The present invention relates to computer front bezels, and more particularly to a front bezel of a computer enclosure having a cover for external connection ports, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports.
Nowadays, some USB ports, such as earphone ports, microphone ports, flash memory ports and so on, are usually arranged on fronts of computer enclosures for convenient use. In order to prevent dust from blocking the USB ports and for decorative purpose, USB covers are used on the enclosures.
A typical front bezel defines a rectangular concave. A plurality of USB ports is disposed in the rectangular concave. A USB cover is often used to cover the rectangular concave, and slides on an inner surface of the front bezel. A pair of springs is disposed on the inner surface of the front bezel, and connects with the USB cover. A rack is disposed on an inner surface of the USB cover. A gear is disposed on the front bezel for engaging with the rack of the USB cover, thereby slowing the USB cover to protect the USB cover from impacting with the front bezel too strongly. When the USB cover is pressed to disengage from the front bezel, the springs cause the USB cover to slide open on the front bezel revealing the USB ports. When the USB cover is closed to engage with the front bezel, the USB ports are covered again. In the above computer enclosure, although the USB cover is convenient to operate it has a complicated structure and is expensive to manufacture.
What is needed, therefore, is a computer front bezel having a movable cover with a simple structure.
A computer front bezel includes a bezel body, a cover pivotably attached to the bezel body, and a connecting bar connecting with the bezel body and the cover. The cover has an open position and a closed position. The connecting bar has first and second end portions. When the connecting bar is located in the first position, the cover is supported by the connecting bar, and lies in the open position, and when the connecting bar is located in the second position, the cover lies in the closed position.
Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with attached drawings, in which:
Referring to
Referring also to
A pair of pivot pins 26 is formed on opposite ends of the USB cover 20 respectively, for pivotably extending into the pivot holes 15 of the bezel body 10 to thereby pivotably attach the cover 20 to the bezel body 10. A pivot portion 22 perpendicularly protrudes from a rear side of the USB cover 20, corresponding to the through opening 14 of the bezel body 10. A pivot hole 222 is defined in the pivot portion 22. An operating portion 24 is formed at a top edge of the USB cover 20, for opening and closing the USB cover 20.
The connecting bar 30 is for connecting with the bezel body 10 and the USB cover 20. The connecting bar 30 includes a pair of opposite end portions. The connecting bar 30 perpendicularly forms first and second posts 32, 34 respectively at the end portions thereof, corresponding to the guiding slot 162 of the bezel body 10, and the pivot hole 222 of the USB cover 20.
Referring also to
In use, the USB cover 20 can be rotated up and down by operation of the operating portion 24. The connecting bar 30 pivots relative to the USB cover 20 and the bezel body 10. At the same time, the first post 32 of the connecting bar 30 slides in the guiding slot 162 of the bezel body 10. When the USB cover 20 is pivoted to an open position, the first post 32 slides to the end of the guiding slot 162 that is adjacent to the bezel body 10, and is positioned by the first protrusion 164, thus retaining the cover in the open position. At this time, the connecting bar 30 is in a first position. When the USB cover 20 is pivoted to a closed position, the first post 32 slides to the other end of the guiding slot 162 that is distant from the bezel body 10, and is positioned by the second protrusion 166, thereby retaining the cover 20 in the closed position. At this time, the connecting bar 30 is in a second position.
In alternative embodiments, the projecting clip 16 can be disposed on the cover 20, and the pivot portion 22 is correspondingly disposed on the bezel body 10.
Though the present technology has been described, taking the USB cover as an example, one skilled in the art should understand the present technology has other applications in structures that need to be open and closed.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, 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.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5495389 | Dewitt et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
6961246 | Dickey et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
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03218381.X | Aug 2004 | CN |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070153460 A1 | Jul 2007 | US |