Quick-release computer access cover
AssigneeLenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsTimothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch and latch handle recessed into the computer cover is provided, with the latch handle preferably presently a cam surface internally that interacts with a compatible cam surface associated with a lock bar. Preferably, a key lock is functionally integrated with the latch in such a way that when the key lock is unlocked the latch handle and latch are free to displace and to then urge the retention bar to disengage detents or hooks from slots or receptacles, by way of releasing the cover from a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation. Accordingly, in essentially one efficient movement via engaging the latch handle, a user will be able to quickly remove the cover.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a main memory;
- a system processor;
- a chassis;
- a cover which is displaceable with respect to said chassis;
- said chassis and cover combining to substantially encase said main memory and system processor;
- a decoupling arrangement which selectively decouples said cover with respect to said chassis;
- a latch mechanism mounted at said cover;
- said latch mechanism comprising a latch which is displaceable with respect to said cover;
- said latch and said decoupling arrangement being operatively connected such that:
- in a first position of said latch, said decoupling arrangement couples said cover to said chassis;
- and
- in a second position of said latch, said decoupling arrangement decouples said cover from said chassis;
- said latch mechanism further comprising a locking arrangement which selectively locks and unlocks said latch, wherein:
- in a first configuration of said locking arrangement, said latch is not free to displace from said first position to said second position;
- and
- in a second configuration of said locking arrangement, said latch is free to displace from said first position to said second position;
- wherein said latch mechanism comprises a mount which displaceably mounts said latch with respect to said cover;
- said mount being recessed into said cover.
A method of removing a computer cover, said method comprising:
- providing a chassis having therein a main memory and a system processor;
- providing a cover which is displaceable with respect to the chassis;
- said chassis and cover combining to substantially encase said main memory and said system processor;
- providing a decoupling arrangement which selectively decouples the cover with respect to the chassis;
- providing a latch displaceably mounted with respect to the cover;
- operatively connecting the latch and the decoupling arrangement such that:
- in a first position of the latch, the decoupling arrangement couples the cover to the chassis;
- and
- in a second position of the latch, the decoupling arrangement decouples the cover from the chassis;
- coupling the cover with respect to the chassis;
- locking the latch into the first position;
- unlocking the latch to permit the latch to displace from the first position to the second position;
- and
- thereafter displacing the latch from the first position to the second position to thereby cause the decoupling arrangement to decouple the cover with respect to the chassis;
- wherein said latch comprises a mount which displaceably mounts said latch with respect to said cover;
- said mount being recessed into said cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.