초록 ▼

Racks of modules especially useful for retaining disk drives, tape drives, controllers, computers and the like are fabricated via use of tower building blocks. Each block contains a latch arrangement for securing it to another block, a base unit or a cap unit with the latch effecting interlocking of

Racks of modules especially useful for retaining disk drives, tape drives, controllers, computers and the like are fabricated via use of tower building blocks. Each block contains a latch arrangement for securing it to another block, a base unit or a cap unit with the latch effecting interlocking of the blocks so as to form a sturdy assembled structure. Power and/or electrical communication lines are provided in each block with power passing through one vertical array of blocks and electrical communications passing through the other so as to reduce the need for shielding one from the other. An arrangement of alignment pins and mating receptacle holes in conjunction with selected placement of sliding latch elements can facilitate proper coupling of blocks which have similar electrical path boards therein. Spring elements contained in the latch configuration can include biasing to overcome tolerance build-up and plastic creep from repeated and long term usage.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In an apparatus for securely stacking equipment modules between a pair of blocks wherein each block includes at least one panel with a latch element slidably mounted thereto with the latch element having fingers which mate with receiving structure in another panel of anot

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In an apparatus for securely stacking equipment modules between a pair of blocks wherein each block includes at least one panel with a latch element slidably mounted thereto with the latch element having fingers which mate with receiving structure in another panel of another block for establishing a stacked relation between those blocks with the latch element moving in response to an actuator, an improvement comprising:at least one flexible member attached to said slidable latch and having an arm extending therefrom;said panel having at least one elongated spring means held at two spaced points in suspended relation therebetween and at least one stub positioned in spaced relation with respect to said spring means intermediate of said two spaced points; andmounting means arranged for introducing said flexible member arm into the space between said stub and said elongated spring means whereby the coupling between said slidable latch and said panel is maintained under a bias closure force.