Modular external peripheral housing

Claim 2

A housing for encasing a computer peripheral device comprising: an upper half having a domed top portion flanked by a pair of downwardly projecting side walls having a first fastener element, said upper half further including a pair of opposing upper tracks; a lower half configured with a lower support surface adjoined to a pair of upwardly projecting side walls having a second fastener element configured for releasable engagement with said first fastener element, said lower half further including a pair of lower tracks for alignment with said upper tracks; an interface panel configured to be slidingly received in said upper and lower tracks and further formed with at least one opening for carrying interface components to be connected between the peripheral device and a second device; and wherein said halves cooperate when engaged to form an interior compartment for receipt of the electrical device and a forward port for access to the electrical device.

Claim 3

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said lower support surface includes support legs.

Claim 4

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interface panel is rectangular.

Claim 5

The housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said top portion includes a set of grooves constructed such that the legs of an additional housing may be placed therein.

Claim 6

The housing as set forth in claim 1 further including: at least one C-shaped side cover constructed to releasably engage one side of the housing.

Claim 7

The housing as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said side cover includes a fingergrip region having a plurality of depressions.

Claim 8

The housing as set forth in claim 1 further including: a frontal slot reducer releasably engaged with said forward port of the housing and having an open area of smaller cross section than said forward port.

Claim 9

The housing as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said C-shaped side cover is dimensioned to provide a storage area between the interior of said side cover and said side walls of the housing.

Claim 10

The housing as set forth in claim 8 further including: a battery pack stowed in said storage area.

Claim 11

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the interior surface of said support surface includes a plurality of support flanges forming a seat for maintaining the peripheral device away from the support surface to provide substantially unimpeded air flow underneath the peripheral device.

Claim 12

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said top portion is arcuately shaped when viewed in longitudinal cross section.

Claim 13

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first fastener element includes at least one pair of inwardly inclined barbs; and said second fastener element includes a channel shaped portion for slidable receipt over said barbs.

Claim 14

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interior compartment tapers inwardly in the rearward direction.

Claim 15

The housing as set forth in claim 10 wherein: said support flanges are spaced apart to support the lower surface of different sized peripheral devices.

Claim 16

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said upper and lower halves are formed with recesses for close fitting receipt of side covers and a frontal slot reducer, said recesses being constructed such that the exterior surface of said side covers and said frontal slot reducer is flush with the exterior surface of said domed portion.

Claim 17

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interface panel includes at least one opening constructed for receipt of an SCSI port.

Claim 18

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interface panel includes at least one opening constructed for receipt of a USB port.

Claim 19

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said halves are constructed of a rigid plastic material.

Claim 20

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interior compartment provides a heat exchange chamber about the peripheral device whereby ambient air is allowed to flow about the peripheral device.

Claim 21

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interface panel includes at least one opening constructed for receipt of a parallel port.

Claim 22

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said interface panel includes at least one opening configured for receipt of a PC card.

Claim 23

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said lower support surface is arcuately shaped when viewed in longitudinal cross section.

Claim 24

The housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said lower support surface includes a plurality of conical anchors constructed to be received in the peripheral for restricting lateral and longitudinal movement of the peripheral within said compartment.

Claim 25

The housing as set forth in claim 1 further including: a frontal slot reducer and a pair of side covers for reinforcing the engagement of said upper and lower halves.

Claim 26

The housing as set forth in claim 1 further including a pair of side covers for reinforcing the engagement of said upper and lower halves.

Claim 27

A modular external casing for a hardware peripheral comprising: an upper domed element supported from a pair of downwardly projecting side walls terminating in a first fastening element, said side walls including opposing, inwardly facing, upper panel slots; a curved lower tray element flanked on both sides by a pair of upwardly projecting side walls terminating in a second fastener element configured for releasable engagement with said first fastener element, said tray further including a series of stand off ribs on its interior surface constructed to provide an elevated seat for the electrical component, said upwardly projecting side walls further including opposed confronting lower panel slots; an interface panel slidably disposed within said upper and lower panel slots and constructed with an array of interface openings for carrying interface connectors; wherein said releasable engagement of said upper domed element and said lower tray forms an interior compartment dimensioned for placement of the peripheral and an open rectangular forward slot providing access to the electrical component; and said interior compartment further provides a heat exchange chamber about the peripheral.

Claim 28

A modular external casing for a hardware peripheral comprising: an upper domed element supported from a pair of downwardly projecting side walls terminating in a first fastening element, said side walls including opposing, inwardly facing, upper panel slots; a curved lower tray element flanked on both sides by a pair of upwardly projecting side walls terminating in a second fastener element configured for releasable engagement with said first fastener element, said tray further including a series of stand off ribs on its interior surface constructed to provide an elevated seat for the electrical component, said upwardly projecting side walls further including opposed confronting lower panel slots; an interface panel slidably disposed within said upper and lower panel slots and constructed with an array of interface openings for carrying interface connectors; wherein said releasable engagement of said upper domed element and said lower tray forms an interior compartment dimensioned for placement of the peripheral and an open rectangular forward slot providing access to the electrical component; and said interior compartment further provides a heat exchange chamber about the peripheral.