# US 6,295,204 B1 · Linear security mechanism for enclosure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,295,204 B1 - Document ID: US6295204B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/299,505 - Filed: 1999-04-26 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1999-04-26 - Assignees: Dell USA, L.P. - Inventors: Clifford A. Gibbons; Steven L. Sands; Timothy Radloff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6295204B1 ## CPC - G06F 1/184: Mounting of motherboards - E05B 73/0082: {for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators} - G06F 1/187: Mounting of fixed or removable disk drives - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract A lock assembly for retaining computer peripheral devices in a housing. The lock assembly includes a spring-loaded lock bar that is movable between an unlock and a lock position. The lock bar is secured in the lock position by engaging a lock pin in one end of the lock bar. The lock pin is coupled for linear movement to a rotateable lock cylinder. A key is used to rotate the lock cylinder between lock and unlock positions. The key may be removed and stored in a secure place after locking the lock assembly to prevent unauthorized removal of peripheral devices from the housing. Brackets are mounted on opposing sides of the housing to retain the lock bar and to provide guide slots for controlling movement of the lock bar between lock and unlock positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a peripheral device having a first connector for electronically coupling the peripheral device to the processor, a peripheral device carrier, the peripheral device being mounted in the peripheral device carrier; a housing including a bay having at least one opening for receiving the peripheral device carrier; and a lock assembly attached to the housing, the lock assembly including a lock bar, the lock bar being movable between a lock position for preventing removal of the peripheral device carrier and an unlock position for allowing removal of the peripheral device carrier, wherein the lock bar includes an internal rod that engages an opening in the housing when moved to the lock position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly further includes a lock pin and a lock cylinder, the lock cylinder being rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position, the lock pin being coupled to the lock cylinder, the lock pin engaging the lock bar when the lock cylinder is rotated to the lock position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a bracket attached to the housing, the lock bar being movably attached to the bracket. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The computer system, as recited in claim 3, wherein the bracket includes a guidance slot and the lock bar includes an arm the arm being movably fastened to the guidance slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The computer system, as recited in claim 4, wherein the guidance slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The computer system, as recited in claim 3, wherein the bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion, wherein the elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a first bracket attached to one side of the housing; a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket; wherein at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion, wherein the elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The computer system, as recited in claim 7, wherein the linear slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a first bracket attached to one side of the housing; and a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket; wherein the first bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, the second bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a first opposing end and a second opposing end, the first opposing end having an arm portion movably fastened to the linear slot and to the curved slot of the first bracket, and the second opposing end having an arm portion movably fastened to the linear slot and to the curved slot of the second bracket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer system, as recited in claim 9, wherein the linear slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a spring connected to the lock assembly for facilitating movement of the lock bar between the lock position and the unlock position. ### Claim 12 A lock assembly for retaining peripheral devices for a computer system, the lock assembly comprising: a housing having an opening and an inner portion for receiving a peripheral device; and a lock assembly attached to the housing, the lock assembly including a lock bar, the lock bar being movable between a lock position for preventing removal of the peripheral device and an unlock position for allowing removal of the peripheral device carrier, wherein the lock bar includes an internal rod that engages an opening in the housing when moved to the lock position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock assembly further includes a lock pin and a lock cylinder, the lock cylinder being rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position, the lock pin being coupled to the lock cylinder to engage the lock bar when the lock cylinder is rotated to the lock position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a bracket attached to the housing, the lock bar being movably fastened to the bracket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 14, wherein the bracket includes a guidance slot and the lock bar includes an arm, the arm being movably fastened to the guidance slot. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 15, wherein the guidance slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 14, wherein the bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion, wherein the elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a first bracket attached to one side of the housing; a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket; wherein at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion, wherein the elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 18, wherein the linear slots include a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a first bracket attached to one side of the housing; and a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket; wherein the first bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, the second bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a first opposing end and a second opposing end, the first opposing end having an arm portion movably fastened to the linear slot and to the curved slot of the first bracket, and the second opposing end having an arm portion movably fastened to the linear slot and to the curved slot of the second bracket. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 20, wherein the linear slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The lock assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock assembly further includes: a spring connected to facilitate movement of the lock bar between the lock position and the unlock position.