GB2262388A

GB2262388A - Front panel for a peripheral computer device enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2262388A
Application number: GB9126418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Wilkinson; Paul Roughley; Paul Routledge
Original assignee: LION CABINETS Ltd
Current assignee: LION CABINETS Ltd
Priority date: 1991-12-12
Filing date: 1991-12-12
Publication date: 1993-06-16
Also published as: GB9126418D0

Abstract

A front panel comprises a rectangular fascia (10) having at least two rectangular apertures (11) and (12) and a rectangular fascia insert (13). One of the rectangular apertures 12 is designed to accept a peripheral device module, for example, a disc drive. The fascia insert is removably mounted in the fascia by means of fasteners (15). The aperture or window (17) allows indicating means such as light emitting diodes to display the operational status of the unit. <IMAGE>

Description

PERIPHERAL DEVICE ENCLOSURES This invention relates to improvements in a form of cabinet used primarily, though not exclusively, to enclose peripheral computer devices such as 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) or 5.25 inch (13.3 cm) disk drives and associated equipment for computers.

typically those used in industrial or business applications.

It is common practice for an assembler of peripheral device units to supply complete and operational items by assembling individual modules or components which have been purchased from a number of different sources. For instance 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) disk drive units. 5.25 inch (13.3 cm) disk drive units, power supply units. low noise cooling fans and enclosures may all be supplied by different manufacturers. An end user may request a particular specification of peripheral device which can then be assembled from individual components to satisfy the order. In this way a number of combinations are possible and an end user can be provided with custom made units to satisfy particular requirements.

It is usual for the assembler to apply his own distinguishing mark or name to the enclosure of the finished product so that his range of custom made peripheral device units can be identified by the end user. It is known for suppliers of enclosures to provide an assembler with peripheral device enclosures having a front panel designed to accept certain devices. for example disk drives, and upon which there is also a recess in which the assembler may apply an adhesive label distinguishing the unit.

The disadvantage with this type of enclosure is that the assembler is restricted by the shape and size of the recess on the front panel. It is not possible,^ ;.change the layout or design of the front panel without producing a new mould for uc the whole front panel section: a process which could be time consuming and costly if only a small number of enclosures are required.

Furthermore, suppliers tend to present their enclosures in the same form to all of their customers which means that apart from the adhesive labelling applied to the front panel, the enclosures are identical. As there is strong competition for customers, having the same form of enclosure for peripheral devices may be undesirable.

It is therefore highly desirable to be able to supply a form of peripheral device enclosure with a front panel which may be customized to distinguish the assembled product from other similar end products on the market but without incurring unacceptable additional costs to the manufacture of the enclosure overall. The custom made enclosures may be provided by the same supplier.

According to the present invention there is provided a front panel for a peripheral computer device enclosure with a removably mounted fascia insert.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a front panel for a peripheral computer device enclosure comprising a fascia with at least two apertures and a fascia insert removably mounted in one of the apertures. The removable fascia insert facilitates simple service access to internal components situated towards the front of the unit without need for removal of the whole enclosure cover.

The external face of the fascia insert maybe individually styled with a pattern, insigniE Qr a recess to suit a particular customer. This enables a supplier to provide an assembler of peripheral devices with an enclosure which may distinguish the unit from others available on the market.

The fascia insert may be removably mounted by one or more resilient clips or fasteners. An important feature of the fascia insert is that it should be possible to remove the insert from the front panel with the minimum of effort.

Preferably, the fascia insert and corresponding aperture into which the insert locates are rectangular. Although it is not essential to have a rectangular aperture, the use of an insert with this shape ensures that a maximum possible area is available for individual styling and service access. A differently shaped or formed insert may be provided, for example if requested by a customer.

The fascia insert may have an aperture or window through which an indicator may display the operational status of the peripheral device unit. Usually the indicating means are light emitting diodes (LED) which indicate whether the device is functioning correctly, for example. an LED may be used to indicate whether the dc power supply or cooling fan is operating correctly.

Preferably, a front panel may be provided with one of the apertures permitting two peripheral devices to be installed vertically adjacent, ie. one above the other.

Alternatively, a front panel may be provided with one of the apertures permitting two peripheral devices to be installed horizontally adjacent to each other. An end user can therefore select a unit which makes the most economical use of space.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of two currently available peripheral device enclosure: and, Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a peripheral device enclosure according to the invention which may be used to house 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) or 5.25 inch (13.3 cm) disk drives or similar devices.

Figure 1 shows two possible configurations of peripheral device enclosure showing the type of front panel currently available to assemblers. This form of front panel generally comprises a rectangular fascia 1 having at least one rectangular aperture 2, to accept a peripheral device such as a disk drive; a rectangular recess 3 upon which a customized adhesive label may be applied, a plurality of small apertures and indicating means 5 to display the operating status of the device.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of front panel for a peripheral device enclosure according to the invention which comprises a rectangular fascia 10 having at least two rectangular apertures 11 and 12, and a rectangular fascia insert 13.

Preferably the peripheral device enclosure. fascia and fascia insert are of a moulded plastics construction.

One of the rectangular apertures 12 is designed to accept a peripheral device module, for example a disk drive. The aperture may be designed so that it can accommodate a single peripheral device, two peripheral devices vertically adjacent (similar to Figure 2b) or two peripheral devices horizontally adjacent (similar to Figure 2a).

Rectangular aperture 11 accepts the fascia insert 13 which comprises a generally rectangular face 14, an aperture or window 17 and a plurality of fasteners 15. The fasteners 15 may take the form of clips which locate on the internal edge 16 of the fascia aperture 11 so that the fascia insert may be removably mounted in the fascia 10. The aperture or window 17 allows indicating means, usually a light emitting diode, to display the operational status of the unit, for example indication of dc power or cooling fan failure. The generally rectangular face 14 may be styled or customized to particular customer requirements with a pattern, insignia or a recess to accept an adhesive label and thereby distinguish the final product. Different assemblers can then be supplied with enclosures each with a possibly different fascia insert conferring a certain amount of distinctiveness to the peripheral device unit.

Claims

1. A front panel for a peripheral computer device enclosure with a removably mounted fascia insert.

2. A front panel for a peripheral computer device enclosure comprising a fascia with at least two apertures and a fascia insert removably mounted in one of the apertures.

3. A panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fascia insert is individually styled with a pattern insignia or recess.

4. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fascia insert is removably mounted by one or more resilient clips or fasteners.

5. A panel according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the fascia insert and corresponding aperture into which the insert locates are rectangular.

6. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fascia insert-has an aperture or window through which an indicator may display the operational status of the peripheral device unit.

7. A panel according to claim 6 wherein the indicating means comprises light emitting diodes which indicate whether the device is functioning correctly.

8. A panel according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the front panel is provided with one of the apertures permitting two peripheral devices to be installed vertically adjacent each other.

9. A panel according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the front panel is provided with one of the apertures permitting two peripheral devices to be installed horizontally adjacent to each other.

10. A front panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.