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A modular electronic system including a mechanism for releasably securing a modular device within a chassis, and for facilitating insertion and removal of the modular device. One embodiment provides a modular device that includes a handle secured to opposing pivotable lever arms. A follower pin secu

A modular electronic system including a mechanism for releasably securing a modular device within a chassis, and for facilitating insertion and removal of the modular device. One embodiment provides a modular device that includes a handle secured to opposing pivotable lever arms. A follower pin secured to one end of the lever arms rides in a slot defined by the chassis. The slot is arranged so that pulling upward on the handle moves the follower pin in one direction along the slot to urge the modular device in a direction further into the device bay, and pushing downward on the handle urges the modular device in a direction out of the device bay, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the user. When the modular device is fully inserted, retractable locking members provided on the modular device move into windows provided on the chassis, to releasably lock the modular device in the device bay. A module release mechanism includes a release plate that moves into engagement with a sloped or ramped surface of the locking members in response to squeezing the handle. Engagement of the release plate with the ramped surface moves the locking members inward and out of the windows on the chassis, to unlock the modular device from the device bay.

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What is claimed is: 1. A modular electronic system, comprising: a chassis having a device bay including a first connector a modular device configured for insertion in the device bay, the modular device having a second connector for mating with the first connector upon insertion of the modular devic

What is claimed is: 1. A modular electronic system, comprising: a chassis having a device bay including a first connector a modular device configured for insertion in the device bay, the modular device having a second connector for mating with the first connector upon insertion of the modular device into the device bay, wherein the modular device is guided by the device bay to substantially align the first connector with the second connector; one or more retractable locking members disposed on the modular device and one or more respective windows on a chassis wall, wherein the retractable locking members are biased into the respective windows upon insertion of the device into the device bay to releasably lock the modular device within the device bay; and a module release mechanism including a release plate slidably positioned between the modular device and the chassis wall and an actuator coupled to the release plate, wherein the actuator is operable by hand to selectively unlock the modular device from the device bay by moving the release plate into engagement with the locking members to retract the locking members from the respective windows. 2. The modular electronic system of claim 1, further comprising: a lever arm pivotally coupled to the device module about a lever arm pivot axis; a handle secured to the lever arm and spaced from the pivot axis; a follower pin secured to the lever arm and spaced from the pivot axis in a direction away from the handle; and a guide provided on the chassis for receiving the follower pin, such that the follower pin rides along guide as the lever arm is pivoted about the pivot axis, to assist moving the modular device within the device bay. 3. The modular electronic system of claim 2, wherein the actuator of the module release mechanism further comprises an actuator arm pivotally coupled to the release plate about an actuator pivot axis, and wherein movement of the actuator arm to unlock the modular device substantially aligns the actuator arm pivot axis with the lever arm pivot axis. 4. The modular electronic system of claim 3, further comprising: a grip member generally parallel with a body of the handle and secured to the actuator arm, such that the grip member is movable by hand toward the body of the handle for unlocking the modular device from the device bay. 5. The modular electronic system of claim 4, wherein the body of the handle comprises a cavity for at least partially receiving the grip member. 6. The modular electronic system of claim 1, wherein the one or more locking members comprise an axially moveable pin with an engagement surface angled with respect to a direction of movement of the release plate, such that engaging the release plate with the engagement surface retracts the pins. 7. The modular electronic system of claim 1, wherein the modular device is selected from the group consisting of a modular power supply, a server, and a server support module. 8. The modular electronic system of claim 1, further comprising a panel of connectors that includes the first connector, wherein the first connector is in electronic communication with other connectors on the panel. 9. The modular electronic system of claim 8, wherein the panel comprises a midplane or a backplane. 10. A modular electronic system, comprising: a modular device and a chassis having a device bay configured for removably receiving the modular device, the device bay including a first connector for mating with a second connector on the modular device upon insertion of the modular device into the device bay, wherein the device bay constrains the modular device to substantially align the first connector with the second connector; a lever arm pivotally coupled to the device module about a lever arm pivot axis; a handle secured to the lever arm and spaced from the pivot axis; a follower pin secured to the lever arm and spaced from the pivot axis in a direction away from the handle; and a guide provided on the chassis for receiving the follower pin, such that the follower pin rides along the guide as the lever arm is pivoted about the pivot axis, to assist moving the modular device within the device bay. 11. The modular electronic system of claim 10, further comprising: one or more retractable locking members disposed on the modular device and one or more respective windows on a chassis wall, wherein the retractable locking members are biased into the respective windows upon insertion of the device into the device bay to releasably lock the modular device within the device bay; and a module release mechanism including a release plate slidably positioned between the modular device and the chassis wall and an actuator coupled to the release plate, wherein the actuator is operable by hand to selectively unlock the modular device from the device bay by moving the release plate into engagement with the locking members to retract the locking members from the respective windows. 12. The modular electronic system of claim 11, wherein the actuator of the module release mechanism further comprises an actuator arm pivotally coupled to the release plate about an actuator pivot axis, and wherein movement of the actuator arm to unlock the modular device substantially aligns the actuator arm pivot axis with the lever arm pivot axis. 13. The modular electronic system of claim 12, further comprising: a grip member generally parallel with a body of the handle and secured to the actuator arm, such that the grip member is movable by hand toward the body of the handle for unlocking the modular device from the device bay. 14. The modular electronic system of claim 13, wherein the body of the handle comprises a cavity for at least partially receiving the grip member. 15. The modular electronic system of claim 12, wherein the one or more locking members comprise an axially moveable pin with an engagement surface angled with respect to a direction of movement of the release plate, such that engaging the release plate with the engagement surface retracts the pins. 16. The modular electronic system of claim 11, wherein the modular device is selected from the group consisting of a modular power supply, a server, and a server support module. 17. The modular electronic system of claim 10, further comprising a panel of connectors that includes the first connector, wherein the first connector is in electronic communication with other connectors on the panel. 18. The modular electronic system of claim 17, wherein the panel comprises a midplane or a backplane.