Abstract:
Disclosed are various constructions of a computer case. A disclosed computer case includes a plurality of external walls, each external wall comprising a substantially planar external surface, an internal surface and a plurality of edges. In this computer case, each edge of each external wall is connected to an edge of a neighboring external wall so as to construct a housing configured to enclose electronic circuits of a computer. External surfaces of a pair of neighboring external walls are not in a single plane. At least one of the external walls includes two or more single-piece wall elements. Each wall element has a substantially planar external surface and an internal surface, and the two or more wall elements are so arranged as to form one of the external walls.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/221,741, now pending, which was filed Sep. 13, 2002 based on International Application No. PCT/KR01/00412 under 35 U.S.C. § 371, claiming foreign priority based on Korean Patent Application Nos. 2000-13034, filed Mar. 15, 2000 and 2000-38799, filed Jul. 7, 2000. The International Application No. PCT/KR01/00412 was filed Mar. 15, 2001 and published in English as WO 01/69359 A1 on Sep. 20, 2001, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/221,741 are also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a computer case, and more particularly, a computer case to which various kinds of hardware devices including a main circuit board, a storage device such as a HDD, a FDD and an optical disk drive, and a power supply are fixed and in which these hardware devices are accommodated.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Technology  
           [0005]    Various kinds of hardware devices including a main circuit board (main board), a storage device such as a HDD, a FDD, a CD-ROM drive and a DVD, and a power supply are generally fixed to and accommodated in a computer case. A computer case for a common desktop computer includes a frame for fixing hardware devices, and an outer housing connected to the frame which forms the external appearance by surrounding the inner frame.  
           [0006]    The frame constitutes a base and a rear surface of a main body, and an inner skeletal structure. Typically, the frame consists of a plurality of parts which are formed by cutting a steel sheet and bending it in a desired shape. These parts are assembled by welding them to each other or by fastening them with screws. They are also designed to have sufficient structural strength since various kinds of hardware devices are secured thereon.  
           [0007]    The outer housing constitutes a front surface, a top plane surface and left and right side surfaces of the main body. The part constituting the top plane surface and the left and right side surfaces is manufactured in a single member by cutting and bending a steel sheet. The part covering the front surface is manufactured by injection molding of plastics. These parts are fixed to the frame to define the housing in which various hardware devices are accommodated.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    One aspect of the present invention provides a computer case comprising a plurality of external walls, each external wall comprising a substantially planar external surface, an internal surface and a plurality of edges. In this computer case, each edge of each external wall is connected to an edge of a neighboring external wall so as to construct a housing configured to enclose electronic circuits of a computer; external surfaces of a pair of neighboring external walls are not in a single plane; at least one of the external walls comprises two or more single-piece wall elements, each wall element comprising a substantially planar external surface and an internal surface, and the two or more wall elements are so arranged as to form one of the external walls.  
           [0009]    In the above-described computer case, each wall element has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar external surface thereof. Each wall element having a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape does not have to have the same cross-sectional shape as that of another wall element. One or more of the external walls is a single-piece external wall, and wherein each single-piece external wall has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planer external surface thereof. Each single-piece external wall having a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape does not have to have the same cross-sectional shape as that of another single-piece external wall. Each wall element has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar external surface thereof, and wherein the uniform cross-sectional shapes of the wall element and the single-piece wall does not have to be the same.  
           [0010]    The computer case further comprises a plurality of longitudinal edge members, wherein each edge member couples two neighboring external walls along the edges thereof. Each edge member is interveningly located between the edges of the two neighboring external walls. Each edge member has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof. The computer case further comprises a plurality of corner members, wherein each corner member couples two or more longitudinal edge members. The computer case further comprises a plurality of corner members, wherein each corner member connects corners of two or more external walls. In the at least one external wall comprising two or more wall elements, an edge of one wall element substantially contacts an edge of another wall element. In the at least one external wall comprising two or more wall elements, two wall elements are separated from each other to provide an opening in the external wall.  
           [0011]    Further, in the computer case, each wall element has a substantially straight rail structure formed on the internal surface and extending from an end to another end of the internal surface. The rail structure is configured to couple with a mating structure. The rail structure comprises an extended protrusion from the internal surface, and wherein the protrusion is slanted from a plane perpendicular to the internal surface. Each wall element is made of a metallic material. Each wall element is made by extrusion of a material. At least one of the wall elements and the external walls comprises a rib structure formed on the internal surface thereof, and wherein the rib structure comprises a plurality of protrusions from the internal surface. The plurality of protrusions divergently projects from a point of the internal surface in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the internal surface. The rib structure extends in a substantially straight direction from an end to another end of the internal surface. The substantially straightly extending rib structure is repeatedly provided on the internal surface.  
           [0012]    Still further, in the computer case, at least one of the wall elements and the external walls comprises a plurality of protrusions formed on the external surface thereof. The plurality of protrusions extends in a substantially straight direction from an end to another end of the external surface. The plurality of protrusions are substantially parallel with one another. The plurality of external walls are six substantially planar, rectangular external walls. The plurality of external walls comprise two front walls and four side walls. At least one of the four side walls has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar external surface. At least one of the four side walls comprises a rib structure formed on the internal surface thereof, and wherein the rib structure comprises a plurality of protrusions from the internal surface. At least one of the four side walls comprises two or more of the single-piece wall elements. Each of the single-piece wall elements has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar external surface thereof. At least one of the four side walls is the single-piece external wall. The front wall comprises two or more of the single-piece wall elements.  
           [0013]    Other aspects of the present invention provide various constructions of a computer case. One construction of the computer case comprises: a first wall; a second wall connected to an edge of the first wall; a third wall connected to another edge of the first wall and opposingly disposed to the second wall; a fourth wall connected to edges of the second and third walls, and opposing the first wall; a fifth wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls; a sixth wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls, and opposing the fifth wall; wherein at least one of the external walls comprises two or more single-piece wall elements, each comprising a substantially planar surface; and wherein each wall element has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar surface thereof.  
           [0014]    Another construction of the computer case comprises: a first wall comprising a surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the surface; a second wall connected to an edge of the first wall, the second wall comprising a surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the surface thereof; a third wall connected to another edge of the first wall and opposingly disposed to the second wall, the third wall comprising a surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the surface thereof; a fourth wall connected to edges of the second and third walls, and opposing the first wall, the third wall comprising a surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the surface thereof; a fifth wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls; a sixth wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls, and opposing the fifth wall; and wherein at least one of the walls comprises a rib structure formed on the surface thereof, and wherein the rib structure comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from the surface. In this construction, each of the protrusions divergently projects from a point of the surface in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the surface.  
           [0015]    Still another construction of the computer case comprises: a first wall comprising an external surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the external surface; a second wall connected to an edge of the first wall, the second wall comprising an external surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the external surface thereof; a third wall connected to another edge of the first wall and opposingly disposed to the second wall, the third wall comprising an external surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the external surface thereof; a fourth wall connected to edges of the second and third walls, and opposing the first wall; a fifth wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls; and a six wall connected to edges of the first, second, third and fourth walls, and opposing the fifth wall. In this construction, each of the first, second and third walls is formed in a single piece. The fourth wall comprises an external surface and a substantially uniform sectional shape taken in a plane perpendicular to the external surface thereof.  
           [0016]    In the computer case constructions, at least one neighboring pair of the walls are connected with use of a hinge. The hinge comprises a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, a first structure partially encircling the shaft and extending along the longitudinal direction, wherein there is a gap extending in the longitudinal direction between the shaft and the structure, the hinge further comprises a second structure configured to be inserted in the gap and to rotate about the shaft, wherein the shaft and the first structure are provided in one wall of the neighboring pair, and wherein the second structure is provided in the other wall of the neighboring pair. The shaft is located along an edge of the one wall of the neighboring, wherein the first structure is located in the proximity of the edge, and wherein the shaft and the first structure are part of a single-body of the wall having the edge. The computer case further comprises an air-flow guide, wherein at least one of the walls is provided with an opening, and wherein the air-flow guide is configured to guide air flown in through the opening to an area within the case where electric circuits or a cooling device for the electric circuits are configured to be installed. The airflow-guide has a substantially uniform sectional shape. The computer case further comprises a mounting structure configured to support hardware devices of the computer, wherein the mounting structure has a substantially uniform sectional shape. The computer case further comprises a backing for a display of the computer and a hinge device coupling the backing and one of the walls. The hinge device comprises a first hinge configured to allow rotation of the backing in one rotational direction and a second hinge configured to allow rotation of the backing in the other rotational direction. One of the first and second hinges comprises a stopper for preventing the rotation beyond a predetermined angle. The computer case further comprises a carrying handle attached to one of the walls.  
           [0017]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a computer case comprising a plurality of external walls. The method comprises: providing a plurality of single-piece wall elements, each comprising a substantially planar external surface, wherein each single-piece wall element can form either a single-piece external wall by itself or a multiple-piece external wall together with one or more other wall elements, and wherein each wall element has a substantially uniform crosssectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the substantially planar external surface thereof; arranging and connecting two or more wall elements so as to form a multiple-piece external wall, wherein the external surfaces of the two or more wall elements form a substantially planar external surface of the multiple piece external wall; and connecting the multiple-piece external wall with either another multiple-piece external wall or the single-piece external wall such that the external surface of the multiple-piece external wall is not in the same plane as the external surface of the other multiple-piece external wall or single-piece external wall. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The features of the present invention, together with the above and other objects thereof, can be easily and clearly understood by a person having an ordinary skill in the art upon reading embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer case according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with an upper cover thereof disassembled.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the computer case shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 are views showing sectional shapes of major parts of the computer case, wherein (a) shows a sectional view of a main body, (b) shows a sectional view of a partition, (c) shows a sectional view of a mounting structure, and (d) shows a sectional view of a front panel.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view which shows various computer hardware devices installed in the computer case shown in FIG. 1, with the upper cover and the front panel removed for showing the interior of the computer case.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 shows methods for coupling a main board in the computer case shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a computer case according to a modification of the first embodiment.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main body of the computer case shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a computer case according to a second embodiment, with a display device stood vertically while the computer is laid on its side.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the computer case shown in FIG. 8, with the computer stood vertically.  
         [0028]    FIGS.  10  to  12  are perspective views of the computer case shown in FIG. 8, with an upper cover and connecting bars removed.  
         [0029]    FIGS.  13  to  15  are exploded views of the computer case shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 16 is a front view showing a partially assembled computer case shown in FIG. 8, with the connecting bars and an airflow-guiding member removed.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 shows sections of parts constituting the computer case shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the constitution of a hinge device for rotating the display device, which is installed on the computer case shown in FIG. 8, over 180 degrees.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing hardware devices such as a main boards installed in the computer case shown in FIG. 8, with the interior of the computer case shown.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views of a computer case according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with a cover removed for showing the interior thereof.  
         [0035]    FIGS.  22  to  24  are exploded perspective views of the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 25 is a front view showing an assembled state of the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 26 shows sectional shapes of major structures of the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0038]    FIGS.  27  to  29  are perspective views showing assembled states in the process of assembling the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a rear panel of the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 31 and 32 are a perspective view and a sectional view respectively, showing the constitution for opening and closing the upper cover of the computer case shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a computer case according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 34 and 35 are perspective view showing the interior of the computer case shown in FIG. 33.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the computer case shown in FIG. 33.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 37 is a front view showing an assembled computer case shown in FIG. 33.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 38 shows sections of the major structures of the computer case shown in FIG. 33.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a coupled edge member of the computer case shown in FIG. 33.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing an assembled rear panel of the computer case shown in FIG. 33. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0048]    Cases for a desktop computer are generally classified into two types: a first type (those which are laid on their side) having a width larger than its height, and a second type (those which stand vertically) having a height larger than its width. In addition, there is another type capable of being both laid on their side and stood vertically. A computer case of the present invention can be applied to both the type capable of being laid on its side and the type capable of being stood vertically. Therefore, for unifying the technical terms herein, regardless of the placement of the computer case, the side on which a main circuit board (main board) of a computer is installed will be referred to as a “base,” both sides of the base will be referred to as “supports,” and the side opposite the base will be referred to as a “cover.” 
         [0049]    First Embodiment  
         [0050]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3 , a computer case  40  according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body  44  integrally provided with a base  43  at the bottom thereof, and left and right supports  41 ,  42  placed on both sides of the base. The computer case  40  further includes a partition  45  extending laterally for separating the interior of the main body  44  into front and rear portions, a front panel  46 , a rear panel  47 , au upper cover  48 , and a mounting structure  49 .  
         [0051]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body  44  has a substantially uniform shape in its section in a fore-and-aft direction. The base  43  of the main body  44  is formed with two fixing rails  431  extending in the fore-and-aft direction.  
         [0052]    The left and right supports  41 ,  42  are formed with passages  412 ,  422  serving as passages for circulating air in the fore-and-aft direction, respectively. Sound-absorbing materials  413 ,  423  for absorbing noise are installed at inner portions in the vicinity of rear ends of the air-circulating passages  412 ,  422 , respectively. Opposite side surfaces of the left and right supports  41 ,  42  are formed with apertures  414 ,  424  for communicating with the interior of the computer, respectively. As shown in the figures, the communicating aperture  414  in the left support  41  is positioned toward the front, whereas the communicating aperture  424  in the right support  42  is positioned toward the rear. Projections extend opposite each other in the vicinity of top ends of the left and right supports  41 ,  42  to provide stepped portions  411 ,  421  on which the upper cover  48  is mounted and assembled.  
         [0053]    In manufacturing the main body  44  constructed as such, aluminum or aluminum alloy is first processed by means of extrusion molding to give a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3( a ). As shown in FIG. 2, the sound-absorbing materials  413 ,  423  are fitted into the air-circulating passages  412 ,  422 . The manufacturing of the main body  44  is finished by forming the communicating apertures  414 ,  424  and assembly screw holes. The edges of the left and right supports  41 ,  42  are rounded.  
         [0054]    The rails  431  are positioned on an upper surface of the base  43 . Vertical portions  431   a  protrude from the upper surface to extend in the lengthwise direction. At tip portions of the vertical portions  431   a , horizontal portions  431   b  are bent perpendicularly with respect to the vertical portions  431   a  and extend in a direction opposite each other. Opposite ends  431   c  are spaced apart from each other with a predetermined gap. A method for fixing various kinds of parts by using the rails  431  will be described later.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition  45  is assembled between both the supports and on the base  43  to separate an inner space of the computer into front and rear portions. The position of the partition is determined by considering the size of the main circuit board. Accordingly, the interior of the computer is partitioned into a first chamber  50  and a second chamber  51 . The partition  45  has a fixing brace  451  formed at a lower end so that it can be fixed to the rails  431  of the main body  44 . A passage aperture  452  through which the first and second chambers  50 ,  51  can communicate with each other and cables for connecting devices installed in the first and second chambers  50 ,  51  can pass is formed on one side of the partition  45 . Fixing pieces  453  are secured on a top end of the partition  45  by using a means such as screws. When the upper cover  48  is fixed to the fixing pieces  453 , the cover  48  can coupled with the partition  45 .  
         [0056]    The partition  45  constructed as such can be manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy in a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3( b ), forming the passage aperture  452  and assembly screw holes, and securing the separately fabricated fixing pieces  453  on the top end of the partition. Alternatively, it may also be manufactured by forming a metal sheet.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , the front panel  46  is assembled at a front face of the main body  46 , and is formed with exposure apertures  461 ,  462  for exposing a CD-ROM and a FDD at positions corresponding to the CD-ROM and the FDD to be installed in the first chamber  50 . Referring to FIG. 3( d ), the front panel  46  has stepped portions  463 ,  464  which are constructed such that the panel is bent rearward at upper and lower ends, the lower bent portion extending rearward is bent upwardly, and the upper bent portion extending rearward is bent downwardly. Then, the bent portions extending upwardly and downwardly are bent rearward again. The stepped portions  463 ,  464  are used to assemble the upper cover  48  and the base  43 . Upper and lower edges of the front panel  46  are rounded.  
         [0058]    The front panel  46  constructed as such is manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy in a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3( d ) and forming the exposure apertures  461 ,  462  and assembly screw holes.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear panel  47  is attached to a rear face of the main body  44 . The rear panel  47  is formed with connection apertures  471 ,  472  which allow functional connectors of various card devices installed on the main board pursuant to standard requirements of the main board and functional connectors installed directly to the main board to be exposed to the exterior. A fixing bracket  473  is formed in the vicinity of the connection apertures  471  through which one end of each of various cards is exposed to the exterior for connecting with various connectors. The rear panel  47  may be manufactured by means of extrusion molding and post-processing, or by cutting and bending a metal sheet.  
         [0060]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper cover  48  is attached to upper ends of the left and tight supports  41 ,  42 , the front panel  46  and the partition  45 . It is manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum and aluminum alloy into a plate and forming assembly screw holes. Alternatively, it may be made of a typical metal sheet.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , the mounting structure  49  is placed in the first chamber  50  and fixed to the rails  431 . The mounting structure  49  includes a horizontal plate  494  for separating a space into upper and lower space portions, and four side plates  495 ,  496 ,  497 , 498  so as to form a first space portion  491  at an upper portion of the mounting structure for accommodating an optical disk drive and second and third space portions  492 ,  493  juxtaposed at a lower portion of the mounting structure for accommodating a FDD and a HDD. Horizontal fixing braces  498   a,    497   a  are formed at lower ends of the lower left and middle side plates  498 ,  497  to be fixed to the rails  431 . A horizontal fixing brace  495   a  is also formed at an upper end of the right side plate  495  to be fixed to the stepped portion  421  of the right support  42 .  
         [0062]    The mounting structure  49  is manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy in a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3( c ) and forming assembly screw holes.  
         [0063]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the computer case  40  includes first to fourth closures  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55  to be fitted into both ends of each of the air-circulating passages  412 ,  422  of the left and right supports  41 ,  42 .  
         [0064]    The first closure  52  is fitted into a front end of the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41  and is formed in a solid type to prevent air from being introduced into the air-circulating passage. The second closure  53  is fitted into a rear end of the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41  and has an air-inflow aperture  531  formed therein. The third closure  54  is fitted into a rear end of the air-circulating passage  422  of the right support  42  and is formed with an air-outflow aperture  541  for discharging air within the second chamber  51  to the outside. The fourth closure  55  is fitted into a front end of the air-circulating passage  422  of the right support  42  to front end. The first to fourth closure  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55  are manufactured by injection molding plastic resin. The closures cover edge portions between the front panel, the left and right supports, and the rear panel. The edges of the closures are also rounded so that the edges of the computer case are rounded.  
         [0065]    The computer case  40  constructed as such is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, by placing the front panel  46  on the front face of the main body  44 , fixing the lower stepped portion  464  to the fixing rails  431  of the base by means of fasteners such as screws, and securing the upper stepped portion  463  of the front panel  46  on the stepped portions  411  of the left and right supports  41 ,  42  by means of screws, etc. The rear panel  47  is placed on the rear face of the main body  44  and assembled to the left and right supports  41 ,  42  by fastening them using screws, etc.  
         [0066]    The partition  45  and the mounting structure  49  are placed on the rails  431  of the base  43 , and assembled by securing the fixing braces  451 ,  497   a,    498   a  onto the fixing rails  431  by means of screws, etc. The upper cover  48  is positioned on a top face of the main body  44  and assembled to the stepped portions  411 ,  421 ,  463  of the left and right supports  41 ,  42  and the front panel  46  by fastening them using screws, etc.  
         [0067]    The first and second closures  52 ,  53  are then fitted into both ends of the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41 . The third and fourth closures  54 ,  55  are fitted into both ends of the air-circulating passage  412  of the right support  42 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 4 shows a state where various kinds of hardware devices are installed in the main body  44 . As shown in the figure, an optical disk drive  56 , a FDD  57 , a HDD  58 , and a power supply  59  are installed in the first chamber  50 . The optical disk drive  56  is placed in the first space portion  491  of the mounting structure  49  and then fixed to the mounting structure  49  by fastening them using fasteners such as screws. The FDD  57  and the HDD  58  are positioned in the second and third space portions  492 ,  493 , respectively, and then fixed to the mounting structure  49  by securing them using fasteners such as screws.  
         [0069]    The main board  60  and various circuit card devices  61  are installed in the second chamber  51 . The main board  60  is placed on the rails  43  and can be fixed thereto, for example, by using a fastener  132  as shown in FIG. 5( a ). The fastener  132  fixed to the main board  60  has a head  132   a  extending via a neck. The head  132   a  is fitted into a space  431   a  of the rail  431 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5( b ), the main board may be secured by using a bolt  133  and a nut  134 . Referring to FIG. 5, the bolt  133  is assembled in the fixing space  431   a  of the rail. The head of the bolt  133  can be inserted into the space  431   a  by inserting it at one end of the rail and pushing and moving it therein. A washer  133  made of insulating materials is then fitted over the bolt  133 , the main board  60  is placed on the washer by fitting it over the bolt, another washer  133  is fitted over the bolt, and the nut  134  is screwed.  
         [0070]    Various kinds of circuit card devices  61  can be installed by inserting them into slots of riser cards stood on the main board  60 , exposing parts to be connected through the connection apertures  471  formed in the rear panel  47 , and securing them to the fixing bracket  473  using screws. In addition, through the other connection aperture  472  of the rear panel  47 , functional connection parts, such as ports for a keyboard, a mouse and a printer and a power receptacle, provided to the main board can be exposed.  
         [0071]    Furthermore, blowing fans  62 ,  63  are installed in the communicating aperture  414  for communicating the first chamber  50  with the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41  and the communicating aperture  424  for communicating the second chamber  51  with the air-circulating passage  422  of the right support  42 , respectively. The blowing fan  62  on the side of the first chamber  50  causes air to flow from the air-circulating passage  412  to the first chamber  50 , whereas the blowing fan  63  on the side of the second chamber  51  causes air to flow from the second chamber  51  to the air-circulating passage  422 . Thus, the air is forcibly circulated along a flow path to prevent various hardware devices installed in the first and second chambers  50 ,  51  from overheating.  
         [0072]    With such constitutions, the air flows via the second closure  53 —the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41 —the first chamber  50 —the passage aperture  452  of the partition  45 —the second chamber  51 —the air-circulating passage  422  of the right support  42 —and finally the third closure  54 , as shown in FIG. 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, the air may also circulate in reverse order. That is, the air may circulate via the third closure  54 —the air-circulating passage  422  of the right support  42 —the second chamber  51 —the passage aperture  452  of the partition  45 —the first chamber  50 —the air-circulating passage  412  of the left support  41 —and then the second closure  53 . In this case, air introduced from the outside first passes through a space containing a CPU of the second chamber.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of the first embodiment. A flat panel display device  443  such as a LCD is coupled via hinge portions  442  with a computer case of the modified embodiment. Therefore, its mobility can be enhanced. To achieve this, the main body  44  includes the hinge portions  442  with hinge apertures  441  at the upper portion of the left support  41 , as shown in FIG. 7. Hinge shafts of the display device  443  are fitted into the hinge apertures  441  in order to rotate. Referring to FIG. 6 again, the main body  44  is provided with a handle  502 . The handle  502  is hinged to handle-supporting brace  504  provided on one side of the main body  44 .  
         [0074]    Second Embodiment  
         [0075]    Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the computer  10  includes a display device  11  integrally coupled therewith. To this end, the computer  10  includes a computer case  13  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the display device  11  can be rotated in a direction designated by an arrow A about a hinge device contained in the computer case  13 . In addition, in a case where the computer is used in a state stood vertically as shown in FIG. 9, the display device  11  is rotated (revolved) over 180 degrees about a neck to expose a screen  111  of the display device  11 . The orientation of the screen of the display device shown in FIG. 9 is made by turning up the screen of the display device shown in FIG. 8. For this change in orientation, it is necessary for a user to easily change a configuration by modifying a graphic board device or software installed in the computer. It will be apparent to a person having an ordinary skill in the art that the modification to the graphic card device or software can be easily made.  
         [0076]    Referring to FIGS.  8  to  12 , the computer case  13  includes a bottom base  14 , a left support  15 , a right support  16 , a front panel  17 , a rear panel  18  and an upper cover  19 . In FIGS.  10  to  12 , the upper cover  19  and some bars for forming a supporting frame to be described later are omitted so that devices mounted in the interior of the computer case can be well seen in the figures. Mounting structures  22 ,  23  for fixing storage devices such as a CD-ROM, a HDD and a FDD are installed in a forward portion of the interior, and a main board  25  is installed in a rearward portion thereof. A circuit card device  26  used for performing a specific function is mounted on the main board  25 . An airflow-guiding member  27  is installed above a CPU of the main board  25 .  
         [0077]    The bottom base  14  will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14,  16  and  17 ( a ) and ( b ). The base  14  consists of a first base member  141  and a second base member  142 . The first base member  141  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. Two rails  1412  are provided on a flat plate  1411  of the first base member. A coupling projection  1413  for coupling with the left support  15  is provided on a left end of the flat plate, and a coupling groove  1414  for coupling with the second base member  142  is provided on a right end of the flat plate.  
         [0078]    The second base member  142  is provided with one rail  1422  toward the right of a flat plate  1421 . A coupling projection  1423  for coupling with the first base member  141  is provided on a left end of the flat plate, and a coupling projection  1424  for coupling with the right support  16  is provided on a right end of the flat plate.  
         [0079]    The first and second base members  141 ,  142  constituting the base  14  are made by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy and are then finished by means of post-processing such as formation of screw holes. When the coupling projection  1423  at the left end of the second base member is fitted into the coupling groove  1414  of the right end of the first base member, the base  14  is finally constructed.  
         [0080]    The left support  15  will be described with reference to FIGS.  8  to  16  and  17 ( f ). The left support  15  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The left support  15  includes a vertical plate  151 , an upper wing  152  extending from an upper end of the vertical plate  151  rightward, and a lower wing  153  extending from a lower end of the vertical plate rightward. Mounting projections  154  are provided on an inner surface of the vertical plate  151  so as to protrude inward. A heat-dissipating part in a power supply contained within the computer can be mounted directly on the projections. The edges of the projections are rounded.  
         [0081]    A screw fixing structure  1521 , which is constructed such that it protrudes downwardly and is bent to extend in parallel with the upper wing, is provided on the bottom of the upper wing  152 . A coupling groove  1522  for the power supply is provided at an end portion of the upper wing. A stepped projection  1523  for forming a step is provided at a distal end of the upper wing so that the upper cover  19 , to be described later, can be seated thereon.  
         [0082]    A screw fixing structure  1531 , which is constructed such that it protrudes upwardly and is bent to extend in parallel with the lower wing, is provided on the top of the lower wing  153 . A coupling groove  1532  for the power supply is provided at an end portion of the lower wing. A coupling groove  1534  into which the left coupling projection  1413  of the first base member  141  is fitted is formed at a distal end of the lower wing.  
         [0083]    A circuit board  31  for the power supply is fitted into the coupling grooves  1522 ,  1532  for the power supply. Parts for supplying electric power are mounted on the circuit board  31  for the power supply. As described above, some heat-dissipating parts are attached directly to the left support  15  to facilitate rapid cooling. The power supply used for the second embodiment of the present invention is a type having only a board secured on a device without requiring a separate housing, contrary to a typical power supply. With such constitution, the circuit board  31  can naturally form an airflow duct in the left support.  
         [0084]    An aperture  155  is formed at a middle portion of the left support  15 . A hinge device  156  extends through the aperture  155  to rotatably support the display device. The left support  15  is finished by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy, cutting it at a proper length, and forming the aperture  155  for the hinge device therein by means of post-processing.  
         [0085]    Referring to FIG. 13, the hinge device  156  includes a first hinge member  1561  and a second hinge member  1562 . The first and second hinge members  1561 ,  1562  include hinge shaft-forming portions  15611 ,  15612 , respectively. These hinge shaft-forming portions  15611 ,  15621  form a cylindrical hinge shaft when assembled together. The respective hinge members  1561  are provided with neck-forming portions  15612 ,  15622  which extend from the hinge shaft-forming portions  15611 ,  15621  and are bent at a right angle. A neck  1563  is formed when the neck-forming portions are coupled together. The neck protrudes outward through the aperture of the left support  15  (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Referring to FIGS. 13 and 18, a revolving hinge shaft-inserting space  1564  in the form of cylinder is provided in the neck  1563 . On the other hand, the center portions of the hinge shaft and neck are provided with passages through which wires can pass. To this end, grooves  1566  are recessed into the hinge shaft-forming portions  15611 ,  15621  and the neck-forming portions  15612 ,  15622 .  
         [0086]    The hinge device  156  further includes a revolving hinge base  1565 . The revolving hinge base  1565  includes a brace  15651 , and a revolving hinge shaft  15652  connected to the brace and inserted into the inserting space  1564 . The display device  11  is secured on the brace  15651 . A wire passage is formed in the center of the revolving hinge base  1565 . As shown in FIG. 18, axial movement of the revolving hinge shaft  15652  is limited by sill portions formed in the respective hinge members  1561 ,  1562 .  
         [0087]    A periphery of the revolving hinge shaft  15652  is provided with threads, and an inner surface of the inserting space  1564  is provided with relevant threads engaging with the threads of the revolving hinge shaft. Thus, when the display device is rotated, the revolving hinge shaft  15652  moves axially. However, since the axial movement is limited by the sill portions, and accordingly, the range of rotation of the revolving hinge shaft  15652  is limited, a twist in the wire passing through the wire passage can be prevented. It is preferable that the range of rotation of the revolving hinge shaft  15652  be from 180 to 360 degrees.  
         [0088]    On the other hand, the hinge shaft formed by the hinge members  1561 ,  1562  is supported by a shaft-supporting member  157  shown in FIG. 13. The shaft-supporting member  157  is fixed to the left support  15  and provides a space into which the hinge shaft is inserted in order to rotate (see FIG. 16). As seen in FIG. 16, when assembled, a distal end of the shaft-supporting member  157  should be spaced at a distance from the vertical plate  151  of the left support  15 . This is in order to assemble the shaft-supporting member  157  closer to the vertical plate  151  when the hinge shaft comes loose due to its wear. Although the respective members of the hinge device may be manufactured by injection molding plastic resin, the present invention is not limited thereto.  
         [0089]    The right support  16  will be described with reference to FIGS.  8  to  14 ,  16  and  17 ( c ). The right support  16  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The right support  16  includes a vertical plate  161 , an upper wing  162  extending from an upper end of the vertical plate  161  leftward, and a lower wing  163  extending from a lower end of the vertical plate leftward. A stepped projection  1623  for forming a step is provided at a distal end of the upper wing  162  so that the upper cover  19 , to be described later, can be seated thereon. A coupling groove  1634  into which the coupling projection  1424  in the right base member  142  of the bottom base is provided at a distal end of the lower wing  163 . The right support  16  is provided with a screw fixing rib structure  165  having the same shape as the screw fixing rib structure provided on the left support  15 . The right support  16  is finished by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy, cutting it at a proper length, and forming screw holes therein by means of post-processing.  
         [0090]    Referring to FIGS.  8  to  15  and  17 ( g ), the front panel  17 , which is assembled at the front face of the case, is provided with an exposure aperture  171  for exposing a CD-ROM and a FDD at a position corresponding to the CD-ROM and FDD installed in the interior of the case. The front panel  17  is provided with stepped portions  173 ,  174  which are constructed such that the panel is bent rearward at upper and lower ends, the lower bent portion extending rearward is bent upwardly, and the upper bent portion extending rearward is bent downwardly. The bent portions extending upwardly and downwardly are bent rearward again. The stepped portions  173 ,  174  are used to assemble the upper cover  19  and the base  14 . Upper and lower edges of the front panel  17  are rounded. The front panel  17  is provided with a screw fixing rib structure  175  having the same shape as the screw fixing rib structure provided on the left support  15 .  
         [0091]    The front panel  17  constructed as such is manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy in a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 17( g ) and forming the exposure aperture  171  and assembly screw holes by means of post-processing.  
         [0092]    Referring to FIGS.  8  to  14 ,  16  and  17 ( j ), the rear panel  18 , which is assembled at the rear face of the case, is provided with connection apertures  181  through which functional connectors of various card devices installed on the main board pursuant to the standard requirements of the main board can be exposed to the exterior. The rear panel also has a connection aperture  182  to allow functional connectors installed directly on the main board to be exposed to the exterior. Furthermore, an E-IDE connection aperture  183  and an air-suction opening  184  are also provided therein. An airflow-guiding device  27  is fixed in the vicinity of the air-suction opening  184 .  
         [0093]    The rear panel  18  is manufactured by forming various apertures, and assembly screw holes therein by means of post-processing after extrusion molding. As shown in FIG. 17( j ), the rear panel  18  includes wings  187 ,  188  extending rearward from a plate  186  having the apertures formed therein, and is provided with stepped portions  1871 ,  1881  at edges between the wings and the plate. The base  14  and cover  19  are superposed and fixed on the stepped portion  1871 ,  1881 . Distal ends of the respective wings  187 ,  188  are curled roundly and inwardly.  
         [0094]    As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and  15 , a front connecting member  28  is interposed between the front panel  17  and the side supports. The edges of the connecting member  28  are rounded. Both ends of the connecting member are provided with a pair of wings  282 , which form an angle of 90 degrees together, abutted on inner portions of the front panel  17  and the left support (or right support) and fixed thereto by using screws, etc. Each of the wings  282  is somewhat depressed inwardly to form a stepped portion  281 . The connecting portion  28  is finished by extrusion molding a metal material and forming screw holes by means of post-processing. Comer portions between the front panel  17  and the left and right supports  15 ,  16  are provided with comer members  29  for rounding the comer portions. On the other hand, connecting members  301 ,  302  are also provided even between the rear panel  18  and the left and right supports  15 ,  16 , as shown in FIG. 13. The connecting members are used for roundly finishing portions between the rear panel  18  and the left and right side supports  15 ,  16 , and preferably manufactured by injection molding plastic resin. It is preferable to provide the left connecting member  301  of the FIG. 13 with an air-outflow opening in the form of grill.  
         [0095]    Referring to FIGS. 8, 13,  16  and  17 ( d ) and ( e ), the upper cover  19  consists of a first cover member  191  and a second cover member  192 . The first cover member  191  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. A screw fixing rib structure  1912  is provided at the bottom of a flat plate  1911  of the first cover member. A left end of the plate is provided with a coupling groove  1913  for coupling with the second cover member  192 , and a right end thereof is placed on the stepped portion  173  of the right support (see FIG. 16).  
         [0096]    A screw fixing rib structure  1922  is located at the bottom of a flat plate  1921  of the second cover member  192 . A left end of the plate is placed on the stepped portion  1523  of the left support (see FIG. 16). A right end thereof is provided with a coupling projection  1923  for coupling with the first cover member  191 .  
         [0097]    The first and second members  191 ,  192  constituting the cover  19  are manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy and forming screw holes by means of post-processing. When the coupling projection  1923  at the right end of the second cover member is fitted into the coupling groove  1913  of the left end of the first cover member, the cover  19  is finally constructed. The cover  19  is finally assembled after required devices have been mounted in the computer case  10 . At this time, the cover is assembled thereto so as to be easily detachable.  
         [0098]    Referring to FIGS.  10  to  13 ,  16 , and  17 ( h ) and ( i ), the mounting structure consists of two mounting structures  22 ,  23 , contrary to the first embodiment. These mounting structures  22 ,  23  are extrusion molded to have uniform shapes in sections taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.  
         [0099]    The mounting structures  22 ,  23  include feet  221 ,  231  placed on and fixed to the rails  1412 ,  1422 . The mounting structures  22 ,  23  face each other and form a space portion for accommodating an optical disk drive in the lower portions and a space portion for accommodating a FDD in the upper portions. These mounting structures  22 ,  23  are not limited to those shown in FIG. 16, but may employ the mounting structure of the first embodiment or other mounting structure. However, it can be understood by a person having an ordinary skill in the art that the exposure apertures provided in the front panel  17  can be formed in accordance with the mounting structure used.  
         [0100]    Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, it is preferable to provide the interior of the computer case  13  with a supporting frame by coupling crossbars  20  and vertical bars  21  at the center in the fore-and-aft direction. The lower crossbar  20  is fixed to the bottom base  14 . The vertical bars  21  are fixed to the left and right supports  15 ,  16 , respectively. The base  14  and the left and right support  15 ,  16  are securely coupled by means of the frame. The supporting frame partitions the interior of the computer. Generally, storage devices are disposed in the front of the supporting frame and circuit devices such as a main board are placed in the rear of the frame.  
         [0101]    Referring to FIGS.  10  to  12  and  19 , the airflow-guiding member  27  is installed on a cooling structure  251  of the CPU mounted on the main board  25 . The airflow-guiding member  27  forms a passage through which air introduced through the air-suction opening  184  passes, so that the sucked cool air first cools the CPU. The airflow-guiding member  27  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The airflow-guiding member  27  includes a bottom plate  271 , both side walls  272 , and a plurality of fins  273  protruding from the bottom plate and arranged in parallel so as to transfer heat radiated from the cooling structure of the CPU to the passing air. A filter (not shown) is installed at the air-suction opening  184 . In addition, if the side walls of the airflow-guiding member  27  are in direct contact with the upper cover  19 , heat is transferred to the atmosphere via the metal so that the cooling efficiency for the CPU is further enhanced.  
         [0102]    With such constitution, as designated by arrows in FIG. 10, the airflow is introduced toward the airflow-guiding member  27  to first cool the CPU, passes through the interior of the computer, and is discharged to the outside via a duct formed by the circuit board  31  for the power supply. To this end, it is necessary to provide a blowing fan at an appropriate position in the computer.  
         [0103]    Compared with the first embodiment, it can be understood that the computer case of the second embodiment is comprised of various small parts. This is to reduce the production costs of a die for extrusion molding.  
         [0104]    In the above description of the second embodiment, it has been explained that the hinge device is completed under condition that the display device has been coupled with the brace  15651 . On the contrary, they may be constructed such that they are separately manufactured and then can be coupled or disassembled by a user in their use as occasion demands.  
         [0105]    Third Embodiment  
         [0106]    Although a computer case of the third embodiment has a height larger than its width to be used vertically, it will be explained henceforth in a state laid on its the side. Referring to FIGS.  20  to  24 , a computer case  65  includes a bottom base  66 , a left support  67 , a right support  68 , a front panel  69 , a rear panel  70 , and an upper cover  71 . Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, mounting structures  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  751  for fixing storage devices such as a CD-ROM, a HDD and a FDD are installed in the front interior of the case, and a main board  78  is installed in the rear interior thereof. A circuit card device  789  for performing a specific function is mounted on the main board  78 . An airflow-guiding member  80  is installed above a CPU of the main board  78 .  
         [0107]    The bottom base  66  will be explained with reference to FIGS. 20, 22 to  25  and  26 ( a ) and ( b ). The base  66  consists of a first base member  661  and a second base member  662 . The first base member  661  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. Two rails  6611  are provided on a flat plate  6619  of the first base member. A left end of the plate is provided with a coupling projection  6614  for coupling with the left support  67 . A right end of the plate is placed on a stepped portion  6624  of the second base member  662  and fixed thereto using screws, etc. The rails  6611  are the same shape as the rails of the first embodiment.  
         [0108]    A noise-reducing rib structure  6612  for reducing noise is provided on the plate. It is configure to have a plurality of ribs radially protruding from a point on the plate. That is, as for the plate of FIG. 26( a ), the ribs  6612   a,    6612   b,    6612   c  protrude therefrom at angles of 45, 90 and 135 degrees, respectively. Vibration of air is transferred to the first base member  661  while being attenuated between ribs or the ribs and the plate, so that noise is not easily transferred to the outside of the computer case constructed by the base member  661 .  
         [0109]    Heat-dissipating fins  6613  are provided on an outer surface of the first base member  661 . It is preferable that the fins  6613  be slanted so that their tips are directed downwardly when the computer case  65  is stood vertically with the right support positioned at the bottom.  
         [0110]    The second base member  662  shown in FIG. 26( b ) has a rail  6621  positioned toward the right of a flat plate  6629 . A left end of the plate is provided with a stepped portion  6624  onto which the first base member  661  can be seated. A coupling projection  6625  to be inserted into a groove  684  of the right support  68  is provided in the vicinity of a right end of the plate. The right end further extends vertically, as seen in the figure. A top surface of the second base member  662  is provided with a plurality of noise-reducing rib structures  6622  positioned parallel to each other. All the noise-reducing rib structures provided in the computer case of this embodiment have the same identical constitution as the noise-reducing rib structure on the first base member  661 . A bottom surface of the second base member is provided with a plurality of fins  6623  having the same constitution as the fins on the first base member.  
         [0111]    The first and second base members  661 ,  662  constituting the base  66  are finished by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy and forming screw holes by means of post-processing after the extrusion molding. The base  14  is finally constructed by putting the right end of the first base member and the left end of the second base member together, and coupling them with a fastening member.  
         [0112]    The left support  67  will be described with reference to FIGS.  20  to  25  and  26 ( d ). The left support  67  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The left support  67  includes a vertical plate  671 , an upper wing  672  extending from an upper end of the plate  671  rightward, and a lower wing  673  extending from a lower end of the plate rightward. A noise-reducing rib structure  674  is provided on an inner surface of the vertical plate  671 . A plurality of heat-dissipating fins  676  are provided on an outer surface of the vertical plate  671 .  
         [0113]    The bottom of the upper wing  672  is provided with a fixing rib structure  675  and a noise-reducing rib structure which protrude therefrom and which are bent and then extended. A stepped portion  679  is provided at end portions of the upper wing. A top surface of the lower wing  673  is provided with a fixing rib structure  675  and a noise-reducing rib structure. A distal end of the lower wing is formed with a coupling groove  678  into which the left coupling projection  6614  of the first base member  671  is inserted. The fixing rib structures of the upper and lower wings provide the coupling with the mounting structures  71 ,  73 . On the other hand, a partition  79  is provided in the rear of the left support  67 , and a power supply P is mounted in the partitioned space.  
         [0114]    The right support  68  will be described with reference to FIGS.  20  to  25  and  26 ( d ). The right support  68  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The right support  68  includes a vertical plate  681 , an upper hoof  682  at an upper end of the vertical plate  681 , and a lower hoof  683  at a lower end of the plate. When the computer is stood vertically with the right support  68  positioned at the bottom thereof, the hooves  682 ,  683  are placed on the floor.  
         [0115]    A rotation supporting projection  686  curled in the shape of an arc is placed opposite to the hoof at the upper end of the right support  68 . This projection allows an upper cover  71 , which will be described later, to rotate. A coupling groove  684  into which the right coupling projection  6625  of the second base member  662  is fitted is placed opposite the hoof of the lower end. The right support  68  is manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy, cutting it at a proper length, and post-processing screw holes, etc.  
         [0116]    Referring to FIGS.  21  to  24  and  26 ( f ) and ( g ), the front panel  17  is assembled at a front face of the case, and includes two front face members  699  spaced with a predetermined gap therebetween, and connecting bars  761  coupled with upper and lower ends of the front face members. The space between the two front face members  699  and the connecting bars  761  defines an exposure aperture for exposing a CD-ROM and a FDD at positions corresponding to the CD-ROM and the FDD to be installed in the interior of the case.  
         [0117]    The left and right front face members  699  are formed by properly cutting an elongated member with a uniform shape in the section. An inner surface of the front face members  699  is provided with a noise-reducing rib structure  691  and a screw fixing rib structure  693 . An outer surface of the front face members is provided with protruding fins  692  for dissipating heat. The upper and lower ends of the front face member are provided with wings  694 ,  695  which are formed with screw holes (not shown) for coupling the connecting bars with the wings. Coupling projections  696 ,  697 , which protrude perpendicularly to the wings  694 ,  695 , are placed in the front portions of the wings  694 .  
         [0118]    The length of the connecting bar  761  becomes the length of the front panel  69 . The sectional shape of the connecting bar  761  is uniform. As shown in FIG. 26( g ), the coupling projections  696 ,  697  of the front face member  699  are fitted into coupling grooves  7611  provided in the connecting bar. Threaded grooves  7612  are provided at positions spaced apart from the coupling grooves  7611 . Thread portions of screws introduced from the wings of the front face member  699  are fitted into and fastened to the threaded grooves. Thus, the front face members  699  and the connecting bars  761  are coupled together. The connecting bars  761  have flanges  7613  extending in parallel to the front face members.  
         [0119]    The front face members  699  and the connecting bars  761  are manufactured by extrusion molding aluminum or aluminum alloy in the sectional shapes shown in FIGS.  26  ( g ) and ( f ), cutting them at proper lengths, and post-processing assembly screw holes, etc. Thereafter, they are coupled together by means of fastening members.  
         [0120]    Referring to FIGS.  20  to  24  and  27  to  30 , the rear panel  70  is assembled at the rear face of the case, and includes a rear face member  709  and connecting bars  762  for coupling with upper and lower ends of the rear face member. The rear face member  709  is provided with connection apertures  701  through which functional connectors of various card devices installed on the main board pursuant to the standard requirements of the main board are exposed to the exterior. The rear face member also has a connection aperture  702  allowing functional connectors installed directly on the main board to be exposed to the exterior. Further, an air-suction opening  703  and an air-outflow opening  704  are also provided therein. An airflow-guiding device  80  is fixed in the vicinity of the air suction opening  184 . Although a cooling fan may be attached to the air-outflow opening  704 , the present invention is not limited thereto. The cooling fan may also be installed in the airflow-guiding device  80 , to be described later in detail.  
         [0121]    The rear face member  709  is manufactured by press forming a metal sheet. At this time, various apertures are formed therein. The connecting bars  762  employ the same structure as connecting bars  761  used for the front panel  69 .  
         [0122]    Referring to FIGS. 22.  23 .  26 ( e ),  31  and  32 , the upper cover  71  is rotatably coupled with the right support  67 . The upper cover  71  has a uniform shape in a section taken in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The bottom surface of a flat plate of the first cover member is provided with protruding structures  711 ,  717 ,  712  to which screws are fastened or which are supported by the inner frame. The top surface of the plate of the cover is provided with a plurality of fins  716  for dissipating heat. A left end of the plate is placed on the stepped portion  679  of the left support  67 . At this position, the cover  71  may be assembled to the left support  67  by fastening members such as screws or by using a locking device such as a clamp (not shown) capable of being selectively fastened or released.  
         [0123]    A right end of the plate of the cover is provided with a round rotating shaft  714  to be fitted into a central groove of the rotation supporting projection  686 . In addition, the right end of the plate is provided with an arc-shaped inserting groove  715  surrounding the rotating shaft  714 . An extension  713  for defining the inserting groove  715  is at the outside of the right end. As shown in FIG. 32, the rotation supporting projection  686  of the right support  68  is inserted into the inserting groove  715  so that it serves as a bearing. FIGS. 31 and 32 show the cover  71  in an opened state.  
         [0124]    Referring to FIGS.  20  to  23  and  25 , the mounting structure consists of two mounting structures  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  751  in a similar way to the second embodiment. These mounting structures  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  751  are extrusion molded to have a uniform shape in sections taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.  
         [0125]    As shown in FIG. 25, the mounting structures  72 ,  73  include structures  721 ,  731  which are fitted into and coupled with the upper and lower wings  672 ,  673  of the left support  67 , respectively. Furthermore, a space for accommodating the optical disk drive is formed by standing a wall at a proper position.  
         [0126]    Moreover, the mounting structures  74 ,  75 ,  751  are secured on the base  66  or the right support  68 . To this end, the mounting structures  74 ,  751  are provided with rib-shaped projections or coupling projections  741 ,  751  to be inserted into the rails. The mounting structure  75  is secured on the right support  68 . These mounting structures  74 ,  75   751  are assembled together to provide a space for containing the HDD or FDD. Such mounting structures are not limited to those illustrated above, but may employ the mounting structure of the first or second embodiment or other mounting structures.  
         [0127]    Referring to FIGS.  20  to  25 , and  27  to  29 , it is preferable that the computer case  65  be reinforced, by placing a plurality of crossbars  76  and vertical bars  76 ,  77  in the interior thereof. Particularly, it is more preferable that a supporting frame is formed therein by coupling the crossbars  76  with the vertical bars  77  at the center in the fore-and-aft direction. The lower crossbar  76  is secured on the bottom base  66 . The vertical bars  76  are fixed to the left and right supports  67 ,  68 , respectively. The base  66  and the left and right supports  67 ,  68  are securely coupled together by means of the frame.  
         [0128]    Referring to FIGS.  20  to  23 ,  28  and  29 , the airflow-guiding member  87  is installed above a cooling structure  81  of the CPU mounted on the main board  78 . The member  87  defines a passage through which air introduced via the air-suction opening  703  passes, and guides the air so that the sucked cool air first cools the CPU.  
         [0129]    The airflow-guiding device  87  includes a first directing member  803  and a second directing member  804 . The first directing member  803  has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The first directing member  803  includes a bottom plate, a side wall and a partition  805  installed obliquely in the middle of the bottom plate. In the bottom plate of the first directing member  803 , an aperture  806  is perforated toward the CPU cooling member. The second directing member  804  is positioned opposite to the air-suction opening. An edge of the second directing member is rounded to divert the airflow. The second directing member  804  is manufactured by injection molding plastic resin.  
         [0130]    It is preferable to attach sound-absorbing materials to the bottom plate of the firs directing member. In addition, a blowing fan may be attached to the bottom plate so that the air exits through the aperture  806  of the bottom plate. On the other hand, it is more preferable to install a filter at the air-suction opening  703  so that outside dust or the like is not introduced thereinto.  
         [0131]    With such constitution, the air enters the air-suction opening  703 , turns around the partition  805  and exits through the aperture  806  in the bottom plate, as designated by arrows in FIG. 29. In this way, the air flows toward the CPU to cool the CPU, passes through the interior of the computer, and is discharged via the power supply and the air-outflow opening  704  to the exterior.  
         [0132]    Referring to FIG. 28, supporting bars  801 ,  802  for mounting the airflow-guiding member  80  are fixed to the rear panel  70  and the right support  68 . The airflow-guiding member  80  is placed on and fixed to the supporting bars  801 ,  802 .  
         [0133]    Fourth Embodiment  
         [0134]    A computer case according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is conceived with special consideration to the mobility of the case. The computer case is comprised of structural parts made by combining extrusion molded parts with an identical shape. Referring to FIGS.  33  to  40 , the computer case  85  includes a bottom base  86 , a left support  87 , a right support  88 , a front panel  89 , a rear panel  90 , and an upper cover  91 . Edge members  92  are interposed between these members in order to connect them together. Corner members  93  are assembled at comer portions. Storage devices such as a CD-ROM, a HDD and a FDD are mounted in the interior of the case, and a main board, circuit card devices, a power supply etc. are installed in the rear of the case. The inner space of the case is partitioned by a frame comprised of crossbars  94  and vertical bars  95 , in the same way as the second and third embodiments.  
         [0135]    A bottom base  86  will be described with reference to FIGS.  34  to  37  and  38 ( a ). The base  86  consists of base members  861 ,  862 ,  863 . These base members have an identical shape and employ a plate member  96  shown in FIG. 38( a ). The plate member  96  is a common member used for the base, the left and right supports, the cover, the front panel, etc.  
         [0136]    One side of the plate member  96  is provided with a noise-reducing rib structures  962  which was explained with respect to the third embodiment. Fixing rib structures  963  extend obliquely from the plate portion  961 , are bent and extend again in a horizontal direction (direction parallel to the plate portion). A left end of the plate member  96  is provided with a coupling groove  965 , and a right end thereof is provided with a coupling projection  964 .  
         [0137]    This plate member  96  is manufactured by extrusion molding a metal such as aluminum and has a uniform shape in a section taken in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The base  86  is obtained by assembling three plate members.  
         [0138]    Referring to FIGS.  33  to  38 , the left and right supports  87 ,  88  and the front panel  89  employ the plate member  96  as it is. However, the left support  87  is further provided with a handle  871 . The front panel  89  is further provided with an aperture through which devices in the case are exposed.  
         [0139]    Referring to FIGS.  34  to  36 ,  38 ( f ) and  40 , the rear panel  90  is assembled at the rear face of the case, and includes a back plate  900  and wings  901 ,  902  at upper and lower ends of the back plate. The upper wing  901  includes an extension  903  which extends rearward from the back plate  900  and is bent to extend downwardly again. The extension  903  has a nook  908  defined by a projection  904 . The lower wing  902  has an upwardly extending extension  906  and a nook  907  defined by a projection  905 , in the same way as the upper wing. Edge portions  926  placed at second wings  922  of the edge members are positioned at the nooks  908 ,  906  (see FIG. 38( e )).  
         [0140]    The back plate has connection apertures through which functional connectors of various card devices installed on the main board pursuant to the standard requirements of the main board are exposed to the exterior. It also has a connection aperture allowing functional connectors installed directly on the main board to be exposed to the exterior, and an air passage.  
         [0141]    Referring to FIG. 37, the upper cover  91  is constructed by connecting a first cover member  911 , second and third cover members  912 ,  913 , a fourth cover member  914  and a fifth cover member  915  in sequence. Here, the second and third cover members  912 ,  913  employ the plate member  96  of the common part as it is. The first cover member  911  is coupled with the edge members. To this end, a left end of the first cover member is provided with a coupling projection  9113 . An outer surface of the first cover member is formed with fins  9111 . A right end thereof is provided with a stepped portion  9112 . A left end of the second cover member  912  is placed on the stepped portion  9112 .  
         [0142]    The fourth cover member  914  has a noise-reducing rib structure  9147  and a fixing rib structure  9148 . An outer surface of the fourth cover member is formed with heat-dissipating projections  9141 . A left end thereof is provided with a projection  9143  for coupling with the plate member  96 . The description of hinge portions  9144 ,  9145 ,  9146  will be omitted since they are identical with those of the second embodiment.  
         [0143]    A right end of the fifth cover member  915  is provided with a coupling groove  9152 . A left end thereof is formed with a hinge portion  9156  of which description will be omitted since it is identical with that of the second embodiment.  
         [0144]    The first cover member  911  is fixed to the left edge member, and the fifth cover member  915  is fixed to the right edge member  92 . The second, third and fourth cover members  912 ,  913 ,  914  are coupled together and then assembled to the fifth cover member  915  via the hinge. The second cover member  915  is detachably connected to the first cover member  911  by the use of screws or clamps (not shown).  
         [0145]    Referring to FIG. 38( e ), the edge member  92 , commonly used for all the edges of the computer case  85 , includes wing portions  921 ,  922  which extend from the rounded body while forming an angle of 90 degrees therebetween. Each of the wing portions  912 ,  922  consists of a first extension protruding from the arc-shaped body toward the center or the arc of the body, and a second extension bent perpendicularly to and extending from the first extension. The first extension of the first wing portion  921  has a coupling groove  923  at a position inward from an outer surface of the arc-shaped body. The first extension of the second wing portion  922  is provided with a coupling projection  924  at a position inward from the outer surface of the arc-shaped body. Thus, a coupling groove  925  is naturally formed between the coupling projection  924  and the second extension. The edge member is manufactured by extrusion molding a metal such as aluminum.  
         [0146]    As for the coupling of the edge member  92  and the other members, the plate member  96  will be explained by way of example. The coupling projection  964  at the end of the plate member  96  is fitted into the coupling groove  923  in the first wing portion  912  of the edge member  92 . The coupling projection  924  in the second wing portion  922  is fitted into the coupling groove  965  at the end of the plate member  924 .  
         [0147]    A person having an ordinary skill in the art could easily couple the respective edge members  92  with the bottom base  86 , the left support  87 , the right support  88 , the front and rear panels  89 ,  90 , and upper cover, with reference to the above descriptions and the accompanying drawings (in particular, FIGS. 39 and 40). Furthermore, the aforementioned person could easily install built-in hardware devices in the computer case according to the fourth embodiment with reference to the first to third embodiments.  
         [0148]    The computer case according to the fourth embodiment constructed as such is compact and has excellent mobility. In addition, since there are a lot of common parts, the number of parts is reduced.  
         [0149]    Although the exemplified embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described by way of examples, it should be understood that various changes, modifications or addition thereto may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.