewall  224  at opposite sides respectively. Each extending clip  24  defines a locking hole  241  therein, for receiving the corresponding clasp  133  of the elongated hook  13 . A mounting post  227  having a plurality of supporting poles (not labeled) extending therearound, protrudes from the bottom wall  223  of the light-reflecting member  30 , for engaging in the positioning hole  128  of the positioning post  126  of the computer panel  10 . A through hole (not shown) is defined at a rear end of the light-reflecting member  20 , and through the top wall  222  and the bottom wall  223  thereof, for accommodating the light source  60 . 
         [0019]    A pair of tabs  25 ,  26  protrudes from the securing portion  23  of the light-reflecting member  20 . An ellipse-shaped pivoting hole  252  is defined in the tab  25 . A U-shaped opening  262  corresponding to the pivoting hole  252  is defined in the tab  26 . A pair of positioning posts  256  protrudes from a surface of the tab  25  close to the tab  26  at opposite sides of the tab  25 . Each positioning post  256  defines a positioning hole  258  therein for positioning the elastic member  50 . The elastic member  50  includes a V-shaped supporting portion  52  and a pair of positioning portions  54  extending from opposite ends of the supporting portion  52  respectively. Each positioning portion  54  includes a circular portion  542  and an inserting portion  544  for insertion into the positioning hole  258  of the corresponding securing post  256 . A pair of hooks (not labeled) protrudes from the securing portion  23  close to another surface of the tab  25 , for securing the switch module  70 . A pair of L-shaped protrusions  264  protrudes from the securing portion  23  close to a surface of the tab  26  far away from the tab  25 . A screw hole  28  is defined in the securing portion  23  near to the pair of protrusions  264 . A pair of locking openings  27  are defined on the securing portion  23  at two opposite sides thereof, for receiving the corresponding clasp  153  of the elongated hook  15  respectively. 
         [0020]    The rotating member  40  includes a rotating body  41 . Two pivots  42 ,  44  protrude from the rotating body  41  at opposite sides thereof respectively. Each pivot  42 ,  44  includes a greater portion, and a smaller portion extending from the greater portion. The smaller portions are used for inserting into the pivoting hole  252  of the tab  25  and the U-shaped opening  262  of the tab  26  respectively. A crosshead  442  is formed at a distal end of the small portion of the pivot  44 . 
         [0021]    Referring also to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the variable resistor  30  includes a main body  31  and a securing panel  32 . The main body  31  includes a pivoting portion  312 . In the present embodiment, the pivoting portion  312  can be rotated so as to adjust a resistance of the variable resistor  30 . The pivoting portion  312  defines a cross-shaped slot  314  corresponding to the crosshead  442  of the rotating member  40 . The pivoting portion  312  can be rotated to change the value of the resistance of the variable resistor  30 . A pair of openings  324  corresponding to the pair of L-shaped protrusions  264  respectively is defined at one side of the securing panel  32 . A screw opening  332  corresponding to the screw hole  28  of the light-reflecting member  20  is defined at the opposite side of the securing panel  32 . 
         [0022]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4 to 7 , in assembly, the inserting portions  542  of the elastic member  50  are inserted into the corresponding positioning holes  258  of the positioning posts  256  respectively. The switch module  70  is secured on the light-reflecting member  20  by the corresponding hooks thereof. The switch module  70  is connected with the light source  60 , for selectively connecting the light source to a power supply. In the exemplary embodiment, the switch module  70  is further used for controlling power-on and power-off of the computer system. The small portion of the pivot  42  of the rotating member  40  passes through the pivoting hole  252  of the tab  25  and abuts on a switch head  72  of the switch module  70 . The greater portion of the pivot  42  of the rotating member  40  abuts on the supporting portion  52  of the elastic member  50 . The small portion of the pivot  44  of the rotating member  40  passes through the U-shaped opening  262 . The variable resistor  30  is pushed to the tab  26  until the crosshead  442  of the rotating member  40  is inserted into the slot  314  of the variable resistor  30 . At this time, the openings  324  are engaged with the L-shaped protrusions  264  of the light-reflecting member  20  respectively. The through opening  225  of the light-reflecting member  20  is adjacent to the transparent board  20 . Then the light-reflecting member  20  is pushed toward the base  12 , until the mounting post  227  is inserted into the positioning hole  128  of the positioning post  126 . The clasps  133  of the elongated hooks  13  are inserted through the locking holes  241  of the extending clips  24 , and engage with the extending clips  24  respectively. The clasps  153  of the elongated hooks  15  are engaged with the locking openings  27  of the securing portions  23  respectively. The light-reflecting member  20  is thus secured on the computer panel  10 . The light source  60  is secured on the light-reflecting member  20 . The light source  60  electrically connects with the variable resistor  30  in series and the computer system for receiving power. The rotating body  41  of the rotating member  40  is received in the receiving hole  122  of the computer panel  10  and exposed outside. The through opening  225  of the light-reflecting member  20  is aligned with the transparent board  142  of the computer panel  10 . 
         [0023]    In use, when the computer system is switched on, the light source  60  is accordingly switched on and emits light. Some rays of the light source  60  shine on the transparent board  142  through the through opening  225  of the light-reflecting member  20  and the rotating body  41  of the rotating member  40 . Thus, the rotating body  41  and the transparent board  20  are both illuminated, thereby rendering a beautiful effect when the computer system is on. If users don&#39;t want the transparent board  20  to be illuminated, the rotating body  41  of the rotating member  40  can be rotated to increase resistance of the variable resistor  30  and darken the light source  60 . In addition, the rotary member  40  can function as a power button. In use, the rotating body  41  is pressed from the outside of the panel  10 . Thereby, the small portion of the pivot  42  of the rotary member  40  presses the switch head  72  of the switch module  70  to trigger the switch module  70  to turn on/off the computer. At this time, the supporting portion  52  of the elastic member  50  is pushed by the pivots  42  of the rotating member  40  and causes the resilient distortion. When the rotary member  40  is released, the supporting portion  52  of the elastic member  50  will restore to drive the light-reflecting member  30  moving up. Then the rotary member  40  is moved outwardly relative to the panel and returns to its original position. 
         [0024]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.