System, method and apparatus for door latching using a spring latch

A computer casing having a system for preventing ingress of liquid into an opening in the computer casing, comprising:

• a bar positioned on a first wall of a recessed opening in a computer casing and operable for travel in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction;
• a spring having a first end connected to the bar and a second end connected to the computer casing for biasing the bar in the first direction of travel;
• a door comprising:
• a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of the door;
• a hinge proximate a first edge for connecting the door to a second wall of the recessed opening in the computer casing;
• a layer of material adhered to the door with a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of protrusions and having a chamfered edge for contact with a wall in the recessed opening, wherein the hinge is configured to rotatably connect the door to the side of the recessed opening, wherein the layer of material is configured to contact a wall of the recessed opening and deflect the chamfered edge, wherein deflection of the chamfered edge forms a seal in the recessed opening;
• and
• a locking element proximate a second edge,
• wherein the locking element is configured to contact the bar when the door is closing to exert a force on the bar in the second direction that is greater than the force exerted by the spring in the first direction to bias the bar in the second direction, and further configured to allow the spring to bias the bar in the first direction when the door is closed to engage the bar with the locking element.

A method, comprising:

• movably connecting a bar to a computer casing, wherein the bar is operable for travel in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction;
• connecting a first end of a spring to the bar and connecting a second end of the spring to the computer casing for biasing the bar in the first direction of travel;
• forming a door sized for positioning in a recessed opening in the computer casing;
• adhering a layer of material having a chamfered edge to the door;
• aligning a plurality of openings in the layer of material with a plurality of protrusions on an inner surface of the door;
• and
• positioning the door in the recessed opening of the casing, wherein the hinge is configured to rotatably connect the door to a wall of the recessed opening,
• wherein closing the door causes the layer of material to contact a wall in the recessed opening and deflect the chamfered edge, wherein deflection of the chamfered edge forms a seal in the recessed opening, and
• wherein closing the door contacts a surface of the bar against the locking element on the door to exert a force on the bar in the second direction that is greater than the force exerted by the spring in the first direction to bias the bar and the bar in the second direction, once the bar has passed the locking element, the spring biasing the bar in the first direction to engage the bar with the locking element.