Abstract: A tower computer includes a housing and an access panel which can be opened to provide access to the interior components of the housing. A cooling fan is mounted on the panel and is electrically coupled to an electrical plug which is also mounted on the panel. That plug is adapted to become automatically connected to a receptacle mounted in the housing, in response to a closing of the panel. The plug automatically becomes disconnected from the receptacle in response to the panel being opened.

Abstract: An appliance such as a personal computer includes a metal chassis which comprises a main chassis section and a subchassis hingedly connected to the main chassis section for rotation about a horizontal axis between folded-in and folded-out positions. The subchassis carries operational components such as a power supply and a drive, and the main chassis section carries an operational component such as a motherboard. When the subchassis is in its folded-in position it overlies the motherboard and blocks access thereto, and when in its folded-out position the subchassis provides access to the motherboard. In its folded-in position the subchassis sits upon horizontal edges of the main chassis section.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a chassis in which expansion cards and a processor card can be mounted in an upright parallel manner. An end of each expansion card is received in a vertical slot carried by a speaker component of the computer. A baffle member is swingably mounted on the chassis for rotation about a horizontal axis between open and closed positions. In the open position of the baffle member, the expansion cards can be inserted or removed. In the closed position of the baffle member, ribs thereof engage and stabilize upper edges of the cards. Hard and floppy drives are insertable into respective bays disposed within the chassis in a rear-to-front direction (in contrast to a front-to-rear direction), so that EMI shields located in front of those bays do not have to be removed to permit insertion or removal of the disc drives.

Abstract: A modular enclosure for personal computer systems, and methods for assembly of an enclosure. The enclosure substantially comprises a base, a unitary internal frame, a front and a back panel, and a U-shaped top cover. Frame-mounting snaps and cruciform members located on forward and rear portions of the frame mate to complimentary receiving openings in the base. Front and rear panels are mounted to the base, frame, and top cover by a plurality of panel-mounting snaps and hooks. A base electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield at the periphery of the shield having a plurality of planar tabbed fingers with hemispherical domes formed therein is then fitted and secured to the base such that the lateral edges of the fingers are recessed below a peripherally extending rim on the base. Thereafter, the internal frame is snapped into place upon the base, and a rear panel having an EMI shield fitted and secured to the base and frame by panel-mounting snaps and hooks.