System and method for providing a computer system with a detachable component

Abstract

A system and method for providing one or more detachable components for a computer system are disclosed. The system and method allow for simplified customization of a user's computer system. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a housing component at least partially defining an exterior surface of the computer system. The housing component may have at least one mounting finger, which may be a pin like protrusion or an elongated and flat extension. The mounting finger may extend from the housing component and be formed to define a locking shoulder. The system may also include a detachable component having a mounting tab. The mounting tab may interact with the locking shoulder to releasably couple the detachable component to the housing component.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer system, comprising: 
 a housing component at least partially defining an exterior surface of at least a portion of the computer system;    the housing component having at least one mounting finger;    the mounting finger extending from the housing component and formed to define a locking shoulder; and    a detachable component having a mounting tab for releasably coupling the detachable component to the housing component by interacting with the locking shoulder.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab comprises an elongated and flat extension.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable component comprises a wrist rest.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable component comprises extruded plastic.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable component comprises extruded plastic having a first color and the housing component comprises extruded plastic having a second color that is different than the first color.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable component comprises a monitor support ring.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable component comprises a tower top.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system further comprises a keyboard and the housing component at least partially defines an exterior surface of the keyboard.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the detachable component comprises a wrist rest.  
     
     
         10 . A method for providing a detachable component of a computer system, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a housing component that at least partially defines an exterior surface of a computer system such that the housing component has at least one mounting finger;    forming the mounting finger to extend from the housing component and to define a locking shoulder;    forming a detachable component such that the detachable component has a mounting tab; and    releasably coupling the detachable component to the housing component by interacting the mounting tab with the locking shoulder.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of forming a detachable component comprises forming a wrist rest and the step of forming a housing component comprises forming at least a portion of a keyboard.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wrist rest comprises extruded plastic having a first color and the portion of the keyboard comprises extruded plastic having a color different than the first color.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of placing an order for the detachable component of the computer system via the Internet.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of choosing a desired color for the detachable component.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of selecting a design to be incorporated into an outer surface of the detachable component.  
     
     
         16 . A method for providing a detachable housing component, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting an order for a computer system having a detachable component via the Internet;    determining a desired aesthetic characteristic of the detachable component;    obtaining a specific detachable component having the desired aesthetic characteristic; and    providing the computer system and the specific detachable component to a user in response to the order.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of determining a desired aesthetic characteristic of the detachable component comprises the step of prompting the user to customize the detachable component by indicating a design available to be incorporated into an outer surface of the detachable component.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of determining a desired aesthetic characteristic of the detachable component comprises the step of prompting the user to indicate a desired color for the detachable component.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing the user with a second detachable component having a different aesthetic characteristic.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of obtaining a specific detachable component having the desired aesthetic characteristic comprises the step of obtaining a wrist rest.