MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR SIDE PANEL OF COMPUTER ENCLOSURE

Abstract

A computer enclosure includes a chassis (10), a side panel (20), and a fastening apparatus. The chassis has an opening (11), and comprises a rear panel (12) in which a hole (123) is defined. The side panel is configured for covering the opening of the chassis. The fastening apparatus secures the side panel to the chassis. The fastening apparatus includes a resilient piece (30). One end of the resilient piece is mounted to inside of the side panel. Another end of the resilient piece defines at least a hook (341) engaging in the hole of the rear panel for clasping the rear panel. The fastening apparatus further includes a latch (40) for urging the hook of the resilient piece to disengage from the hole of the rear panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of a computer enclosure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a chassis, a side panel, and a knob;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the chassis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded and partial view of FIG. 1, showing the side panel, a resilient piece, a latch, and the knob;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the resilient piece of FIG. 3, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the latch of FIG. 3, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the knob of FIG. 3, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 7 is a partial, cutaway view of the computer enclosure, showing the side panel in an unlocked position; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of circled portion VII of FIG. 7.

Claims

1. A computer enclosure comprising: a chassis having an opening, the chassis comprising a rear panel in which a hole is defined;a side panel for covering the opening of the chassis; anda fastening apparatus for securing the side panel to the chassis, the fastening apparatus comprising a resilient piece, one end of the resilient piece being mounted to an inside of the side panel, another end of the resilient piece having at least a hook engaging in the hole of the rear panel for clasping the rear panel, the fastening apparatus further comprising a latch for urging the hook of the resilient piece to disengage from the hole of the rear panel.

2. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the resilient piece comprises a body that abuts the inside surface of the side panel and a bent portion bent perpendicularly from the body, and the hook extends from a distal end of the bent portion.

3. The computer enclosure as described in claim 2, wherein the resilient piece further comprises a sloped portion extending from the body, the latch comprises a block insertable between the sloped portion and the side panel to deform the resilient piece.

4. The computer enclosure as described in claim 3, wherein the block has a wedge shape with an inclined surface corresponding to the sloped portion of the resilient piece.

5. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein a recessed portion is formed on the rear panel of the chassis to provide space for said another end of the resilient piece from which the at least a hook is formed.

6. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein a securing tab is formed at an edge of the hole near to the side panel for engaging with the hook of the resilient piece.

7. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the fastening apparatus further comprises a knob installed on an outside of the side panel for driving the latch.

8. The computer enclosure as described in claim 7, wherein at least a hook is formed on an inside of the knob, and at least a fastening hole is defined in the latch corresponding to the at least a hook of the knob.

9. The computer enclosure as described in claim 8, wherein at least an arc-shaped sliding slot to receive the hook of the knob is defined in the side panel.

10. A mounting assembly, comprising: a chassis having an opening, the chassis comprising a rear panel in which a securing hole is defined;a side panel for covering the opening of the chassis;a resilient piece attached to the side panel, a hook bent from an end of the resilient piece for engaging into the securing hole of the chassis; anda latch pivotably installed on the side panel, and capable of deforming the resilient piece for urging the hook to disengage from the securing hole of the rear panel.

11. The mounting assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the resilient piece comprises a body that abuts on an inside surface of the side panel and a bent portion bent perpendicularly from the body, the hook extends from the distal end of the bent portion.

12. The mounting assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the resilient piece further comprises a sloped portion extending from the body, the latch comprises a block insertable between the sloped portion and the side panel to press the resilient piece for urging the hook to disengage from the hole of the rear panel.

13. The mounting assembly as described in claim 12, wherein the block has an inclined surface corresponding to the sloped portion of the resilient piece.

14. The mounting assembly as described in claim 12, wherein a knob for driving the latch is rotatably installed on an outside of the side panel.

15. The mounting assembly as described in claim 14, wherein a pivot hole is defined in the side panel, and an additional pivot hole is defined in the latch corresponding to the pivot hole of the side panel, a pivot post for inserting in the pivot hole of the side panel and the pivot hole of the latch is defined on an inside of the knob.

16. The mounting assembly as described in claim 15, wherein at least a hook is defined on the inside of the knob beside the pivot post, at least a fastening hole corresponding to the hook of the knob is defined in the latch, at least an arc-shaped sliding slot is defined in the side panel, the at least a hook extending through the at least sliding slot to engage in the at least a fastening hole.

17. The mounting assembly as described in claim 10, wherein a recessed portion is formed on the rear panel of the chassis to provide space for said one end of the resilient piece from which the hook is formed.

18. A computer enclosure comprising: a chassis comprising an opening and a rear panel;a side panel configured for covering the opening of the chassis;a resilient piece comprising a fixed end securely attached to the side panel, and a free end;an interlocking structure being formed between the free end of the resilient piece and the rear panel and configured for interlocking the side panel with the rear panel; anda latch moveably attached on the side panel, and capable of deforming the free end of the resilient piece to urge the interlocking structure to disengage from the side panel and the rear panel.

19. The computer enclosure of claim 19, wherein the resilient piece comprises a portion spaced from the side panel and located near the free end, the latch comprises a block insertable between said portion and the side panel to push the resilient piece for deforming the free end of the resilient piece to thereby disengage the interlocking structure from the side panel and the rear panel, at least one of the portion and the block having a sloped surface.

20. The computer enclosure of claim 20, wherein the interlocking structure comprises a securing hole defined at the rear panel and a hook formed at the free end.