BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a computer enclosure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer enclosure including a front panel, a side panel, and a latch;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, isometric view of the latch of FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;
FIG. 3 is an abbreviated, assembled view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of encircled portion IV of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an assembled inverted view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 3, but with the latch lifted; and
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of encircled portion VII of FIG. 6;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure of an electronic device like a computer of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a front panel 10, a side panel 20, and a latch 30.
The front panel 10 has a flange 11 perpendicularly extending from one side thereof. An outer edge of the flange 11 is rolled back. A plurality of latch slots 111 is defined in a middle portion of the flange 11.
The side panel 20 is rectangular. A side edge of the side panel 20 is rolled back to form a strengthening edge 21. A plurality of spaced flange holders 23 is formed on the strengthening edge 21 with free distal ends corresponding to the flange 11 of the front panel 10. A pair of restricting clips 24 is perpendicularly bent with free distal ends extending parallel to the side panel 20 from a middle portion of the strengthening edge 21. A round button opening 27 is defined in the side panel 20 adjacent to the restricting clips 24.
Referring also to FIG. 2, the latch 30 is generally in a shape of strip. The latch 30 includes a fixing portion 31, a resilient body 32, and an engaging portion 35. A plurality of rivet holes 312 is defined in the fixing portion 31. A button 321 is stamped down on the resilient body 32. A neck 33 has a narrower width than the resilient body 32, and perpendicularly connects the resilient body 32 and the engaging portion 35. Two shoulders 323 are respectively formed on the resilient body 32 near the neck 33 corresponding to the restricting clips 24 of the side panel 20. The engaging portion 35 includes two clasps 36. A pair of tabs 361 is respectively bent up on opposite sides of each clasp 36 corresponding to the latch slots 111 of the front panel 10. Each tab 361 has a bevel edge 3611 at a front portion thereof, and a vertical engaging edge 3613 is formed opposite to the bevel edge 3611.
Referring also to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when assembling the side panel 20 to the front panel 10, the latch 30 is attached to an inner side of the side panel 20 with a plurality of rivets. The button 321 is aligned with an inner bottom of the button opening 27 of the side panel 20 in order to be revealed without protruding therefrom. The shoulders 323 are respectively confined below each restricting clip 24 of the side panel 20.
When assembling the side panel 20 to the front panel 10, the side panel 20 is moved towards the flange 11 of the front panel 10. When the bevel edges 3611 of the latch 30 abut against the edge of the flange 11 of the front panel 10, the engaging portion 35 of the latch 30 is lifted up and the resilient body 32 bends up. The tabs 361 are received in the corresponding latch slots 111 of the front panel 10, when the resilient body 32 of the side panel 30 rebounds. The side panel 20 is secured in a direction perpendicular to the front panel 10. At the same point, the flange holders 23 are respectively engaged with the flange 11 of the front panel 10 for restricting the side panel 20 from moving perpendicularly away from the flange 11. Thus the side panel 20 is firmly attached to the front panel 10.
Referring also to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, when detaching the side panel 20 from the front panel 10, the button 321 is pushed causing the tabs 361 to disengage from the corresponding latch slots 111 of the front panel 10. Then the side panel 20 is drawn away from the front panel 10. The flange 11 is disengaged from the flange holders 23 of the front panel 10. Thus the side panel 20 is easily detached from the front panel 10.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment, together with details of the structure and function of the preferred embodiment, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Patent Application
20070247035
