Plug-in module injector lever assembly, kit, and method

A lever assembly kit, for forming a lever assembly for mounting to a removable plug-in module for selectively engaging a lip on a rack for effecting an injection of the module into the rack, the kit comprising:

• a handle assembly;
• the handle assembly comprising:
• an elongate lever handle having a rearward portion and a forward portion extending along a lever handle longitudinal axis;
• the rearward portion having a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis that are both fixed relative to the lever handle;
• the lever handle having a lower interior surface;
• wherein the second pivot axis is spaced from the first pivot axis and disposed downward farther from the lower interior surface than the first pivot axis;
• an elastic bias element mounted to the lever handle;
• a pivot arm pivotally mounted to the lever handle for rotation relative to the lever handle about the first pivot axis;
• the pivot arm having a forward free end configured to abut the elastic bias element;
• a pawl not operatively mounted to the lever handle so as to be distinct from the lever handle and the pivot arm;
• the pawl having a rearward tip and a forward bearing surface;
• a pivot axle not operatively mounted to the lever handle so as to be distinct from the lever handle;
• the pivot axle configured to mount the pawl to the lever handle for rotation about the second pivot axis;
• wherein the lever handle, the pivot arm, and the pawl are configured such that, when the pawl is mounted to the lever handle via the pivot axle for rotation about the second pivot axis:
• the pivot arm and the pawl abut one another so that a rotational force applied to the pivot arm's forward free end, urging the pivot arm to rotate away from the lower interior surface, is transmitted to the pawl so that the pawl's rearward tip is urged to rotate upward;
• and
• the pivot arm is disposed operatively between the pawl and the elastic bias element such that the pawl is spaced from the elastic bias element.

A method of inserting a removable plug-in module into a rack, the rack having a lip for facilitating insertion of the plug-in module, the method comprising:

• inserting the plug-in module into the rack;
• rotating a lever handle of a first lever assembly in a first direction toward the plug-in module;
• the first lever assembly mounted to the plug-in module proximate an edge of the plug-in module;
• the lever handle extending along a lever handle longitudinal axis and having a lower interior surface;
• wherein the first lever assembly comprises:
• the lever handle;
• a pivot arm mounted to the lever handle for rotation about a first pivot axis that is fixed relative to the lever handle;
• a pawl mounted to the lever handle for rotation about a second pivot axis that is fixed relative to the lever handle, wherein the second pivot axis is spaced from the first pivot axis and disposed farther from the lower interior surface than the first pivot axis;
• an elastic bias element;
• wherein the rotating occurs while the pawl engages the lip of the rack;
• wherein, the rotating causes:
• the elastic bias element to be deformed;
• the pivot arm to rotate, relative to the lever handle, about the first pivot axis in a second direction while bearing against the elastic bias element;
• the pawl to rotate, relative to the lever handle, about the second pivot axis in the second direction;
• a force to be generated at a rearward tip of the pawl, oriented toward the lever handle longitudinal axis, urging the tip against the lip;
• wherein, during the rotating, the pivot arm stays operatively disposed between the pawl and the elastic bias element such that the pawl remains spaced from the elastic bias element throughout the rotating.