Abstract:
An apparatus for securing an information handling system includes a chassis cover defining a opening therein, the chassis cover including a locking member, and a panel operable to be secured in the opening or removed from the opening. In an embodiment, the removal of the panel is accomplished only when the chassis cover is in the open position. The chassis cover may be attached to a chassis in order to restrict access to some components on the chassis while allowing an option to either allow or restrict access to other components on the chassis.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for securing an information handling system.  
         [0002]     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or 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.  
         [0003]     It is often desirable to provide a security device for information handling system chassis in order to protect components of the information handling system from theft and to restrict access to devices in the information handling system.  
         [0004]     Typically, a locking cover is provided on the information handling system chassis which allows all access to the hard drives and peripheral devices to be restricted, securing those components in the information handling system chassis and ensuring that the information handling system cannot be accessed.  
         [0005]     However, it is also desirable on occasion to protect data on the hard drives while still allowing access to the peripheral devices such as, for example, optical drives, floppy drives, and/or tape backup drives. Locking covers must be continually unlocked and locked to access the peripheral devices while keeping the hard drives secured.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for securing an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     According to one embodiment, an apparatus for securing an information handling system is provided comprising a chassis cover defining a opening therein, the chassis cover including a locking member, and a panel operable to be secured in the opening or removed from the opening. In an embodiment, the removal of the panel is accomplished only when the chassis cover is in the open position.  
         [0008]     A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the chassis cover and panel may be configured to restrict access to the hard drives and peripherals. The chassis cover and panel may also be reconfigured in order to restrict access to the hard drives while allowing access to the peripherals. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis cover for an apparatus for securing an information handling system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the back of the chassis cover of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0012]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an panel used with the chassis cover of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         [0013]      FIG. 3   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the back of the panel of  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0014]      FIG. 3   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover securing member used with the panel of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0015]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the chassis cover of  FIG. 2   a  and the panel of  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0016]      FIG. 4   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 3   a  secured to the chassis cover of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0017]      FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 3   a  secured to the chassis cover of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis cover of  FIG. 2   a  coupled to the chassis of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 3   a  secured to the chassis cover and chassis of  FIG. 6   a.    
         [0021]      FIG. 7   a  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis cover and a panel for an apparatus for securing an information handling system.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the chassis cover and panel of  FIG. 7   a.    
         [0023]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover securing member used with the panel of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0024]      FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a panel securing member used with the cover of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the cover securing member of  FIG. 8   a  and the panel securing member of  FIG. 8   b.    
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     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, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network 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.  
         [0027]     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 . A chassis  26  may be provided in order to house 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.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , an apparatus for securing an information handling system  100  includes an elongated cover  102  having a top  102   a , a bottom  102   b  opposite the top  102   a , a front  102   c , and a back  102   d  opposite the front  102   c . The cover  102  defines a opening  104  extending through the cover  102  from the front  102   c  to the back  102   d  and positioned adjacent the top  102   a . A plurality of panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d  are positioned about the perimeter of the opening  104  in a spaced apart relationship and, in one embodiment, include a plurality of passageways defined by the cover  102  and extending through the cover  102  from the front  102   c  to the rear  102   d . A locking member  108  is positioned on the cover  102  between the top  102   a  and the opening  104 . A plurality of apertures  110  are defined by the cover  102  and extend through the cover  102  from the front  102   c  to the back  102   d . A plurality of chassis coupling members  112   a  and  112   b  extend from the back  102   d  and along an edge of cover  102 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , the apparatus  100  also includes a panel  200  having a substantially square body  202  having a front  202   a  and a back  202   b  opposite the front  202   a . A plurality of cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  extending from the back  202   b  of cover  202  and about the perimeter of cover  202  in a spaced apart relationship. A plurality of apertures  206  are defined by the panel  200  and extend through the panel  200  from the front  202   a  to the back  202   b . Cover coupling member  204   a  includes a flexible beam  204   a a extending from the back  202   b  of cover  200 . A distal end  204   ab  of the beam  204   aa  includes a beveled surface  204   ac  and a catch surface  204   ad . Cover coupling members  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  are substantially similar to cover coupling member  204   a  with each including respective flexible beams, distal ends, beveled surfaces, and catch surfaces.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   c ,  4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c , in operation, the panel  200  may be secured to the cover  102  by orienting the panel  200  such that the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  such that they line up with panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d  on cover  102 . The panel  200  is then brought into engagement with cover  102  by pushing, for example, the distal end  204   ac  of cover coupling member  204  into the panel coupling member  106   a . Further pushing of cover coupling member  204   a  into panel coupling member  106   a  results in the beveled surface  204   ac  causing flexible beam  204   aa  to flex, allowing the cover coupling member  204   a  through the panel coupling member  106   a  until the catch surface  204   ad  contacts the back  102   d  of cover  102  adjacent the panel coupling member  106   a  and secures the cover coupling member  204   a  to the cover  102 . Cover coupling members  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  operate in substantially the same manner as cover coupling member  204   a , and with all of the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  secured in their respective panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d , the panel  200  is secured in the cover  102 . The panel  200  may then removed from the cover  102  only by accessing the back  102   d  of cover  102  and flexing each of the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  in order to release them from panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d , respectively.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system  300  is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c , with the addition of a chassis  302 , which may be the chassis  26  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , housing an information handling system, which may be the information handling system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The chassis  302  includes a front surface  304  and a chassis door  306  positioned adjacent the front surface  304  and pivotally coupled to the chassis  302 . A handle  306   a  is included on an edge of the chassis door  306 . In one embodiment, the chassis door  306  provides access to components housed within the chassis  302 . Chassis surface  304  includes a first component  308  on an upper section of chassis surface  304  and a second component  310  positioned adjacent the first component  308  and on a lower section of chassis surface  304 . First component  308  may include, for example, a variety of peripheral devices such as a tape drive  308   a , an SCSI drive  308   b , an SCSI drive  308   c , an optical drive  308   d , and a floppy drive  308   e . Second component  310  may includes, for example, a variety of hard drives such as a plurality of SCSI drives  310   a  and a plurality of SCSI drives  310   b . Second component  310  may also include a power control  310   c . A plurality of air flow passageways  312  may be defined by chassis surface  304  and positioned adjacent the SCSI drives  310   a  and  310   b . The chassis surface also includes a plurality of cover coupling members  314   a  and  314   b  positioned along an edge of the chassis surface  304  in a spaced apart relationship. A chassis lock member  316  is positioned on an upper edge of the chassis surface  304  and adjacent the first component  308 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   c ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  6   a , and  6   b , in operation, the cover  102  is coupled to the chassis  302  by coupling chassis coupling members  112   a  and  112   b  on cover  102  to cover coupling members  314   a  and  314   b  on chassis  302 , respectively. In one embodiment, the chassis coupling members  112   a  and  112   b  and the cover coupling members  314   a  and  314   b  provide a hinge which allows a pivotal coupling of the cover  102  to the chassis  302  from an open position to a closed position.  
         [0033]     To restrict access to the second component  310  on chassis surface  304 , the cover  102  may be pivoted such that cover  102  engages chassis  102  in the closed position. Locking member  108  on cover  102  may then be activated such that it engages chassis locking member  316  on chassis surface  304 , securing the cover  102  to the chassis  302 . With the cover  102  secured to the chassis surface  304 , second component  310  may not be accessed without deactivating the locking member  108  and moving the cover  102  to the open position. In an embodiment, securing cover  102  restricts access to the plurality of SCSI drives  310   a  and  310   b  and the power control  310   c . However, the first component  308  may be accessed through opening  104 . In one embodiment, if the chassis door  306  is closed when the cover  102  is secured to the chassis surface  304 , the cover  102  engages the chassis door  306  such that the chassis door  306  is secured to the chassis  302 , restricting access to the components housed inside of the chassis  302 .  
         [0034]     To restrict access to the first component  308 , the panel  200  may be secured to the cover  102  by orienting the panel  200  such that the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  line up with panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d  on cover  102 . The panel  200  is then brought into engagement with cover  102  by pushing the distal end  204   ac  of cover coupling member  204  into the panel coupling member  106   a . Further pushing of cover coupling member  204   a  into panel coupling member  106   a  results in the beveled surface  204   ac  causing flexible beam  204   aa  to flex, allowing the cover coupling member  204   a  through the panel coupling member  106   a  until the catch surface  204   ad  contacts the back  102   d  of cover  102  adjacent the panel coupling member  106   a  and secures the cover coupling member  204   a  to the cover  102 . Cover coupling members  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  operate in substantially the same manner as cover coupling member  204   a , and with all of the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  secured in their respective panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d , the panel  200  is secured in the cover  102 . With the panel  200  secured to the cover  102 , the first component  308  may not be accessed without deactivating the locking member  108  and moving the cover  102  to the open position.  
         [0035]     To allow access to the first component  308 , the panel  200  may be removed from the cover  102  only by deactivating the locking member  108 . Deactivating the locking member  108  allows the pivoting of the cover  102  away from the chassis surface  304  to the open position. The back  102   d  of cover  102  may then be accessed, allowing the flexing of each of the cover coupling members  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c , and  204   d  in order to release them from panel coupling members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c , and  106   d , respectively.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 7   a , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system  400  is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus  100  and the apparatus  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  5 ,  6   a , and  6   b  with the provision of a modified cover  402 . Cover  402  includes a front  402   a , a back  402   b  opposite the front  402   a , and defines an opening  404  adjacent the top of the cover  402  and extending from the front  402   a  to the back  402   b . A track  406  includes a top  406   a , a side  406   b , a side  406   c , and a bottom  406   d , and extends from the back  402   b  of cover  402 , with the top  406   a  and a portion of the sides  406   b  and  406   c  positioned around a portion of the perimeter of opening  404 . Top  406   a  defines a securing slot  406   aa  centrally located along its length. Sides  406   b  and  406   c  define channels  406   ba  (not shown) and  406   ca , respectively, running along their lengths. A plurality of apertures  408  are defined by the cover  402  and extend through the cover  402  from the front  402   a  to the back  402   b . A panel  410  is positioned on the track  406  and moveably coupled to the channels  406   ba  and  406   ca  on sides  406   b  and  406   c , respectively. Panel  410  includes a securing member  410   a  extending from its upper surface. Securing member  410   a  includes a flexible beam  410   aa  extending from the panel  410 . A distal end  410   ab  of the beam  410   aa  includes a beveled surface  410   ac  and a catch surface  410   ad . A plurality of apertures  412  are defined by the panel  410  and extend through the panel  410 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , in operation, the panel  410  begins positioned adjacent the bottom  406   d  of track  406 , allowing access through the cover  402  through opening  404 . The panel  410  may be positioned in the opening  404  by translating the panel  410  in a direction A. The panel  410  may translate along the track  406  due to the moveable coupling between the channels  406   ba  and  406   bc  and the panel  410 . As the panel  410  is translated in direction A, distal end  410   ab  of securing member  410   a  engages securing slot  406   aa . Further translation of securing member  410   a  into securing slot  406   aa  results in the beveled surface  410   ac  causing flexible beam  410   aa  to flex, allowing the securing member  410   a  through the securing slot  406   aa  until the catch surface  410   ad  contacts the top  406   a  of track  406  and secures the panel  410  over the opening  404  defined by cover  402 . The panel  410  may be removed from the opening  404  by flexing the securing member  410   a  such that securing member  410   a  may be removed from securing slot  406   aa . Panel  410  may then be translated in a direction B along channels  406   ba  and  406   ca  and out of opening  404 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  9 , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system  500  is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus  100  and the apparatus  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  5 ,  6   a , and  6   b  with the provision of modified cover securing members  502  on panel  200  and modified panel securing members  504  on cover  102 . Cover securing member  502  includes an elongated securing member  502   a  with a distal end  502   b  extending from the back  202   b  of panel  200 . Elongated securing member  502   a  defines an opening  502   c  adjacent the distal end  502   b . Panel securing member  504  includes base  504   a  with a flexible beam member  504   b  extending from the base  504   a . Flexible beam member  504   b  includes a catch surface  504   ba  on its distal end. The cover  102  defines a passageway  504   c  adjacent the panel securing member  504  and extending through the cover  102 . In an embodiment, the panel  200  and cover  102  may each include a plurality of cover securing members  502  and panel securing members  504 , respectively.  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in operation, the panel  200  may be secured to the cover  102  by placing the distal end  502   b  of elongated securing member  502   a  in passageway  504   c  and translating it through the passageway  504   c . Distal end  502   b  will engage flexible beam member  504   b  and flex it towards base  504   a , allowing cover securing member  502  through passageway  504   c . As cover securing member  502  continues through passageway  504   c , flexible beam member  504   b  will become positioned in opening  502   c , with catch surface  504   ba  securing cover securing member  502  to panel securing member  504  and panel  200  to cover  102 . To remove panel  200  from cover  102 , flexible beam member  504   b  must be flexed back through opening  502   c  and cover securing member  502  removed from passageway  504   c.    
         [0040]     It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part some or all of the illustrative embodiments.  
         [0041]     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.