Low profile latch activator

• US 20030099094A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Coles, Henry C., Nguyen, Tri, Allen, Joseph R., Vidales, Hector
• Granted Patent: US 6,633,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/726
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1409 by lever-type mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications

Abstract

A technique is provided for coupling and uncoupling modular devices with electronic and computing devices. A latch is coupled to a release member, which operates to release the latch from a mate latch by bending the release member to move the latch laterally away from the mate latch. The release member also may have grips for tool-lessly bending the release member to release the latch from the mate latch, and for removing the desired device. The technique also may embody a modular device having the latch and release member, or it may embody an overall system having the modular device disposed in a receptacle.

Claims

1. An attachment system for a modular component of an electronic device, comprising:

a latch member configured for securing the modular component to the electronic device; and

a flexible release member movably coupled to the latch member, wherein the flexible release member comprises a grip configured for bending the flexible release member to effectuate a movement of the mechanical latch to a released position.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the latch member comprises a flexible portion that is inwardly bendable with bending of the flexible release member.

3. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein the latch member comprises a fixed end and a free end adjacent the flexible portion.

4. The attachment system of claim 3, wherein the latch member is configured for lateral mounting to the modular component.

5. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein the flexible release member is configured for mounting to an accessible side of the modular component.

6. The attachment system of claim 5, wherein the flexible release member is rotatably coupled to the latch member.

7. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the latch member and the flexible release member each comprise a fixed end configured for coupling to adjacent sides of the modular component.

8. The attachment system of claim 7, wherein the latch member and the flexible release member are rotatably coupled at opposite ends from the fixed ends.

9. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the flexible release member is bowable to a substantially curved geometry at the released position.

10. A modular component for a computer system, comprising:

a modular housing comprising an accessible side and a lateral side;

a low profile latch coupled to the lateral side; and

a flexible and graspable release member coupled to the accessible side and movably coupled to the low profile latch.

11. The modular component of claim 10, wherein the modular housing comprises a cooling device.

12. The modular component of claim 10, wherein the modular housing comprises a memory device.

13. The modular component of claim 10, wherein the modular housing comprises electronic circuitry.

14. The modular component of claim 13, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises an electrical plug movably coupled to the modular housing.

15. The modular component of claim 10, wherein the flexible and graspable release member is outwardly bowable.

16. The modular component of claim 15, wherein the low profile latch is inwardly releasable with bowing of the flexible and graspable release member.

17. A method of forming a tool-free connector for modular computing components, comprising:

providing a first flexible member having a latch;

providing a second flexible member having a finger grip; and

rotatably coupling free ends of the first and second flexible members to facilitate release of the latch.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the first flexible member having the latch comprises forming a laterally activated latch mechanism.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the second flexible member having the finger grip comprises forming an outwardly bendable latch release mechanism.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein rotatably coupling free ends comprises facilitating lateral movement of the free ends in response to bending of the second flexible member.