# US 7,466,544 B2 · Latching mechanism

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- Number: US 7,466,544 B2
- Document ID: US7466544B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/019,745
- Filed: 2008-01-25
- Published: 2008-05-22
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2005-02-04
- Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
- Inventors: Thomas T. Hardt; Carlos Torres
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466544B2

## CPC

- G06F 1/183: Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for supporting printed circuit boards
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A latch mechanism comprising a frame having an insertion axis therethrough. A first latch spring is disposed on the frame and is biased to an extended position. A handle is connected to the frame and is movable along the insertion axis between a first position and a second position. A first cam is disposed on the handle and moves the first latch spring to a retracted position as the handle moves toward the second position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer system comprising:
a receptacle disposed within a chassis;
a frame slidably insertable into said receptacle along an insertion axis;
a first latch spring disposed on said frame and biased to a position engaged with said receptacle;
a handle connected to said frame;
a first cam disposed on said handle, wherein said first cam moves said first latch spring to a positioned disengaged from said receptacle as said handle is pulled along the insertion axis away from said receptacle; and
a recoil spring operable to bias said handle to a position where said first latch spring can engage said receptacle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, further comprising:
a first electronic component disposed within the chassis; and
a second electronic component connected to said frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The computer system of claim 2, further comprising:
a first connector coupled to said first electronic component and disposed within said receptacle; and
a second connector coupled to said second electronic component and connected to said frame, wherein said first connector couples to said second connector as said frame is inserted into said receptacle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, further comprising:
a second latch spring disposed on said frame, wherein said second latch spring is biased to a position engaged with said receptacle; and
a second cam disposed on said handle, wherein said second cam moves said second latch spring to a positioned disengaged from said receptacle as said handle is pulled along the insertion axis away from said receptacle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The computer system of claim 4, wherein said first latch spring and said second latch spring are disposed on opposite sides of said frame.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The computer system of claim 5, wherein said first cam is disposed on a first side of said handle and said second cam is disposed on a second side of said handle, wherein the first and second sides of said handle are connected by a gripping portion.

### Claim 7

A computer system comprising:
a first electronic component disposed within a chassis;
a receptacle disposed within the chassis;
a second electronic component connected to a frame that is slidable relative to said receptacle along an insertion axis;
means for retaining the frame within said receptacle, wherein said means for retaining engages said receptacle as the frame is inserted into said receptacle along the insertion axis;
a handle connected to the frame, wherein said handle is movable along the insertion axis between a first position and a second position;
means for disengaging said means for retaining as said handle moves toward the second; and
means for biasing said handle to the first position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The computer system of claim 7, further comprising means for coupling said second electronic component to said first electronic component.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The computer system of claim 8, wherein said means for coupling is engaged as the frame is inserted into said receptacle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The computer system of claim 7, wherein said means for disengaging is connected to said handle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The computer system of claim 7, wherein said means for retaining the frame within said receptacle engages two sides of said receptacle.