Self-retractable ejector assembly for augmented field replaceable unit (fru) extraction

A line module assembly for an equipment bay of a chassis of a networking device, wherein the chassis has a back and a front having a chassis opening configured to receive a line module into the equipment bay of the chassis, the line module assembly comprising:

• a line module configured to be installed within the equipment bay of the chassis of the networking device, the line module having a front panel, the front panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side;
• an ejector block having an interior portion connected to the interior surface of the front panel and positioned proximate to the second side of the front panel, and having an exterior portion positioned outside of the equipment bay and proximate to the front of the chassis when the line module is installed in the equipment bay of the chassis, the ejector block movable between a neutral position and an ejecting position, the ejector block configured to apply a force to the front of the chassis in a first direction toward the back of the chassis when the ejector block is moved into the ejecting position and contacts the front of the chassis, thereby moving the line module in a second direction away from the back of the chassis;
• one or more guide pins connected to the ejector block and configured to guide movement of the ejector block between the neutral position and the ejecting position;
• a mounting bracket having a first end attached to the interior surface of the front panel of the line module proximate to the second side of the front panel, the mounting bracket having a second end extending away from the interior surface of the front panel and having a bracket opening;
• an ejector lever having a handle end, a pivot portion, and a load end, the load end positioned proximate to the exterior portion of the ejector block, the pivot portion having a pivot opening positioned proximate to the bracket opening of the second end of the mounting bracket;
• and
• a fastener positioned through the bracket opening of the second end of the mounting bracket and the pivot opening of the pivot portion of the ejector lever such that the ejector lever is pivotable about the fastener between a closed position in which the handle end is proximate to the exterior surface of the front panel of the line module and an open position in which the handle end is distanced from the exterior surface of the front panel of the line module and the load end has contacted and moved the ejector block into the ejecting position.

A method of making a removable line module assembly for an equipment bay of a chassis of a networking device, wherein the chassis has a back and has a front having a chassis opening configured to receive a line module into the equipment bay in the chassis, the method comprising:

• attaching a mounting bracket to a line module configured to be installed within the equipment bay of the chassis of the networking device, the line module having a front panel, the front panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first side, and a second side positioned opposite the first side, the mounting bracket having a first end attached to the interior surface of the front panel of the line module proximate to the second side of the front panel, the mounting bracket having a second end extending away from the interior surface of the front panel and having a bracket opening;
• positioning a pivot portion of an ejector lever such that a pivot opening of the pivot portion of the ejector lever is proximate to the bracket opening of the second end of the mounting bracket, the ejector lever having the pivot portion, a handle end, and a load end;
• positioning a fastener through the bracket opening of the second end of the mounting bracket and the pivot opening of the pivot portion of the ejector lever such that the ejector lever is pivotable about the fastener between a closed position in which the handle end is proximate to the exterior surface of the front panel of the line module and an open position in which the handle end is distanced from the exterior surface of the front panel of the line module;
• attaching an interior portion of an ejector block to the interior surface of the front panel, proximate to the second side of the front panel, the ejector block having an exterior portion positioned outside of the equipment bay and proximate to the front of the chassis when the line module is installed in the equipment bay of the chassis, the load end of the ejector lever positioned proximate to the exterior portion of the ejector block, the ejector block movable between a neutral position and an ejecting position, the ejector block configured to apply a force to the front of the chassis in a first direction toward the back of the chassis when the ejector block is moved into the ejecting position and contacts the front of the chassis, thereby moving the line module in a second direction away from the back of the chassis, when the load end of the ejector lever has contacted and moved the ejector block into the ejecting position;
• and
• attaching one or more guide pins to the ejector block, the one or more guide pins configured to guide movement of the ejector block between the neutral position and the ejecting position.