Removable module with spring latch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10165696-B1
Application number	US-201715673616-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 10, 2017
Priority date	Aug 10, 2017
Publication date	Dec 25, 2018
Grant date	Dec 25, 2018

Abstract

An electronic module for engaging an electronic equipment enclosure may include a module body having a front face, at least one electronic device in the module body, and a resilient sheet-metal member connected to the module body. The resilient sheet-metal member may have a face portion substantially coextensive in area with the front face of the module body and may have a tab portion substantially perpendicular to the face portion. The tab portion may include a catch portion configured to engage a portion of the enclosure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic module for engaging an electronic equipment enclosure, comprising:
a module body having a front face;
at least one electronic device coupled to the module body; and
a resilient sheet-metal member connected to the module body, the resilient sheet-metal member having a face portion substantially coextensive in area with the front face of the module body, having a tab portion resiliently connected to and substantially perpendicular to the face portion, and having a skirt portion resiliently connected to and surrounding a periphery of the face portion and extending substantially perpendicularly to the face portion, the skirt portion comprising a plurality of skirt fingers with notches separating the plurality of skirt fingers from each other, the tab portion extending from only one of the skirt fingers and having a catch portion, the catch portion having an edge substantially parallel to the face portion, the edge configured to engage a portion of the electronic equipment enclosure.

2. The electronic module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic device comprises a fan.

3. The electronic module of claim 2 , wherein the face portion has a multiplicity of airflow perforations.

4. The electronic module of claim 1 , wherein the catch portion comprises a bump.

5. The electronic module of claim 4 , wherein the bump is semi-domed-shaped, and an opening through the resilient sheet-metal member defines a planar region of the semi-domed-shaped bump.

6. The electronic module of claim 1 , wherein the front face of the module body comprises a front of a faceplate having a central opening aligned with a region of the airflow perforations.

7. The electronic module of claim 6 , further comprising a handle connected to the faceplate, the handle at least partly enclosing the tab portion.

8. An electronic module for engaging an electronic equipment enclosure, comprising:
a faceplate;
a fan coupled to the faceplate; and
a resilient sheet-metal member connected to the faceplate, the resilient sheet-metal member having a face portion substantially coextensive in area with the faceplate and having a tab portion resiliently connected to and substantially perpendicular to the face portion, the tab portion having catch portion defining an edge substantially parallel to the face portion, the face portion having a multiplicity of airflow perforations, the faceplate having a central opening aligned with a region of the airflow perforations; and
a handle connected to the faceplate, the handle at least partly enclosing the tab portion.

9. The electronic module of claim 8 , wherein the resilient sheet-metal member has a skirt portion resiliently connected to and surrounding a periphery of the face portion and extending substantially perpendicularly to the face portion.

10. The electronic module of claim 9 , wherein the tab portion extends from the skirt portion.

11. The electronic module of claim 10 , wherein the catch portion comprises a bump.

12. The electronic module of claim 11 , wherein the bump is semi-domed-shaped, and an opening through the resilient sheet-metal member defines a planar region of the semi-domed-shaped bump.

13. The electronic module of claim 12 , wherein:
the skirt portion comprises a plurality of skirt fingers with notches separating the plurality of skirt fingers from each other; and
the tab portion extends from only one of the skirt fingers.

Assignees

• Adtran Inc

Inventors

• Blasingame Clinton R
• Childers Joseph Wesley
• Browning Benjamin C

Classifications

• H05K5/0208

  Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof · CPC title

• H05K5/0221 Primary

  Locks; Latches · CPC title

• H05K5/0213

  Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof · CPC title

• H05K5/0247

  Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring · CPC title

• H05K5/0204

  Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings · CPC title