Insertion latch and ejectable pull handle for rack mounted electronic devices

The method of insertion of a computer in a rack mounted computer systems, the method comprising:

• rotating an ejectable pull handle toward a latched position;
• displacing a latch portion of an insertion latch with a displacement arm of the ejectable pull handle during the rotating step;
• and thereby
• compressing a compression member of the insertion latch as the latch portion is displaced by the displacement arm;
• tensioning a tension member of the insertion latch as the latch portion is displaced by the displacement arm;
• and
• moving the latching head into a latched position with the ejectable pull handle by application of restoring forces supplied by the compression member and tension member when the displacement arm of the ejectable pull handle passes a latching head of the insertion latch.

An insertion latch for latching an ejectable pull handle for a rack mounted electronic device, the insertion latch comprising:

• a mounting portion rigidly attached to the electronic device;
• a flexible arm attached to the mounting portion;
• a latching head having a latching face substantially perpendicular to the flexible arm;
• and
• wherein the flexible arm further comprises:
• a compression member spanning the mounting portion and the latching head;
• a tension member spanning the mounting portion and the latching head;
• and
• wherein displacement of the latching head compresses the compression member and tensions to tension member, and a combination of forces supplied by the compression member and tension member return the latching head to a rest position after a displacing force has been removed.

A method of removing a computer from a rack mounted system, the method comprising:

• displacing the latching head of an insertion latch out of a latched position, the latching head in a latched position with a latching portion of an ejectable pull handle;
• compressing a compression member of the insertion latch;
• tensioning a tension member of the insertion latch;
• allowing the ejectable pull handle to move to an intermediate position;
• rotating the ejectable pull handle to remove the computer system from the rack;
• and
• allowing the latching head of the ejectable pull handle to return to a rest position under force supplied by the tension member and the compression member.

A latching system for computers in rack mounted systems, the latching system comprising:

• an ejectable pull handle means for providing mechanical advantage in the insertion and removal of an electronic device;
• and
• an insertion latch means for holding the ejectable pull handle in a latched position when the electronic device is in an inserted position, and wherein the insertion latch means further comprises:
• a mounting means securely attached to the electronic device, the mounting means for securely holding the insertion latch to the electronic device;
• a latching head means for holding the ejectable pull handle means in the inserted position;
• a compression member means for converting displacement of the latching head means into stored compressional energy, the compression member means connecting the latching head means to the mounting means;
• a tension member means for converting displacement of the latching head means into stored tensional energy, the tension member means connecting the latching head to the mounting means;
• and
• wherein when the latching head means is displaced from a rest position to release the ejectable pull handle means, a combination of forces supplied by the compression member means and the tension member means act to return the latching head to the rest position after a displacing force has been removed.