Abstract:
A computer cover and data drive locking system utilizing a bezel wall of the type for selectively locking the computer cover to the chassis, locking the cover and external access to at least one data drive, and unlocking the cover from the chassis and allowing access to the data drives is provided. The locking system including: an actuatable lock connected to a computer chassis having a cam connected thereto; a bezel surrounding at least a portion of a first data drive mechanism, the bezel having a movable wall; a cover; and a cam follower movably connected to the chassis so as to be in functional connection with the cam, the cam follower having a first end connected to the movable wall and a second end connectable to the cover; wherein the lock is movable between a position interconnecting the cover to the chassis via the cam follower second end, a position interconnecting the cover and the chassis and disposing the movable wall into a position preventing access to the first data drive, and a position where the cam follower second end is disconnected from the cover and the movable wall is disposed away from the access to the first data drive.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to computer security systems, and in particular, to a locking mechanism which may selectively secure the cover and access to at least one computer drive mechanism utilizing a bezel wall, or release the cover and allow access to the computer drive mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A computer comprises an electronic housing which includes a chassis in which internal components and external components are secured. Internal components include, but are not limited to, microprocessors, co-processors, circuit boards, and power supplies. The external components include, but are not limited to, data drives and the media in the data drives such as CD-ROM and disks. Commonly, the chassis and the associated internal and external components are enclosed by a bezel and a cover. The bezel is connected to the chassis about the data drives to provide access for insertion and ejection of media. The cover is commonly connected to the chassis by conventional screws so as to enclose and protect the electronic components from dust and other undesirable material. 
     While the electronic housing provides protection from environmental dangers, such as, dust, and spilled fluids, it does little to limit access to the internal components of the computer by unauthorized individuals and provides no limitation on access to the data drives. Due to the problems of data theft, data destruction, and the introduction of computer viruses among other unauthorized uses of computers it is desirable to limit access to the internal components as well as the external drives and media in the data drives. 
     Heretofore it has been well known to lock the cover to the chassis to limit unauthorized access to the internal components of the computer. One common method is to provided a rotatable key actuated lock interconnected between the cover and the chassis. Another common method is to have one tab extending to the exterior of the housing from the chassis aligned with a second tab connected to the cover which may be interlocked with the first tab via a padlock. Although these means do limit access to the internal components of the computer, they do not limit the insertion or removal of media from the external data drives. 
     Other devices have been provided to prevent the removal of removable drives, disks from data drives, memo cards and the like. Several of these prior art locking devices completely prohibit use of the computer as opposed to merely limiting access to the drive slots. It is common for these prior art locking devices to be separate from the computer assembly resulting in the loss of the locking device and thus negating any security measures. Additionally, these attachable locking devices are bulky and cumbersome resulting in the failure to be utilized. 
     It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a locking device utilizing a bezel wall which is capable of locking the computer cover, locking the computer cover and utilizing a bezel wall to prevent access to a computer drive mechanism, and releasing the cover and allowing access to the computer drive mechanisms. It would be a further benefit to have a locking device utilizing a bezel wall which is compact and low profile. It would be a still further benefit to have a locking device utilizing a bezel wall which allows operation of the computer while preventing the removal or insertion of media in the data drives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus an object of this invention to provide a computer locking device utilizing a bezel wall which is movable between locking positions, in which the computer cover may be locked to the chassis, in which the cover my be locked to the chassis and wherein external access to at least one data drive is limited, and a position in which the cover is not locked to the chassis and where external access to the data drive(s) is permitted. 
     It is a further object of this invention to utilize a bezel wall for limiting external access to a data drive. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide a compact and low profile locking assembly. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide a locking assembly which may lock various components of a computer while still allowing operation of the computer hard drive. 
     Accordingly, a computer cover and data drive locking system of the type for selectively locking the computer cover to the chassis, locking the cover and external access to at least one data drive, and unlocking the cover from the chassis and allowing access to the data drives is provided. The locking system includes an actuatable lock connected to a computer chassis having a cam connected thereto, a bezel surrounding at least a portion of a first data drive mechanism, the bezel having a movable wall, a cover, and a cam follower movably connected to the chassis so as to be in functional connection with the cam, the cam follower having a first end connected to the movable wall and a second end connectable to the cover; wherein the lock is movable between a position interconnecting the cover to the chassis via the cam follower second end, a position interconnecting the cover and the chassis and disposing the movable wall into a position preventing access to the first data drive, and a position where the cam follower second end is disconnected from the cover and the movable wall is disposed away from the access to the first data drive. 
     The locking assembly includes a linking arm connected between the first end of the cam follower and the movable bezel wall. A tensioning member, such as a spring, is connected between the linking arm and the chassis to urge the arm and connected bezel wall into a position in which external access to the first data drive mechanism is not blocked. The first cam follower end may have a slot formed in which an end of the linking arm is disposed in connecting to the cam follower. The slot allows the linking arm to slip in relation to the cam follower as the cam follower moves between the cover-only locked position and the fully unlocked position. 
     The second end of the cam follower is adapted for securing the cover to the computer chassis via the cam follower. The cam follower has a lip or locking surface extending therefrom which extends across a surface of a protrusion extending from the interior of the cover when the locking apparatus is in a cover locking position. The interlocking or engaging surfaces of the cam follower and the cover may take many configurations. Another embodiment would include a locking surface such as a pin extending from the second cam follower end engageable with a cylinder formed by the protrusion of the cover. 
     The locking system may lock both the cover to the chassis and limit external access to at least one data drive. As shown in more detail in the description below the locking system may limit access to two or more data drive systems. 
     In a common desk top or tower computer configuration, the computer includes at least a CD-ROM drive and a floppy disk drive. Both data drives and the cover can be secured. For example the second end of the cam follower may have a locking member or tab connected thereto which moves with the cam follower. When the locking apparatus is in the fully locked position the second end of the cam follower is position so that the locking member is position in a position obstructing and limiting access to the floppy drive. When the locking apparatus is in the fully unlocked or cover-only locked position the locking tab is moved to a position so has not to obstruct access to a data drive. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer having a locking device utilizing a bezel wall of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the computer chassis and the locking device utilizing a bezel wall of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the cam follower and locking arm in isolation. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view of the CD-ROM bezel in isolation. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the computer showing access to the data drives being blocked. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, rear view of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall in the fully locked position. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial, rear view of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall in the cover-only locked position. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall and the cover with the locking device in the cover-only locked position, in isolation. 
     FIG. 9 is a rear view of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall and the cover with the locking device in the fully locked position, in isolation. 
     FIG. 10 is a rear view of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall and the cover with the locking device in the fully unlocked position, in isolation. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer  10  having a locking device utilizing a bezel wall of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral  12 . Computer  10  includes a cover  14 , CD-ROM drive  16 , disk drive  18 , CD-ROM bezel  20 , bezel wall  22 , a locking tab  24 , and a door  26 . 
     Cover  14  is constructed of hard, sturdy material, such as a hard plastic or metal. Cover  14  is typically connected to a chassis  30  (FIG. 2) by sliding along side rails  31  (FIG. 2) of chassis  30  until a spring latch (not shown) which is well known in the art is engaged enclosing the internal electronics, not shown, such as but not limited to, microprocessors, co-processors, circuit boards, and power supplies. Cover  14  protects the internal components from dust and other undesired material, and with cover  14  in the fully locked or cover-only locked position prevents unauthorized access to the internal components. A door  26  may be provided to cover drives  16 ,  18 , a power switch and the like. 
     Locking device  12  includes a lock plug  28 , bezel wall  22  and lock tab  24 . Lock plug  28  is a key actuated, rotatable lock. The key access to lock plug  28  is positioned so as to be substantially flush with a portion of cover  14  providing a compact, low profile locking mechanism. Lock plug  28  may be rotated between a fully locked position, whereby cover  14  is secured to chassis  30  (FIG.  2 ), and access to drives  16  and  18  is prevented, to a cover-only locked position, whereby, access to drives  16  and  18  is permitted and cover  14  may not be removed, to a fully unlocked position, whereby, cover  14  may be removed from chassis  30  and access is permitted to drives  16  and  18 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, locking device  12  is in the fully locked position with bezel wall  22  in the down position preventing access to CD-ROM  16 , locking tab  24  is in the up position preventing access to disk drive  18 , and cover  14  is locked to chassis  30  (FIG.  2 ). With locking device  12  in this position an operator may still utilize computer  10 , however, media may not be inserted into or removed from external components  16  and  18 . 
     FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of computer  10  of FIG. 1 showing a portion of chassis  30  and locking device utilizing a bezel wall  12  of the present invention in isolation. As shown, cover  14 , drives  16  and  18 , and CD-ROM bezel  20 , less bezel wall  22  have been removed for clarity. 
     Locking device  12  includes lock plug  28  having a rotating housing  32 , a cam  34 , a cam follower  36 , locking tab  24 , a locking arm  38 , and bezel wall  22 . Lock plug or cylinder  28 , is may be a key actuated, rotating lock assembly which is connected to chassis  30  in a manner such that the key lock is accessible through cover  14  as shown in FIG.  1 . In functional connection with lock plug  28  is cam follower  36  which is pivotally connected to chassis  30 . By functionally connected it is meant that when lock plug  28  and cam  34  are rotated, cam  34  contacts cam follower  36  changing the orientation of cam follower  36 . 
     Lock plug  28  includes a rotatable lock housing  32  which carries cam  34 , so that cam  34  rotates with housing  32  when lock plug  28  is actuated with a key. Cam follower  36  is movably connected to chassis  30  at pivot pin  40 , adjacent to lock plug  28  so as to be in operational contact with cam  34 . Locking arm  38  is in connection between cam follower  36  and bezel wall  22 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of cam follower  36  and locking arm  38  in isolation. Cam follower  36  is a rigid piece constructed of plastic having a cover locking end  46  and a locking arm end  48 . Cover locking end  46  comprises a lip  50  for engaging cover  14 , which is described in more detail in FIGS. 8 through 10. Locking tab  24  is connected and extends upwardly approximate locking end  46 . Locking arm end  48  forms a slot  52  for movably attaching arm  38 . Cam follower  36  further includes a top concave section  54  and an engagement nodule  41 . As shown in more detail in FIGS. 8 through 10, nodule  41  contacts cam  34  and concave section  54  provides clearance between cam  54  and cam follower  36 . Extending from a bottom portion of cam follower  36  is a spring hook  56 . 
     Locking arm  38  is an elongated piece, such as wire, having a first follower end  58 , a second bezel wall end  60 , and at least one substantially horizontal section  62  formed therebetween. Follower end  58  is adapted for connecting to locking arm end  48  of follower  36  and movable along the length of slot  52 . Bezel wall end  60  of arm  38  forms a hook adapted for connecting to spline  78  (FIGS. 4,  6 ,  7 ). 
     FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view of the CD-ROM bezel  20  in isolation. CD-ROM bezel  20  includes a substantially rectangular face  68  forming an open window  70  through which CD-ROM  16  (FIG. 1) may be accessed. Extending from face  68  toward the interior of computer  10  (FIG. 1) is a pair of side walls  72 ,  74 , a bottom wall  76 , and top bezel wall  22 . Bezel wall  22  is hingedly connected between side walls  72  and  74 , and has a spline  78  extending from one end thereof. Spline  78  is disposed in and extends through track  80  formed in wall  72  and is connectable to bezel wall end  60  of locking arm  38 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 2, locking device  12  is in the fully unlocked position. In this position cam  34  is in contact with cam follower  36  urging cover locking end  46  and tab  24  downward and locking arm  38  and bezel wall  22  upward. In the fully unlocked position, bezel wall  22  is in a substantially horizontal position and tab  24  is lowered to a position to allow access to drive  18 . 
     Spring  42  is connected between chassis  30  and spring hook  56  (FIG. 3) to aide in maintaining contact between cam follower  36  and cam  34 . Additionally, a spring  44  is connected between the substantial horizontal section  62  of arm  38  and a hook  45  (FIG. 6) connected to chassis  30 . Spring  44  urges arm  38  upward and into the unlocked position. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of computer  10  showing access to data drives  16  and  18  being blocked. In this figure, bezel wall  22  is lowered preventing the opening of CD-ROM drive door  82 . Additionally, locking tab  24  is in the raised position preventing access to disk drive  18 . 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, rear view of locking device  12  utilizing bezel wall  22 , in the fully locked position. As shown, lock plug  28  and cam follower  36  are connected to chassis  30 . Locking arm  38  extends upward along a portion of chassis  30  and bezel wall end  60  is connected to spline  78  of bezel wall  22 . Spring  44  is in tension when locking device  12  is in the fully locked position, and arm  38  and bezel wall  22  are pulled into the down position by cam follower  36 . Locking tab  24  is in the raised position and lip  50  can be seen in the cover  14  locking position shown in more detail in FIGS. 8 through 10. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial, rear view of locking device  12  utilizing bezel wall  22 , in the cover-only locked position. In this position lock housing  32  and cam  34  are rotated pivoting cam follower  36  so that locking arm  38  is raised moving bezel wall  22  to the open position. When cam follower  36  is rotated tab  24  is lowered allowing access to disk drive  18  (FIGS.  1  and  5 ). With additional reference to FIG. 3, when locking device  12  is in the cover-only locked position follower end  58  of arm  38  is positioned within slot  52  and spaced from an end of slot  52 . This additional slot space allows for movement of cam follower  36  from the cover-only locked position to the fully unlocked position. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of locking device  12  and cover  14  in the cover-only locked position, in isolation. In the cover-only locked position, lock plug  28  and cam  34  are rotated so that cam follower  36  is in the middle position wherein locking arm  38  is urged to the raised position via spring  44  (see FIG.  7 ), and cover locking end  46  is positioned so as to lock cover  14  in place and maintain locking tab  24  in a position removed from disk drive  18  (FIGS.  1  and  5 ). 
     Cover  14  is locked in place by entrapping a portion of cover  14  with cover locking end  46  of cam follower  36 . Cover locking end  46  has a lip  50  extending therefrom and a retaining leg  84  which form a groove  86 . Retaining leg  84  is offset from lip  50 . Extending from the interior surface of cover  14  is a protrusion  88  having a ledge  90  extending substantially parallel to cover  14 . When locking device  12  is in one of the two positions locking cover  14  in place, ledge  90  is at least partially disposed within groove  86  formed between lip  50  and retaining leg  84 . 
     FIG. 9 is a rear view of locking device  12  and cover  14  in the fully locked position, in isolation. As shown, lock plug  28  and cam  34  are rotated, cam  34  contacting cam follower  36  thus rotating cam follower  36  about pivot pin  40  raising cover locking end  46  and lowering arm end  48 . When cover locking end  46  is in the raised position, tab  24  is positioned to prevent access to disk drive  18  (FIGS. 1,  5 ,  6 ) and ledge  90  is disposed between retaining leg  84  and lip  50 . When locking arm end  48  is in the lowered position locking arm  38  is urged downward moving bezel wall  22  into a locking position preventing access to CD-ROM  16  (FIGS. 1,  5 ,  6 ). 
     FIG. 10 is a rear view of locking device  12  and cover  14  in the fully unlocked position, in isolation. In the fully unlocked position lock plug  28  and cam  34  are rotated so that locking arm end  48  of cam follower  36  is raised and cover locking end  46  is lowered. When arm end  48  is in the raised position follower end  58  is allowed to slip in slot  52  and arm  38  is maintained in the open position by spring  44  (FIG.  7 ). When cover locking end  46  is in the fully lowered position, tab  24  is moved from obstructing disk drive  18  (FIGS. 1,  5 ,  6 ) and lip  50  is moved past ledge  90  allowing cover  30  to be pulled away from locking device  12  and removed. 
     Use of the locking device utilizing a bezel wall of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 10. A computer  10  having internal components such as processors, microprocessors and a power source are connected within a chassis  30 , at least two data drives such as a CD-ROM drive  16  and a floppy drive  18  are also connected to chassis  30  so as to be accessible from outside of computer  10 . A lock plug  28  having a rotatable housing  32  carrying a cam  34  is connected to chassis  30  so that key lock  28  may be operated from the exterior of computer  10 . Pivotedly connected to chassis  30  is a cam follower  36  which is in operational connection with cam  32 , in a manner such that as cam  32  is rotated cam follower  36  pivots raising and lowering a locking arm end  48  and cover locking end  46 . Locking arm  38  is movably connected to locking arm end  46  of cam follower  36 . 
     A CD-ROM bezel  20  is connected to chassis  30  approximate CD-ROM  16 . Bezel  20  has a pair of side walls  72 ,  74 , a bottom wall  76 , and a top bezel wall  22  hinged connected between side walls  72  and  74 . Bezel wall  22  further includes a spline  78  extending from one side and disposed within a track  80  formed by side wall  72 . One end  60  of arm  38  is connected to spline  78 . A spring  44  is connected between arm  38  and chassis  30  so as to urge arm  38  into a position tending to maintain bezel wall  22  substantially perpendicular to side walls  72 ,  74 . 
     A cover  14  is provided to substantially enclose chassis  30  and the internal components. Cover  30  includes a protrusion  88  and ledge  90  extending from an interior portion thereof. Ledge  90  is position so as to be engageable by cam follower  36  in a manner such that cover  14  may be lockably secured to chassis  30 . 
     Lock plug  28  is a key lock which is rotatable between a fully locked position, a cover-only locked position, and a fully unlocked position. In the cover-only locked position, lock plug  28  is rotated so that cam follower  36  is in a middle position wherein arm  38  is raised by spring  44  maintaining bezel wall  22  substantially parallel to side walls  72 ,  74  allowing an operator to access CD-ROM  16 . Cover lock end  46  having a retaining leg  84 , a lip  50 , and a locking tap  24  is positioned so that cover ledge  90  is positioned between leg  84  and lip  50  locking cover  14  in place and locking tap  24  is position below the access to disk drive  18 . In another embodiment, locking tab  24  may be movably connected to cover  14  or chassis  30  so as to be contacted by cam follower  36  and moved into a position blocking the access to disk drive  18 . 
     In the fully locked position, lock plug  28  is rotated rotating cam  34  which contacts and rotates cam follower  36  so that locking arm end  48  is lowered and cover locking end  46  is raised. When locking arm end  48  is fully lowered arm  38  is lowered moving bezel wall  22  from the substantially horizontal position to a position blocking CD-ROM door  82  preventing removal or insertion of media into CD-ROM  16 . With cover locking end  46  in the fully raised position tab  24  is moved to a position blocking access to disk drive  18 , and cover ledge  90  remains disposed between retaining leg  84  and lip  50 . 
     In the fully unlocked position, lock plug  28  is rotated rotating cam  34  and moving cover locking end  46  to a lowered position and raising locking arm end  48 . In this position spring  44  raises arm  38  and bezel wall  22  so that bezel wall  22  is in a substantial horizontal position allowing access to CD-ROM  16 . As cam  34  and cam follower  36  are rotated, tab  24  is lowered from the position blocking disk drive  18 . To unlock cover  14 , cover locking end  46  is lowered so that lip  50  passes ledge  90  allowing the cover to be removed. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.