International Business Machines Corporation

Paul J Galinis

John R Dewitt

Kevin K Cooke

Jay H Neer

Ronald V Davidge

Thomas H Newsom

Francis A Kuchar, Jr

Walter B Koteff

Myron F Davis

Dennis Crompton

Paul A Kerezman

Victor V Zaderej

Thomas H Newson

Terry M Espersen

Lau H Nguyen

Cover assemblies, capable of being locked and unlocked by means of a key, are configured to be placed over the connectors at each end of an external computer system cable. When these cover assemblies are locked in place, the cable cannot be unplugged from the connector ports of the system devices. When these cover assemblies are unlocked, they can be removed from the cable, and the cable can then be unplugged from the connector ports. A first type of cover assembly is designed to operate with a connector which is fastened in place in its plugged position by means of a pair of screws, while a second type of cover assembly is designed to operate with a connector which is fastened in place by means of a pair of rotatable wire bails. These cover assemblies may also be used to prevent access to connector ports to which cables are not attached by locking in place terminators commonly used on such ports, or by locking in place shells configured for this purpose, if such terminators are otherwise not required.

Cable locking covers

Computer housing

Lockable covers are used to cover either of two types of shield blocks to prevent access to circuits within either of two types of external ports on computing devices. Each such shield block covers the port contacts associated with these circuits, includes locking surfaces for holding the lockable cover in place, and is itself held in place by the attachment features provided on the external port for holding an external cable in place. One such shield block is held in place by a pair of screws extending into threaded holes in the external port, while the other such shield block is held in place by a pair of flexible wire bails rotatably mounted in the external port.

Device-port locking covers

Cover assemblies, capable of being locked and unlocked by means of a key, are configured to be placed over the connectors at each end of an external computer system cable. When these cover assemblies are locked in place, the cable cannot be unplugged from the connector ports of the system devices. When these cover assemblies are unlocked, they can be removed from the cable, and the cable can then be unplugged from the connector ports. A first type of cover assembly is designed to operate with a connector which is fastened in place in its plugged position by means of a pair of screws, while a second type of cover assembly is designed to operate with a connector which is fastened in placed by means of a pair of rotatable wire bails. These cover assemblies may also be used to prevent access to connector ports to which cables are not attached by locking in place terminators commonly used on such ports, or by locking in place shells configured for this purpose, if such terminators are otherwise not required.

A cable connector, terminator, or shield is fastened in place over a port connector in a unit having a lockable cover, by fastening means which can only be accessed when the cover is unlocked and opened or removed. In a first version, the cable connector, terminator, or shield includes a pair of tabs extending into the unit through a slot at each end of the port connector, with each tab having a notch which forms a latching surface. A rotatable bracket, engaging these latching surfaces, prevents the removal of the connector, terminator, or shield. With the cover opened or removed, this bracket can be rotated into a position in which the latching surfaces are released. In a second version, a locking bracket is provided to extend around an outer portion of the cable connector, terminator, or shield. This locking bracket includes a shaft extending through a hole into the unit, to be fastened in place by a nut engaging a threaded portion of the shaft. The nut can be accessed to release the shaft from within the unit only when the lockable cover is opened or removed. In a third version, the connector, terminator, or shield includes a pair of slidably mounted shafts, which extend through holes at each end of the port connector to engage holes within a latching bar. When the lockable cover is opened or removed, the latching bar can be manually slid from a locked position in which these shafts are held in place, to an unlocked position, in which they are released. Thus, in all versions, physical access to electronic circuits within the port connector is prevented as long as a cable connector, terminator, or shield is held in place with the lockable cover locked in its closed position.

Means for locking cables and connector ports

A computer enclosure is provided which is capable of accommodating a plurality of drive devices therein in a fashion whereby the drive devices are readily removable. The enclosure includes a box having first and second opposed sides and a substantially rectangular opening extending between the first and second sides. The enclosure further includes a drive device retainer member having first and second opposed ends, the first end of the retainer being removably pivotally attachable to the first end of the box, the second end of the retainer member being attachable to the second side of the box. The retainer member contacts the drive devices to hold the drive devices in the box. The enclosure further includes a bezel structure having first and second opposed ends. The bezel structure is situated atop the retainer member, the first end of the bezel structure being removable pivotally attachable to the second side of the box, the remaining first end of the bezel structure being removably attachable to the first end of the box so as to hold the retainer member on the box.

Enclosure apparatus for retaining devices within a computer

An improved planar support structure for a planar of a personal computer system is comprised of an integral structure having a plurality of connector support frames. The planar support structure is interposed between the planar and a supporting structure and securely fastened to each. Each frame surrounds the perimeter of a corresponding connector of the expansion slots on the planar. Each frame supports a connector to prevent the connector from flexing the planar when an adapter board is inserted into the connector. Additional alignment pins associated with the planar support structure improve ease of assembly during construction of the system.

Planar board support structure

There is disclosed an electromagnetic compatibility grounding connector having a contact portion deflectable between a first and a second position. In the first position only a line contact is established in contact with a complementary connector. In a second position a surface contact is established of greater surface contact area than the line contact. Electrical resistance is thus reduced and conductivity increased. Also disclosed is a support for an electronic device having such a connector and a personal computer housing having such supports and interconnecting with such connectors.

Deflectable contact for providing positive surface contact for shielding

An apparatus for electromagnetically shielding electronic equipment has a first and second spaced apart housing members having a gap between them. A rigid member having a plurality of openings is interposed between them. A spring member connected to the rigid member has a plurality of spring fingers extending through openings in the rigid member. A cover member has a cam which forces the first housing member against one side of the spring member to extend the spring finger into the second housing member in order to cause an electrical connection between the first and second housing members.

Growing community of inventors

Boynton Beach, FL, United States of America

Paul J Galinis