Patent Abstract:
A retractable locking mechanism comprising: a lever having a handle end opposite a rotation end and a pivot point positioned between the handle end and the rotation end such that the lever pivots about an axis of rotation of the lever; a first cam positioned on the rotation end of the lever; an actuator with a front end and a back end, the front end attached to the pivot point of the lever; a lock disposed adjacent to the actuator and the lock having a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation of the lock; a second cam attached to the lock for bearing on the back end of the actuator; and wherein pivoting the lever moves the actuator along a plane of the actuator to contact and rotate the second cam such that the lock is disposed in one of a locked state and an unlocked state.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Locking mechanisms can be utilized to secure a variety of modules or devices within cages. For example, an electronic module can be inserted and secured within a base device, such as a computer or an electronics rack. Yet the module is secured temporarily to prevent damage from handling and to ensure that electrical connections remain robust. The module must also be easily removed so that replacement modules can be inserted into the base device. In a typical example, the module contains a copper transceiver module which is connected to a router in the base. Transceiver component upgrades can become available more frequently than upgrades to the router, making it advantageous to both quickly remove and replace the transceiver without having to replace the entire router. 
     Often the carrier and base are compact structures and therefore require a compact locking mechanism. Extremely compact electronics require miniaturized locking devices. 
     The use of an actuating member to retract biased projections back into the carrier such that the carrier can be removed from the receptacle is known. However, these devices are often complex, expensive and fragile. Further, these devices can require additional force to retract the projections as they may get caught on the receptacle as they are retracted into the carrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage. 
     In an embodiment, the invention provides a retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage using a lever and slider block assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage using a lever and slider block assembly made of steel. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage that can be stored with a group of like modules in a manner that makes efficient use of space. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage with improved shielding of electromagnetic interference. 
     Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of embodiments of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage includes a retractable locking mechanism comprising: a lever having a handle end opposite a rotation end and a pivot point positioned between the handle end and the rotation end such that the lever pivots about an axis of rotation of the lever; a first cam positioned on the rotation end of the lever; an actuator with a front end and a back end, the front end attached to the pivot point of the lever; a lock disposed adjacent to the actuator and the lock having a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation of the lock; a second cam attached to the lock for bearing on the back end of the actuator; and wherein pivoting the lever moves the actuator along a plane of the actuator to contact and rotate the second cam such that the lock is disposed in one of a locked state and an unlocked state. 
     In another aspect, the retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage includes a retractable locking mechanism comprising a module; a lever positioned on the module having a handle end opposite a rotation end and a pivot point positioned between the handle end and the rotation end such that the lever pivots about an axis of rotation of the lever; a first cam positioned on the rotation end of the lever; an actuator with a front end and a back end, the front end attached to the pivot point of the lever; a lock disposed adjacent to the actuator and the lock having a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation of the lock; and a second cam for bearing on the back end of the actuator. 
     In yet another aspect, the retractable locking mechanism for locking a module in a cage includes a module and cage assembly including a retractable locking mechanism comprising a module; a cage for receiving the module; a lever positioned on the module having a handle end opposite a rotation end and a pivot point positioned between the handle end and the rotation end such that the lever pivots about an axis of rotation of the lever; a first cam for contacting a surface of the cage and attached to the rotation end of the lever; an actuator with a front end and a back end, the front end attached to the pivot point of the lever; a lock disposed on the module and the lock having a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation of the lock; a second cam for bearing on the back end of the actuator attached to the lock; a protrusion on the lock that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lock; and a lock receptacle in the cage for receiving the protrusion of the lock. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of a module and cage assembly in the unlocked and locked configurations of a prior art locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective, exploded view of the module of the present invention with a locking mechanism and removed from a cage; 
         FIG. 2   b  and  FIG. 2   c  show a side elevation view of the functioning of the cam of the lever of the module of  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, perspective, exploded view of the components of the locking mechanism and module; 
         FIG. 4   a  shows an enlarged top, perspective bottom and perspective top view of the lock of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  shows an enlarged, exploded top and side view of assembling the lock to the slider of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4   c  shows an enlarged top and side view of the assembled lock and slider; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective, enlarged view of the receptacle of the cage of  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 6  shows side elevation, partial views of the unlocked and locked configurations of the lock and cage mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of the module received in a cage in the unlocked and locked configurations; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a side elevation view depicting a belly to belly stacking technique for modules of the present invention that minimizes storage space. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of the invention, the computer assisted process for providing liquidity to an enterprise by utilizing intellectual property assets, without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of a module and cage assembly in the unlocked and locked configurations of a prior art locking mechanism. The locking mechanism  1  secures the module  10  to the cage  20  so as to prevent damage to the module and/or electrical connections (not shown) when the module is inadvertently moved. The module  10  is placed into the locked configuration shown in  FIG. 1  by placing the module  10  in the cage  20  and pushing on the module. The insertion of the module  10  into the cage temporarily displaces tab  2  just before it is fully inserted into cage  20 . Once the module is fully inserted, the tab  2  goes back into its natural locked position and locks the module  10  into cage  20 . The tab  2  is usually made of wire or a stamped piece of copper alloy. When the tab  2  is deflected in a manner so that it clears the stationary lock  3  of the module  10  in order to disengage the tab  2  from the stationary lock  3  and the module may be removed from the cage. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective view of the module of the present invention with a locking mechanism and removed from a cage. The lever  31  is on the exterior of the module  30  such that when the module  30  is inserted into the cage  40 , the lever  31  remains outside the cage  40 . Alternatively, the lever  31  may be such that when the module  30  is inserted into the cage  40 , part of the lever  31  is inside the cage  40 . The lever  31  has a cam  31   a  and an axis of rotation R 1 .  FIG. 2   a  shows a lever  31  with a single cam  31   a . Alternatively, the lever  31   c  an have two or more cams. The lever  31  pivots about an axis of rotation R 1  using pivot joints  31   b  and  31   c . The lever  31  can be steel or it can contain one of a number of other metals including aluminum. Alternatively, the lever  31  can be composed of one of a number of plastics. Although  FIG. 2   a  shows a lever with two pivot joints,  31   b  and  31   c , the lever  31  can have one, three or more pivot joints. The lever  31  can be C-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 2   a  or it can have one of a number of other shapes including that of an L, a rod, a rectangle, a square or a rounded shape. As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the lever  31  has two handle components  31   d  and  31   e . Alternatively, it can have one, three or more handle components. 
     The module  30  is typically composed of a metallic or a plastic material and can contain a printed circuit board or other type of electronics and components (not shown). The module  30  has openings at its ends  30   a  and  30   b  and can have additional openings (not shown) as needed to establish electrical connections or for facilitating mechanical stability. Alternatively, the module  30  can be completely sealed at one or more ends,  30   a  and  30   b . Typically, there are electrical connections such as wires, sockets and/or plugs (not shown) at end  30   b  of the module  30 . Alternatively, end  30   b  can be free of electrical connections. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the cage  40  can be mounted on a flat board  50 . Alternatively, the cage  40  can be free-standing or can be mounted in one of a number of other fixtures such as an electronics rack, storage unit or shelf (not shown). The cage  40  has ventilation holes  40   b , as shown in  FIG. 2   a . Alternatively, the case can be without holes. The cage  40  is typically composed of a hardened brass alloy, but can also include one or more of a number of metals. Alternatively, the cage  40  can be composed of metallized plastic. As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the cage  40  has a receptacle  41  for receiving the protrusion of the locking mechanism (not shown) of the module  30  for locking the module  30  to the cage  40 . The receptacle  41  can be shaped like a tab, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , or have one of a number of other shapes including that of a diamond, triangle or rounded shape. The receptacle  41  has a hole  41   a  for accepting a lock (not shown) and locking the module  30  to the cage  40 . The hole  41   a  may have a triangle shape, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , or have one of a number of other shapes including that of a square, rectangle, key hole or rounded shape.  FIG. 2   a  shows the receptacle  41   a  as having a single engagement surface  41   b  for engaging the lock (not shown). The engagement surface  41   a  s depicted in  FIG. 2   a  is raised and is skewed (not parallel) from the bottom surface  40   c  of the cage  40 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a . Alternatively, the engagement surface  41  can be flush with or lower than the bottom surface  40   c  of the cage  40 . The engagement surface  41  can alternatively be parallel to the bottom surface  40   c  of the cage  40 . Further, although  FIG. 2   a  shows a single engagement surface  41   b  and a single hole  41   a , the receptacle  41  can contain multiple engagement surfaces and multiple holes. 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a side elevation view of the functioning of the cam of the lever of the module of  FIG. 2   a . As shown in  FIG. 2   b , the cam  31   a  pushes off the engagement point  32   a  in order to move the lever  31  away from the module  30  by a distance D. Moving the lever  31  away from the module  30  disengages a locking mechanism that locks the module  30  to the cage  40  (as will be discussed below). 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged, exploded view of the components of the locking mechanism. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment the lever  31  is bolted using rotatable bolt  31   e  onto the slider or actuator  50 . The slider or actuator  50  is then inserted into tracks  33  on either side of the interior of the module  30 . The slider or actuator  50  slides along the tracks  33  in the module  30 . The slider or actuator  50  is typically composed of steel, but may be one or more of a number of metals. Alternatively, the slider or actuator  50  can be composed of plastic. The slider or actuator  50  can be C-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 3  or it can have one of a number of other shapes including that of an L, a rod, a rectangle, a square or a rounded shape. The slider or actuator  50  contains a spring  51  mounted on the spring holder  50   a  that provides a restoring force to the slider. The spring  51  can be a wound spring, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or it can be a stamped spring (not shown). The spring  51  can be made of steel or, alternatively, can be composed of one or combinations of a number of other metals. In an embodiment, the spring is mounted on the slider or actuator  50  in such a way that the restoring force brings the slider towards the center  34  of the module  30 . Alternatively, the spring  51  can be mounted on the slider or actuator  50  such that the restoring force brings the slider away from the center  34  of the module  30 . 
     A lock  60  is mechanically coupled to the slider or actuator  50  via two cams  62   a  and  62   b , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In an embodiment, the lock  60  is bolted onto the module  30  using rotatable bolts  60   a  and  60   b  such that the lock  60  may rotate when the slider or actuator  50  pushes on the cams  62   a  and  62   b  of the lock  60 . Alternatively, the lock can be secured to the module using a  1  piece spring loaded pin (not shown)—“watch pin” style. The lock  60  is bolted onto the module  30 . The slider or actuator  50 , lock  60  and rotatable bolts  31   d ,  60   a  and  60   b  are all made of steel. Alternatively, the slider or actuator  50 , lock  60  and rotatable bolts  31   e ,  60   a  and  60   b  can be made of plastic or from one of or a combination of other metals including aluminum. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows an enlarged top, perspective bottom and perspective top view of the lock of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the lock  60  has a protrusion or boss  61  for engaging a receptacle  41  ( FIG. 2   a ) of the cage  40  in order to lock the module  30  to the cage  40 . The protrusion or boss  61  can be shaped like a tab, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , or it can have one of a number of other shapes including a triangular, rectangular, square or rounded shape. As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the lock  60  has an axis of rotation R 2  about which the lock  60  can be rotated to move the protrusion or boss  61  of the lock  60  up or down. The protrusion or boss  61  of the lock  60  has an inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  that can be inserted into the hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41  of the cage  40  ( FIG. 2   a ) for locking the device. The barb  61   a  can be pyramid-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , or it can have one of a number of other shapes including that of a triangular, rectangular, square prism or have a rounded shape. The protrusion  60  is shaped to fit the hole  41   a  ( FIG. 2   a ) of the receptacle  41 . As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the lock  60  has two cams,  62   a  and  62   b , along the axis of rotation R 2  for rotating the lock  60 . The cams  62   a  and  62   b  can be tab shaped, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , or they can have one of a number of other shapes including square, rounded and triangular. The lock  60  can have a two cams  62   a  and  62   b , as shown in  FIG. 4   a , or the lock  60  can alternatively have one, three or more cams. 
       FIG. 4   b  shows an enlarged, exploded top and side view of assembling the lock to the slider of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4   b , the two cams  62   a  and  62   b  of the lock are placed in slots  50   b  and  50   c  of the slider or actuator  50 , respectively. The cams  62   a  and  62   b  mechanically couple with the slots  50   b  and  50   c  of the slider or actuator  50  such that motion of the slider along the tracks  33  in the module  30  ( FIG. 3 ) causes the slider to push or pull the two cams  62   a  and  62   b  and rotate the lock.  FIG. 4   c  shows an enlarged top and side view of the assembled lock and slider. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective close-up view of the receptacle  41  formed by a resilient metal tab of the cage of  FIG. 2   a .  FIG. 5  shows a triangle shaped hole  41   a  on the receptacle  41  for accepting the pyramid shaped inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  of the lock  60  shown in  FIGS. 4   a - c . Referring to  FIG. 4   a , rotating the lock  60  about the axis of rotation R 2  ( FIG. 4   a ) such that the protrusion or boss  61  ( FIG. 4   a ) moves up causes the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  ( FIG. 4   a ) to be removed from the hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41  thereby unlocking the module  30  from the cage  40 . Rotating the lock  60  ( FIG. 4   a ) about the axis of rotation R 2  ( FIG. 4   a ) such that the protrusion or boss  61  ( FIG. 4   a ) moves down causes the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  ( FIG. 4   a ) to enter the receptacle  41  ( FIG. 5 ) of the cage  40  thereby locking the module  30  to the cage  40 . Insertion of the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  ( FIG. 4   a ) into the hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41  locks the module  30  to the cage  40 . Removal of the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  from the hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41  unlocks the module  30  from the cage. 
       FIG. 6  shows side elevation, partial views of the unlocked and locked configurations of the lock and cage mechanism.  FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of the module received in a cage in the unlocked and locked configurations. First the module  30  is placed within the cage  40  such that the lever  30  is in a vertical position ( FIG. 2   b ). The cam  31   a  pushes off of edge  32   a  of the module  30 . Edge  40   a  is a hard stop for the module entering the cage. The receptacle  41  on the cage  40  displaces itself to allow the barb  61   a  enter hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41 . This action provides a clicking sound that ensures that the module is fully inserted. When the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  of the protrusion or boss  61  is within receptacle  41 , the module  30  is locked to the cage  40  and is oriented in the locked configuration and cannot be removed until it is in the unlocked configuration. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lock  60  is toggled from the unlocked to the locked state by moving the slider or actuator  50  a distance D (see also  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c ) closer to the center  34  of the module  30  while the module  30  remains stationary with respect to the cage  40 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the lock  60  is moved to the unlocked configuration from the locked configuration is as follows. The lever  31 , in the vertical locked position, is rotated about its axis of rotation R 1  ( FIG. 2   a ) to the horizontal position in the  FIG. 2   c . The cam  31   a  engages the housing  32  at the engagement point  32   a  and pulls the slider or actuator  50  away from the center  34  of the module  30 , as shown in the locked configuration shown in  FIG. 6 . The slider or actuator  50  then pulls on the cams  62   a  and  62   b  of the lock  60  to cause it to rotate about the lock&#39;s axis of rotation R 2  ( FIG. 4   a ) and such that the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  protrusion or boss  61  is removed from the hole  41   a  of receptacle  41  of the cage  40 , as shown in the unlocked configuration in  FIG. 6 . Disengaging the protrusion or boss  61  from the receptacle  41  of the cage  40  removes the inclined sliding surface or barb  61   a  of the protrusion or boss  61  from the hole  41   a  of the receptacle  41  and places the lock  60  in the unlocked position which releases the module  30  from the cage  40 . In the unlocked position, the module  30  can be removed from the cage by simply grabbing one or both of the handles,  31   d  and  31   e  ( FIG. 2   a ), of the lever  31  and pulling the lever  31  away from the center  34  of the module  30 . The module  30  then slides from the cage  40  and can be easily removed. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lock  60  is toggled from the locked to the unlocked state by moving the slider or actuator  50  a distance D further from the center  34  of the module  30  while the module  30  remains stationary with respect to the cage  40 . 
     Several advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. First, the lock  60 , the slider or actuator  50  and the lever  31  can all be fashioned from steel making them extremely robust. Further, the use of dual cams  62   a  and  62   b  on the lock  60  ensures that a the forces applied to the lock  60  during transition between the locked and unlocked states are balanced about the center of mass of the lock  60 . This action, as opposed to one that relies on a single cam on one side of the lock, is less likely to lead to fatigue and breakage of the locking mechanism through repeated use. In addition, the construction of the lock  60 , the slider or actuator  50  and the lever  31  allows openings in the bottom of the module  30  to be minimized. This, in turn, minimizes electromagnetic interference between the circuitry of like modules stacked in close proximity. 
       FIG. 8  shows a side elevation view depicting a belly-to-belly stacking technique for modules of the present invention that minimizes storage space. In this configuration, a first module  100  can be stacked on top of a second module  200  provided that the modules are placed such that the cam  131   a  of the first module  100  is in a staggered configuration with the cam  231   a  of the second module  200 . This allows for the use of a thin printed circuit board (not shown) or a thin cage (not shown) for storing and locking the modules  100  and  200 . Multiple sets of such modules may be stacked together to form an electronics rack (not shown) or a device bank (not shown) that utilizes far less space than it would if the modules  100  and  200  were stacked such that the cams  131   a  and  231   a  were not staggered. Saving space is essential for most applications because more efficient use of space allows the addition of components and functionality. Also, cooling protocols can be made more efficient when electronic devices are placed in closer proximity leading to decreased cost and servicing. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in locking mechanism of alternate embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8