BEZEL RELEASE LATCH

• US 20030160460A1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Crisp, Richard Andrew, Springer, Bob, LaPree, Scott Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 6,637,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/83
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/06 in which the securing part if formed or carried by a spring and moves only by distortion of the spring, e.g. snaps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/11 Cover fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/37 Push button operators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/63 Finger or hand grip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0898 Cam

Abstract

A release latch includes a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism has a base, and an arm. The arm has one end attached to the base, and a free end. The latch mechanism further has a catch connected to the free end of the arm. The base is adapted to be attached to a first component, and the catch is adapted to releasably engage a second component to releasably hold the first component against the second component. The release latch further includes a release mechanism adapted to be attached to the first component, and being movable relative to the base. When the release mechanism is moved, the release mechanism engages the arm to move the arm, thereby causing the catch to disengage from the second component and allowing the first component to be moved away from the second component.

Claims

1. A release latch, comprising:

a latch mechanism, having;

a base,

an arm having one end attached to said base, and a free end, and

a catch connected to the free end of said arm, said base being adapted to be attached to a first component, and said catch being adapted to releasably engage a second component to releasably hold the first component against the second component; and

a release mechanism adapted to be attached to the first component, and being movable relative to said base, wherein when said release mechanism is moved, said release mechanism engages said arm to move said arm, thereby causing said catch to disengage from the second component and allowing the first component to be moved away from the second component.

2. The release latch defined in claim 1, wherein said catch has a tapered surface that terminates at an apex.

3. The release latch defined in claim 2, wherein said catch further has a step transition between the apex and said arm.

4. The release latch defined in claim 1, wherein said latch mechanism further includes a plurality of guide arms, each being connected to said base.

5. The release latch defined in claim 4, wherein said plurality of guide arms include a first guide arm disposed on one side of said arm, and a second guide arm disposed on another side of said arm.

6. The release latch defined in claim 5, wherein said release mechanism includes a first wing guide and a second wing guide positionable under said first guide arm and said second guide arm, respectively, and wherein when said release mechanism is moved relative to said base, said first and second wing guides and said first and second guide arms cooperatively prevent said release mechanism from twisting.

7. The release latch defined in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism includes a button, and a first wing guide and a second wing guide disposed on opposite sides of said button, said first and second wing guides preventing said release mechanism from twisting when said release mechanism is moved relative to said base.

8. The release latch defined in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism includes a button, and wherein a rear edge of said button engages said arm to move said arm when said release mechanism is moved relative to said base.

9. The release latch defined in claim 8, wherein said release mechanism further includes two guide tabs disposed on the rear edge of said button, said guide tabs being separated from each other by a space, each said guide tab having a tapered edge that faces toward the space, wherein if said button is disposed off-center relative to said arm, when said release mechanism is moved relative to said base, said tapered edges will engage said arm to guide said button so that said arm is disposed in the space, thereby self-centering said button relative to said arm.

10. The release latch defined in claim 8, wherein said release mechanism has a guide rib extending from the rear edge of said button to a front edge of said button.

11. The release latch defined in claim 10, wherein said release mechanism includes a guide finger that projects beyond the front edge of said button, said guide rib terminating at said guide finger.

12. The release latch defined in claim 11, wherein guide finger and said guide rib are centrally located on said button.

13. The release latch defined in claim 1, further comprising a hold down and guide plate attachable to the first component to hold said release mechanism against the first component.

14. The release latch defined in claim 13, wherein said hold down and guide plate includes two spaced-apart guide members, and said release mechanism includes a button and a guide rib extending from a rear edge of said button to a front edge of said button, said guide rib being disposed between said spaced-apart guide members, said guide rib and said guide members cooperating to guide said button in a linear direction.

15. The release latch defined in claim 13, wherein said hold down and guide plate further includes at least one resilient spring arm engaged with said release mechanism.

16. A release latch arrangement, comprising:

a first component;

a second component removably positionable against said first component; and

at least one release latch that secures said first component to said second component, said release latch having;

a latch mechanism that includes;

a base connected to said first component,

an arm having one end attached to said base, and a free end, and

a catch connected to the free end of said arm, said catch being adapted to releasably engage said second component to releasably hold said first component against said second component; and

a release mechanism attached to said first component, and being movable relative to said base, wherein when said release mechanism is moved, said release mechanism engages said arm to move said arm, thereby causing said catch to disengage from said second component and allowing said first component to be moved away from said second component.

17. The release latch arrangement defined in claim 16, wherein said first component comprises a bezel, and wherein said second component comprises a frame.

18. The release latch arrangement defined in claim 17, wherein said bezel has a hole formed in an edge thereof, said release mechanism projecting through the hole to allow access to said release mechanism from an exterior side of said bezel.

19. The release latch arrangement defined in claim 18, wherein said base is connected to an inside surface of said bezel, and wherein said frame has a hole disposed in alignment with said arm when said bezel is positioned against said frame, said catch engaging with an edge defined by the hole when releaseably holding said bezel to said frame, said catch being disengaged from the edge defined by the hole when said release mechanism has engaged said arm and moved said arm.

20. The release latch arrangement defined in claim 19, wherein said at least one release latch comprises first and second release latches, each being disposed on opposing edges of said bezel.

21. A computer, comprising:

a system frame adapted to contain electrical components, said system frame having an opening that provides access to the electrical components;

a removable bezel positionable to cover the opening; and

at least one release latch that secures said bezel to said system frame, said release latch having;

a latch mechanism that includes;

a base connected to an inside surface of said bezel,

an arm having a one end attached to said base, and a free end, and

a catch connected to the free end of said arm, said catch being adapted to releasably engage said system frame to releasably hold said bezel against said system frame; and

a release mechanism attached to said bezel, and being movable relative to said base, wherein when said release mechanism is moved, said release mechanism engages said arm to move said arm, thereby causing said catch to disengage from said system frame and allowing said bezel to be moved away from said system frame.