Compact PCI ejector latch

An eject/inject latch for electronic component board, being mountable to a face plate thereon, comprising:

• a pawl suitable for engaging a keeper;
• a handle connected to said pawl for operating said pawl;
• camming means for guiding said handle in a rotary motion sequentially about two separate pivot points, and for guiding said pawl in a rotary and then in a longitudinal motion, said camming means having a base supporting said pawl and said handle, said base including a pair of spaced apart plates connectable to said component board faceplate, each base plate having a plurality of slots;
• and
• a detachable alignment block connectable to said latch once said latch is mounted to said faceplate.

An injector latch for a PCI board, said PCI board having a faceplate, comprising:

• a base member mountable on said faceplate;
• a faceplate extension having projecting tabs with a slot in each tab, each said tab slot being abutted to said base member;
• an alignment block connectable to said base member;
• a claw-shaped pawl carried on said base member for engagement with a keeper;
• and
• a handle carried on said base member and operable to move said pawl
• wherein said pawl rotates and then laterally withdraws from said keeper as said handle is operated for the latch opening operation.

An injector-ejector latch, comprising:

• a base member;
• a pawl connected to said base member for engaging a keeper position;
• and
• a handle connected to said pawl and said base member, said handle being rotatably operable from a closed position to a fully open position;
• wherein as said handle is rotated about a first pivot point from said closed position to a position intermediate before said fully open position whereby said handle causes said pawl to rotate from a first closed position to a second intermediate position;
• and
• wherein as said handle is thereafter rotated about a second pivot position from said handle intermediate position to said fully open position, whereby said handle causes said pawl to laterally retract from said keeper position, said pawl rotation and lateral retraction motions being separate and sequential.

An injector-ejector latch, comprising:

• a base member carrying an arc slot opening, an L-shaped slot opening, and a first and second elongated pivot openings;
• a pawl connected to said base member;
• a handle connected to said pawl and said base member, being rotatably operable between a closed and fully open positions, wherein as said handle rotation reaches an intermediate position between closed and fully open, said handle causes said pawl to rotate from a first closed position to a second position, and as said handle is rotated from said intermediate position to said fully open position, said handle causes said pawl to laterally retract to complete said eject function;
• wherein said pawl has a first pivot pin including a tear-drop shaped lobe, said pawl first pivot pin engaging said base member L-shaped slot opening, and a second pivot pin engaging said base member second elongated pivot opening.