Dual position latch apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9521769-B2
Application number	US-201414459531-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2014
Priority date	Aug 14, 2014
Publication date	Dec 13, 2016
Grant date	Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

A latch apparatus is provided with a dual action mechanism that can either pivot a cam hook from a first side of the apparatus for securing a sub-chassis into a chassis of laterally extend a component lock from a second side of the apparatus for securing a component within the sub-chassis. A single rotary actuator may be rotated in a first rotational direction to pivot the cam hook to an extended position and move the component lock to a retracted position, and rotated in a second rotational direction to pivot the cam hook to a retracted position and move the component lock to an extended position. The latch apparatus may include one or more of the dual action mechanisms actuated by the single actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a sub-chassis slidably receivable within a chassis bay, the sub-chassis including a sub-chassis bay for slidably receiving a component, and the sub-chassis further including a latch apparatus;
the latch apparatus comprising:
a rigid structure secured along a proximal edge of the sub-chassis;
an actuator having a fixed position relative to the rigid structure and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to the sub-chassis, wherein the actuator has an accessible head portion for manual rotation and a threaded portion;
a coupling bracket threadably engaging the threaded portion of the actuator and constrained to longitudinal translational movement, the coupling bracket having a horizontal member with a lateral slot;
a cam hook having a proximal end, a distal hook end and a central portion pivotally coupled to the rigid structure, wherein the cam hook is constrained to pivoting about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position extending the distal hook end outward and forward relative to a first lateral side of the rigid structure to engage the chassis bay and secure the sub-chassis within the chassis bay;
a component lock coupled to the rigid structure and constrained to lateral translational movement between a retracted position and an extended position extending a lock arm from a second lateral side of the rigid structure to engage the component and secure the component within the sub-chassis bay, the component lock having a longitudinal slot; and
a vertically extending pin coupled with the proximal end of the cam hook, extending through the lateral slot in the horizontal member of the coupling bracket, and extending through the longitudinal slot in the component lock;
wherein rotation of the actuator in a first rotational direction pivots the cam hook to the extended position and moves the component lock to the retracted position, and wherein rotation of the actuator in a second rotational direction pivots the cam hook to the retracted position and moves the component lock to the extended position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the actuator in the first rotational direction causes the coupling bracket to translate in a distal longitudinal direction, and wherein rotation of the actuator in the second rotational causes the coupling bracket to translate in a proximal longitudinal direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the actuator is parallel to an insertion direction for inserting the sub-chassis into the chassis bay.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling bracket includes a second horizontal member with a lateral slot, the latch apparatus further comprising:
a second cam hook having a proximal end, a distal hook end and a central portion pivotally coupled to the rigid structure, wherein the second cam hook is constrained to pivoting about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position extending the distal hook end outward and forward relative to the first lateral side of the rigid structure to engage the chassis bay and secure the sub-chassis within the chassis bay;
a second component lock coupled to the rigid structure and constrained to lateral translational movement between a retracted position and an extended position extending a lock arm of the second component lock from the second lateral side of the rigid structure to engage the component and secure the component within the sub-chassis bay, the second component lock having a longitudinal slot; and
a second vertically extending pin coupled with the proximal end of the second cam hook, extending through the lateral slot in the second horizontal member of the coupling bracket, and extending through the longitudinal slot in the second component lock;
wherein rotation of the actuator in a first rotational direction pivots the second cam hook to the extended position and moves the second component lock to the retracted position, and wherein rotation of the actuator in a second rotational direction pivots the second cam hook to the retracted position and moves the second component lock to the extended position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first and second horizontal members are on opposites sides of the coupling bracket with the actuator between the first and second horizontal members.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an access door hinged to the rigid structure to selectively cover and access the head portion of the actuator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the latch apparatus is secured to a lower proximal corner of the sub-chassis.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cam hooks convey a mating force from the actuator to the chassis in order to complete a connection between the chassis and sub-chassis.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the component includes one or more servers.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the component is a drawer containing multiple electronic devices.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accessible head portion includes a recess configured to receive a screwdriver.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , the latch apparatus further comprising:
first and second bushings secured to the rigid structure and rotatably securing the actuator.

13. A latch apparatus comprising:
a rigid structure securable along a proximal edge of a sub-chassis;
an actuator having a fixed position relative to the rigid structure and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to the sub-chassis, wherein the actuator has an accessible head portion for manual rotation and a threaded portion;
a coupling bracket threadably engaging the threaded portion of the actuator and constrained to longitudinal translational movement, the coupling bracket having a horizontal member with a lateral slot;
a cam hook having a proximal end, a distal hook end and a central portion pivotally coupled to the rigid structure, wherein the cam hook is constrained to pivoting about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position extending the distal hook end outward and forward relative to a first lateral side of the rigid structure;
a component lock coupled to the rigid structure and constrained to lateral translational movement between a retracted position and an extended position extending a lock arm from a second lateral side of the rigid structure, the component lock having a longitudinal slot; and
a vertically extending pin coupled with the proximal end of the cam hook, extending through the lateral slot in the horizontal member of the coupling bracket, and extending through the longitudinal slot in the component lock;
wherein rotation of the actuator in a first rotational direction pivots the cam hook to the extended position and moves the component lock to the retracted position, and wherein rotation of the actuator in a second rotational direction pivots the cam hook to the retracted position and moves the component lock to the extended position.

14. The latch apparatus of claim 13 , wherein rotation of the actuator in the first rotational direction causes the coupling bracket to translate in a distal longitudinal direction, and wherein rotation of the actuator in the second rotational causes the coupling bracket to translate in a proximal longitudinal direction.

15. The latch apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the coupling bracket includes a second horizontal member with a lateral slot, the latch apparatus further comprising:
a second cam hook having a proximal end, a distal hook end and a central portion pivotally coupled to the rigi

Assignees

• Lenovo Entpr Solutions Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Howell Steven E
• Mcgregor Michael I
• Sassano Camillo
• Schott Jared E

Classifications

• H05K7/1488

  Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures · CPC title

• H05K5/0221 Primary

  Locks; Latches · CPC title