Sequentially actuated mating mechanism (samm)

A method of mounting a tray in a rack, the method comprising:

• inserting the tray into the rack, wherein the tray includes an assembly comprising:
• a plurality of subassemblies, each subassembly of the plurality of subassemblies including one or more support members configured to respectively receive one or more electrical connectors, and
• an actuator configured to drive the plurality of subassemblies;
• and
• rotating a shaft coupled to the actuator and the plurality of subassemblies in a first rotational direction over a first angular distance over which the plurality of subassemblies move together.

A drive mechanism, comprising:

• a housing comprising a first side and a second side;
• at least one shaft;
• an engagement feature on a first end of a shaft of a shaft of the at least one shaft and extending from the first side of the housing;
• a keyed element on a second end of a shaft of the at least one shaft and extending from the second side of the housing;
• and
• a set of gears coupling the first end of a shaft to the second end of the shaft,
• wherein the keyed element is configured to receive a keyed element having a surface contour different than the engagement feature.