Enhanced panel latch

A panel latch, comprising:

• at least one generally U-shaped, flexible latch member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg via the base portion, said flexible latch member further having a latch portion and a stop member disposed on the first leg, said latch portion being separated from the stop member to accommodate therebetween at least two separate parts that are to be latched together;
• a first handle attached to the first leg;
• and
• a second handle attached to the second leg, the second handle and the first handle being movable toward each other, thereby causing the flexible latch member to flex so that the latch portion and the stop member are shifted in a direction toward the second leg to allow the two parts to be unlatched from each other,
• wherein said latch portion is disposed on the first leg in a region toward the base portion, and said stop member is disposed on the first leg in a region toward the first handle, and
• wherein said at least one flexible latch member comprises a first and a second flexible latch member arranged parallel to each other, and separated from each other by a space.

A panel latch, comprising:

• at least one generally U-shaped, flexible latch member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg via the base portion, said flexible latch member further having a latch portion and a stop member disposed on the first leg, said latch portion being separated from the stop member to accommodate therebetween at least two separate parts that are to be latched together;
• a first handle attached to the first leg;
• a second handle attached to the second leg, the second handle and the first handle being movable toward each other, thereby causing the flexible latch member to flex so that the latch portion and the stop member are shifted in a direction toward the second leg to allow the two parts to be unlatched from each other;
• and
• a generally U-shaped, rigid latch retaining member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg of the latch retaining member via the base portion of the latch retaining member, said first leg of said latch retaining member having a free end disposed adjacent to said first handle, and separated from said first handle by a space, said second leg of said latch retaining member having a second end attached to said second handle, wherein said first leg of said latch retaining member has a catch member and a stop member disposed thereon in a region of the free end to accommodate and retain therebetween only one of the at least two separate parts that are to be latched together, and wherein when the first handle and the second handle are moved toward each other, a shape of the latch retaining member remains essentially unchanged.

A panel latch, comprising:

• at least one flexible latch member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg via the base portion, said flexible latch member further having a latch portion and a stop member disposed on the first leg, said latch portion being separated from the stop member to accommodate therebetween at least two separate parts that are to be latched together, said first and second legs being flexible so as to allow the latch portion and the stop member to be shifted in a direction toward the second leg to allow the two parts to be latched to, and unlatched from, each other;
• and
• a rigid latch retaining member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg of the latch retaining member via the base portion of the latch retaining member, said first leg of said latch retaining member having a free end, said second leg of said latch retaining member having a second end connected to said flexible latch member, said first leg of said latch retaining member having a catch member and a stop member disposed thereon in a region of the free end to accommodate therebetween only one of the at least two separate parts that are to be latched together, said rigid latch retaining member being engaged with the only one of the at least two separate parts, when the at least two separate parts are latched to, and unlatched from, each other.

A computer, comprising:

• a frame adapted to contain electrical components, said frame having an opening that provides access to the electrical components;
• a removable shield panel positionable to cover the opening so as to attenuate electromagnetic radiation emissions from within the frame;
• and
• a panel latch that automatically latches the removable shield panel to the frame, including:
• a flexible latch member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg attached to the first leg via the base portion, said flexible latch member further having a latch portion and a stop member disposed on the first leg, said latch portion being separated from the stop member to accommodate therebetween the frame and the shield panel, said first and second legs being flexible so as to allow the latch portion and the stop member to be shifted in a direction toward the second leg to allow the frame and the shield panel to be latched to, and unlatched from, each other;
• and
• a rigid latch retaining member having a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg having an end attached to an end of the first leg of the latch retaining member via the base portion of the latch retaining member, said second leg of said latch retaining member having a further end connected to said flexible latch member, said first leg of said latch retaining member having a free end, and a catch member and a stop member disposed in a region of the free end to accommodate therebetween only the shield panel, said latch retaining member being engaged with the shield panel when the shield panel and the frame are latched to and unlatched from, each other.