Abstract:
A chassis has a module bay and a module is movably mounted to extend from and retract into the bay. A latch is mounted on the module and includes a movable portion mounted to extend from and retract into the module. A catch member is mounted on the latch and is actuated by the movable portion of the latch to extend into engagement with the chassis in response to the movable portion being retracted into the module.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosures herein relate generally to computer systems and more particularly to a latch cartridge used in such systems. 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     Latch cartridges can be used to reliably attach modules into notebook computers, desktop computers and servers. 
     Push/push latches can be found on cabinets, PCMCIA card cages, and ballpoint pens. Some modules require two hands to extract them, i.e. one hand retracts the latch on the system while the other hand pulls the module out of the system. The location of the latch in some instances is not visible to the user, which creates usability issues. 
     The latch cartridge should be compatible with all modules. The latch cartridge&#39;s operation should be intuitive to the user and enable the user to remove the module with one hand. Also, the latch cartridge should allow the module to be inserted when the latch is in the extended or normal position. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a latch cartridge that the user can remove with one hand, and that minimizes part count to reduce cost, complexity and weight. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment, accordingly, provides a module including a latch. The latch includes a first portion fixedly mounted on the module. A second portion of the latch is movably mounted on the first portion to extend from and retract into the module. A catch is mounted on the first portion and is movable by the second portion to extend and retract in response to retraction and extension, respectively, of the second portion. 
     A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the module carries a push-pull latch for one-handed operation which permits the module to be retracted into and extended from a host chassis. The latch also actuates a catch which secures the module in the host chassis. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a computer system. 
     FIG.  2 . is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a portable computer. 
     FIG. 3 is another isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a portable computer. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a module including a push-pull latch. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are inverted perspective views illustrating an embodiment of the latch. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views illustrating an embodiment of the latch in retracted and extended positions, respectively. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the latch. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of the latch. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial view illustrating an embodiment of a pin guide path. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a movable portion of the latch. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     In one embodiment, computer system  10 , FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a portable, notebook size computer designated  26  comprising a self-contained system, such as that illustrated at  10  in FIG. 1, and including a hinged top or lid  28 , FIG. 2, rotatable about a hinge or hinges  30 , from a nested position N, with a horizontal base  32 , to a substantially vertical or open position V. Opening of the notebook computer  26  reveals a plurality of keys  36  on base  32 , and a monitor screen  40  mounted in lid or top  28 . A touchpad or other input  42  is mounted in a palmrest area  44  adjacent keys  36 . 
     A plurality of module bays  46   a ,  46   b  and  46   c  are provided in base  32  and are provided to accommodate various modules  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c , respectively, such as those used for hard drives, floppy drives, CD ROM&#39;s, DVD&#39;s and batteries. A latch  50  is mounted on each module  48   a  to  48   c , and for brevity, only the module  48   a  will be discussed in detail. Module  48   a  is movably mounted to extend from and retract into the bay  46   a . The latch  50 , FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a first portion  52  fixedly mounted on the module  48   a . A second portion  54  of the latch  50  is movably mounted on the first portion  52  to extend from and retract into the module  48   a . A catch  56  is mounted on the first portion  52  and is movable by the second portion  54  as will be discussed below in greater detail. 
     Module  48   a , FIG. 4, includes a carrier body  58  having a connector  60  at a first end  61  and a bezel  62  at a second end  64 . Bezel  62  is flush with an outer surface of base  32  when module  48   a  is retracted into its respective bay  46   a  as discussed above. Latch  50  is also flush with bezel  62  when latch  50  is retracted into module  48   a  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Also, when second portion  54  of latch  50  is retracted, catch  56  is in an extended position E for engagement with base  32 . 
     Latch  50 , FIGS. 5A and 5B, includes the first portion  52 , the second portion  54  and the catch  56 . The first portion  52  is fixedly mounted in module  48   a  by means of a fastener (not shown) attached to an aperture  65 . It can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 6A, that when the second portion  54  is retracted, FIGS. 5A and 6A, the catch  56  is extended to position E. However, when the second portion is extended, FIGS. 5B and 6B, the catch is retracted to a position R. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates latch  50  including the first portion  52 , the second portion  54  and a retainer  66  for first portion  52 . First portion  52  and second portion  54  are resiliently engaged by means of a suitable resilient member  68  which may include a spring retained on a dowel  70  extending from first portion  52  and also retained in a recess  72  formed in second portion  54 . First portion  52  includes a guide  74  for guiding a path of travel for an end portion  75  of a pin  76  mounted in second portion  54 . First portion  52  also includes a cantilever arm  78  which carries the catch  56  and which also carries a tab  80  attached to the catch  56 . 
     The path of travel for end portion  75  of pin  76  is illustrated at P in FIG. 8 and a portion of path P is further illustrated in FIG.  9 . End portion  75  moves along path P as indicated by directional arrows Al, is arrested in a recess  82  when second portion  54  is retracted, and then moves further along path P as indicated by directional arrows A 2  when second portion  54  is extended. The cycle is repeated for each extension and retraction. 
     Second portion  54 , FIG. 10, includes a groove  84  for guiding movement of the tab  80 , FIG. 7, of first portion  52 . Tab  80  is positioned at position A in groove  84  when second portion  54  is retracted which extends catch  56  to position E as discussed above. However, tab  80  is positioned at position B in groove  84  when second portion  54  is extended, which retracts catch  56  to position R as discussed above. 
     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiment may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.