Mechanical latch mechanism for combination portable transceiver and charging unit

A latch mechanism for the charging unit of a combination portable transceiver and charging unit, comprising:

• a housing mounted inside the charging unit, said housing defining a receptacle arranged for receiving the portable transceiver along an axis of insertion;
• a first mating connector adapted to interconnect in a mating fashion with a second mating connector on said portable transceiver, said first mating connector lying longitudinally perpendicular to the axis of insertion of the portable transceiver;
• and
• a latch means operably connected to said first mating connector for effecting an electrical connection between the portable transceiver and the charging unit by mating of the first connector with said second connector perpendicularly to the axis of insertion of the portable transceiver upon proper seating of the portable transceiver into said receptacle, said latch means further for effecting electrical disconnection between the portable transceiver and the charging unit by decoupling of said first and second mating connectors, said latch means including a mechanical advantage means for providing a greater mechanical advantage during a predetermined amount of the initial movement of said first and second mating connectors during disconnection thereof as compared to subsequent movement.

A latch mechanism for the charging unit of a combination portable transceiver and charging unit having an axis of insertion, comprising:

• a housing;
• a first mating connector adapted to interconnect in a mating fashion with a second mating connector on said, portable transceiver said first mating connector lying longitudinally perpendicular to the axis of insertion of the portable transceiver;
• and
• a latch means operably connected to said first mating connector for effecting an electrical connection between the portable transceiver and the charging unit by mating of the second mating connector with said first mating connector perpendicularly to the axis of insertion of the portable transceiver into the charging unit upon seating of the portable transceiver into a receiving receptacle in the charging unit, said latch means accomplishing mating by application of a predetermined fixed coupling force to said first and second mating connectors, said predetermined fixed coupling force being independent of the insertion force used to seat the portable transceiver into the charging unit.