Patent ID: 8579639

Claim:
An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system, the I/O device comprising: a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device; an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry; a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, wherein the base portion communicates signals between the I/O module and the terminal block during operation; and an ejection device comprising a push-push latch mechanism configured to releasably engage the I/O module or the terminal block with the base portion when the I/O module or the terminal block is moved in a first direction such that the I/O module or the terminal block is interlocked with the base portion and configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated by the I/O module or the terminal block being subsequently moved in the first direction such that the I/O module or the terminal block is released from the base portion.