US 2022/0071045 A1 · EXTENDABLE CHASSIS LEVER

Abstract

Extendable lever arms can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of a sled into and out of a chassis. Each extendable lever can include a rotatable body, a primary arm, and a secondary arm. The rotatable body can be rotatably coupled to the housing of the sled, and can optionally include latching elements to secure the sled within the chassis, as well as optional removal features to facilitate disengaging the sled from the chassis. The secondary arm can be coupled to the primary arm to move between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the retracted position, the secondary arm can be positioned adjacent to the primary arm to avoid blocking access to ports of the sled. When in the extended position, however, the secondary arm can be positioned to provide a longer lever arm to facilitate insertion and removal of the sled.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A sled, comprising:

a housing for supporting a component having an interface, the housing insertable into a chassis;
a cover panel positioned at an end of the housing, the cover panel having an opening for providing external access to the interface;
a first extendable lever rotatably coupled to the housing adjacent a first side of the cover panel;
and
a second extendable lever rotatably coupled to the housing adjacent a second side of the cover panel that is opposite the first side of the cover panel;
wherein each of the first extendable lever and the second extendable lever comprises:
a lever body rotatable about a pivot;
a primary arm extending from the lever body;
and
a secondary arm coupled to the primary arm and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the secondary arm is slidably coupled to the primary arm.

7 more elements

A method, comprising:

partially inserting a sled into a receiving space of a chassis, the sled comprising:
a housing for supporting a component having an interface, the housing insertable into a chassis;
a cover panel positioned at an end of the housing, the cover panel having an opening for providing external access to the interface;
a first extendable lever rotatably coupled to the housing adjacent a first side of the cover panel;
and
a second extendable lever rotatably coupled to the housing adjacent a second side of the cover panel that is opposite the first side of the cover panel;
wherein each of the first extendable lever and the second extendable lever comprises:
a lever body rotatable about a pivot;
a primary arm extending from the lever body;
and
a secondary arm coupled to the primary arm and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the secondary arm is slidably coupled to the primary arm;
applying pushing force to each secondary arm to fully insert and secure the sled within the chassis, wherein applying pushing force comprises rotating the respective primary arm towards the housing, and wherein rotating the primary arm towards the housing causes a respective securement feature of the extendable lever to engage the chassis;
retracting each secondary arm;
and
locking the first extendable lever and the second extendable lever to the housing.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Extendable chassis lever

Life of this patent

Extendable chassis lever

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18