Modular housing for computer system

In a system having first and second modules having cooperating pin and socket connector portions disposed along respective first and second walls, an improved latching mechanism for effecting engagement of said pin and socket connector portions while bringing respective external surfaces of said first and second walls into contact with one another comprising:

• a plurality of hooking members carried on said second wall and having respective camming surfaces in spaced facing relationship to said second external surface;
• an elongate shroud carried on said second wall and surrounding said second connector portion;
• a rotary latch pivotally mounted to said second wall for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said second external surface;
• portions of said first wall being formed with apertures corresponding to said hooking members and sized to accommodate said hooking members when said first and second external surfaces approach one another;
• portions of said first wall being formed with an elongate opening sized commensurately with said elongate shroud and surrounding said first connector portion;
• a latch bar having camming portions corresponding to said hooking members;
• carriage means for mounting said latch bar to said first wall to allow reciprocation of said latch bar between a first accommodating position wherein said latch bar does not obstruct said apertures in said first wall and a second capturing position wherein said camming portions cover at least portions of said apertures;
• said camming portions of said latch bar cooperating with said camming surfaces on said hooking members so that movement of said latch bar from said first position to said second position causes said first and second external surfaces to be drawn into contact with one another and causes said first and second connector portions to engage one another;
• and
• means associated with said latch bar and said rotary latch for converting rotary motion of said rotary latch to reciprocal motion of said latch bar, said means for converting becoming operable when said hooking members enter said apertures, said means for converting defining opposite engaging and disengaging rotational senses for said rotary latch.

A module for use in a computer system, said module having opposed first and second walls with complementary pin and socket connector portions disposed therealong, comprising:

• a plurality of hooking members carried on an exterior surface of said second wall and having respective camming surfaces in spaced facing relationship to said exterior surface;
• an elongate shroud carried on the exterior of said second wall and surrounding said second connector portion;
• a rotary latch pivotally mounted to said second wall for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said second wall;
• portions of said first wall being formed with apertures corresponding to said hooking members and sized to accommodate similarly spaced and configured hooking members on an additional module;
• portions of said first wall being formed with an elongate opening sized commensurately with said elongate shroud and surrounding said first connector portion;
• a latch bar having camming portions corresponding to said hooking members;
• carriage means for mounting said latch bar to said first wall to allow reciprocation of said latch bar between a first accommodating position wherein said latch bar does not obstruct said apertures in said first wall and a second capturing position wherein said camming portions cover at least portions of said apertures;
• said camming portions of said latch bar being operable to cooperate with camming surfaces on similarly configured hooking members passing through said apertures so that movement of said latch bar from said first position to said second position causes an additional module carrying said similarly configured hooking members to be drawn into contact with said first wall and causes a connector portion on said additional module configured like said second connector portion to engage said first connector portion;
• and
• means associated with said latch bar and said rotary latch for converting rotary motion of a similarly configured rotary latch to reciprocal motion of said latch bar, or for converting rotary motion of said rotary latch to reciprocal motion of a similarly configured latch bar, said means for converting defining opposite engaging and disengaging rotational senses for said rotary latch.

A housing for a module in a computer system, said housing comprising:

• opposed first and second walls;
• a plurality of hooking members carried on an exterior surface of said second wall and having respective camming surfaces in spaced facing relationship to said exterior surface;
• portions of said first wall formed with apertures corresponding to said hooking members and sized to accommodate similarly spaced and configured hooking members;
• a latch bar having camming portions corresponding to said hooking members;
• carriage means for mounting said latch bar to said first wall to allow movement of said latch bar between a first accommodating position wherein said latch bar does not obstruct said apertures in said first wall and a second capturing position wherein said camming portions cover at least portions of said apertures;
• said camming portions of said latch bar cooperating with said camming surfaces on similarly configured hooking members passing through said apertures so that movement of said latch bar from said first position to said second position causes an additional module carrying said similarly configured hooking members to be drawn into contact with said first wall;
• and
• manually actuable means for effecting said movement of said latch bar or of a similarly configured latch bar.