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A computer face plate apparatus shields computer drive and port interfaces from their environments, thereby reducing the flow of dusty air to electronic components stored within the computer. After the apparatus is affixed to the computer chassis, a cover plate can be closed or opened, enabling access to various drive interfaces. In addition, a separate second cover plate 6 remains closed when the port interfaces are not in use, and it can be opened to access the ports behind it. In an embodiment, frequently used CD/DVD drives can be accessed through a drive door without having to open the cover plate.

The personalization of personal computers has been made possible by a substantial growth in computer system and configuration options. Confronted with a dizzying array of peripheral, operating system, gaming accessory, wireless, memory, CPU, audio card, video camera, speaker system, CD/DVD/VCDs player, and burner component options, ordinary consumers are increasingly undertaking a task once the exclusive domain of technophiles¡ªbuilding one¡¯s own computer.

It is now commonplace for computer chassis to contain at least three drive bays and numerous ports to accommodate various drives and plug-in components. As consumers pick and choose the different components that will go into their computers, computer chassis may contain unused slots or include slots or drives that are frequently idle, such as the floppy drive. In typical configurations, port and drive interfaces are left exposed or are covered by hinged windows that are pushed in when the drive behind the window is used. This can create a significant dust problem as air carrying dirt particles can seep into the chassis through the drive slots or windows. Dust can coat the circuits stored within a chassis, making them less efficient and shortening their useful life.

Furthermore, use of the drives and ports with external media such as CDs, DVDs, or USB or other components subjects the integrated circuits stored within the chassis to disturbances. The frequent movement of such external components can destabilize internal operations within the chassis. Therefore, it would be desirable to devise a structure to provide greater protection against the dust and disruption associated with the multiple drives and ports of a computer.

Accordingly, a face plate apparatus shields drive and port interfaces of a computer. The apparatus may be attached to the front of a computer chassis. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises several cover plates, which can be opened to allow access to the port and drive interfaces behind the panel segments and conceal drive and port interfaces behind them when in a closed position. In another embodiment, a drive door covers a CD-ROM interface to enable easy access to the CD-ROM drive while also limiting exposure of the drive to the outside environment. The apparatus thereby reduces the flow of dusty air to the electronic components stored within a computer.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a cover plate for concealing a plurality of interfaces for drives of different sizes of a computer while in a closed position, a window for the cover plate, a drive door for covering the window in the cover plate through which a drive interface can be accessed while the cover plate is in a closed position, and a mechanism to secure the cover plate to a computer chassis.

In an embodiment, the computer chassis comprises a small form factor computer chassis. In another, there is a second cover plate for concealing a plurality of port interfaces of a computer while in a closed position. In another embodiment, the cover plate and drive door conceal two 5¼-inch drives and a 3½-inch drive while both are in a closed position.