Patent ID: 6848662
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: E05C,F16B,G06F

Abstract:
1. A system for securely latching a device in a support frame, the device being removable from the frame in an upstream direction and insertable into the frame in a downstream direction, said system comprising: at least one latching member having a release button projecting outwardly from a sidewall of the support frame, said sidewall being generally oriented parallel to said upstream and downstream directions; said at least one latching member being adapted to pivot about a corresponding latch pivot axis defined on an exterior portion of said support frame parallel to said sidewall, said latching member having a latch pin downstream from said latch pivot axis for latching said device in said support frame, said latch pin extending upwardly and inwardly into an interior of said support frame for removably engaging a corresponding latch recess on said device downstream from said latch pivot axis; and at least one spring operatively coupled between said support frame and the release button of said latching member, upstream from said latch pivot axis and having a spring restoring force causing the latch pin to rotate upwardly and inwardly toward the interior of said support frame to securely engage said corresponding latch recess, wherein said latch pin of the latching member is arranged to automatically rotate further upwardly and inwardly into the interior of said latch recess in response to a removal force being applied to the device generally in said upstream direction while the latch pin is still engaged within the latch recess, and to thereby enhance said spring restoring force to provide a clamping force sufficient to overcome said removal force, such that the device may not be removed from the frame without damage to the latching member, the frame, or the device.