Abstract: A magnetic latch may include a first magnet assembly and a second magnet assembly. The first magnet assembly may have a plurality of first magnets, the first magnet assembly movable about a substantially linear axis between a first position and a second position. The second magnet assembly may have a plurality of second magnets. In the first position, the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets may be configured such that the first magnet assembly is magnetically attracted to the second magnet assembly when the first magnet assembly is substantially proximate to the second magnet assembly. In the second position, the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets may be configured such that the first magnet assembly is magnetically repelled from the second magnet assembly when the first magnet assembly is substantially proximate to the second magnet assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a modular component comprises a jointed cam arm including a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. A flexible member is included on the first portion. A pivot limiting catch is included on the second portion, the catch being operable to engage with the flexible member to position the first portion at an angle relative to the second portion. In response to a force applied to the first portion sufficient to flex the flexible member, the first portion is pivotable to reduce the relative angle with the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a modular component comprises a jointed cam arm including a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. A flexible member is included on the first portion. A pivot limiting catch is included on the second portion, the catch being operable to engage with the flexible member to position the first portion at an angle relative to the second portion. In response to a force applied to the first portion sufficient to flex the flexible member, the first portion is pivotable to reduce the relative angle with the second portion.

Abstract: A guide for docking a peripheral carrier in a computer chassis includes a support surface in a peripheral bay. A plurality of spaced apart guide members are formed in the support surface. Each guide member is substantially raised above the surface. A tab extends from each guide member and a lead-in is formed on the tab.

Abstract: A guide for docking a peripheral carrier in a computer chassis includes a support surface in a peripheral bay. A pair of spaced apart guide members are formed in the support surface. Each guide member is substantially raised above the surface. A tab extends from each guide member and a lead-in is formed on the tab.

Abstract: A hard drive is accessed by providing a chassis, mounting a slider for reciprocating into and out of the chassis, and mounting a hard drive housing for rotating in the chassis. The hard drive housing has a hard drive opening. The housing and the slider are connected so that the slider reciprocates out of the chassis to support the housing in response to the access opening of the housing being rotated out of the chassis, and so that the slider reciprocates into the chassis for storage, in response to the access opening being rotated into the chassis.

Abstract: A lock assembly for retaining computer peripheral devices in a housing. The lock assembly includes a spring-loaded lock bar that is movable between an unlock and a lock position. The lock bar is secured in the lock position by engaging a lock pin in one end of the lock bar. The lock pin is coupled for linear movement to a rotateable lock cylinder. A key is used to rotate the lock cylinder between lock and unlock positions. The key may be removed and stored in a secure place after locking the lock assembly to prevent unauthorized removal of peripheral devices from the housing. Brackets are mounted on opposing sides of the housing to retain the lock bar and to provide guide slots for controlling movement of the lock bar between lock and unlock positions.

Abstract: A computer, including an carrier for mounting a peripheral device in the chassis of the computer. The carrier includes a plate disposed in the chassis and having two or more extensions. The peripheral device is mounted on the plate between the extensions and is captured between the extensions to prevent relative movement between the device and the plate in a first plane. A hook member extends from the plate and engages the peripheral device to prevent movement of the peripheral device relative to the plate in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and an access panel mounted on the chassis. The panel includes multiple spaced apart interlocks for mounting the panel on the chassis. A latch is operably connected to the chassis to engage and release the interlocks. The latch includes a main body, a latch member extending from each opposite end of the body for engagement with the interlocks, a single point pressure member and a pair of cantilevered support members extending from the single point pressure member. The support members include extensions for engaging the chassis and retaining the single point pressure member and each latch member in a raised position relative to the chassis for engagement with the interlocks. The application of pressure to the single point pressure member, moves the device to release the latches out of engagement with the interlocks.

Abstract: A cover/shield assembly for an electronic component such as a computer system. The assembly includes a cover and relatively strong and rigid metal shield which shields against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference and which is attached to the inner surface of the cover, yet can easily be separated from the cover for recycling purposes. The shield is formed by a plate and a reinforcing beam connected to the plate. A series of hooks and tabs on the cover extend through slots in the shield and the shield is provided with tabs which engage ribs on the cover, all for the purpose of quick-detachably connecting the shield to the cover.

Abstract: A computer in which a disk drive is mounted in the computer chassis. An actuation assembly is provided for actuating the disk drive and includes an arm that engages and actuates the eject button of the disk drive upon movement of the actuation assembly and the arm in a first direction. A button is provided in the cover for the chassis which, when manually pressed, engages the actuation assembly causing movement of the actuation assembly and the arm in the first direction to actuate the eject button. The arm is configured to engage and actuate eject buttons having different sizes and/or at different locations.

Abstract: A computer system includes a plate for mounting in a chassis. The plate slides into the chassis and is retained therein by a snap-in connection. An interlock device is provided for interlocking the plate and chassis. The device includes a first portion having a first end engaged with the plate and a second portion connected to a second end. The second portion extends angularly relative to the first portion and is engaged with the plate. An interlock member extends from the first portion and through an opening formed in the plate for engagement with the chassis. A pinch and pull motion removes the plate from the chassis.

Abstract: A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Abstract: A flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for a computer chassis. An I/O shield that includes connector cutouts specific to a system motherboard is attached to the system motherboard. The motherboard to which the I/O shield is attached may be installed in a generic chassis that includes cutouts for "standard" connectors, such as VGA, keyboard, audio and mouse connectors, as well as a flexible I/O cutout for receiving custom connectors, such as USB and network connectors. Any connector cutout or portion of a cutout provided in the chassis through which a connector does not extend is filled by the I/O shield. In another aspect, an I/O labeling strip on which are printed icons for identifying the various connectors is press-fit onto the chassis, such that the strip can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: A computer, or other similar type of electronic device including a chassis, and a power supply mounted in the chassis is disclosed. One or more hooks are provided on one of the walls of the chassis and one or more corresponding walls of the power supply so that the power supply can be placed in the chassis and moved relative to the chassis to engage the hooks and secure the power supply in the chassis against movement in a first plane. A single screw is provided for engaging the chassis and the power supply for securing the power supply against movement in a plane perpendicular to the first plane. A tab on a wall of the chassis guides the power supply.

Abstract: A computer, or other similar type of electronic device including a chassis, and one or more disk drives mounted in the chassis. A mounting bracket for receiving a disk drive is mounted to the computer chassis and is precisely located relative to a wall of the chassis. A mounting plate for receiving another disk drive is mounted relative to the bracket and to the chassis and is also precisely located relative to a wall of the chassis and to the bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for the retention of computer expansion cards and filler panels. The apparatus includes a mount in the expansion card or filler panel having a first edge and a second edge, opposite the first edge, to position the expansion card or filler panel relative to a chassis. A slot is defined in the first edge of the mount and a post extends from the chassis so that the slot engages the post to retain the mount from moving in a first direction. A tab extends from the chassis so that the second edge engages the tab to retain the mount from moving in a second direction opposite said first direction and in a third direction perpendicular to said first direction. The tab may also engage a notch defined in an edge of the mount. The apparatus may also include a locking plate with at least one arm which retains the mount from moving in a fourth direction orthogonal to said first and third directions.

Abstract: To reliably maintain an EMI grounding connection between a sheet metal computer chassis wall and a computer cover wall that may be removably placed against the outer side of the chassis wall, a lance structure is formed in the chassis wall, and opposing installation notches are formed in the chassis wall on opposite sides of the lance opening. Transversely enlarged end portions of an elongated arcuate sheet metal grounding strip are inserted inwardly through the wall notches and captively retained within the lance structure with a longitudinally intermediate portion of the arcuate strip body extending outwardly through the chassis wall lance opening. When the cover wall is operatively installed on the chassis wall the grounding strip is resiliently flattened and compressed between the lance strip and the installed cover wall to maintain an EMI grounding path between the contiguous chassis and cover walls.