Method and apparatus for securing an information handling system

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for securing an information handling system.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

It is often desirable to provide a security device for information handling system chassis in order to protect components of the information handling system from theft and to restrict access to devices in the information handling system.

Typically, a locking cover is provided on the information handling system chassis which allows all access to the hard drives and peripheral devices to be restricted, securing those components in the information handling system chassis and ensuring that the information handling system cannot be accessed.

However, it is also desirable on occasion to protect data on the hard drives while still allowing access to the peripheral devices such as, for example, optical drives, floppy drives, and/or tape backup drives. Locking covers must be continually unlocked and locked to access the peripheral devices while keeping the hard drives secured.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for securing an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for securing an information handling system is provided comprising a chassis cover defining a opening therein, the chassis cover including a locking member, and a panel operable to be secured in the opening or removed from the opening. In an embodiment, the removal of the panel is accomplished only when the chassis cover is in the open position.

A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the chassis cover and panel may be configured to restrict access to the hard drives and peripherals. The chassis cover and panel may also be reconfigured in order to restrict access to the hard drives while allowing access to the peripherals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis cover for an apparatus for securing an information handling system.

FIG. 2 b is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the back of the chassis cover of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an panel used with the chassis cover of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

FIG. 3 b is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the back of the panel of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover securing member used with the panel of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the chassis cover of FIG. 2 a and the panel of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 b is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of FIG. 3 a secured to the chassis cover of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 4 c is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of FIG. 3 a secured to the chassis cover of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis cover of FIG. 2 a coupled to the chassis of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6 b is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the panel of FIG. 3 a secured to the chassis cover and chassis of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 a is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis cover and a panel for an apparatus for securing an information handling system.

FIG. 7 b is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the chassis cover and panel of FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover securing member used with the panel of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.

FIG. 8 b is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a panel securing member used with the cover of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the cover securing member of FIG. 8 a and the panel securing member of FIG. 8 b.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

In one embodiment, information handling system 10 , FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor 12 , which is connected to a bus 14 . Bus 14 serves as a connection between microprocessor 12 and other components of computer system 10 . An input device 16 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide input to microprocessor 12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 18 , which is coupled to microprocessor 12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system 10 further includes a display 20 , which is coupled to microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22 . A system memory 24 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor 12 . A chassis 26 may be provided in order to house some or all of the components of the information handling system 10 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor 12 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b , an apparatus for securing an information handling system 100 includes an elongated cover 102 having a top 102 a , a bottom 102 b opposite the top 102 a , a front 102 c , and a back 102 d opposite the front 102 c . The cover 102 defines a opening 104 extending through the cover 102 from the front 102 c to the back 102 d and positioned adjacent the top 102 a . A plurality of panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d are positioned about the perimeter of the opening 104 in a spaced apart relationship and, in one embodiment, include a plurality of passageways defined by the cover 102 and extending through the cover 102 from the front 102 c to the rear 102 d . A locking member 108 is positioned on the cover 102 between the top 102 a and the opening 104 . A plurality of apertures 110 are defined by the cover 102 and extend through the cover 102 from the front 102 c to the back 102 d . A plurality of chassis coupling members 112 a and 112 b extend from the back 102 d and along an edge of cover 102 .

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a , 3 b and 3 c , the apparatus 100 also includes a panel 200 having a substantially square body 202 having a front 202 a and a back 202 b opposite the front 202 a . A plurality of cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d extending from the back 202 b of cover 202 and about the perimeter of cover 202 in a spaced apart relationship. A plurality of apertures 206 are defined by the panel 200 and extend through the panel 200 from the front 202 a to the back 202 b . Cover coupling member 204 a includes a flexible beam 204 a a extending from the back 202 b of cover 200 . A distal end 204 ab of the beam 204 aa includes a beveled surface 204 ac and a catch surface 204 ad . Cover coupling members 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d are substantially similar to cover coupling member 204 a with each including respective flexible beams, distal ends, beveled surfaces, and catch surfaces.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 c , 4 a , 4 b and 4 c , in operation, the panel 200 may be secured to the cover 102 by orienting the panel 200 such that the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d such that they line up with panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d on cover 102 . The panel 200 is then brought into engagement with cover 102 by pushing, for example, the distal end 204 ac of cover coupling member 204 into the panel coupling member 106 a . Further pushing of cover coupling member 204 a into panel coupling member 106 a results in the beveled surface 204 ac causing flexible beam 204 aa to flex, allowing the cover coupling member 204 a through the panel coupling member 106 a until the catch surface 204 ad contacts the back 102 d of cover 102 adjacent the panel coupling member 106 a and secures the cover coupling member 204 a to the cover 102 . Cover coupling members 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d operate in substantially the same manner as cover coupling member 204 a , and with all of the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d secured in their respective panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d , the panel 200 is secured in the cover 102 . The panel 200 may then removed from the cover 102 only by accessing the back 102 d of cover 102 and flexing each of the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d in order to release them from panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d , respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system 300 is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 4 a , 4 b , and 4 c , with the addition of a chassis 302 , which may be the chassis 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 , housing an information handling system, which may be the information handling system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 . The chassis 302 includes a front surface 304 and a chassis door 306 positioned adjacent the front surface 304 and pivotally coupled to the chassis 302 . A handle 306 a is included on an edge of the chassis door 306 . In one embodiment, the chassis door 306 provides access to components housed within the chassis 302 . Chassis surface 304 includes a first component 308 on an upper section of chassis surface 304 and a second component 310 positioned adjacent the first component 308 and on a lower section of chassis surface 304 . First component 308 may include, for example, a variety of peripheral devices such as a tape drive 308 a , an SCSI drive 308 b , an SCSI drive 308 c , an optical drive 308 d , and a floppy drive 308 e . Second component 310 may includes, for example, a variety of hard drives such as a plurality of SCSI drives 310 a and a plurality of SCSI drives 310 b . Second component 310 may also include a power control 310 c . A plurality of air flow passageways 312 may be defined by chassis surface 304 and positioned adjacent the SCSI drives 310 a and 310 b . The chassis surface also includes a plurality of cover coupling members 314 a and 314 b positioned along an edge of the chassis surface 304 in a spaced apart relationship. A chassis lock member 316 is positioned on an upper edge of the chassis surface 304 and adjacent the first component 308 .

Referring now to FIGS. 3 c , 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 6 a , and 6 b , in operation, the cover 102 is coupled to the chassis 302 by coupling chassis coupling members 112 a and 112 b on cover 102 to cover coupling members 314 a and 314 b on chassis 302 , respectively. In one embodiment, the chassis coupling members 112 a and 112 b and the cover coupling members 314 a and 314 b provide a hinge which allows a pivotal coupling of the cover 102 to the chassis 302 from an open position to a closed position.

To restrict access to the second component 310 on chassis surface 304 , the cover 102 may be pivoted such that cover 102 engages chassis 102 in the closed position. Locking member 108 on cover 102 may then be activated such that it engages chassis locking member 316 on chassis surface 304 , securing the cover 102 to the chassis 302 . With the cover 102 secured to the chassis surface 304 , second component 310 may not be accessed without deactivating the locking member 108 and moving the cover 102 to the open position. In an embodiment, securing cover 102 restricts access to the plurality of SCSI drives 310 a and 310 b and the power control 310 c . However, the first component 308 may be accessed through opening 104 . In one embodiment, if the chassis door 306 is closed when the cover 102 is secured to the chassis surface 304 , the cover 102 engages the chassis door 306 such that the chassis door 306 is secured to the chassis 302 , restricting access to the components housed inside of the chassis 302 .

To restrict access to the first component 308 , the panel 200 may be secured to the cover 102 by orienting the panel 200 such that the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d line up with panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d on cover 102 . The panel 200 is then brought into engagement with cover 102 by pushing the distal end 204 ac of cover coupling member 204 into the panel coupling member 106 a . Further pushing of cover coupling member 204 a into panel coupling member 106 a results in the beveled surface 204 ac causing flexible beam 204 aa to flex, allowing the cover coupling member 204 a through the panel coupling member 106 a until the catch surface 204 ad contacts the back 102 d of cover 102 adjacent the panel coupling member 106 a and secures the cover coupling member 204 a to the cover 102 . Cover coupling members 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d operate in substantially the same manner as cover coupling member 204 a , and with all of the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d secured in their respective panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d , the panel 200 is secured in the cover 102 . With the panel 200 secured to the cover 102 , the first component 308 may not be accessed without deactivating the locking member 108 and moving the cover 102 to the open position.

To allow access to the first component 308 , the panel 200 may be removed from the cover 102 only by deactivating the locking member 108 . Deactivating the locking member 108 allows the pivoting of the cover 102 away from the chassis surface 304 to the open position. The back 102 d of cover 102 may then be accessed, allowing the flexing of each of the cover coupling members 204 a , 204 b , 204 c , and 204 d in order to release them from panel coupling members 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d , respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system 400 is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus 100 and the apparatus 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 , 2 a , 2 b , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 5 , 6 a , and 6 b with the provis a modified cover 402 . Cover 402 includes a front 402 a , a back 402 b opposite the front 402 a , and defines an opening 404 adjacent the top of the cover 402 and extending from the front 402 a to the back 402 b . A track 406 includes a top 406 a , a side 406 b , a side 406 c , and a bottom 406 d , and extends from the back 402 b of cover 402 , with the top 406 a and a portion of the sides 406 b and 406 c positioned around a portion of the perimeter of opening 404 . Top 406 a defines a securing slot 406 aa centrally located along its length. Sides 406 b and 406 c define channels 406 ba (not shown) and 406 ca , respectively, running along their lengths. A plurality of apertures 408 are defined by the cover 402 and extend through the cover 402 from the front 402 a to the back 402 b . A panel 410 is positioned on the track 406 and moveably coupled to the channels 406 ba and 406 ca on sides 406 b and 406 c , respectively. Panel 410 includes a securing member 410 a extending from its upper surface. Securing member 410 a includes a flexible beam 410 aa extending from the panel 410 . A distal end 410 ab of the beam 410 aa includes a beveled surface 410 ac and a catch surface 410 ad . A plurality of apertures 412 are defined by the panel 410 and extend through the panel 410 .

Referring now to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b , in operation, the panel 410 begins positioned adjacent the bottom 406 d of track 406 , allowing access through the cover 402 through opening 404 . The panel 410 may be positioned in the opening 404 by translating the panel 410 in a direction A. The panel 410 may translate along the track 406 due to the moveable coupling between the channels 406 ba and 406 bc and the panel 410 . As the panel 410 is translated in direction A, distal end 410 ab of securing member 410 a engages securing slot 406 aa . Further translation of securing member 410 a into securing slot 406 aa results in the beveled surface 410 ac causing flexible beam 410 aa to flex, allowing the securing member 410 a through the securing slot 406 aa until the catch surface 410 ad contacts the top 406 a of track 406 and secures the panel 410 over the opening 404 defined by cover 402 . The panel 410 may be removed from the opening 404 by flexing the securing member 410 a such that securing member 410 a may be removed from securing slot 406 aa . Panel 410 may then be translated in a direction B along channels 406 ba and 406 ca and out of opening 404 .

Referring now to FIGS. 8 a , 8 b and 9 , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for securing an information handling system 500 is substantially identical in design and operation to the apparatus 100 and the apparatus 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 , 2 a , 2 b , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 5 , 6 a , and 6 b with provision of modified cover securing members 502 on panel 200 and modified panel securing members 504 on cover 102 . Cover securing member 502 includes an elongated securing member 502 a with a distal end 502 b extending from the back 202 b of panel 200 . Elongated securing member 502 a defines an opening 502 c adjacent the distal end 502 b . Panel securing member 504 includes base 504 a with a flexible beam member 504 b extending from the base 504 a . Flexible beam member 504 b includes a catch surface 504 ba on its distal end. The cover 102 defines a passageway 504 c adjacent the panel securing member 504 and extending through the cover 102 . In an embodiment, the panel 200 and cover 102 may each include a plurality of cover securing members 502 and panel securing members 504 , respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , in operation, the panel 200 may be secured to the cover 102 by placing the distal end 502 b of elongated securing member 502 a in passageway 504 c and translating it through the passageway 504 c . Distal end 502 b will engage flexible beam member 504 b and flex it towards base 504 a , allowing cover securing member 502 through passageway 504 c . As cover securing member 502 continues through passageway 504 c , flexible beam member 504 b will become positioned in opening 502 c , with catch surface 504 ba securing cover securing member 502 to panel securing member 504 and panel 200 to cover 102 . To remove panel 200 from cover 102 , flexible beam member 504 b must be flexed back through opening 502 c and cover securing member 502 removed from passageway 504 c.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part some or all of the illustrative embodiments.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.