Abstract: The invention protects a printer, scanner, copier and/or FAX machine against shock, particularly during shipping and the like. The system includes side covers, and a subsystem to attach them to a major chassis element. Preferably this subsystem omnidirectionally transfers shock between the covers and the chassis element, and includes a hand-in-glove fit of a portion of the chassis element into each cover, with a snap connector holding the chassis element and covers in the hand-in-glove fit. Also preferably a subsystem is included to attach the covers to a main structural assembly. This subsystem is integrally formed in the covers and main assembly, and takes up at least four degrees of freedom of motion between them.