초록 ▼

A flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for a computer chassis. An I/O shield that includes connector cutouts specific to a system motherboard is attached to the system motherboard. The motherboard to which the I/O shield is attached may be installed in a generic chassis that

A flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for a computer chassis. An I/O shield that includes connector cutouts specific to a system motherboard is attached to the system motherboard. The motherboard to which the I/O shield is attached may be installed in a generic chassis that includes cutouts for "standard" connectors, such as VGA, keyboard, audio and mouse connectors, as well as a flexible I/O cutout for receiving custom connectors, such as USB and network connectors. Any connector cutout or portion of a cutout provided in the chassis through which a connector does not extend is filled by the I/O shield. In another aspect, an I/O labeling strip on which are printed icons for identifying the various connectors is press-fit onto the chassis, such that the strip can be easily removed and replaced. Each strip is provided with an alignment code that corresponds to an alignment code stamped on the I/O shield and visible through an unused or partially used cutout of the chassis such that, when the strip is properly positioned relative to the chassis, the codes are also aligned with one another.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer system comprising:a chassis having a standard connector cutout and a flexible I/O cutout in a rear wall thereof;a motherboard having a standard connector and at least one additional connector, said motherboard being disposed within said chassis such that said s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer system comprising:a chassis having a standard connector cutout and a flexible I/O cutout in a rear wall thereof;a motherboard having a standard connector and at least one additional connector, said motherboard being disposed within said chassis such that said standard connector extends through said standard connector cutout and each said at least one additional connector extends through said flexible I/O cutout; andan I/O shield attached to said motherboard at a rear edge thereof such that it is in associative contact with an inner surface of said rear wall, said I/O shield having a first cutout through which said standard connector extends and having an exposed area defined by the flexible I/O cutout and including at least one second cutout through which respective ones of said at least one additional connector extends;wherein a shape of said standard connector cutout and a shape of said first cutout correspond to a shape of said standard connector, and a shape of each said at least one second cutout corresponds to a shape of said respective at least one additional connector; andwherein a shape of said flexible I/O cutout corresponds to the exposed area of the I/O shield including said at least one additional connector. [6.] A computer system comprising:a chassis having a standard connector cutout and a flexible I/O cutout in a rear wall thereof;a motherboard having a standard connector and at least one additional connector, said motherboard being disposed within said chassis such that said standard connector extends through said standard connector cutout and each said at least one additional connector extends through said flexible I/O cutout; andan I/O shield attached to said motherboard at a rear edge thereof such that it is in associative contact with an inner surface of said rear wall, said I/O shield having a first cutout through which said standard connector extends and having an exposed area defined by the flexible I/O cutout and including at least one second cutout through which respective ones of said at least one additional connector extends;a flexible I/O labeling strip having indicia for identifying connectors of said computer system; andmeans for connecting said flexible I/O labeling strip to an outer surface of said rear wall of said chassis;wherein a shape of said standard connector cutout and a shape of said first cutout correspond to a shape of said standard connector, and a shape of each said at least one second cutout corresponds to a shape of said respective at least one additional connector; andwherein a shape of said flexible I/O cutout corresponds to the exposed area of the I/O shield including said at least one additional connector.