Abstract:
In some examples, an apparatus comprises a latch positionable among a plurality of positions including a first position to prevent opening of a first panel and a second panel of a device, a second position to enable opening of the first panel and prevent opening of the second panel, and a third position to enable opening of the second panel, and a detent to resist motion of the latch to the third position responsive to the latch moving to the second position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/885,616, filed Oct. 16, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/127,961, filed Dec. 19, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,311, which is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/US2011/042524, filed Jun. 30, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Portable devices such as notebook/laptop computers can include housing panels to access internal compartments of the portable device. For example, a notebook computer can have a service door to access a battery, and a service door to access random access memory (RAM). Latches or tool-operated fasteners to access the internal portions of the portable device can increase the visual and physical complexity of the housing, as well as the difficulty in accessing internal components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a latch and panels of  FIG. 6A  in greater detail. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a computing system including a latch and panels according to an example. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart based on operation of a latch and panels according to an example. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    The present examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Portable devices can include housing panels for independently accessing portions of the portable device. However, it is desirable to improve the aesthetics and efficiency of construction and operation of the access panels for the portable device. Furthermore, it is desirable that informational labels, if concealed behind a panel, are accessible without the use of tools. A latch is provided that is operable without the use of tools, and that provides multiple functions to independently and/or simultaneously release or retain panels that are installable on the portable device for accessing compartments or other portions of the portable device. The latch can include multiple positions, can be biased toward or away from a position, and can include a detent associated with a position and/or a transition. Thus, the latch can provide an efficient and visually pleasing solution to independently access multiple portions of a portable device. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computing system  100  including a latch and panels according to an example. Computing system  100  can be a laptop or notebook computer, or other portable device such as a netbook or tablet. Computing system  100  includes a housing  104 . Access to portions of computing system  100  can be provided by using removable first panel  106  and removable second panel  108 . First panel  106  and second panel  108  are independently secured to housing  104  of computing system  100  by latch  110 . Elements of the various figures are not shown to scale, and latch(es) or panel(s) can be of any size, orientation, or configuration. In an example, housing  104  includes compartments for a battery, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state disk (SSD), memory such as random access memory (RAM), and various types of expansion cards such as wireless networking or Bluetooth expansion cards. 
         [0017]    It may be desirable to access one compartment more frequently than another. 
         [0018]    For example, it may be desirable to frequently access the battery compartment to swap out the battery, and infrequently access the memory compartment to upgrade the memory. Thus, the battery compartment can be associated with first panel  106  for frequent access, and the memory compartment can be associated with second panel  108  for infrequent access. Latch  110  can provide varying degrees of accessibility to the first panel  106  and second panel  108 , as set forth below. Components more likely to be upgraded can be associated with panels having a higher degree of accessibility, and components less likely to be upgraded can be associated with panels having a lower degree of accessibility. 
         [0019]    Latch  110  includes an idle position  112 , a first position  114 , and a second position  116 . Each position can be associated with a function, such as releasing or retaining a panel. Latch  110  can be slidable, rotatable, pivotable, depressible, or otherwise movable from one position to another. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , latch  110  is slidable between the idle position  112  and first position  114 , and pivotable between the first position  114  and the second position  116 . Thus, three separate positions and associated functions are available using latch  110 . 
         [0020]    Furthermore, associating different motions to different latch positions can be useful to prevent accidental movement from one latch position to another. The sliding motion of latch  110  from the idle position  112  is terminated upon reaching the first position  114 , because the latch is not further slidable to the second position  116 . Thus, a user is provided with intuitive feedback as to the operation of the latch, avoiding accidental operation and instilling confidence that the desired latch operation/position was achieved without accidentally opening a panel that was not intended to be opened. Other techniques can be used to avoid accidental latch movements from one latch position to another, such as increased resistance, detents, and other mechanisms to avoid movement and/or to provide feedback to avoid movement. 
         [0021]    Latch  110  is disposed in second panel  108 , such that removal of second panel  108  includes removal of latch  110 . Latch  110  also can be disposed in housing  104  or elsewhere on computing system  100 . A benefit of including latch  110  in a panel is that the latch  110  can be replaced with replacement of the associated panel, if the latch  110  is broken, for example. 
         [0022]    Latch  110  is operable by hand, without the use of tools, to remove multiple panels of computing system  100 . Accordingly, informational labels can be placed under the protection of first panel  106  and second panel  108  such that the labels are accessible without the use of tools. Furthermore, the multi-position, multi-function latch  110  reduces a need for multiple latches on computing system  100 , avoiding visual clutter and decreased aesthetics associated with multiple latches and/or fasteners. Thus, computing system  100  can retain a sleek and minimalist appearance while providing multiple independently operable access panels. A single latch also can provide benefits regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other disability requirements, because the latch  110  can be operated with one hand to remove a panel. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a computing system  200  including a latch and panels according to another example. Housing  204  includes first panel  206 , second panel  208 , and latch  210 . Latch  210  includes an idle position  212  and a first position  214 . 
         [0024]    Latch  210  can include a bias  216 , to bias the latch  210  toward the idle position  212 . Accordingly, latch  210  assumes the idle position  212  by default, and will return to the idle position  212  when released in the first position  214 . Bias  216  can be provided by a spring or other biasing mechanism. 
         [0025]    First panel  206  includes a stop  218  and retention mechanism  220  (four retention mechanisms are illustrated). Stop  218  is illustrated as a finger-like extension from first panel  206  to a position under the first position  214  of latch  210 . Thus, stop  218  can interact with operation of latch  210 , preventing transition from one position to another. For example, stop  218  can prevent latch  210  from pivoting from the first position  214  to a second position (e.g., second position  116  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). Stop  218  can be adapted to prevent other types of transitions, e.g., transitions involving sliding, depressing, rotating, or other movements. Stop  218  can be associated with other positions, including idle position  212  and additional positions not illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    Stop  218 , illustrated as a finger-like extension of first panel  206 , extends into a region of second panel  208  and an operational area of latch  210 . Thus, because stop  218  is a part of first panel  206 , stop  218  can be removed with removal of first panel  206 . Accordingly, stop  218  can prevent latch  210  from transitioning from first position  214  to a second position, until the first panel  206  is removed along with stop  218 . In alternate embodiments, stop  218  can be part of housing  204 , second panel  208 , or other components of computing system  200 . For example, stop  218  can be mounted to housing  204  to react to the presence and absence of first panel  206 . Thus, removal or installation of first panel  206  is communicated to the stop  218 , and stop  218  can be selectively positioned to affect operation of latch  210 . Stop  218  can be positioned to selectively limit the number of available positions and functions associated with latch  212 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , stop  218  has enabled latch  210  to operate as a two-position latch by blocking pivoting (or depressing) of latch  212  from first position  214  to a second position (e.g., second position  116  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). Removing stop  218  from the operational path of latch  210 , such as by removing first panel  206 , enables latch  210  to operate with additional positions and functions. 
         [0027]    Retention mechanism  220  can include a hook portion  222  and a slide portion  224  to slidably position and retain first panel  206  in housing  204 , although other mechanisms are possible for retaining first panel  206 . Retention mechanism  220  is compatible with operation of latch  210 , such that first panel  206  is secured when switch  210  is in the idle position  212 . First panel  206  is removable when the latch  210  is in the first position  214 , enabling the first panel  206  to be moved in a downward direction (as oriented in  FIG. 2 ) to align hook  222  with slide  224  to disengage first panel  206  from housing  204 . Retention mechanism  220  also can be used to retain second panel  208  or additional panels, although other mechanisms are possible for retaining panels. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computing system  300  including a latch and panels according to another example. Computing system  300  includes housing  304 , first panel  306 , second panel  308 , third panel  310 , and latch  312 . Latch  312  includes idle position  314 , first position  316 , second position  318 , and third position  320 . 
         [0029]    Latch  312  can slide between idle position  314 , first position  316 , and second position  318 . Latch  312  can pivot between second position  318  and third position  320 . As illustrated, latch  312  includes bias  322  to bias latch  312  from third position  320  toward second position  318 . Bias  322  also provides a resistance to stabilize the latch  312  from pivoting into the third position  320  when in the second position  318 . 
         [0030]    Latch movement and positions can be associated with detents to provide varying resistance to movement and audible and/or tactile feedback. For example, detent  324  can be associated with second position  318  and third position  320  along a pivot. Detent  326  and detent  328  can be associated with idle position  314 , first position  316 , and second position  318  along a slidable path. Detents can indicate when the latch  312  is aligned with a position, or when it departs from alignment with a position. Similarly, detents can be used with other latch configurations, such as when the latch  312  is pivotable, rotatable, depressible, or otherwise movable. 
         [0031]    Computing system  300  can include stops (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) similar to stop  218  of  FIG. 2  and associated with transitions of latch  312  from one position to another. For example, a first stop associated with first panel  306  can prevent the latch  312  from transitioning from first position  316  to second position  318  until the first panel  306  is removed. Similarly, a second stop associated with second panel  308  can prevent the latch  312  from transitioning from second position  318  to third position  320  until the second panel  308  is removed. 
         [0032]    Latch  312  can provide multiple functions and positions, while using stops to selectively provide simple and intuitive initial usability. Additional positions, usability, and functionality are available as stops are removed from the operational path of latch  312  (e.g., when a panel associated with a stop is removed). 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computing system  400  including a latch and panels according to yet another example. Computing system  400  includes housing  404 , first panel  406 , second panel  408 , third panel  410 , and latch  412 . Latch  412  is located on a surface of housing  404 , although latch  412  can be located in any of first panel  406 , second panel  408 , or third panel  410 . Latch  412  may also be located on a side of housing  404 , i.e., on a different plane than first panel  406 , second panel  408 , and third panel  410 . In alternate embodiments, latches and/or panels also can be positioned on a side, top, or other surface of computing system  400 . 
         [0034]    Latch  412  includes idle position  414 , first position  416 , second position  418 , and third position  420 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , first position  416 , second position  418 , and third position  420  are associated with a single independent movement of latch  412  from idle position  414 . Thus, each position of latch  412  can be reached from the idle position  414  without requiring operation through another position. Latch  412  is movable between positions such that latch  412  is depressible between idle position  414  and third position  420 , and latch  412  is slidable between idle position  414 , first position  416 , and second position  418 . Alternate modes of operation are possible, such as rotating, pivoting, etc. 
         [0035]    Latch  412  can be biased toward a default position. As illustrated, bias  422  biases latch  412  from third position  420  to idle position  414 . Bias  424  biases latch  412  from first position  416  to idle position  414 . Bias  426  biases latch  412  from second position  418  to idle position  414 . Thus, latch  412  assumes the default idle position  414  when released. 
         [0036]    A latch position can be associated with a function for sequential operation. For example, idle position  414  can retain first panel  406 , second panel  408 , and third panel  410 . First position  416  can release first panel  406  and retain second panel  408  and third panel  410 . Second position  418  can release second panel  408  and retain first panel  406  and third panel  410 . Third position  420  can release third panel  410  and retain first panel  406  and second panel  408 . 
         [0037]    A latch position can be associated with multiple functions for parallel operation. For example, idle position  414  can retain first panel  406 , second panel  408 , and third panel  410 . First position  416  can release first panel  406  and retain second panel  408  and third panel  410 . Second position  418  can release first panel  406  and second panel  408 , and retain and third panel  410 . Third position  420  can release first panel  406 , second panel  408 , and third panel  410 . Additional combinations of sequential and/or parallel operations/positions are possible, and latch  412  can include detent(s) associated with latch positions and/or transitions. 
         [0038]    At least one stop can be used with the panels and transitions between positions. For example, in alternate examples, a first panel stop can be positioned between the idle position  414  and the second position  418 . A second panel stop can be positioned between the idle position  414  and the third position  420 . Operation of latch  412 , using first and second panel stops described above, is selectively limited to the idle position  414  and the first position  416  by the first panel stop until the first panel  406  (and associated first panel stop) is removed. Similarly, operation of latch  412 , in an alternate example using first and second panel stops, is selectively limited to idle position  414 , first position  416 , and second position  418  by the second panel stop until removal of the second panel  408 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. First panel  506  and second panel  508  are associated with latch  510 . First panel  506  includes first panel retention mechanisms  520 , panel arm  540 , and first panel stop  518 . Second panel  508  includes second panel retention mechanisms  530  and latch  510 . 
         [0040]    Latch  510  includes a latch cutout  542 , latch axle  544 , and latch arm  548 . Latch  510  may be slidable between idle position  514  and first position  512 . Latch  510 , and/or second panel  508 , may include a latch housing to support and guide latch  510 , to facilitate positioning of latch  510 . Latch  510  and/or the latch housing may include a track  546  associated with latch axle  544 . Latch arm  548  is to interact with an element of a computer housing (e.g., housing arm  860  illustrated in  FIG. 8 ), to retain second panel  508  (e.g., while latch  510  is in idle position  514  and first position  512 ). 
         [0041]    Latch  510  in the idle position  514  retains first panel  506  with respect to second panel  508 . Latch cutout  542  engages panel arm  540  such that panel arm  540  is retained when latch  510  is in the idle position  514 . Latch  510  may be biased toward the idle position  514 . Latch  510 , and/or panel arm  540 , may include curved or slanted portions that cooperate with each other during installation of first panel  506 . First panel retention mechanisms  520 , second panel retention mechanisms  530 , and first panel stop  518  may include similar slanted/curved surfaces to facilitate interactions. Latch  510  may be displaced from the idle position  514  by the slanted portions of latch  510  and panel arm  540  contacting each other when first panel  506  is moved toward second panel  508 . When the first panel  506  is in place, the latch  510  can snap back into place at the idle position  514 , with latch cutout  542  accommodating and retaining a portion of panel arm  540 . Latch  510  may slide back and forth between idle position  514  and first position  512  in the presence of first panel stop  518 . First panel stop  518  may prevent latch  510  from being pivoted about latch axle  544 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. First panel  606  and second panel  608  are associated with latch  610 . First panel  606  includes first panel retention mechanisms  620 , panel arm  640 , and first panel stop  618 . Second panel  608  includes second panel retention mechanisms  630  and latch  610 . 
         [0043]    Latch  610  includes a latch cutout  642 , latch axle  644  associated with track  646 , and latch arm  648 . Latch  610  may be slidable between idle position  614  and first position  612 . Latch arm  648  is to interact with an element of a computing system housing (e.g., housing arm  860  illustrated in  FIG. 8 ), to retain second panel  608  with respect to the computing system housing. Latch  610  is shown in first position  612 , allowing latch cutout  642  to disengage panel arm  640 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the latch and panels of  FIG. 6A  in greater detail. Latch  610  is displaced from the idle position  614  and is shown in the first position  612 . Panel arm  640  is disengaged from latch cutout  642 , and first panel  606  is separated from second panel  608  such that first panel retention mechanisms  620  may allow removal of first panel  606  from a computing system. Second panel  608  is retained by second panel retention mechanisms  630 , with sliding movement of second panel  608  prevented by latch arm  648  interacting with, e.g., housing arm  860  (not shown in  FIG. 6B , see  FIG. 8 ). Latch arm  648  is shown resting on a raised portion of a latch housing support wall, leaving a gap to accommodate, e.g., housing arm  860  (as shown in  FIG. 9  regarding housing arm  960 ). 
         [0045]    An extent of slidable movement of latch  610  may be constrained by latch axle  644  sliding in track  646 , and may also be constrained by a cutout in second panel  608  and/or by a latch housing raised support wall(s). Latch  610  may be movable such that latch cutout  642  can move out of the way of panel arm  640 , allowing removal of first panel  606 . Panel stop  618  may prevent pivoting of latch  610 , and may prevent pivoting regardless of a position of latch  610  between idle position  614  and first position  612 . Removal of first panel  606  (and associated panel stop  618 ) enables the latch  610  to be pivoted. Latch  610  may be biased about the axle  644  to a non-pivoted position, and may be biased along the slidable path to the idle position  614 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a latch and panels according to an example. Panel arm  740  is disengaged and first panel  706  is separated from second panel  708 , such that first panel  706  and first panel retention mechanisms  720  may be removed from a computing system, and panel stop  718  is not positioned to constrain the pivoting of latch  710 . Latch  710 , including axle  744  within track  746 , is shown displaced from the idle position  714  to the first position  712 . Latch  710  is also shown pivoted about axle  744  to the second position  716 . Latch arm  748  is pivoted into a disengaged position, such that second panel  708  and second panel retention mechanisms  730  may be removed from a computing system. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a computing system  800  including a latch and panels according to an example. Housing  804  of computing system  800  is shown including retention mechanism slides  850 , to interact with first panel retention mechanisms  820  and second panel retention mechanisms  830 . Housing  804  includes a housing arm  860  to interact with a latch arm (not visible, see latch arm  748  shown in  FIG. 7 ). Housing arm  860  can enable the latch arm to engage and retain a portion of the housing  804 . Thus, the second panel  808  is prevented from sliding with respect to the housing  804  to disengage second panel retention mechanisms  830  from housing  804 , preventing removal of second panel  808  from housing  804  unless latch  810  is in the second position  816 . 
         [0048]    Latch  810  is shown displaced into the first position  814  and pivoted into the second position  816 . First panel  806  is removed from housing  804 , such that panel arm  840  and panel stop  818  are not in contact with latch  810 . Latch  810  includes a latch stop  812 . Latch stop  812  may prevent the latch  810  from being pivoted into the second position  816 , even when first panel  806  is removed and/or when panel stop  818  is not in contact with latch  810 . When latch  810  is displaced from an idle position to the first position  814 , latch  810  can clear the latch stop  812  and be pivoted into the second position  816  when first panel  806  and panel stop  818  is removed. In alternate examples, panel stop  818  may be omitted entirely. Thus, latch stop  812  may prevent latch  810  from being pivoted from the idle position, even when first panel  806  is removed (and when panel stop  818  is omitted). 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a computing system  900  including a latch and panels according to an example. Housing  904  of the computing system  900  is shown including retention mechanism slides  950 , to interact with first panel retention mechanisms  920  and second panel retention mechanisms  930 . Second panel  908  is shown retained on housing  904 . Housing arm  960  is in contact with and retained by latch arm  948 . Thus, the second panel  908  is prevented from sliding with respect to the housing  904 , and second panel retention mechanisms  930  are engaged within corresponding retention mechanism slides  950 . First panel  906  is shown removed such that panel arm  940  and panel stop  918  are not in contact with latch  910 . 
         [0050]    Latch  910  is shown displaced into the first position  914  to allow removal or installation of first panel  906 . Latch arm  948  is engaged with housing arm  960 , regardless of the displacement of latch  910  between the idle position  912  and the first position  914 . Latch  910  may be slidably displaced by the action of the slanted portion of cutout  942  and panel arm  940 . Similarly, latch  910  may be pivotally displaced by the action of the slanted portion of latch arm  948  and housing arm  960 . The latch  910  may be biased slidably and pivotally toward the idle position  912 . For example, a spring associated with latch track  946  may slidably bias the latch axle  944 , and a spring positioned around the latch axle  944  may pivotally bias the latch  910 . Thus, second panel  908  may be installed on housing  904  and retained by latch  910  without a need to manipulate latch  910 . Similarly, first panel  906  may be installed on housing  904  and retained by latch  910  without a need to manipulate latch  910 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Second panel  908  may be installed by inserting the second panel retention mechanisms  930  upward into corresponding retention mechanism slides  950 , and then sliding second panel  908  toward housing arm  960  to allow latch arm  948  of latch  910  to engage and retain housing arm  960 . First panel  906  may be installed by inserting the first panel retention mechanisms  920  upward into corresponding retention mechanism slides  950 , and then sliding first panel  906  toward second panel  908  to allow panel arm  940  to engage and be retained by latch  910 . 
         [0051]    In alternate examples, a location of latch arm  948  and housing arm  960  may be repositioned with respect to the latch  910 , and may take other forms. For example, the latch arm  948  and housing arm  960  may be repositioned on latch closer toward the first position  914 , on an opposite side of the latch axle  944 . Housing arm  960  may be a tab instead of an arm. Thus, instead of the latch arm  948  having a downward facing hook that pivots upward to disengage housing arm  960 , the example alternate latch arm would include an upward facing hook to engage a repositioned housing arm, such that the alternate latch arm would pivot downward with the latch  910  to disengage the repositioned housing arm. 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart  1000  based on operation of a latch and panels according to an example. In step  1010 , a plurality of removable panels are retained on a computing system in response to a latch being positioned in an idle position. In step  1020 , a first panel is released and a second panel is retained in response to the latch being positioned in a first position. In step  1030 , the second panel is released in response to the latch being positioned in a second position. 
         [0053]    The breadth and scope of the present features should not be limited by any of the above-described examples, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.