Spring-latching circuit module injector/ejector
AssigneeForce10 Networks, Inc.
InventorDonald Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lever assembly for use with electronic modules has a handle lever with a self-sprung cantilevered handle section. The cantilevered handle section can be flexed with respect to the non-cantilevered portion of the handle lever during module insertion to automatically engage a catch that prevents the handle lever from inadvertently or accidentally being released and unseating the module. Once the flexing force is removed, compression of the handle section remains at the catch, such that the handle section continues to apply leverage force in the closure direction to hold the module securely in place.
Claims21
An electronic module comprising:
- a module chassis;
- at least one lever assembly having
- a stationary support secured to the module chassis, and
- a handle lever secured to the stationary support so as to allow rotation of the handle lever relative to the stationary support, the handle lever having a self-sprung cantilevered handle section and a leverage face to hold the module chassis in an equipment chassis when the handle lever is in a closed position,
- the stationary support and self-sprung cantilevered handle section having complementary features that engage to hold the handle lever in the closed position when the handle lever is in the closed position and the cantilevered handle section is flexed in the direction of closure.
A method of positioning an electronic module in an equipment chassis, the method comprising:
- leveraging a rotatable handle lever in a closure direction to seat the module in the chassis;
- applying an external flexing force to a self-sprung cantilevered handle section of the handle lever in the closure direction to automatically engage a catch that holds the self-sprung cantilevered handle section in compression, such that leverage force in the closure direction continues to be applied by the handle lever after the external flexing force is relaxed.
A lever assembly comprising:
- a stationary support;
- and
- a handle lever secured to the stationary support so as to allow rotation of the handle lever relative to the stationary support, the handle lever having a self-sprung cantilevered handle section and a leverage face;
- the stationary support and self-sprung cantilevered handle section having complementary features that engage to hold the handle lever in a closed position when the handle lever is in the closed position and the cantilevered handle section is flexed in the direction of closure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.