Patent ID: 7172441

Claim:
An ejector lever assembly for ejecting an electronic module from a supporting structure, the ejector assembly comprising: a lever having a hole for pivotal connection to the electronic module, said lever having an engaging portion adapted for engaging a portion of the support structure and a grasping portion adapted for allowing manual pivotal movement of said lever by a user, said hole defining an axis of rotation for said lever upon pivotal connection of said lever to the electronic module, said axis of rotation being fixed in position relative to the electronic module during operation of said lever, said lever being pivotally movable between a folded-down position and a raised position when said lever is installed on the electronic module, said axis of rotation of said lever being positioned relative to said grasping portion and said engaging portion such that when said lever is in said folded-down position with said engaging portion engaging the support structure a line passing through said axis of rotation and being perpendicular to an imaginary axis, defined by a point on said grasping portion and a contact point between said engaging portion and the support structure, intersects the imaginary axis intermediate said grasping portion and said engaging portion, said grasping portion being located at a greater distance from a position where the line intersects the imaginary axis as compared to said engaging portion to thereby provide a mechanical advantage for the user; a sliding catch supported by at least a portion of said lever for rectilinear motion in a direction along said at least a portion of said lever, said sliding catch being movable between a first position and a second position, and said sliding catch having a catch hook adapted to engage a portion of said electronic module and retain said lever in said folded down position when said sliding catch is in said first position; and biasing means, said biasing means biasing said sliding catch toward said first position, whereby when the electronic module is plugged in to the support structure a user can move the sliding catch to said second position out of engagement with the electronic module and then lift said lever toward said raised position to thereby move the electronic module toward an unplugged position aided by said mechanical advantage provided by said lever.