Double housing wall security locking apparatus for a computer

Abstract

An AC-powerable portable computer has an interior sheet metal chassis portion within which computer operating components are operatively disposed. The chassis has a removable metal access wall portion and is positioned within a plastic outer housing of the computer having a removable access wall that outwardly overlies the sheet metal access wall portion. A key-operable security locking system incorporated in the computer has a pawl portion positioned within the sheet metal chassis. The pawl is selectively movable to a locking position in which it interlocks with each of the plastic and sheet metal access walls and precludes their normal removal from the computer. When the plastic and sheet metal access walls are locked to the computer in this manner, entry into the chassis interior requires that the plastic access wall be broken, and that the metal access wall be forcibly bent away from the balance of the chassis structure. Accordingly, the access walls cannot be reinstalled on the computer without leaving readily visible evidence of the forcible entry into the computer. The locking system thus provides a dual barrier to unauthorized physical entry into the chassis, and visually alerts the legitimate user of the computer that a break-in has been attempted or achieved.