초록 ▼

An improved housing (15, 17) and associated latching mechanism that render practicable the implementation of a completely modular computer system. The latching mechanism effects simple positive engagement and disengagement of the pin and socket connectors (22, 20) as respective outer surfaces of a f

An improved housing (15, 17) and associated latching mechanism that render practicable the implementation of a completely modular computer system. The latching mechanism effects simple positive engagement and disengagement of the pin and socket connectors (22, 20) as respective outer surfaces of a first wall (25) on a first module housing (15) and a second wall (27) on a second module housing (17) are brought together or separated. The second wall (27) carries a plurality of hooking members (30) which pass through corresponding apertures (32) in the first wall (25) and are captured and restrained by a reciprocable latch bar (50) inside the first housing (15). A rotary latch (37) engages the latch bar (50) such that actuation of a handle (40) on the rotary latch (37) causes reciprocation of the latch bar (50) between a first accommodating position and a second capturing position. The hooking members (30) have respective camming surfaces (48) in spaced facing relationship to the external surface of the second wall (27) while the latch bar (50) is formed with complementarily configured camming surfaces (53) spaced and located so as to engage the camming surfaces (48) on the hooking members (30) when the latch bar (50) moves towards its capturing position. The hooking members (30) are distributed over the surface so that the modules (10, 12) are drawn together in a direction that minimizes sideways forces on the pins in the connector (22).

대표청구항 ▼

In a system having first and second modules having cooperating pin and socket connector portions disposed along respective first and second walls, an improved latching mechanism for effecting engagement of said pin and socket connector portions while bringing respective external surfaces of said fir

In a system having first and second modules having cooperating pin and socket connector portions disposed along respective first and second walls, an improved latching mechanism for effecting engagement of said pin and socket connector portions while bringing respective external surfaces of said first and second walls into contact with one another comprising: a plurality of hooking members carried on said second wall and having respective camming surfaces in spaced facing relationship to said second external surface; portions of said first wall being formed with apertures corresponding to said hooking members and sized to accommodate said hooking members when said first and second external surfaces approach one another; a latch bar having camming portions corresponding to said hooking members; carriage means for mounting said latch bar to said first wall to allow movement of said latch bar between a first accommodating position wherein said latch bar does not obstruct said apertures in said first wall and a second capturing position wherein said camming portions cover at least portions of said apertures; said camming portions of said latch bar cooperating with said camming surfaces on said hooking members so that movement of said latch bar from said first position to said second position causes said first and second external surfaces to be drawn into contact with one another; and manually actuable means for effecting said movement of said latch bar, said means for effecting being operable at least when said hooking members enter said apertures.