Abstract:
A device for insertion and extraction of printed circuit boards or other components from a device or system such as a network router includes a positionable handle. The handle adjusts in a manner similar to a handle on a c-clamp, and may be repositioned relative to the centerline of a driveshaft of the device. Additionally, the handle may include internal detents that define selectable handle positions. Various handle positions may allow an operator to utilize limited available space and increase the mechanical advantage of the handle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to coupling components and, more specifically, to the coupling of printed circuit boards and other components. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Various electrical devices and computing systems, such as network routers, utilize printed circuit boards or other removable modules. Printed circuit boards generally have one or more connecters that couple with a socket or receptacle. The connectors often include a plurality of discrete elements, such as pins or tabs. Similarly, the socket or receptacle will include a corresponding number of recesses to receive each of the pins or tabs. 
   Properly inserting a printed circuit board into an electrical device can often be a tedious and difficult task. Each individual pin or tab, for example, requires a certain amount of force to properly seat the printed circuit board into the socket. The total force required to seat the printed circuit board or other module includes the cumulative sum of the forces required to seat each individual pin or tab. Thus, as the number of pins or tabs increase, the force required to seat the printed circuit board likewise increases. Similarly, the extraction of printed circuit boards or other devices from such systems often requires a relatively large amount of force, typically about 75-80% of the force required for insertion. 
   To assist in the insertion and extraction of circuit boards and other modules, some systems provide various mechanical aids. Conventional mechanical aids include, for example, levers or threaded members, such as alignment screws. The threaded members are typically attached to the circuit board and align with a corresponding threaded connector coupled with the system. 
   In general, larger mechanical aids may provide a greater mechanical advantage, facilitating easier insertion and extraction of circuit boards or other modules. However, many devices require a plurality of printed circuit boards or other removable modules. For example, a network router may include ten or more removable circuit boards. In order to conserve space, such devices are generally designed to mount printed circuit boards or other removable modules close together. Accordingly, the space surrounding such modules may restrict the size of the mechanical aids and, therefore, the mechanical advantage they provide. 
   In other words, problems associated with these mechanical aids include the practical limits of the amount of force they can apply, the difficulty in manipulating these aides, and placing relatively large aides in small spaces. The same mechanical aids are often used for both insertion and extraction and may have the same problems and drawbacks in either case. 
   SUMMARY 
   In general, the invention relates to a device for assisting in the insertion and extraction of printed circuit boards or other components from a device or system such as a network router. The insertion and extraction device includes a positionable handle to aid in the insertion and extraction of the printed circuit board or other removable module. The positionable handle may allow a user to select a position for the handle that provides adequate mechanical advantage for insertion or extraction of the module, while still enabling a user to manipulate the handle within the available space. 
   The handle may adjust in a manner similar to a handle of a c-clamp. The handle may be repositioned relative to the centerline of a driveshaft of the device, but is operably coupled to the driveshaft as the handle rotates in unison with the driveshaft about the centerline of the driveshaft. The handle may include internal detents that engage the driveshaft and define selectable handle positions. For example, the handle may include three detents: one that centers the handle on the centerline of the driveshaft and one on each end of the handle. The user may select a position for rotation of the driveshaft and handle and return the handle to an original position when rotation is completed. In some cases, the user may select different positions throughout rotation as the available space or needed mechanical advantage changes. 
   In one embodiment, the invention is directed to system comprising a removable electrical component, a fixed receptacle to receive the removable electrical component, and an insertion and extraction device coupled to the removable electrical component. The insertion and extraction device includes a rotatable driveshaft that interacts with the receptacle when rotated for insertion or extraction of the removable electrical component. The insertion and extraction device also includes a handle sized to fit over a proximate end of the driveshaft, wherein the handle is coupled to the driveshaft such that as the driveshaft rotates about its centerline, the handle also rotates about the centerline of the driveshaft, and a slider mechanism that allows the handle to slide along a line substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the driveshaft. 
   In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a device for inserting and extracting a removable electrical component, the device comprising a rotatable driveshaft, a handle sized to fit over a proximate end of the driveshaft, and a slider mechanism. The rotatable driveshaft interacts with a receptacle of a fixed component when rotated for insertion and extraction of the removable electrical component to and from the receptacle. The handle is coupled to the driveshaft such that as the driveshaft rotates about its centerline, the handle also rotates about the centerline of the driveshaft. The slider mechanism allows the handle to slide along a line substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the driveshaft. 
   In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method comprising inserting a distal end of a driveshaft of an insertion and extraction device into a fixed receptacle of a system, sliding a handle of the insertion and extraction device along a line that is substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the driveshaft to select a position of the handle, and rotating the handle and the driveshaft with the handle in the selected position to insert a removable electrical component coupled to the insertion and extraction device into the receptacle. The handle is sized to fit over the proximate end of the driveshaft, and the handle is coupled to the driveshaft such that as the driveshaft rotates about its centerline, the handle also rotates about the centerline of the driveshaft. 
   Embodiments of the invention may provide one or more advantages. For example, embodiments of the invention may provide an insertion and extraction device that includes a handle that may be operated within a limited space with significant leverage. In some embodiments, the handle may be repositioned reliably by virtue of internal detents which receive a driveshaft of an insertion and extraction device. The detents may prevent the inadvertent repositioning of the handle, e.g., due to vibration or gravity. In this manner, embodiments of the invention may provide selectable and reliable positioning of a handle on an insertion and extraction device. Because embodiments of the invention are adaptable to various coupling mechanisms, embodiments of the invention may also provide reverse compatibility with current receptacles for insertion and extraction devices. 
   The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  are perspective and side-view diagram illustrating an example insertion and extraction device with a positionable handle. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a printed circuit board coupled to two insertion and extraction devices with positionable handles. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are conceptual diagrams illustrating a system including a plurality of printed circuit boards inserted into respective receptacles of a device with each printed circuit board including two insertion and extraction devices with positionable handles. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of using an insertion and extraction device with a positionable handle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1A-1D  (collectively “FIG.  1 ”) are perspective and side-view diagrams illustrating an insertion and extraction device  100 , which includes a handle  102 . Specifically,  FIG. 1A  illustrates an exploded perspective view of handle  102  on insertion and extraction device  100 .  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of insertion and extraction device  100 .  FIGS. 1C and 1D  are side views of insertion and extraction device  100  with a driveshaft  110  centered in detents  108 C and  108 B respectively. 
   Insertion and extraction device  100  may be coupled to an electrical component (not shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D ), such as a printed circuit board, of a system (not shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D ), such as network router or other computing device. Insertion and extraction device  100  may be used to insert the component into a fixed receptacle of the system, e.g., a bay or slot. 
   Insertion and extraction device  100  includes driveshaft  110 . Driveshaft  110  fits into a female connector  117 , a receiving mechanism included as part of the receptacle of the system. For example, a receptacle of the system may include a slot sized to hold the electrical component as well as one or more female connectors  117  to receive driveshafts  110 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , driveshaft  110  includes a helical groove  113  at its distal end. Driveshaft  110  forms helical groove  113 . Female connector  117  includes a pin  115  or other assembly that fits within helical groove  113  of driveshaft  110 . When driveshaft  110  is rotated, helical groove  113  may interact with pin  115  to move the component in or out female connector  117 . For example, a helical drive system including a driveshaft with a helical groove is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,655 to Lima et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   Depending on the direction of rotation, rotating driveshaft  110  within female connector  117  either pulls insertion and extraction device  100  into female connector  117 , coupling insertion and extraction device  100  to female connector  117 , or pushes insertion and extraction device  100  from female connector  117 , releasing insertion and extraction device  100  from female connector  117 . While driveshaft  110  uses a helical groove to interact with female connector  117 , other embodiments may use other coupling techniques. For example, in other embodiments, driveshaft  110  may be a simple screw or other rotatable coupling apparatus that combines with a receiving mechanism to attach an electrical component to a system. 
   Handle  102  is sized to fit over a proximal end of driveshaft  110 . Handle  102  includes a pin  104  and a grip component  106 . Pin  104  may be press-fit, glued or otherwise coupled to grip component  106  in order to form handle  102 . Pin  104  fits loosely within hole  112  formed by driveshaft  110  at its proximate end in order to constrain handle  102  to driveshaft  110 . The combination of pin  104  with hole  112  creates a slider mechanism for handle  102  on driveshaft  110 . Because pin  104  fits loosely within hole  112 , the position of handle  102  may be adjusted relative to a centerline  119  of driveshaft  110 . Pin  104  and driveshaft  110  may be formed of metal, polyvinylchloride, plastic, or any of a variety of relatively resilient and/or rigid materials. 
   Grip component  106  of handle  102  forms detents  108 A- 108 C (collectively “detents  108 ”). Detents  108  may facilitate stable positioning of handle  102  on driveshaft  110 . Detents  108  are each capable of firmly holding handle  102  in a secure position on driveshaft  110 . However, an operator may slide handle  102  to a selectable position defined by one of detents  108 . Each detent  108  provides for a single selectable position. Because grip component  106  includes thee detents  108 , handle  102  has three selectable positions relative to driveshaft  110 . Grip components according to the invention may include any number of detents. 
   Grip component  106  may be made from an elastic material and/or may be configured, e.g., with respect to thickness, such that it is elastic. For example, grip component  106  may be a polyvinylchloride or plastic component. The material and configuration for grip component  106  may be selected to hold driveshaft  110  securely within detents  108 , but also allow an operator to select the position of handle  102  by sliding it between two of detents  108 . 
     FIG. 1C  shows detent  108 C over driveshaft  110 . The selectable position provided by detent  108 C gives an operator the maximum available leverage to deliver a torque to driveshaft  110 . Likewise, the selectable position provided by detent  108 A gives an operator the maximum available leverage to deliver a torque to driveshaft  110 , but provides for a different position of handle  102  relative to driveshaft  110 .  FIG. 1D  shows detent  108 B over driveshaft  110 . The selectable position provided by detent  108 B centers handle  102  on driveshaft  110 , but does not provide as much leverage as the positions defined by detent  108 A and  108 C. The different selectable positions of handle  102  may allow an operator select a position that allows the operator to most easily turn driveshaft  110  within a confined space. 
   Insertion and extraction device  100  may be coupled, for example, to a removable printed circuit board or other removable module. The removable printed circuit board or other removable module may be mounted to a system in a manner that does not provide substantial space to use insertion and extraction device  100 . The physical constraints may be such that an operator may need to change the position of handle  102  during the process of rotating driveshaft  110 . In other instances, changing the position of handle  102  may simply result in a more comfortable or convenient position for an operator. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates printed circuit board  200  coupled to insertion and extraction devices  202 A and  202 B (collectively “insertion and extraction devices  202 ”). For example, insertion and extraction devices  202  may be substantially the same as insertion and extraction device  100  in  FIG. 1 . Printed circuit board  200  also includes connectors  204 A and  204 B (collectively “connectors  204 ”) to electrically couple printed circuit board  200  to sockets on a system board (not shown). 
   To couple printed circuit board  200  to a system board, the distal ends of driveshafts  210 A and  210 B (collectively “driveshafts  210 ”) are lined up with a receiving mechanism of the receptacle on the system board. For example, if driveshafts  210  include simple helical screw threads, the corresponding receiving mechanisms on the system board would be screw holes. Other coupling mechanisms are also possible, such as helical groove  113  and female connector  117  described with respect to driveshaft  110  in  FIG. 1 . Once driveshafts  210  are rotated, the interaction of driveshafts  210  with the receiving mechanisms cause printed circuit board  200  to be pulled toward the system board. Once printed circuit board  200  had been pulled far enough, connectors  204  will be fully inserted into sockets on the system board. 
   Insertion and extraction devices  202  include positionable handles  203 A and  203 B (collectively “handles  203 ”). Handles  203  allow an operator to rotate driveshafts  210  to insert or extract printed circuit board  200  from a system. The position of handles  203  may be selected by an operator by simply sliding handles  203  relative to the driveshafts  210 . In this manner, an operator may select the position of handles  203  according to available space or to maximize torque applied to driveshafts  210 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a plurality of printed circuit boards  301  mounted to system  300 . Each of the plurality of printed circuit boards  301  includes a pair of insertion and extraction devices  302 . Specifically,  FIG. 3A  illustrates a system  300  which includes receptacles into which printed circuit boards  301  are inserted or extracted and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a magnified portion of system  300 . For example, receptacle of system  300  include a slot to sized to hold one of printed circuit boards  301  as well as receiving mechanisms to interact with insertion and extraction devices  302 . 
   Printed circuited boards  301  are mounted in close proximity to each other within system  300 . Accordingly, there is little room for an operator to rotate the handle of one of insertion and extraction devices  302  because the handle of another of insertion and extraction device  302 , or another structural feature of system  300 , may interfere with the rotational path of the handle. 
   However, as best shown in  FIG. 3B , an operator can change the position of handles on insertion and extraction devices  302 .  FIG. 3B  includes four insertion and extraction devices  302 , each including one of handles  304 A- 304 D. Handles  304 A- 304 D are shown in various positions relative to driveshafts (not shown) of insertion and extraction devices  302 . For example, handle  304 A is shown in a vertical position, but may be rotated to a centered horizontal position without interfering with adjacent insertion and extraction devices  302 . Likewise, handle  304 B is shown in a vertical position and may be moved to a centered vertical position without interfering with adjacent insertion and extraction devices  302 . Given the positions of handles  304 B and  304 D, handle  304 C may be fully rotated without changing the position of handle  304 C relative to the corresponding driveshaft. In contrast, handle  304 D must be repositioned every half-turn to prevent handle  304 C from interfering with the operation hand  304 D. As shown by these examples, the selectable positions of handles  304 A- 304 D provide an operator with the ability to maneuver insertion and extraction devices  200  within the limited space provided by the design of system  300 . 
     FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating the process of connecting a printed circuit board to a system board with insertion and extraction devices. The process of  FIG. 4  is described with reference to the elements of  FIG. 2 . The process starts when an operator aligns printed circuit board  200  with a receptacle of a corresponding system board ( 402 ). Then, the operator inserts the tip of the each of driveshafts  203  into the receiving mechanism receptacle ( 404 ). If necessary or desired, the operator then moves the handle from a first position to a second position ( 406 ). For example, the operator may be required to adjust the position of the handle due to limited space around the handle. Next, the operator rotates handle  102  ( 408 ) turning driveshaft  110  and moving the printed circuit board assembly  200  towards the system board to couple connectors  204  to sockets of the system board. As part of step  408 , if the available space requires, the operator may be required to change the position of handle  202  relative to driveshaft  210  one or more times. To remove printed circuit board  200  the operator reverses the process illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   Various embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, adjustable handles may include more or less than three detents or even no detents. As another example, detents for a handle could be implemented with features in a slider mechanism rather than in the handle; e.g., there could be grooves in the rod and a spring-loaded plunger in the driveshaft. Additionally, slider mechanisms other than the rod-though-driveshaft-hole design may be used to provide a selectable handle position. 
   These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.