CN214504308U

CN214504308U - Computer cabinet

Info

Publication number: CN214504308U
Application number: CN202120444149.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丛耀宗; 吴东宪; 苏信铭; 倪祥圃
Original assignee: Quanta Computer Inc
Current assignee: Quanta Computer Inc
Priority date: 2021-03-01
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2021-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-01

Abstract

The utility model provides a computer case, which can comprise a top cover that is fixed and removed without using tools. The side walls of the chassis base may include receiving slots that receive the studs of the top cover. A latch receiver mounted to a bottom surface of the chassis base may receive the sliding body of the latch assembly of the top cover. By placing the top cover over the chassis base, the computer chassis may be assembled such that the studs are placed into the receiving slots and the slider body fits within the latch receivers. In this position, rotation of the lever of the latch assembly forces the cover to move relative to the chassis base, pushing the stud of the cover toward the end of the receiving slot of the chassis base, thereby securing the cover to the chassis base.

Description

Computer cabinet

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a computer system especially relates to a computer machine case assembly.

Background

In many computer systems, particularly rack-mounted systems, a computer chassis may include a base and a top. Generally, the top cover is coupled to the base by using screws or bolts, requiring the use of tools for assembly or disassembly. While the method of securing the roof is common, it is inconvenient for installers and maintenance personnel; the need to use small parts that may be easily lost and misplaced (and may fall off due to shock); and when maintenance needs and there is a need to remove the top cover, the down time is also increased.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The noun examples and similar nouns are intended to refer broadly to the disclosure and all subject matter of the following claims. It should be understood that statements containing these terms are not intended to limit the meaning or scope of the subject matter described herein or the claims which follow. Embodiments of the disclosure covered herein are defined by the following claims, supplemented by the disclosure. This summary is a high-level overview of various features of the disclosure and introduces some concepts that are further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter alone. The subject matter should be understood with reference to the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all of the figures, and appropriate portions of the scope of each patent application.

In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the utility model provides a computer case.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a computer machine case, computer machine case is including the chassis base that is used for receiving the mainboard. The chassis base has a bottom surface and a set of sidewalls. The chassis base further includes a slot in an upper edge of the set of sidewalls. Each of the receiving slots includes a channel extending from a slot opening to a slot terminus. The computer case further includes a top cover removably coupled to the case base. The top cover includes a set of studs. Each stud of the set of studs corresponds to a respective receiving slot of the chassis base. The top cover further includes a latch assembly having a sliding body that is pivotable about a latch pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The computer case further includes a latch receiver coupled to a bottom surface of the case base. The latch receiver includes a latch receiving channel extending from the latch receiver opening to an end of the latch receiving channel. In some cases, the cap is movable through an intermediate position between the uncoupled position and the secured position. When the top cover is in the uncoupled position, the top cover is uncoupled from the chassis base. When the top cover is in the neutral position, i) the sliding body is received by the latch receiver, ii) each stud of the set of studs is received by a slot opening of a respective receiving slot of the chassis base; and iii) the sliding body is in the open position. When the cover is in the secured position, i) the slider body is in the closed position, and ii) each stud of the set of studs is positioned at a slot end of a respective receiving slot of the chassis base.

The present invention provides a computer case having a top cover that can be secured and removed without the use of tools, and the disclosed case base allows a user to quickly and easily assemble or disassemble the case even without the use of tools, such as screwdrivers and the like.

Drawings

The description refers to the following drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like or similar components throughout the various figures.

FIG. 1 is an isometric projection (axonometric projection) of a computer case having a removable top coupled to a case base, according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric projection of a computer case having a removable top cover separated from a case base according to certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric projection of a base of a chassis, according to certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a computer case according to certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a combination axonometric projection and expanded view of the underside of the removable top cover, according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric projection of the latch assembly in the closed position according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the latch assembly in a closed position according to certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a latch assembly engaged with a latch receiver in a closed position, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a stud of a removable top cover within a receiving slot of a chassis base when the removable top cover is in a secured position, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an isometric projection of the latch assembly in the closed position according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an isometric projection of the latch assembly in the open position according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a latch assembly engaged with a latch receiver in an open position in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a stud of a removable top cover within a receiving slot of a chassis base when the removable top cover is in a neutral position, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a computer case depicting a removable top cover in an intermediate position relative to a base of the case, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting a latch assembly engaging a latch receiver having a slot for receiving a complementary securing feature of a removable top cover in an open position in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a latch assembly in an open position engaged with a latch receiver having a slot for receiving a supplemental securing feature of a removable top cover in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis depicting a latch assembly in a closed position engaged with a latch receiver having a slot for receiving a supplemental securing feature of a removable top cover in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

fig. 18 is an isometric projection of the front end of a removable top cover in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting a front end of a case base, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting the engagement of a top cover with the rear end of the case base, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting a case base with complementary mounting features in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting a supplemental securing feature, in accordance with certain features of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an isometric projection of the underside of a removable top cover with supplemental securing features in accordance with certain features of the invention;

FIG. 24 is an isometric projection of a computer case with a computer component adjacent to a latch receiver according to certain features of the invention;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged isometric projection of a portion of a computer case depicting a latch receiver adjacent to a computer component in accordance with certain features of the invention; and

fig. 26 is a flow chart depicting a process for assembling a computer case according to certain features of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

100,200,400,800,900,1200,1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1900,2000,2100,2200,2400,2500: a computer case;

102,202,302,402,802,902,1202,1302,1402,1602,1702,1902,2002,2102,2202,2502: a chassis base;

104,204,404,504,804,904,1204,1304,1404,1604,1704,1804,2004,2304: a top cover;

106,206,406,1406,1806,1906: a front end;

108,408,1408,2008: a back end;

110,210,510,610,710,810,1010,1110,1210,1410,1510,1610,1710: a latch assembly;

212,312,562,912,1312,2112,2212: a side wall;

214,314,814,1214: a bottom surface;

216,316: an upper edge;

220,320,420,920,1320,1420,2094,2194: a receiving groove;

230,330,410,430,830,1230,1430,1530,1630,1730,2430,2530: a latch receiver;

412,1412: a distal wall;

460,560,960,1360,1460: a stud;

518,2318: a lower side;

574,2074,2374: a rear panel;

570,1870: tenon;

580,1590,1690,1790,2080,2180,2181,2281,2380: a fixing member;

640,750,1140: a latch body;

642: mounting holes;

652,752,1052,1152,1252,1452,1652: a lever;

654,754,1054: a release sheet;

650,1150,1154: a lock body;

678,778: a rotating member;

668,768: a yoke;

644,744,844,1144,1244: a sliding body;

646,746,1146: a latch pivot;

664,666: a rotating shaft;

656,756: releasing the pivot;

834,1234: a receiver opening;

832,1232: a receiving channel;

836,1236: a receiver end;

922,1322: a channel;

924,1324: the slot is opened;

928,1328: standing the surface;

926,1326: a slot end;

961,1361: an inclined surface;

1082: a biasing device;

1158: grabbing the sheet;

1148: locking the receiver;

1284: an arrow;

1286: a backward direction;

1288: a downward direction;

1592,1692,1792: a groove;

1538,2538: a channel;

1972,2076: a lip platform;

2096,2196: a rear frame member;

2195,2295,2395: a support;

2498,2598: a computer component;

2600: carrying out a process; and

2602,2604,2606,2608: and (6) square blocks.

Detailed Description

Certain features and characteristics of the present invention relate to a computer case having a top cover that can be secured and removed without the use of tools. The side walls of the chassis base may include receiving slots that receive the studs of the top cover. A latch receiver mounted to a bottom surface of the chassis base may receive the sliding body of the latch assembly of the top cover. The computer chassis may be assembled by placing the top cover over the chassis base such that the studs are placed into the receiving slots and the sliding body fits (fits) into the latch receivers. In this position, rotation of the lever of the latch assembly may force the cover to move relative to the chassis base, thereby pushing the stud of the cover toward the end of the receiving slot of the chassis base and securing the cover to the chassis base.

The disclosed chassis base allows a user to quickly and easily assemble or disassemble a chassis even without the use of tools, such as screwdrivers and the like. A computer chassis may include a chassis base and a top cover. The chassis base and top cover may be made of any suitable size. Computer components, such as motherboards, add-on cards (add-on cards), storage devices, processing devices, fans, power supplies, adapter cards, and the like, may be mounted to the chassis base (e.g., directly mounted, such as a motherboard, or indirectly mounted, such as via a motherboard-mounted add-on card). To access the interior of the computer chassis (e.g., for maintenance, initial assembly, or disassembly), the top cover may be detached from the chassis base.

The chassis base may include sidewalls, such as left and right sidewalls. Each side wall may extend upward from a bottom surface of the chassis base to an upper edge of the side wall. In some cases, the side walls and bottom surface of the chassis base are made of a single piece of material, although this is not necessarily the case. In some cases, the side walls and bottom surface of the chassis base may be made of separate materials that are coupled together.

The receiving slot may be located along an upper edge of each side wall at the upper edge of each side wall. Each receiving slot at the upper edge of the side wall may begin at the slot opening and extend along the channel until ending at the distal end. The end of each channel is located between the upper edge of the side wall and the bottom surface of the base of the chassis, and between the slot opening and the front or rear end of the chassis. In other words, each channel extends downward from the upper edge of the side wall and toward the front or rear end of the chassis. All receiving slots will extend in the same direction (e.g., toward the front of the chassis or toward the back of the chassis). The channel may have a linear shape or a non-linear shape. In some cases, the channel may include a resting surface such that a stud entering the channel may rest on the resting surface until pushed toward the end of the channel. The resting surface may be parallel to the bottom surface of the chassis base.

The top cover may include studs corresponding to the receiving slots of the side walls (e.g., each stud is associated with a particular receiving slot). The stud may be located on a side wall of the top cover. The distance between the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the top cover may be approximately the same as or greater than the distance between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls of the chassis base. Thus, when the top cover is placed on the chassis base, the side walls of the top cover are located outside the side walls of the chassis base. The studs of the top cover extend from the inner surface of the side walls of the top cover such that the studs may snap into (e.g., enter) receiving slots in the side walls of the chassis base when the top cover is placed on the chassis base. The studs may be of any suitable shape, size or pattern. The studs may be made of the same piece of material as the side walls of the top cover, or of a separate piece of material coupled to the side walls. As used herein, the term "stud" includes any protrusion that engages a receiving slot of the chassis base. Examples of suitable studs include rivet supports, bolt heads or shafts, embossed or stamped features of the side walls, or the like. In some cases, the stud may be coupled to the cap by a bracket instead of a sidewall. For example, in some cases, the internal support may include a stud that extends outwardly from a centerline of the chassis to the sidewall, in which case the internal support may be positioned to conform to an inner surface of the sidewall adjacent to the chassis base.

Thus, to bring the top cover and chassis base together, the top cover may be lowered while the studs of the top cover are aligned with their respective receiving slots. The channel allowing the stud of the top cover to enter the receiving slot is fully lowered. In this position, the top cover may be considered to be in an intermediate position. In some cases, the top cover may be separated from the chassis base only by applying an upward force when the top cover is in the neutral position.

When in the neutral position, the cover may be secured to the chassis base by sliding the cover in a forward direction (e.g., toward the front of the chassis base) or a rearward direction (e.g., toward the rear of the chassis base) relative to the chassis base, depending on the orientation of the channel. Movement in this manner may move the top cover from the intermediate position to the secured position. In some cases, the channel may be sloped to force the cover toward the chassis base as the cover is moved from the intermediate position toward the secured position.

In some cases, the top cover and the chassis base may include a tongue (tongue) and a groove (groove) (e.g., at a rear end of the top cover and/or at a front end of the top cover) that interact with each other to further secure the top cover to the chassis base when the top cover is moved from the intermediate position to the secured position. The use of the tongue and groove may provide additional structural integrity and may close potential air gaps that may be exposed to airflow.

Additionally, in some cases, supplemental securing features may be used to further secure the top cover to the chassis base when the top cover is moved from the intermediate position to the secured position. The complementary securing features on the top cover or the complementary securing features on the chassis base may engage with receiving slots on other top covers or receiving slots on other chassis bases. For example, the top cover may include a supplemental securing feature extending from an underside of the top cover. The supplemental securing component may include a shaft and a shoulder. The supplemental securing component may engage with a receiving slot of the chassis base, such as a receiving slot located on a part secured to the chassis base (e.g., located in a latch receiver as disclosed herein, or located in a frame element coupled to the chassis base). The shaft of the complementary securing member may fit within the receiving slot while the shoulder is maintained on the opposite side of the receiving slot from the top cover, thereby securing the top cover from being removed from the chassis base. In some cases, the receiving slot may be sloped so that the top cover will be forced toward the chassis base when the top cover is moved from the neutral position to the secured position.

In another example, the chassis base may include supplemental securing features that extend (e.g., inward) from the side walls. The supplemental securing component may include a shaft and a shoulder. The supplemental securing features may engage with receiving slots of the top cover, such as receiving slots of a bracket coupled to the top cover. The shaft of the complementary securing member may fit within the receiving slot while the shoulder remains on the opposite side of the receiving slot from the side wall of the chassis base, thereby further securing the top cover to the chassis base.

The latch assembly may be used to achieve movement of the top cover from the intermediate position to the secured position. The latch assembly may be located on the top cover and may include a sliding body that is rotatable about a latch pivot between an open position and a closed position. The slider body may be solid (solid) or a movable piece (e.g., a swivel bearing) that is able to slide upright within the latch receiver of the chassis base. The sliding body may be located under the top cover (e.g., within the confines of the computer case when assembled). To move the sliding body, a lever may be coupled to the sliding body. The lever and the sliding body may be formed from a single piece of material that is rotatably coupled at the latch pivot, although this is not required. The latch assembly may be configured such that movement of the lever toward a position parallel to the top cover moves the sliding body toward the closed position, and movement of the lever toward a position perpendicular to the top cover moves the sliding body toward the open position. In some cases, a release tab may be used to releasably retain (hold) the lever in the closed position. Depressing the release tab disengages the release tab from a catch tab (e.g., lip) of the lever, thus allowing the lever to move toward a position perpendicular to the top cover. In some cases, an additional lock element may be used to lock the lever in the closed position regardless of the movement of the release tab. This additional locking element may be used to keep the top cover closed and secured even when subjected to impacts, such as during transportation or handling of the computer case. In some cases, the top cover is configured such that the lever assembly fits within a recess (recess) of the top cover. In some cases, the top surface of the cap is coplanar with the top surface of the lever when the lever is in the closed position.

The chassis base may include latch receivers that may be mounted to a bottom surface of the chassis or to the chassis. In some cases, the latch receiver is located along the centerline of the chassis base, although this is not necessarily so. The latch receiver may include a receiving channel for receiving the sliding body of the latch assembly. The receiving channel may extend from the receiver opening toward the bottom surface of the chassis base. The receiving channel may have an end opposite the opening of the receiving member, which may be open or closed.

Placing the cover onto the chassis base (e.g., moving the cover from the uncoupled position to the intermediate position) includes inserting a sliding body of the latch assembly into the receiving channel when the latch assembly is in the open position. If the latch assembly is not in the open position, the top cover cannot be fully placed on the chassis base due to the interaction between the sliding body of the latch assembly and the body of the latch receiver. Because the sliding body is left within the (retainated) receiving channel, forward and/or rearward movement of the sliding body relative to the chassis base is maintained linearly fixed. In other words, the sliding body cannot be closer to the front end or the rear end of the chassis as long as the sliding body remains in the receiving channel. Thus, pressure applied to the lever to move the sliding body from the open position to the closed position causes displacement of the top cover in a forward or rearward direction. For example, when the receiving slot of the side wall of the chassis base extends toward the front end of the chassis base, pressure applied to the lever to move the sliding body from the open position to the closed position causes displacement of the top cover toward the front end of the chassis base, thereby moving the top cover to the fixed position. The distance between the latch pivot and the sliding body may define the displacement distance of the top cover. The latch assembly may be configured such that movement of the lever to a closed position parallel to the top cover causes the top cover to move to a secured position.

In some cases, the latch receiver includes a supplemental slot to receive a supplemental securing feature of the top cover. Thus, when the top cover is moved to the secured position, the top cover is more secured adjacent to where the latch receiver is located.

In some cases, the latch receiver further includes a passage (e.g., an opening) for passage of wire and the like. The channel may allow wires to pass from the front portion of the chassis base, through the channel, to the rear portion of the chassis base. The channel can be a closed opening (e.g., "O" shaped) or an open non-closed opening (e.g., "C" shaped). The channel may be positioned such that the channel is between the bottom surface of the chassis base and the latch receiving channel end. In other words, the latch receiving channel may extend to a location in front of the bottom surface of the chassis base. The channel can be very useful, especially for latch receivers mounted within the chassis base, making wire management difficult without a path for wire routing from the front portion of the chassis base to the rear portion of the chassis base, as other components can often be placed on opposite sides of the latch receiver.

These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following paragraphs describe various additional features and examples with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like numerals represent like elements. The directional descriptions are used to describe illustrative embodiments but are similar to illustrative embodiments and should not be used to limit the present disclosure. The elements included in this diagram may not be drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a computer case 100 having a removable top cover 104 coupled to a case base 102 in accordance with certain features of the invention. The chassis base 102 may have a front end 106 and a back end 108. The top cover 104 may be depicted as being coupled to the chassis base 102 in a fixed position. The latch assembly 110 may be seen on the top cover 104.

As used herein, a direction from the rear end 108 toward the front end 106 may be considered a forward direction, as opposed to a rearward direction. The example depicted herein depicts the top cover 104 moving from a neutral position to a secured position toward the forward direction. However, other embodiments may be configured to allow the top cover 104 to move from the neutral position to the secured position toward the rear direction.

As depicted in fig. 1, the chassis base 102 may include an opening at the front end 106 for receiving a computer component or module, such as a storage device, an adapter card, and the like. Similarly, an opening in the back end 108 may receive a computer component or module. These openings are typically occupied by computer components when the computer chassis 100 is in use. In order to access the computer components within the computer case 100, the top cover 104 must be removed. Removal of the top cover 104 can include moving the top cover 104 from a secured position to an intermediate position, and then from the intermediate position to an uncoupled (e.g., detached) position.

Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of a computer case 200 having a removable top cover 204 separated from a case base 202 according to certain features of the invention. The computer case 200 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1.

Chassis base 202 may include a bottom surface 214 and a sidewall 212 (e.g., a pair of sidewalls, such as a left sidewall and a right sidewall). Each sidewall 212 may include a receiving slot 220 at an upper edge 216 of the sidewall. As depicted in fig. 2, the receiving slot 220 extends in the direction of the front end 206 of the chassis base.

The chassis base 202 further includes latch receivers 230. The latch receiver 230 may be mounted to the bottom surface 214 of the chassis base 202 or coupled to the chassis base 202. The latch receptors 230 remain fixed relative to the chassis base 202.

The top cover 204 includes a latch assembly 210. The latch assembly 210 is depicted in a closed position, but may be moved to an open position to move the top cover 204 from the uncoupled position to an intermediate position. The latch assembly 210 and the latch receiver 230 may be positioned on the top cover 204 and the chassis base 202, respectively, such that the top cover 204, once moved from the uncoupled position to the intermediate position, engages (engage) the latch assembly 210 with the latch receiver 230. In some cases, the latch assembly 210 and the latch receiver 230 are positioned along a centerline of the computer chassis 200, but this is not necessarily so. In some cases, the latch assembly 210 and the latch receiver 230 are positioned between a midpoint and a front end of the computer chassis 200, but this is not necessarily so.

Fig. 3 is an isometric projection of a chassis base 302 according to certain features of the invention. The chassis base 302 may be any suitable chassis base, such as the chassis base 102 of fig. 1. The chassis base 302 may include a bottom surface 314 and sidewalls 312. Each side wall 312 may include a receiving slot 320 at an upper edge 316 of the side wall. The chassis base 302 further includes latch receivers 330 mounted on a bottom surface 314 of the chassis base 302 or coupled to the chassis base 302.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a computer case 400 in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 400 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, the closest side wall of the computer case 400 is not depicted to facilitate viewing of the latch receivers 430 and the inner surface of the distal wall 412 within the computer case 400.

Computer case 400 may include a top cover 404 coupled to a case base 402. The top cover 404 may be in a fixed position. In the secured position, studs 460 of top cover 404 snap into receiving slots 420 of chassis base 402. The latch assembly 410 of the top cover 404 engages the latch receiver 430 of the chassis base 402. The latch assembly 410 is in the closed position.

In the secured position, the top cover 404 is fully displaced toward the front end 406 of the chassis base 402. To move top cover 404 from the secured position to the intermediate position, latch assembly 410 may be moved to the open position, thereby displacing top cover 404 toward rear end 408 of chassis base 402.

Fig. 5 is a combination of an axonometric view and an expanded view of an underside 518 of removable header 504, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. Overcap 504 may be any suitable overcap, such as overcap 104 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, underside 518 of overcap 504 is shown.

Overcap 504 may include side walls 562. Sidewall 562 can extend substantially perpendicular to the surface of overcap 504. The studs 560 extend inwardly (e.g., toward the centerline of a computer case or top cover) from the side walls 562. Each stud 560 is positioned to correspond to a respective receiving slot in the chassis base. When overcap 504 is placed in the neutral position, each stud 560 extends a distance suitable to engage a receiving slot of the chassis base. The studs 560 may be coupled to the sidewalls 562 (e.g., with rivets) or formed from the sidewalls 562 (e.g., via stamping or other metal forming). Overcap 504 includes six studs 560, although any number of studs 560 may be used.

Latch assembly 510 is visible on an underside 518 of overcap 504. When overcap 504 is placed in the intermediate position, latch assembly 510 snaps with a corresponding latch receiver.

In some cases, overcap 504 may include one or more tenons (tongues) 570. Tenon 570 may extend from an end of overcap 504, such as from a front end of overcap 504, as depicted in FIG. 5. When canopy 504 is moved from the neutral position to the secured position, tongue 570 may fit within a corresponding groove, or may fit under a corresponding lip (lips) of the chassis base. The use of tenon 570 may assist in securing top cover 504 to the chassis base. Similarly, in some cases, overcap 504 may include one or more back pieces 574. Rear piece 574 may include a portion of material (e.g., the metal used to form overcap 504) that is bent to extend toward the front end of overcap 504. Thus, when the canopy 504 is moved from the neutral position to the secured position, the back piece 574 can engage a corresponding groove or lip of the chassis base. The use of rear tabs 574 may assist in securing the canopy 504 to the chassis base.

In some cases, overcap 504 may include one or more supplemental securing components 580. Supplemental securing element 580 may take the form of a shoulder (form of a shoulder) coupled to underside 518 of overcap 504 and spaced from underside 518 of overcap 504, such as by a shaft. For example, supplemental fixation element 580 may be an element extending from underside 518 of overcap 504 and including a smaller diameter portion between underside 518 and the larger diameter portion. The supplemental securing members 580 may engage corresponding slots of the chassis base when the top cover 504 is moved from the intermediate position to the securing position. In some cases, supplemental securing component 580 is included near the rear end of overcap 504.

Fig. 6 is an isometric projection of latch assembly 610 in the closed position according to certain features of the invention. Latch assembly 610 may be any suitable latch assembly, such as latch assembly 110 of FIG. 1. Latch assembly 610 may be mounted on the top cover. The latch assembly 610 may include a mounting hole 642 to assist in mounting the latch assembly 610 to a top cover.

The latch assembly 610 may include a latch body 640 supporting a slide body 644 about a latch pivot 646. The sliding body 644 is spaced from the latch pivot 646 and is rotatable about the latch pivot 646 (e.g., about the rotational axis 666). The sliding body 644 may be coupled to the lever 652 such that movement of the lever 652 about the latch pivot 646 causes movement of the sliding body 644 about the latch pivot 646. The lever 652 may extend from the latch pivot 646 a distance greater than the distance between the latch pivot 646 and the sliding body 644. Thus, the lever 652 may provide a mechanical advantage to manipulate the sliding body 644. As used herein, the lever 652 and the sliding body 644, which are coupled together, comprise two separate pieces that are coupled together. In another embodiment, the lever 652 and the sliding body 644 may also be formed from a single piece (e.g., the lever 652 may be a portion of the sliding body 644, may be a separate segment of a single piece).

In some cases, the sliding body 644 can include a yoke (yoke)668 that supports a rotating member 678 (e.g., a bearing). The rotating member 678 can rotate within the yoke 668, thus reducing friction between the sliding body 644 and the latch receptors (the sliding body 644 is located at the latch receptors). In some cases, the sliding body may not include the rotating member 678. In this case, the sliding body may naturally (naturaly) slide within the latch receiver and/or slide with the benefit of low friction surfaces and/or materials.

The lever 652 may be held in the closed position by a release tab 654. The release tab 654 may include a lip that engages a catch tab located at the end of the lever 652 (e.g., furthest from the latch pivot 646). The release tab 654 is pivotally mounted to a release pivot 656 such that pressure applied to the upper surface of the release tab 654 causes the release tab 654 to rotate about the rotational axis 664. The release tab 654 is rotatable between a grasping position (as depicted in fig. 6) and a release position. In the grasping position, the lip of the release tab 654 engages (fit) the grasping tab of the lever 652 to hold the lever 652 in the closed position. A biasing element (e.g., a spring) may bias the release tab 654 toward the grasping position. However, once the release tab 654 is depressed, the release tab 654 may be rotated to a release position, allowing the lever 652 to move from the closed position (e.g., toward the open position). When the release tab 654 is depressed, the release tab 654 rotates about the pivot shaft 664 causing the lip of the release tab to be sufficiently removed from the catch of the lever 652 such that the lever 652 can be moved from the closed position to the open position. In some cases, lever 652 may be biased toward the open position (e.g., with a biasing element such as a spring), although this is not necessarily the case.

Since the release piece 654 releases the lever 652 by a pressing motion, not a sliding motion, a large object does not accidentally release the lever 652. For example, parts, wires, other housings, and the like, slide over the top cover and do not engage the release tab 654, yet the release tab 654 is still easily engaged by a human finger (e.g., a finger or thumb).

When in the closed position, the lever 652 may be locked in place using the lock body 650. The lock body 650 may be engaged or disengaged. Snapping the lock body 650 locks the lever 652 in place relative to the latch body 640, thus preventing the lever 652 from moving to the open position even if the release tab 654 is depressed. The lock body 650 may be configured to be engaged and/or disengaged without the use of tools (e.g., by hand). In some cases, the lock body 650 may be configured to require a tool (e.g., a screwdriver or key) to engage and/or disengage. The lock body 650 may assist in maintaining the assembly of the computer case outside of the interior of the computer case by an unauthorized user and/or when an impact is likely (e.g., during shipping).

Fig. 7 is a side view of a latch assembly 710 in a closed position according to certain features of the present invention. The latch assembly 710 may be any suitable latch assembly, such as the latch assembly 610 of fig. 6.

The latch body 750 may support the release tab 754 about a release pivot 756. The latch body 750 may also surround the latch pivot 746 to support the slide body 744 and the lever 752. In some cases, the sliding body 744 can include a yoke 768 and a rotating member 778, although this is not necessarily the case. In the closed position, the lever 752 is at or approximately parallel to the top surface of the latch body 750. In some cases, the lever 752 may be flush with the top cover when the latch assembly 710 is mounted to the top cover, although this is not required.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a portion of a computer case 800 depicting a latch assembly 810 engaged with a latch receiver 830 in a closed position, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 800 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1.

Latch receivers 830 are mounted to the bottom surface 814 of the chassis base 802. The latch receiver 830 includes a receiving channel (receiver channel)832 that receives the slide body 844 of the latch assembly 810. The receiving channel 832 has a receiver opening 834 (e.g., facing upward as viewed in fig. 8) facing away from the bottom surface 814 of the chassis base 802. The sliding body 844 can enter the receiving channel 832 through the receiver opening 834. The receiving channel 832 also includes a receiver end 836 opposite the receiver opening 834. The receiver end 836 may be the portion of the receiving channel 832 that faces the bottom surface 814 of the chassis base 802. The receiving channel 832 may have a receiver end 836 that is open (e.g., as a pipette) or closed (e.g., as the bottom of a test tube).

The latch assembly 810 is considered to be mounted (e.g., flush-mounted) to the top cover 804. The top cover 804 is fixed in position relative to the chassis base 802. In the secured position, the sliding body 844 of the latch assembly 810 is positioned within the receiving channel 832 of the latch receiver 830. More specifically, when the top cap 804 is in the secured position, the sliding body 844 is positioned to receive the channel 832 closer to the receiver opening 834 than when the top cap 804 is in the intermediate position. With the latch receiver 830 secured to the chassis base 802, movement of the latch assembly 810 from the closed position to the open position (e.g., movement of the sliding body 844 from the closed position to the open position) causes the sliding body 844 to move in a downward direction and the top cover 804 to move in a rearward direction (e.g., a left-to-right direction as viewed in fig. 8). The use of a lever to move the sliding body 844 to an open position provides a mechanical advantage to un-snap any elements that the top cover 804 and the chassis base 802 may snap together (e.g., a tongue and groove or a tongue and lip snap).

Fig. 9 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis 900 depicting studs 960 of a removable cover 904 within receiving slots 920 of a chassis base 902 when the removable cover 904 is in a secured position, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 900 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 9 depicts a side view looking into the computer case 900 toward the interior surface of the side wall 912 of the case base 902.

Receiving slots 920 may be found in side walls 912 of chassis base 902. The receiving slot 920 includes a channel 922 that extends from a slot opening 924 to a slot tip 926. When the cap 904 is in the secured position, each stud 960 of the cap 904 engages a corresponding receiving slot 920 and moves toward the slot end 926. In some cases, the studs 960 may be positioned at the slot ends 926, although in some cases, the slot ends 926 may extend beyond the location of the studs 960 when the cap 904 is in a fixed position (e.g., multiple layers of channels may be used with different styles of caps having different sized studs, in which case even if the channels are more extended, the larger studs will not move beyond certain points within the channels).

In some cases, receiving slot 920 may include a resting surface 928. Resting surface 928 may be parallel to the bottom surface of chassis base 902, although this is not required. In some cases, the resting surface 928 can be a surface of the channel 922 that is located just below the slot opening 924. When the cap 904 is in the neutral position, the resting surface 928 may be a surface on which the stud 960 rests. Movement of the cap 904 from the neutral position to the secured position may cause the stud 960 to move toward the slot end 926 of the channel 922. In some cases, channel 922 may include an angled surface 961 that forces cover 904 toward chassis base 902 as stud 960 moves toward slot end 926.

Fig. 10 is an isometric projection of the latch assembly 1010 in the closed position according to certain features of the invention. The latch assembly 1010 may be any suitable latch assembly, such as the latch assembly 610 of fig. 6. For illustrative purposes, the release tab 1054 is depicted as translucent to show the biasing device 1082 (e.g., a spring). When the latch assembly 1010 is in the closed position, the lever 1052 and the sliding body 1044 are in the closed position.

Fig. 11 is an isometric projection of a latch assembly 1110 in an open position according to certain features of the invention. The latch assembly 1110 may be any suitable latch assembly, such as the latch assembly 610 of fig. 6.

When the latch assembly 1110 is in the open position, the lever 1152 and the sliding body 1144 are in the open position. In the open position, the slide body 1144 rotates about the latch pivot 1146 to move the slide body 1144 farther away from the latch body 1140.

The lever 1152 includes a catch 1158 that engages a release 1154, leaving the lever 1152 in the closed position when the release 1154 is not depressed. When the lever 1152 is in the closed position, the lip of the release tab 1154 may engage the grasping tab 1158. When the release tab 1154 is depressed, the grasping tab 1158 and the lever 1152 may be allowed to move to the open position.

The lever 1152 may also include a lock body 1150, and regardless of the state (e.g., depressed or not depressed) of the release tab 1154, the lock body 1150 may snap with the lock receiver 1148 to lock the lever 1152 relative to the latch body 1140. Lock body 1150 and lock receiver 1148 may take any suitable form. As depicted in fig. 11, lock body 1150 is a rotatable shaft having an elongated plate that in the closed position engages lever 1152, fitting under lock receiver 1148 to prevent lever 1152 from moving out of the closed position. The lock receiver 1148 is in this case in the form of a shoulder spaced from a bottom surface of the latch body 1140.

Fig. 12 is a side view of a portion of a computer case 1200 depicting a latch assembly 1210 engaged with a latch receiver 1230 in an open position, in accordance with certain features of the invention. The computer case 1200 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. The computer case may be the computer case 800 of FIG. 8 with the latch assembly 1210 moved from a closed position to an open position.

The latch receiver 1230 is mounted to the bottom surface 1214 of the chassis base 1202. The latch receiver 1230 includes a receiving channel 1232 that receives the slide body 1244 of the latch assembly 1210. The receiving channel 1232 has a receiver opening 1234 (e.g., facing upward as viewed in fig. 12) opposite the bottom surface 1214 of the chassis base 1202. The slide body 1244 may enter the receiving passage 1232 through the receiver opening 1234. The receiving channel 1232 also includes a receiver end 1236 opposite the receiver opening 1234. The receiver end 1236 may be the portion of the receiving channel 1232 facing the bottom surface 1214 of the chassis base 1202. The receiving channel 1232 may have an acceptor end 1236 that is open (e.g., like a straw) or closed (e.g., like the bottom of a test tube).

The latch assembly 1210 is mounted (e.g., flush-mounted) to the top cover 1204. Top cover 1204 is in a neutral position relative to chassis base 1202. In the intermediate position, the slide body 1244 of the latch assembly 1210 is positioned within the receiving channel 1232 of the latch receiver 1230. More specifically, the sliding body 1244 is positioned to receive the channel 1232 farther from the receiver opening 1234 when the top cover 1204 is in the intermediate position than when the top cover 1204 is in the secured position.

With the latch receiver 1230 secured to the chassis base 1202, movement of the lever 1252 of the latch assembly 1210 from the closed position to the open position, as depicted by arrow 1284, causes the slide body 1244 to move in a downward direction 1288 and the top cover 1204 to move in a rearward direction 1286. The use of lever 1252 to move slide body 1244 to the open position provides a mechanical advantage to un-snap any elements that top cover 1204 and chassis base 1202 may be snapped together (e.g., a tongue and groove or a tongue and lip snap).

Fig. 13 is a side view of a portion of a computer chassis 1300 depicting a stud 1360 of a removable top 1304 in a receiving slot 1320 of a chassis base 1302, according to certain features of the present invention, when the removable top 1304 is in a neutral position. The computer case 1300 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 13 depicts a side view looking into the computer case 1300 toward the inner surface of the side wall 1312 of the case base 1302. The computer case 1300 may be the computer case 900 of FIG. 9 with the top cover 1304 moved to the intermediate position.

Receiving slots 1320 are visible in the side walls 1312 of the chassis base 1302. The receiving slots 1320 include channels 1322 that extend from a slot opening 1324 to a slot end 1326. When the top cover 1304 is in the neutral position, each stud 1360 of the top cover 1304 engages a respective receiving slot 1320, and may be spaced from the slot end 1326.

In some cases, the stud 1360 may rest on a resting surface 1328 of the receiving slot 1320 when the top cover 1304 is in the neutral position. The resting surface 1328 may be parallel to the bottom surface of the case base 1302, although this is not required. In some cases, resting surface 1328 can be a surface of channel 1322 that is located below slot opening 1324. Movement of the top cover 1304 from the intermediate position to the secured position may cause the stud 1360 to move toward the slot end 1326 of the channel 1322. In some cases, the channel 1322 may include a sloped surface 1361 that forces the top cover 1304 to approach the chassis base 1302 as the stud 1360 moves toward the slot end 1326.

When in the neutral position, top cover 1304 can be easily lifted out of chassis base 1302, causing studs 1360 to move out of receiving slots 1320. Similarly, when in the uncoupled (e.g., disengaged) position, by placing the top cover 1304 over the chassis base 1302, the top cover 1304 can be easily moved to an intermediate position such that the stud 1360 enters the receiving slot 1320 through the receiving member opening 1324. When in the neutral position, the top cover 1304 may be moved to the secured position by pushing the studs 1360 toward the ends 1326 of the channels 1322.

Fig. 14 is a side view of a computer case 1400 depicting a removable top cover 1404 in an intermediate position relative to a case base 1402 in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 1400 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, the closest side walls of the computer case 1400 are not depicted to facilitate viewing of the latch receptors 1430 and the interior surfaces of the distal wall 1412 within the computer case 1400. The computer case 1400 may be moved to the intermediate position by moving the latch assembly 1410 to the open position.

The computer case 1400 may include a top cover 1404 resting on a base 1402. The top cover 1404 may be in an intermediate position. In the neutral position, the stud 1460 of the top cover 1404 is loosely engaged with the receiving slot 1420 of the chassis base 1402 and rests within the receiving slot 1420 of the chassis base 1402 but is not pushed toward the end of the receiving slot 1420. The latch assembly 1410 of the top cover 1404 engages the latch receiver 1430 of the chassis base 1402. The latch assembly 1410 is in an open position (e.g., with the lever 1452 in an open position).

In the neutral position, the top cover 1404 is not fully displaced toward the front end 1406 of the chassis base 1402, but rather is displaced toward the back end 1408 of the chassis base 1402 (at least relative to a fixed position). To move the cover 1404 from the intermediate position to the secured position, the latch assembly 1410 can be moved to the closed position, thereby displacing the cover 1404 toward the front end 1406 of the chassis base 1402. To move the top cover 1404 to the uncoupled position, the top cover 1404 can be lifted out of the chassis base 1402.

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of a portion of a computer case 1500 depicting a latch assembly 1510 in an open position engaged with a latch receiver 1530 having a slot 1592, the slot 1592 configured to receive a complementary securing feature 1590 of a removable cover in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 1500 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1.

Latch assembly 1510 can engage latch receptors 1530. With latch assembly 1510 in the open position, the top cover is in the intermediate position and can be displaced relative to the chassis base to move to the secured position.

In the computer case 1500, the top cover includes a supplemental securing component 1590 in the form of a shaft having a shoulder (e.g., a shaft having a smaller diameter portion located between a larger diameter portion and the top cover). When the top cover is moved toward the secured position (e.g., the latch assembly 1510 is moved toward the closed position), the supplemental securing component 1590 can be sized to engage the slot 1592. When engaged with the slot 1592, the supplemental securing component 1590 may help secure the top cover to the chassis base. The use of such supplemental securing components 1590 may also provide additional structural support to the top cover. This method of providing structural support to the top cover may also allow for other computer components and/or airflow to relieve space within the chassis base, such as space that would otherwise be used to provide structural support.

Slot 1592 may be coupled to the chassis base in any suitable manner. However, in some cases, it may be beneficial to include a slot 1592 coupled to the latch receiver 1530 and/or a slot 1592 that is part of the latch receiver 1530. Accordingly, when the latch assembly 1510 is moved toward the closed position, the supplemental securing component 1590 can snap into the slot 1592 of the latch receiver 1530 to help provide structural support in the area adjacent to the latch receiver 1530.

Additionally, in some cases, the latch receptors 1530 may include channels 1538. The channel 1538 may take the form of a non-enclosed opening (as depicted) or an enclosed opening. The channel 1538 may be an open space allowing a wire or other object to pass through the latch receptors 1530 in either a forward or rearward direction.

Fig. 16 is a side view of a portion of a computer case 1600 depicting a latch assembly 1610 in an open position engaged with a latch receiver 1630 having a slot 1692 for receiving a supplemental securement feature 1690 of a removable top cover 1604 in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 1600 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. The latch receiver 1630 can be the latch receiver 1530 of fig. 15.

The top cover 1604 may include supplemental securement features 1690 that extend (e.g., downward) from an underside of the top cover 1604. The supplemental fixation component 1690 can be in the form of a shaft with a shoulder (e.g., a shaft with a smaller diameter portion located between the larger diameter portion and the top cap 1604). As the top cover 1604 moves toward the secured position (e.g., the latch assembly 1610 moves toward the closed position), the supplemental securing member 1690 can be sized to engage the slot 1692. When engaged with slot 1692, supplemental retaining feature 1690 can help retain top cover 1604 to chassis base 1602. The use of such supplemental securing components 1690 may also provide additional structural support to the top 1604. This method of providing structural support to top 1604 may also provide space within other computer components and/or airflow relief chassis base 1602, such as space that would otherwise be used to provide structural support.

Slot 1692 may be coupled to chassis base 1602 in any suitable manner. However, in some cases, it may be beneficial to include a slot 1692 coupled to the latch receiver 1630 and/or a slot 1692 that is part of the latch receiver 1630. Thus, when the latch assembly 1610 is moved toward the closed position (e.g., moving the lever 1652 to the closed position), the supplemental securing component 1690 can engage the slot 1692 of the latch receiver 1630 to help provide structural support in the area adjacent to the latch receiver 1630.

Fig. 17 is a side view of a portion of a computer case 1700 depicting a latch assembly 1710 in a closed position engaging a latch receiver 1730 having a slot 1792 for receiving a complementary securing feature 1790 of a removable top 1704 according to certain features of the invention. The computer case 1700 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. The computer case 1700 may be a computer case 1600 having a top cover 1704 that moves to a fixed position.

The top cover 1704 can include supplemental securing features 1790 that extend (e.g., downward) from an underside of the top cover 1704. The supplemental securing component 1790 can be in the form of a shaft with a shoulder (e.g., a shaft with a smaller diameter portion located between the larger diameter portion and the top cover 1704). When the top cover 1704 is in the secured position (e.g., the latch assembly 1710 is in the closed position), the supplemental securing feature 1790 can engage the groove 1792. The slot 1792 may be coupled to the chassis base 1702, such as via the latch receptors 1730.

Fig. 18 is an isometric projection of the front end 1806 of the removable top cover 1804 in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The cap 1804 can be any suitable cap, such as the cap 104 of fig. 1. The top cap 1804 may include one or more tenons 1870. A tenon 1870 may extend from an end of top cap 1804, such as from a front end 1806 of top cap 1804. When the top cover 1804 is moved from the intermediate position to the secured position, the tongue 1870 may fit within a corresponding groove or under a corresponding lip of the chassis base.

Fig. 19 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer chassis 1900 depicting a front end 1906 of a chassis base 1902, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The chassis base 1902 may be any suitable chassis base, such as the chassis base 102 of fig. 1, with the top cover depicted as translucent for illustrative purposes. Chassis base 1902 may include one or more lip platforms (lips)1972 to receive one or more top cover dowels (e.g., dowels 1870 of fig. 18). Lip 1972 may extend from the tongue of the cap and optionally extend over an additional portion of the cap.

Fig. 20 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case 2000 depicting a top cap 2004 engaged with a rear end 2008 of a case base 2002, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 2000 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1.

The cap 2004 may include one or more rear tabs 2074. The rear piece 2074 may include a portion of material (e.g., metal used to form the cap 2004) that is bent to extend toward the front end of the cap 2004. Thus, when the top cap 2004 is moved from the intermediate position to the secured position, the back piece 2074 may engage the corresponding lip 2076 of the chassis base 2002. The use of the rear tabs 2074 may assist in securing the top cap 2004 to the chassis base.

In some cases, the cap 2004 can include a supplemental securement feature 2080 extending from an underside of the cap 2004. The supplementary fixing member 2080 is engageable with the corresponding supplementary receiving groove 2094, and the supplementary receiving groove 2094 is fixed to the chassis base 2002.

In some cases, supplemental receiving slots 2094 and/or lip 2076 may be incorporated into a back frame member 2096 coupled to the chassis base 2002.

Fig. 21 is an isometric projection of a portion of a computer case 2100 depicting a case base 2102 having a supplemental securing feature 2181 in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer case 2100 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, the top cover of the computer case 2100 is depicted as translucent.

The chassis base 2102 may include a back frame member 2196. The back frame member 2196 may include a complementary receiving slot 2194 for receiving a complementary securing member 2180 of the top cover. The supplemental securing element 2180 engages the supplemental receiving slot 2194 when the top cover is in the secured position.

In some cases, chassis base 2102 can include one or more supplemental securing components 2181 extending from one or more sidewalls 2112 of chassis base 2102. The supplemental securing component 2181 may extend in an inward direction (e.g., from the inner surface of the side wall 2112 toward the centerline of the chassis base 2102). The supplemental securing component 2181 may engage with a bracket 2195 coupled to the cap when the cap is moved from the intermediate position to the secured position.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged isometric projection of a portion of a computer case 2200 depicting a supplemental securing feature 2281, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The computer chassis 2200 may be any suitable computer chassis, such as the computer chassis 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, although a bracket 2295 coupled to the top cover is shown, the top cover of the computer chassis 2200 is not depicted.

The chassis base 2202 may include one or more supplemental securing features 2281 extending from one or more side walls of the chassis base 2202. The supplemental securing features 2281 may extend in an inward direction (e.g., from the inner surface of the side wall 2212 toward the centerline of the chassis base 2202). The supplemental securing features 2281 can engage a bracket 2295 coupled to the top cover when the top cover is moved from the intermediate position to the securing position. The engagement of the supplemental securing features 2281 with the brackets 2295 may help secure the top cover to the chassis base 2202 and/or provide additional structural support to the top cover.

Fig. 23 is an isometric projection of the underside of a removable top cover 2304 with supplemental securing components 2380 in accordance with certain features of the invention. The top cover 2304 can be any suitable top cover, such as top cover 104 of fig. 1.

Top cover 2304 can include one or more supplemental securement components 2380. Top cover 2304 can include one or more back panels 2374. In some cases, top cover 2304 may include one or more brackets 2395, where brackets 2395 are coupled to underside 2318 of top cover 2304 and/or extend from underside 2318 of top cover 2304. One or more brackets 2395 may be positioned to snap with complementary securing features of the chassis base.

Fig. 24 is an isometric view of a computer case 2400 having a computer component 2498 adjacent to a latch receiver 2430 in accordance with certain features of the invention. The computer case 2400 may be any suitable computer case, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, the top cover of the computer case 2400 is depicted as translucent.

Latch receptors 2430 are coupled to a bottom surface of the chassis base 2502. In some cases, a computer component 2498 (e.g., a computer fan) can span the width of the chassis base 2502, and be positioned in-line with the latch receivers 2430 at the chassis base 2502. The latch receptors 2430 can include channels to allow wires to pass from one side (e.g., the front side) of the computer assembly 2498 to an opposite side (e.g., the back side) of the computer assembly 2498.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged isometric projection of a portion of a computer chassis 2500 depicting a latch receiver 2530 proximate to a computer component 2598, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. Computer chassis 2500 may be any suitable computer chassis, such as computer chassis 100 of FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes, the top cover of computer chassis 2500 is depicted as translucent.

The latch receptors 2530 are coupled to a bottom surface of the chassis base 2502. In some cases, a computer component 2598 (e.g., a computer fan) may be positioned on the chassis base 2502 across the width of the chassis base 2502 and in line with the latch receptors 2530. The latch receptors 2530 may include channels 2538 to allow wires to pass from one side (e.g., the front side) of the computer assembly 2598 to the opposite side (e.g., the back side) of the computer assembly 2598.

Fig. 26 is a flow chart depicting a process 2600 for assembling a computer chassis, in accordance with certain features of the present invention. The process 2600 may be used to assemble any suitable computer case disclosed herein, such as the computer case 100 of FIG. 1.

At block 2602, a chassis base is provided. The chassis base may include a bottom surface and a set of sidewalls. The chassis base may include a latch receiver coupled to the bottom surface. The latch receiver may include a latch receiving channel extending from the latch receiver opening to a latch receiving channel terminus. The chassis base may also include a receiving slot at an upper edge of the set of side walls. Each receiving slot includes a channel extending from a slot opening to a slot tip.

At a block 2604, a top cover is provided. The top cover may include a latch assembly having a sliding body that is rotatable about a latch pivot between an open position and a closed position. The top cover may also include a set of studs corresponding to respective receiving slots in the chassis base.

At block 2606, the top cover may be placed on the chassis base by inserting the studs of the top cover into the receiving slots of the chassis base. Placing the top cover over the chassis base at block 2606 may also include inserting a sliding body of a latch assembly of the top cover into a receiving channel of a latch receiver of the chassis base. The top cover is placed on the chassis base resulting in the top cover being in a neutral position.

At block 2608, the top cover can be secured by moving the sliding body of the latch assembly from the open position to the closed position. Moving the sliding body from the open position to the closed position may include moving a lever of the latch assembly from the open position to the closed position. Moving the sliding body from the open position to the closed position may cause the cap to move from the intermediate position to the secured position. Moving the top cover from the neutral position to the secured position may include moving a stud of the top cover toward an end of the receiving slot.

The foregoing description of embodiments, including illustrated embodiments, has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications, variations and uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "including," "having," "with," or variations thereof, are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as used in the embodiments and/or the claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Claims

1. A computer case, comprising:

a chassis base for receiving a motherboard, the chassis base having a bottom surface and a set of side walls, the chassis base further comprising a plurality of receiving slots at a plurality of upper edges of the set of side walls, wherein each of the plurality of receiving slots comprises a channel extending from a slot opening to a slot end;

a top cover removably coupled to the chassis base, the top cover including a set of studs, wherein each of the studs of the set of studs corresponds to one of the plurality of receiving slots, the top cover further including a latch assembly having a sliding body rotatable about a latch pivot between an open position and a closed position; and

a latch receiver coupled to the bottom surface of the chassis base, the latch receiver having a latch receiving channel extending from a latch receiver opening to a latch receiving channel end;

wherein the cover is movable through an intermediate position between an uncoupled position and a secured position;

wherein when the top cover is in the uncoupled position, the top cover is uncoupled from the chassis base;

wherein, when the top cover is in the intermediate position, i) the sliding body is received by the latch receiver, ii) each of the studs of the set of studs is received by the slot opening of the respective receiving slot of the chassis base, and iii) the sliding body is in the open position; and

wherein, when the top cover is in the secured position, i) the sliding body is in the closed position, and ii) each of the studs of the set of studs is located at the slot end of the respective receiving slot of the chassis base.

2. The computer case of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receiving slots includes a resting surface parallel to the bottom surface of the case base, wherein each of the plurality of studs of the top cover rests on the resting surface of the respective receiving slot of the case base when the top cover is in the intermediate position.

3. The computer case of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of receiving slots is shaped such that movement of the lid from the intermediate position to the secured position moves the lid toward a front end of the base of the case.

4. The computer case of claim 1 wherein the plurality of receiving slots comprises a first set of receiving slots on a first side wall of the set of side walls and a second set of receiving slots on a second side wall of the set of side walls, wherein the first set of receiving slots is aligned along the first side wall and the second set of receiving slots is aligned along the second side wall.

5. The computer case of claim 1 wherein the latch receiver includes an opening for passing wires from a front end of the latch receiver to a rear end of the latch receiver, the opening being positioned between the bottom surface of the case base and the latch receiving channel end.

6. The computer case of claim 1 wherein the latch receiver further comprises a receiving slot, wherein the top cover further comprises a securing member extending from a lower side of the top cover, and wherein the securing member engages the receiving slot of the latch receiver when the top cover is in the secured position.

7. The computer case of claim 1, wherein the case base further comprises a complementary receiving slot, wherein the top cover further comprises a securing member extending from a lower side of the top cover, and wherein the securing member engages the complementary receiving slot of the case base when the top cover is in the secured position.

8. The computer case of claim 1, wherein the top cover further comprises a bracket extending from a lower side of the top cover, the bracket comprising a receiving slot, wherein the case base further comprises a securing member extending from a sidewall of the set of sidewalls, and wherein the securing member of the case base engages the receiving slot of the top cover when the top cover is in the secured position.

9. The computer case of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly further comprises:

a latch body supporting the slide body about the latch pivot, the latch body including a lock-receiving member; and

a lever for rotating the sliding body between the open position and the closed position, the lever including a lock body movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the lock body is engaged with the lock receiver at the locked position to prevent the lever from rotating the sliding body to the open position.

10. The computer case of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly further comprises:

a latch body supporting the slide body about the latch pivot;

a lever rotatably coupled to the latch body about the latch pivot for rotating the sliding body between the open position and the closed position, the lever including a catch tab; and

a release tab coupled to the latch body about a release pivot, wherein the release tab is rotatable about the release pivot between a capture position and a release position, wherein the release tab is biased toward the capture position, wherein when in the capture position, the release tab engages the capture tab of the lever, and wherein when in the release position, the release tab disengages the capture tab of the lever.