US 5,397,176 AGranted

Lockable computer tower unit housing

AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation

InventorsJoseph R. Allen, Thomas T. Hardt, Roberta M. Madsen

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Abstract

A tower unit housing for a computer system including a rectangular box-like chassis which receives a front bezel, a L-shaped hood to cover the top and one side of the chassis and a side member to cover the other side of the chassis. The chassis includes a security tab which is aligned with a hood security tab and a side cover security tab when the hood and side cover are installed on the chassis such that openings in the tabs can receive a single lock to lock the entire unit together. The front bezel includes its own security tab which extends into a pin connection inside of the chassis such that the pin connection between the bezel and the chassis is hidden by the side cover when the side cover and L-shaped hood are installed on the chassis. In this manner, a single lock can secure the front bezel and, the L-shaped hood and the side cover from unauthorized disassembly.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A tower unit housing for a computer system, which housing may be secured from unauthorized access by a single lock, comprising:

a generally rectangular, box-shaped chassis including bottom, front and rear panels, first and second sides and a top forming a box-like interior adapted to mount standard computer components therein;
said rear chassis panel having a security tab extending therefrom, said rear panel security tab having an opening;
and
a U-shaped assembly having an open front and rear and an open bottom, said assembly including a hood and a side cover and being fastened to said chassis independent of the single lock, wherein:
said hood includes a top hood face and a side face, said hood mounting over said chassis top and first side, said hood including a security tab extending to a position adjacent to said chassis rear panel security tab with said hood mounted onto said chassis, said hood security tab having an opening which aligns with said opening in said rear panel security tab;
and
said side cover positioned to mount over said second chassis side, said side cover having a security tab extending to a position adjacent to one of said hood and chassis security tabs, said side cover security tab having an opening which aligns with said openings in said hood and chassis security tabs so that the lock may be inserted through said aligned tab openings to secure said hood and side panels to said chassis and prevent unauthorized access to the interior of said tower unit.

4 more elements

A tower unit housing for a computer system, comprising:

a chassis including bottom, front and rear panels, first and second sides and a top forming an interior adapted to receive standard computer components therein;
said rear chassis panel having a security tab extending therefrom, said rear panel security tab having an opening therein;
a U-shaped assembly having an open front and rear and an open bottom, said assembly having a hood and a side cover fastened to said chassis, wherein:
said hood includes a top hood face and a first side face, said hood positioned with said chassis top and first sides;
and
said side cover positioned with said second chassis side, said side cover having a security tab extending to a position adjacent to said chassis security tab, said side cover security tab having an opening which aligns with said chassis security tab opening so that a lock may be inserted through said aligned tab openings to secure said side panel to said chassis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.