# US 9,992,896 B2 · Detachable crank and slider circuit pack ejector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,992,896 B2 - Document ID: US9992896B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/447,219 - Filed: 2014-07-30 - Published: 2015-06-25 - Granted: 2018-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-20 - Assignees: Flextronics AP, LLC - Applicants: Flextronics Ap, LLC. - Inventors: Mark Fordham; Rick Payne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9992896B2 ## CPC - H05K 7/1409: {by lever-type mechanisms} - G06F 1/186: Securing of expansion boards in correspondence to slots provided at the computer enclosure - H01R 12/7005: {Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors (for printed circuit boards H05K)} - H01R 13/629: Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)} - Y10T 74/18944: Link connections - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A mechanism for connecting a first object, such as a chassis and/or motherboard, to a second object, such as a faceplate and/or daughterboard. A first link may be connected to the first object and a second link may be connected to the second object. The second link may have a slot and the first link may have a pin which is releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link. The pin may be releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot and the pin may not be releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot. The first link may include a first retaining lobe and the second link may include a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mechanism for connecting a first object to a second object comprising: a first link connected to the first object; a second link connected to the second object; a slot disposed on the second link; a pin disposed on the first link and releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link; an elastic device disposed to bias the first link to a default position; wherein the pin is releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot; wherein the pin is not releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot; wherein the first link is located between a first link pivot and the pin, and comprises a first retaining lobe partially surrounding the pin, and the second link is located between a second link pivot and the slot, and comprises a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe; wherein the first link pivot connects the first link to the first object, and the second link pivot connects the second link to the second object; wherein the first retaining lobe is disposed to interlock with the second retaining lobe at the second point of travel; and wherein the second retaining lobe is disposed to partially surround the pin at the second point of travel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first link is connected to the first object by the first link pivot and the second link is connected to the second object by the second link pivot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first object and the second object are forceable together by a latching mechanism on a condition that the slot is connected to the pin and the first link is pivoted about the first link pivot in a first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a lever disposed on the second link and configured to pivot the second link about the second link pivot on a condition that a first force is applied to the lever. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the pin is releasable from the slot on a condition that the pivot is within a first range of travel and wherein the pin is not releasable from the slot on a condition that the pivot is within a second range of travel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the pivot is pivotable between an unlatched position and a latched position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the mechanism is self-retaining on a condition that the pivot is in the latched position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the pivot is pivotable only between the unlatched position and the latched position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a stop disposed to limit a range of motion of the second link. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first object comprises an electrical connector and the second object comprises a counterpart electrical connector disposed to connect with the electrical connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first link is connected to the first object by a first connector, wherein the first connector comprises a pivot, a flexure bearing, or a living hinge; and the second link is connected to the second object by a second connector, wherein the second connector comprises a pivot, a flexure bearing, or a living hinge. ### Claim 12 A method for connecting a first object to a second object comprising: connecting a first link to the first object; connecting a second link to the second object; disposing a slot on the second link; disposing a pin on the first link which is releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link; disposing an elastic device to bias the first link to a default position wherein the pin is releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot; wherein the pin is not releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot; wherein the first link is located between a first link pivot and the pin, and comprises a first retaining lobe partially surrounding the pin and the second link is located between a second link pivot and the slot, and comprises a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe; wherein the first link pivot connects the first link to the first object, and the second link pivot connects the second link to the second object; wherein the first retaining lobe is disposed to interlock with the second retaining lobe at the second point of travel; and wherein the second retaining lobe is disposed to partially surround the pin at the second point of travel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first link is connected to the first object by the first link pivot and the second link is connected to the second object by the second link pivot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first object and the second object are forceable together by a latching mechanism on a condition that the slot is connected to the pin and the first link is pivoted about the first link pivot in a first direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising a lever disposed on the second link and configured to pivot the second link about the second link pivot on a condition that a first force is applied to the lever. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the pin is releasable from the slot on a condition that the pivot is within a first range of travel and wherein the pin is not releasable from the slot on a condition that the pivot is within a second range of travel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the pivot is pivotable between an unlatched position and a latched position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the pivot is self-retaining on a condition that the pivot is in the latched position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the pivot is pivotable only between the unlatched position and the latched position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising disposing a stop to limit a range of motion of the second link. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first object comprises an electrical connector and the second object comprises a counterpart electrical connector disposed to connect with the electrical connector. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first link is connected to the first object by a first connector, wherein the first connector comprises a pivot, a flexure bearing, or a living hinge; and the second link is connected to the second object by a second connector, wherein the second connector comprises a pivot, a flexure bearing, or a living hinge. ### Claim 23 A crank-and-slider mechanism for forcing a first object toward a second object comprising: a crank connected to the first object; a connecting rod connected to the second object; an elastic device disposed to bias the crank to a default position; wherein the connecting rod is connectable to the crank by a pivot; wherein the first object and the second object are slidably connectable on a condition that the connecting rod is connected to the crank and the crank is rotated; wherein the crank is located between a crank pivot and the pivot and comprises a first retaining lobe; wherein the connecting rod is located between a connecting rod pivot and the pivot and comprises a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe; wherein the crank pivot connects the crank to the first object, and the connecting rod pivot connects the connecting rod to the second object; wherein the pivot is separable at a first point of travel of the pivot; and wherein the pivot is not separable at a second point of travel of the pivot; wherein the first retaining lobe partially surrounds the pivot; and wherein the second retaining lobe is disposed to partially surround the pivot at the second point of travel.