Nematron Corporation

Gregory J Chandler

Anthony B Vink

Kevin M Stonebraker

Front and rear housings of a industrial computer workstation are mechanically connected by separable hinges and a manually operable latch and are electrically connected in a closed position through a cableless connection provided by a two-part electrical connector. The connector includes connector halves which mate together in the closed position. The front and rear housings are pivotally and completely removably connected to move from the closed position to an open position by the separable hinges. The front housing is adapted to be permanently mounted to an end user's electrical panel. The rear housing is piloted and latched into place against the front housing by a pilot and the latch, respectively. The latch and the separable hinges eliminate the need for any special tools in completely removing the rear housing. The pilot is preferably a tapered pin which steers and seats the rear housing against the front housing. Once the rear housing is unlatched and hinged out, it can be lifted off the separable hinges. The front housing preferably supports a membrane keyboard for user interface with a computer housed within the rear housing. The front housing also includes a window in which a flat panel display preferably housed within the rear housing is aligned for the projection of images through the window. In this way, access to change electronic components such as the computer, the display, and display back lights is easy, thereby providing easy maintenance and service of the electronic components.

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Saline, MI, United States of America

Gregory J Chandler