Ejector latch assembly and system for securing a board within a frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10206302-B2
Application number	US-201715833371-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2017
Priority date	Dec 8, 2016
Publication date	Feb 12, 2019
Grant date	Feb 12, 2019

Abstract

Ejector latch assemblies for securing a board within a frame and a computer assembly using the ejector latch assembly are disclosed. An ejector latch assembly includes a base and a handle pivotably coupled to the base. The handle includes a first handle segment, a second handle segment and a release structure. The first handle segment is coupled to the base. The base is coupled to a board. The first handle segment is pivotable relative to the base between a closed and an open position. The first handle segment is coupled to the second handle segment. The second handle portion is pivotable relative to the first handle segment between an extended and a retracted position. The release structure is movable between an engaged and a released position. When in the engaged position, the release structure prevents pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An ejector latch assembly configured for securing a board within a frame, the ejector latch assembly comprising:
a base configured to be coupled to a board; and
a handle mounted to the base, the handle having:
a first handle segment having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the base, the first handle segment being pivotable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position,
a second handle segment having a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the proximal end, portion of the first handle segment, the second handle segment being pivotable relative to the first handle segment between an extended position and a retracted position without movement of the first handle segment, and
a release structure operatively engaged with both the first handle segment and the second handle segment, the release structure movable between an engaged position in which the release structure prevents pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment and a released position in which the release structure does not prevent pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment,

the first handle segment and the second handle segment being positioned such that access to the board is increased when the first handle segment is maintained in the closed position and the distal end portion of the second handle segment is pivoted relative to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment toward the retracted position, while the board is secured within the frame.

2. The ejector latch assembly of claim 1 , the release structure comprising a button movable between an extended position in which the release structure is in the engaged position and a depressed position in which the release structure is in the released position.

3. The ejector latch assembly of claim 2 , the release structure further comprising a shaft movable between an engaged position and a depressed position the shaft being biased toward the engaged position and movable toward the released position by depression of the button, wherein the release structure is in the released position when the button is depressed.

4. The ejector latch assembly of claim 3 , the release structure further comprising a spring positioned to bias the shaft toward the engaged position.

5. The ejector latch assembly of claim 3 , the shaft having an end portion shaped to prevent rotational movement of the shaft relative to the handle when the shaft is in the engaged position and to permit rotational movement of the shaft relative to the handle when the shaft is in the depressed position.

6. The ejector latch assembly of claim 2 , wherein the button is oriented for movement along a depression axis and the distal end portion of the second handle segment pivots relative to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment about the depression axis.

7. The ejector latch assembly of claim 1 , the release structure comprising an actuator movable between a first position in which the release structure is in the engaged position and a second position in which the release structure is in the released position.

8. The ejector latch assembly of claim 7 , the actuator including a lever pivotally mounted to the first handle segment or the second handle segment of the handle, the lever being movable between an engaged position and a pivoted position in which the release structure is in the released position, the lever being biased toward the engaged position and movable toward the pivoted position by pivoting the lever relative to the first handle segment or the second handle segment of the handle.

9. The ejector latch assembly of claim 8 , the release structure further comprising a spring positioned to bias the lever toward the engaged position.

10. The ejector latch assembly of claim 8 , the lever having an end portion shaped to prevent pivotal movement of the first handle segment relative to the second handle segment when the lever is in the engaged position and to permit pivotal movement of the first handle segment relative to the second handle segment when the lever is in the pivoted position.

11. The ejector latch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the lever is oriented for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and the distal end portion of the second handle segment pivots relative to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment about the pivot axis.

12. A computer assembly comprising:
a frame;
a board supported by the frame; and
an ejector latch assembly securing the board within the frame, the ejector latch assembly including
a base configured to be coupled to a board; and
a handle mounted to the base, the handle having
a first handle segment having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the base, the first handle segment being pivotable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position,
a second handle segment having a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment, the second handle segment being pivotable relative to the first handle segment between an extended position and a retracted position without movement of the first handle segment, and
a release structure operatively engaged with both the first handle segment and the second handle segment, the release structure movable between an engaged position in which the release structure prevents pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment and a released position in which the release structure does not prevent pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment;

the first handle segment and the second handle segment being positioned to increase access to the board when;
the first handle segment is maintained in the closed position, and
the distal end portion of the second handle segment is pivoted relative to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment toward the retracted position.

13. The computer assembly of claim 12 , comprising plural ejector latch assemblies securing the board within the frame.

14. The computer assembly of claim 12 , the board comprising a PCB.

15. A computer assembly comprising:
a frame;
a board supported by the frame; and
an ejector latch assembly securing the board within the frame, the elector latch assembly including
a base configured to be coupled to a board; and
a handle mounted to the base, the handle having
a first handle segment having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the base the first handle segment being pivotable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position,
a second handle segment having a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion of the first handle segment, the second handle segment being pivotable relative to the first handle segment between an extended position and a retracted position when the first handle segment is in the closed position, and
a release structure operatively engaged with both the first handle segment and the second handle segment, the release structure movable between an engaged position in which the release structure prevents pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle and a released position in which the release structure does not prevent pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment;

the first handle segment and the second handle segment being positioned to increase access to the board when:
the first handle segment is maintained in the closed position,
and the distal

Assignees

• Southco

Inventors

• Liao Xiaoying

Classifications

• G06F1/18

  Packaging or power distribution · CPC title

• H05K5/023

  Handles; Grips · CPC title

• G06F1/183

  Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for supporting printed circuit boards · CPC title

• G06F1/185

  Mounting of expansion boards · CPC title

• H05K7/1417 Primary

  having securing means for mounting boards, plates or wiring boards (H05K7/1461 takes precedence) · CPC title