Compliant magnetic locking mechanism

A method of securing a cover to a computing device, the method comprising:

• attaching a cover to a body of a computing device, the cover including a locking mechanism comprising:
• a mechanism housing,
• a rotatable hub disposed within the mechanism housing,
• a plurality of arms extending outwardly from the hub, each arm including an integrated elastomeric pad extending along at least a portion of its length,
• a plurality of latches, each attached to one of the arms, each latch including a protruding rib configured to engage a corresponding groove in a latch receptacle, and
• a plurality of inserts disposed in the hub, wherein at least one the plurality of inserts is non-magnetic;
• rotating the hub to move the arms and latches from a first position, in which the latches are retracted within the cover, to a second position, in which the latches are extended from the cover into corresponding latch receptacles in the body, thereby securing the cover to the body.

A computing device comprising:

• a body including a plurality of latch receptacles;
• a cover attached to the body;
• and
• a locking mechanism disposed within the cover, the locking mechanism comprising:
• a mechanism housing;
• a rotatable hub disposed within the mechanism housing;
• a plurality of arms extending outwardly from the hub, each arm including an integrated elastomeric pad along at least a portion of its length;
• a plurality of latches, each attached to one of the arms, each latch including a protruding rib configured to engage a corresponding groove in a latch receptacle;
• and
• a plurality of inserts disposed in the hub, at least one of which is non-magnetic, wherein rotation of the hub moves the arms and latches between a first position and a second position.