Abstract:
A single-motion trigger line card insertion/removal tool uses a handle and a spring-loaded sliding trigger to allow a technician to grab the line card insertion/removal tool with their thumb and pointer fingers, and pull the trigger while rotating the handle to eject the line card from a network device. The motion of pulling the trigger simultaneously unlocks the line card insertion/removal tool, starts the rotation of the handle with the spring load, and closes a “window” on an optical switch breaking a continuous beam of light that software interprets as a warning that the line card will be removed momentarily. When the line card insertion/removal tool handle is rotated back to a closed position (i.e. while inserting the card), the spring tension pulls the trigger back to its original position, locking the line card insertion/removal tool handle, and opening the window for to the beam of light in the optical switch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/900,991, filed on Nov. 6, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology pertains to line card insertion and removal tools, and more specifically pertains to line card insertion and removal tools that are integrated with the line card for introduction/removal of line cards from a network device chassis. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As networked equipment has become increasingly critical to business and everyday tasks, and the requirements for network bandwidth continue to expand, racks that house telecommunications equipment become more and more crowded. Network device chassis now fit a greater number of line cards, and each line card includes a greater number of ports; this has eliminated or at least significantly reduced available area on the faceplate of such line cards to engage the line card during installation into, or removal from, a network device chassis. 
     To compensate for this problem, tools for installing and removing line cards have been developed. Many such tools are built into the line card. In order to minimize the area these tools take up on the line card faceplate, some such tools include line card ejectors that place ejector handles between the faceplate of the line card and the faceplate of the adjacent card. However, these designs limit the number of line cards that can fit within a chassis, and still require one or more other tools to either discontinue network communications, or to unsecure (unscrew) the line card from the chassis. Accordingly, a better line card ejector/injector is needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the aforementioned features and other advantages of the disclosure can be obtained, a more specific description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example bottom view of a line card with an example line card insertion/removal tool; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example top view of the line card with integrated line card insertion tool; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example cross section view of the line card and integrated insertion tool of  FIG. 2  showing some internal component parts of the line card and the line card insertion removal tool; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example close up perspective view of an optical sensor and the orientation of a flag when a trigger remains in a non-retracted position; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates substantially the same view as  FIG. 3  except that the trigger is withdrawn and the flag window is located outside of the channel between the terminals of the optical sensor; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates substantially the same view as  FIG. 4  except that the flag window is located outside of the channel between the terminals of the optical sensor; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example line card insertion/removal tool in a configuration in which the handle rotated; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example line card insertion/removal tool with the line card inserted into a network device chassis; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example view of the line card insertion/removal tool in a configuration in which the trigger is withdrawn, the handle is rotated; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example line card having line card insertion/removal tools on each side of the line card. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     Overview 
     The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for a line card insertion and removal tool that takes up little space on the faceplate of the line card and is easier to use. Technicians often need to get fingers into tight spaces to turn thumbscrews and grab ejector handles to disengage a line card from a chassis in the datacenter. The present technology provides a line card insertion/removal tool to mate and unmate a line card into a network device chassis that provides easy access and only single-hand and finger motion to operate the line card insertion/removal tool. Operation of the line card insertion/removal tool also opens and closes and optical switch, notifying the system that the line card is being added to, or removed from, the system. 
     The single-motion trigger line card insertion/removal tool uses a combination metal handle and a spring-loaded, sliding plastic “trigger” to allow the technician to grab the line card insertion/removal tool with their thumb and pointer fingers and pull the trigger while rotating the handle to eject the line card from the system. The motion of pulling the trigger simultaneously unlocks the line card insertion/removal tool, starts the rotation of the handle with the spring load, and closes a “window” on an optical switch, breaking a continuous beam of light; the software interprets this as a warning that the line card will be removed momentarily. When the line card insertion/removal tool handle is rotated back to a closed position (i.e. while inserting the card), the spring tension pulls the trigger back to its original position, locking the line card insertion/removal tool handle, and opening the window for the beam of light in the optical switch. The plastic trigger slides inside the line card insertion/removal tool handle and is attached to an extension spring inside the line card insertion/removal tool bracket that mounts to the line card. The optical switch is assembled to the surface of the line card and the line card insertion/removal tool assembly is assembled over the top of the switch so that the line card insertion/removal tool assembly is entirely mechanical without any electric components. 
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a bottom view of a line card with an example line card insertion/removal tool. In some embodiments the insertion/removal tool is integrated with the line card. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , line card  102  is integrated with line card insertion removal tool  104 . Line card insertion removal tool  104  is comprised of a handle  103 , a trigger  106 , a pivot  108 , flag  114 , and rail engagement surfaces  120 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example top view of the line card  102  with integrated line card insertion tool  104 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example cross-section view of the line card and integrated insertion tool of  FIG. 2 , showing some internal component parts of the line card and the line card insertion removal tool. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the line card insertion tool  104  is integrated or attached to the line card  102  by way of bracket  107 . Additionally, the line card insertion tool  104  is further secured to the line card by way of flag  114 , which is secured to spring  112 , which is itself mounted to the line card  102  by way of spring mount  122 . 
     The line card insertion tool  104  is configured to assist a technician in inserting or removing a line card quickly and efficiently, and preferably with a one handed operation. The line card insertion tool  104  includes a handle  103  to be engaged by the single hand of an operator. Within the handle  103 , and protruding out the bottom of the handle, is the trigger  106 . The trigger  106  is seated within the handle  103  in a configuration that permits retracting the trigger away from the line card  102 . The trigger is connected to a flag  114  at a location near the pivot  108 . In some embodiments the trigger can be connected to the flag at a handle attachment point located at any point along the body of the trigger that would allow the flag to move with the trigger when it is retracted. 
     The flag is itself connected at the spring attachment point (end opposite from the trigger) to spring  112 . Spring  112 , through tension that is applied and transferred through the flag, biases the trigger  106  into the non-retracted position. When the trigger  106  is retracted by an operator, the flag is dragged along with the trigger and transmits the force to the spring  112 , which is stretched between the retracted flag at the spring&#39;s one end and a stationary spring anchor  122  at its other end. When an operator no longer provides enough force to overcome the spring&#39;s tension, the trigger returns to its non-retracted position. 
     When the trigger is in the non-retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the distal end of the trigger engages with a pivot lock surface  110 . When the distal end of the trigger  106  engages with the pivot lock surface  110 , an operator is not able to pivot the handle  103  about the pivot  108 . 
     In addition to connecting the trigger  106  to the spring  112 , the flag  114  functions to trip an optical sensor  118  mounted on the line card  102 . The flag can be made of a thin flexible metal or flexible plastic material that is also rigid enough to retract the spring  112  when the trigger  106  is retracted, and to bias the trigger  106  into the non-retracted position when an operator&#39;s force does not overcome the tension of the spring  112 . In some embodiments, the flag can be wide and thin, much like the tape in a measuring tape device. 
     As noted above, the flag functions to trip the optical sensor  118 . The optical sensor  118  comprises a first terminal and a second terminal wherein the first terminal transmits light (e.g., a beam of light) and the second terminal receives the light. A channel is formed between the two terminals of the optical sensor  118 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a close up perspective view of the optical sensor and the orientation of the flag when the trigger remains in a non-retracted position. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , two terminals of the optical sensor  118  form a channel and the flag  114  is disposed within this channel. The flag  114  further includes a window  116  configured to allow light to pass relatively unobstructed from one terminal of the optical sensor  118  to the other terminal of the optical sensor  118 . 
     The optical sensor  118  is configured to send an electrical signal to the line card  102 , which is relayed to the network device the line card  102  is installed in, or being installed in, to inform the line card  102  and network device that the line card  102  is about to be removed or has been installed. When the line card  102  is installed, the trigger is returned to its retracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ; the flag window  116  sits between the sensors of the optical sensor and light is allowed to pass relatively unobstructed from one terminal of the optical sensor  118  to the other terminal of the optical sensor  118 . However, when the trigger  106  is refracted as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 9 , the flag window  116  is displaced and the flag body  114  sits in the channel between the optical sensors and obstructs light from one terminal from reaching the second terminal. When this occurs, the optical sensor can notify the line card that it is about to be removed and that no more data should be handled by the line card  102 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates substantially the same view as  FIG. 3 , except that the trigger is withdrawn and the flag window is located outside of the channel between the terminals of the optical sensor. 
     Likewise  FIG. 6  illustrates substantially the same view as  FIG. 4 , except that the flag window is located outside of the channel between the terminals of the optical sensor. 
     In addition to being configured to notify the line card  102  that it has been installed or that it is about to be uninstalled, the insertion/removal tool  104  is further configured to aid in the physical insertion and removal of the line card  102 . 
     The insertion/removal tool  104  includes rail engagement surfaces  120 . Rail engagement surfaces are configured to engage a rail on the chassis of the network device an provide leverage onto the rail to move the line card into the chassis and lock it in place, or to move the line card out of the chassis. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the line card insertion/removal tool  104  of the present technology, with the line card  102  inserted into the network device chassis  202  and the line card insertion removal tool  104  engaging a rail  204 , and with the rail engagement surface  120  for engaging the rail  204  of the network device chassis  202 . In the illustrated configuration, the line card insertion/removal tool  104  is in a locked orientation with the trigger in its non-retracted configuration and engaging the pivot lock  110 . The rail engagement surface  120  engages the rail in such a way that leverage is provided from the rail engagement surface to lock the line card  102  in place in the chassis  202 , thus eliminating the need for conventional screws to anchor the line card  102  in place. 
     When used to remove the line card  102  from chassis  202 , the trigger  106  can be engaged by a technician&#39;s finger and withdrawn. As noted above, when the trigger is withdrawn, the flag window  116  is displaced and the flag blocks optical transmission from one terminal of the optical sensor  116  to the other terminal, thereby triggering the optical sensor to send an electronic signal to the line card indicating that it is about to be removed. 
     Now that the line card insertion/removal tool  104  is in an unlocked state (trigger  106  is withdrawn and does not engage the pivot lock  110 ), the technician can remote the tool  104  by exerting a force on handle  103  to induce rotation of the handle  103  portion of the tool  104 . This rotation brings the rail engagement surface  120  into contact with the outside portion of the rail  204 , while moving the opposing face of the rail engagement surface  120  away from the inside portion of the rail  204 . Continued rotation of the handle  103  portion of the tool results in a leveraged force being exerted by the rail engagement surface  120  onto the rail  204  that is translated into an opposite force sufficient to begin to dislodge the line card from the network device chassis. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the line card insertion/removal tool  104  in a configuration in which the trigger  106  is withdrawn, the handle  103  is rotated, and the flag window  116  is not within the channel between the terminals of optical sensor  118 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a further view of the line card insertion/removal tool  104  in a configuration in which the trigger  106  is withdrawn and the handle  103  is rotated. While not shown, in this configuration the rail engagement surface is configured to engage the rail  204  and provide resulting forces sufficient to begin to dislodge the line card  102  from the network device chassis. 
     The line card insertion/removal tool  104  can be used to aid in inserting a line card  102  into a network device chassis  202  in the opposite manner in which it was used to remove the line card. With the handle  103  rotated (and thus the trigger withdrawn and not engaging the pivot lock  110 ), the line card can be inserted into the network device chassis  202  until the rail engagement surface  120  begins to engage the rail  204 . The operator can rotate the handle  103  portion of the line card insertion/removal tool  104  in the opposite direction used to remove the line card from the network device chassis, which causes the opposite surface of the rail engagement surfaces  120  to engage the back portion of rail  204 . As the handle  103  is rotated further towards its lock position, the line card is urged further and more securely into the network chassis until the trigger (which is biased by spring  112  into the non-retracted position) engages the pivot lock  110  in its not retracted position. At which point, a combination of the line card insertion/removal tool  104  being locked from pivoting and the rail engagement surface being engaged with rail  204  secures the line card in the network device chassis  202 . At the same time, flag window  116  is now located in the middle of the channel formed by the terminals of the optical sensor  118 . As the line card draws power from the network device, the optical sensor activates, and sends a signal to the line card  102  that it is securely installed and is ready begin accepting data. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example line card having line card insertion/removal tools on each side of the line card. Line card  102  is shown having a line card insertion/removal tools  104  on the left most portion and the right most portion. The line card insertion/removal tools  104  function as mirror images of each other in the same manner as described herein. Together they function to secure each side of the line card to the chassis, or to facilitate removal of each side the line card. In some embodiments, the line card might only have one optical sensor and a line card insertion/removal tool on the side of the line card that does not have the optical sensor need not have a flag window. 
     Although a variety of examples and other information were used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements in such examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use these examples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Furthermore, although some subject matter may have been described in language specific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. For example, such functionality can be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. Rather, the described features and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.