Abstract:
An apparatus and method can include: providing an inner carriage side panel having a pivot point; coupling a latch to the inner carriage side panel, the latch having a round slot, an angled slot, a round bottom, a first extension, and a second extension; coupling an outer carriage side panel to the pivot point of the inner carriage side panel the outer carriage side panel including a latching pin extending therefrom, the latching pin positioned to sit in the round slot based on the inner carriage side panel being in a closed configuration, and the latching pin positioned to fit within the angled slot based on the inner carriage side panel transitioning to an open configuration; and attaching a carriage bottom panel to the inner carriage side panel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to retractable communication and power centers, more particularly to latching mechanisms and receptacle housing mechanisms for communication and power centers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The rapidly growing market for portable electronic devices, e.g. cellular phones, laptop computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), is an integral facet of modern life. Powering and connecting the multitude of portable devices represents one of the largest potential market opportunities for next generation retractable communication and power centers. Retractable communication and power centers have unique attributes that have significant impacts on manufacturing, in that they must be structurally robust, and rich in functionality. 
     Retractable communication and power centers must also be produced in high volumes at relatively low cost. Manufacturing and designing retractable communication and power centers is at the very core of next generation communication and power center insertion strategies outlined in road maps for development of next generation products. 
     There have been many approaches to addressing the advanced design and manufacturing requirements of retractable communication and power centers with successive generations of retractable communication and power centers. The limitations and issues with current communication and power centers include increasing longevity, durability, latching strength, and manufacturing costs. 
     One common problem with prior approaches to the retractable communication and power centers was deterioration and mechanical failure of the latch. When mechanical failure of the latch occurred, the retractable communication and power centers remains in an open position which defeats many of the main benefits of a retractable communication and power center. 
     These previous approaches also resulted in weaker latching capability which leads to poor reliability and performance. Manufactures were forced into a tradeoff between a mechanical failure to latch or to open all the way during the life of the final product. 
     When the manufactures chose to use weaker springs, the ability of the communication and power centers to open fully would commonly fail resulting in communication and power centers opening only halfway during the life of the final product. Alternatively, when the manufactures chose to use a stronger spring the latch would often fail and the communication and power centers could not be locked in the closed position. 
     In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems. 
     Thus, a need remains for a data and power system with improved longevity, durability, latching strength, and manufacturing costs. Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     A data and power system and method, providing significantly improved longevity, durability, latching strength, and manufacturing costs, are disclosed. The data and power system and method can include: providing an inner carriage side panel having a pivot point; coupling a latch to the inner carriage side panel, the latch having a round slot, an angled slot, a round bottom, a first extension, and a second extension; coupling an outer carriage side panel to the pivot point of the inner carriage side panel the outer carriage side panel including a latching pin extending therefrom, the latching pin positioned to sit in the round slot based on the inner carriage side panel being in a closed configuration, and the latching pin positioned to fit within the angled slot based on the inner carriage side panel transitioning to an open configuration; and attaching a carriage bottom panel to the inner carriage side panel. 
     Other contemplated embodiments can include objects, features, aspects, and advantages in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. These objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The data and power system is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like reference numerals are intended to refer to like components, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the data and power system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the inner carriage side panel from the right latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the outer carriage side panel from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the damper from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric front view of the latch from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric back view of the latch from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric front view of the latch spring from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric front view of the carriage spring from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a see-through side view of the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is a see-through side view of the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the relative position between the latching pin and the latch from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  when releasing the latch. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the relative position between the latching pin and the latch from the left latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  when engaging the latch. 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded isometric view of the carriage panels of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of the carriage frame of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, embodiments in which the data and power system may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the data and power system. 
     When features, aspects, or embodiments of the data and power system are described in terms of steps of a process, an operation, a control flow, or a flow chart, it is to be understood that the steps can be combined, performed in a different order, deleted, or include additional steps without departing from the data and power system as described herein. 
     The data and power system is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the data and power system and provide numerous specific details to give a thorough understanding of the data and power system; however, it will be apparent that the data and power system may be practiced without these specific details. 
     In order to avoid obscuring the data and power system, some well-known system configurations are not disclosed in detail. Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Generally, the data and power system can be operated in any orientation. 
     As used herein, the term system is defined as a device or method depending on the context in which it is used. For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the top plane or surface of the frame, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side”, “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane. The term “coupled” or “coupling” is used herein to refer to a physical connection. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown an exploded isometric view of the data and power system  100 . The data and power system  100  is shown having a frame  102 . The frame  102  can include a frame top  102 T and frame sides  102 S that will contain latching mechanisms  104  such as a left latching mechanism  104 L and a right latching mechanism  104 R. 
     The latching mechanisms  104  can include an inner carriage side panel  106 , a latch  108 , a carriage spring  110 , a latch spring  112 , a damper  114 , and an outer carriage side panel  116 . The latch  108 , the carriage spring  110 , the damper  114 , and the latch spring  112  can be mounted between the inner carriage side panel  106  and the outer carriage side panel  116 . 
     The outer carriage side panel  116  can include a latching pin  118  extending therethrough. The inner carriage side panel  106  of the latching mechanisms  104  can move relative to the outer carriage side panel  116  as the latch  108  interacts with the latching pin  118  as described below in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
     The outer carriage side panel  116  can be attached to the frame sides  102 S. The frame sides  102 S can be anchored to a surface such as a desk or table top with mounting bolts  120  and mounting clips  122 . The outer carriage side panel  116  can be stationary with respect to the frame sides  102 S while the inner carriage side panel  106  can rotate about a pivot point  124 . 
     The pivot point  124  can extend from the inner carriage side panel  106  to the outer carriage side panel  116 . The carriage spring  110  can fit around the pivot point  124  and be captured between the inner carriage side panel  106  and the outer carriage side panel  116 . 
     The carriage spring  110  can provide force for the inner carriage side panel  106  to rotate into an open configuration as depicted in  FIG. 11 . It is contemplated that a user would supply an external force to overcome the force of the carriage spring  110  in order to move the inner carriage side panel  106  from the open configuration of  FIG. 11  to the closed configuration of  FIG. 10 . 
     The latch spring  112  can be coupled to the latch  108  and provide the force required for the latch  108  to move relative to the latching pin  118 . It has been discovered that implementing the latch  108  with the latching pin  118  and the latch spring  112  together with the carriage spring  110  overcomes the tradeoff of previous attempts to provide a robust long lasting solution for communication and power centers in that the carriage spring  110  can be configured to provide sufficient amount of opening force to ensure the inner carriage side panel  106  can continuously open fully while the latch spring  112  can be configured to provide enough latching force based on the interplay of the latching pin  118  and the latch  108  to ensure that once latched, the inner carriage side panel  106  stays closed. 
     The inner carriage side panel  106  can be coupled to a carriage top panel  126  and a carriage bottom panel  128 . The carriage bottom panel  128  can be attached to the carriage top panel  126 . 
     The carriage bottom panel  128  can provide a mounting surface for ports  130  including alternating current outlets  132  and universal serial bus ports  134 . Other contemplated ports include ethernet ports, telephone ports, and high-definition multimedia interface ports. 
     Between the alternating current outlets  132  and the universal serial bus ports  134 , spacers  136  can be mounted. It is contemplated that the ports  130  can include embedded surge protectors, which adds protection to the risk of most power surges which could damage connected devices. 
     The universal serial bus ports  134  can be coupled to a universal serial bus charger output assembly  138  and a universal serial bus charger assembly  140 . The ports  130  can include snaps  142  enabling the ports  130  to snap into the carriage bottom panel  128  from the front rather than assembling a carriage with ports by sliding them in through a side. 
     It has been discovered that implementing the ports  130  with the snaps  142  enabling the ports to be snapped into the carriage bottom panel  128  from the front greatly enhances the functionality and versatility of the data and power system  100  by enabling the data and power system  100  to be configured for a specific task or reconfigured without full disassembly when the ports  130  for new technology becomes available or desirable. 
     The ports  130 , the carriage bottom panel  128 , and the top carriage panel  126  can rotate with the inner carriage side panel  106  as the inner carriage side panel  106  rotates from the closed configuration of  FIG. 10  to the open configuration of  FIG. 11 . The ports  130  can be retracted and hidden while in the closed configuration and exposed for use when in the open configuration. 
     The frame top  102 T can cover the outer portions of the latching mechanisms  104  to provide a clean appearance to the data and power system  100 . The inner carriage side panel  106  along with the ports  130 , the carriage bottom panel  128 , and the top carriage panel  126  can rotate to partially extend out from the frame top  102 T while in the open configuration. When in the closed configuration, only the carriage top panel  126  can be seen within the frame top  102 T. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown an exploded isometric view of the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The left latching mechanism  104 L is shown having the inner carriage side panel  106  and the outer carriage side panel  116  facing one another. 
     The inner carriage side panel  106  is depicted having the pivot point  124  with the carriage spring  110  positioned there over for mounting on the pivot point  124 . The pivot point  124  is shown on the inner carriage side panel  106 . 
     The pivot point  124  can be formed as a rod on the outer carriage side panel  116 , which can fit into or be mated to a hole on the inner carriage side panel  106 . Near the pivot point  124  on the inner carriage side panel  106  and the pivot point  124  on the outer carriage side panel  116  are spring stops  202 . 
     The spring stops  202  can maintain tension of the carriage spring  110  when the carriage spring  110  is mounted around the pivot point  124  and mounted between the inner carriage side panel  106  and the outer carriage side panel  116 . Near the pivot point  124  on the inner carriage side panel  106 , the inner carriage side panel  106  includes a spring race  204 . The spring race  204  can stabilize the carriage spring  110  as it flexes between the open configuration of  FIG. 11  and the closed configuration of  FIG. 10 . 
     The spring race  204  can be a guide for the carriage spring  110  as the inner carriage side panel  106  moves relative to the outer carriage side panel  116 . The inner carriage side panel  106  is shown having a fixed damper gear  206  configured in an arch partially around the pivot point  124 . 
     The fixed damper gear  206  can be moveably engaged with a rotatable damper gear  208  on the damper  114 . It is contemplated that the damper  114  can be an inertia rotary damper. The damper  114  can dampen rotary motion on the rotatable damper gear  208  induced from the fixed damper gear  206  moves the rotatable damper gear  208  as the inner carriage side panel  106  opens or closes. 
     The damper  114  can be anchored to the outer carriage side panel  116  with only the rotatable damper gear  208  able to move. Between the inner carriage side panel  106  and the outer carriage side panel  116 , the latch  108  is shown positioned above a latch pivot  210  and a latch spring backstop  212 . 
     The latch  108  is depicted having a latch spring anchor  214 . The latch spring  112  can be mounted around the latch pivot  210  and bounded by the latch spring backstop  212  of the inner carriage side panel  106  and anchored by the latch spring anchor  214  of the latch  108 . 
     As is described in greater detail below in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the latch spring  112  can apply a force to the latch  108  biasing the latch  108  with a rotational bias about the latch pivot  210 . Specifically, the latch spring  112  exerts a rotational force that biases a bottom portion of the latch  108  to rotate out away from the fixed damper gear  206  of the inner carriage side panel  106  while a top portion of the latch  108  is biased to rotate in toward the fixed damper gear  206  of the inner carriage side panel  106 . 
     The latching pin  118  is depicted as aligned with a bottom portion of the latch  108 . The latch  108  and the latching pin  118  can work together with the movement of the inner carriage side panel  106  relative to the outer carriage side panel  116  to maintain the inner carriage side panel  106  in an open configuration or closed configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown an isometric view of the inner carriage side panel  106  from the right latching mechanism  104 R of  FIG. 1 . The inner carriage side panel  106  is shown having the pivot point  124  surrounded by the spring stops  202 , the spring race  204 , and the fixed damper gear  206 . 
     At an opposite corner of the inner carriage side panel  106  from the pivot point  124 , the inner carriage side panel  106  is depicted having the latch spring backstop  212  next to the latch pivot  210 . It can be noted that the inner carriage side panel  106  of the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1  and the inner carriage side panel  106  of the right latching mechanism  104 R can be mirror images of each other in the placement of the components as just described. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown an isometric view of the outer carriage side panel  116  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The outer carriage side panel  116  is shown having the pivot point  124  surrounded by the spring stops  202 . 
     The outer carriage side panel  116  is shown also having a damper mount  402  for mounting and aligning the damper  114  of  FIG. 1 . The outer carriage side panel  116  is further shown having a latching pin mount  404 . The latching pin mount  404  can secure, align, and stabilize the latching pin  118  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown an isometric view of the damper  114  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The damper  114  is depicted having the rotatable damper gear  208  affixed to a damper body  502 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown an isometric front view of the latch  108  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The latch  108  is depicted having a hole  602 . The hole  602  can mount the latch  108  around the latch pivot  210  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The latch  108  is further shown having the latch spring anchor  214  near the hole  602 . On an opposite side of the latch  108  from the hole  602 , the latch  108  is shown to have a round slot  604 , an angled slot  606 , and a round bottom  608 . 
     The round slot  604  can terminate with the round bottom  608  in a first extension  610 . The angled slot  606  can be longitudinally aligned with the length of the latch  108  and angled from a back side near the round slot  604  extending toward a front side near the round bottom  608 . A second extension  612  can be seen behind the first extension  610  nearer to the round slot  604  than the first extension  610 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown an isometric back view of the latch  108  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The latch  108  is shown having the angled slot  606  supported by an angled slot extension  702 . 
     The angled slot extension  702  extends the angled slot  606  from behind the latch  108  to the front of the latch  108 . The angled slot extension  702  can also for a portion and border the round slot  604 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown an isometric front view of the latch spring  112  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The latch spring  112  can include bends  802  at each end of the latch spring  112  for interfacing with the latch spring backstop  212  of  FIG. 2  and the latch spring anchor  214  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown an isometric front view of the carriage spring  110  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1 . The carriage spring  110  is shown in greater detail. Unlike the latch spring  112  of  FIG. 8 , the carriage spring  110  is depicted without the bends  802  of  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , therein is shown a see-through side view of the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration. The outer carriage side panel  116  is depicted having the latching pin  118  extending therethrough and interacting with the latch  108 . 
     It can be seen that when the inner carriage side panel  106  is in the closed configuration, the latching pin  118  is positioned within the round slot  604  of the latch  108 . The latch  108  is shown not contacting the latch spring backstop  212  with a latch stop  1002 . The damper  114  is depicted having the rotatable damper gear  208  engaged with the fixed damper gear  206 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , therein is shown a see-through side view of the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. The outer carriage side panel  116  is depicted having the latching pin  118  extending therethrough and after sliding through the angled slot  606  of the latch  108 . 
     It can be seen that when the inner carriage side panel  106  is in the open configuration, the latching pin  118  is positioned away from and under the latch  108 . The latch stop  1002  of the latch  108  is shown in direct contact with the latch spring backstop  212  inhibiting the latch  108  from moving further in the counter-clockwise direction about the latch pivot  210 . 
     In regard to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , these FIGs. depict the latch  108  and the latching pin  118 . It is to be understood that in the embodiment depicted by  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the latching pin  118  is stationary while the latch  108  moves relative to the latching pin  118 . The latching pin  118  is depicted at multiple different locations relative to the latch  108  and those having ordinary skill in the art would understand the depiction of the latching pin  118  in various places is a depiction of the relative location only even though it is in a fixed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , therein is shown a side view of the relative position between the latching pin  118  and the latch  108  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1  when releasing the latch  108 . The releasing mechanism of the latch  108  enabling the inner carriage side panel  106  of  FIG. 1  to open includes three motions of the latch  108 . 
     A first motion  1202  is a downward motion of the latch  108  that dislodges the latching pin  118  from the round slot  604 . After the first motion  1202  the latching pin  118  no longer restrains the latch  108  from rotating due to the force applied by the latch spring  112  of  FIG. 1 . The first motion  1202  is induced by an external downward force applied by a user. 
     A second motion  1204  rotates the latch  108  about the latch pivot  210  of  FIG. 2 . As the latch  108  rotates under the second motion  1204 , the latching pin  118  moves back from the round slot  604  near the angled slot  606 . The second motion  1204  is induced by force supplied by the latch spring  112 . 
     A third motion  1206  moves the latch  108  upward. The third motion  1206  is induced by the force applied by the carriage spring  110  of  FIG. 1  forcing the inner carriage side panel  106  to rotate about the pivot point  124  of  FIG. 1 . During the third motion  1206  the latching pin  118  can be seen moving from the top of the angled slot  606  down through the angled slot  606  and exiting the angled slot  606  to no longer contact the latch  108  as the latch  108  continues to move upward away from the latching pin  118 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , therein is shown a side view of the relative position between the latching pin  118  and the latch  108  from the left latching mechanism  104 L of  FIG. 1  when engaging the latch  108 . The engaging mechanism of the latch  108  enabling the inner carriage side panel  106  of  FIG. 1  to latch closed includes four motions of the latch  108 . 
     A first motion  1302  is a rotational motion of the latch  108 . As the round bottom  608  of the latch  108  engages the latching pin  118 , the latch  108  is forced to rotate in the first motion  1302  overcoming the force supplied by the latch spring  112  of  FIG. 1  in the other direction. The first motion  1302  is a result of an external downward force supplied by a user to the inner carriage side panel  106 . During the first motion  1302 , the latch  108  will rotate so and the latching pin  118  will initially be near the angled slot  606  and end when the latching pin  118  is near the first extension  610 . 
     Once the latching pin  118  is past the first extension  610  the latch  108  will make a second motion  1304  toward the latching pin  118  until the second extension  612  of the latch  108  contacts the latching pin  118 . The second motion  1304  is induced by the force supplied by the latch spring  112 . 
     When the latching pin  118  stops the latch  108  from further movement an audible click can be heard and indicate to a use to stop applying the external downward force to the inner carriage side panel  106 . When the external force is removed from the inner carriage side panel  106 , the inner carriage side panel  106  will rotate slightly up due to the force supplied by the carriage spring  110  of  FIG. 1 . The slight upward movement in the inner carriage side panel  106  will provide a third movement  1306  that pulls the latch  108  upward slightly until the latching pin  118  no longer contacts the second extension  612 . 
     When the latching pin  118  no longer contacts the second extension  612  after the third motion  1306 , the latch  108  will rotate counter-clockwise in a fourth motion  1308  until the latching pin  118  is seated in the round slot  604 . Once the latching pin  118  is seated in the round slot  604 , the inner carriage side panel  106  is latched closed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , therein is shown an exploded isometric view of the carriage panels of  FIG. 1 . The carriage bottom panel  128  is depicted affixed to the carriage top panel  126  with one of the ports  130  positioned so as to be inserted and in direct contact with the carriage bottom panel  128 . The port  130  is depicted as the alternating current outlet  132 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , therein is shown an exploded isometric view of the carriage frame  102  of  FIG. 1 . The frame top  102 T is shown positioned with the frame sides  102 S on either side. The frame  102  can provide a clean package for inserting the data and power system  100  within a surface. 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the data and power system furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. The resulting configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. 
     While the data and power system has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the preceding description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.