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A modular component securing apparatus includes a chassis, a securing member moveably coupled to the chassis and including an activation surface, a biasing member coupled to the securing member and operable to bias the securing member into a deactivated position, a component detection member coupled to the securing member and operable to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into an activated position in response to the component detection member being engaged by a modular component, and an activation member including an activator surface. In response to the securing member being moved into the activated position, the activator surface may engage the activation surface in order to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into a securing position. The securing member may be moved into the securing position only when a modular component is positioned in the chassis.

Inventors: Daniel Carr, Lisa Sura
Original Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
Primary Examiner: Tulsidas C. Patel
Secondary Examiner: Phuongchi Nguyen
Attorney: Haynes and Boone, LLP
Current U.S. Classification: 439/372; G9B/33.026

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4141616Nov 11, 1977Feb 27, 1979Motorola, Inc.Unitized connector arrangement for electrical apparatus
US5717571Aug 14, 1996Feb 10, 1998Hewlett-Packard CompanyMechanism locking removable module into computer
US6469900Jan 17, 2001Oct 22, 2002Quanta Computer, Inc.Apparatus for locking and ejecting a module device
US6643139Jul 26, 2001Nov 4, 2003Acer Inc.Module carrier of computer
US6752641Apr 24, 2003Jun 22, 2004Tellabs Operations, Inc.Circuit board having an emission reducing ejector
US6785141Oct 3, 2002Aug 31, 2004Quanta Computer, Inc.Locking and ejecting device for removable module in a portable computer

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US7929289Apr 28, 2009Apr 19, 2011Quanta Computer Inc.Electronic device and assembly structure thereof
US7961461Sep 4, 2009Jun 14, 2011Dell Products L.P.Secure media bay and media module
USD578127Jan 9, 2008Oct 7, 2008Dell Products L.P.Information handling system handle

Claims

1. A modular component securing apparatus comprising:

a chassis;

a securing member moveably coupled to the chassis and including an activation surface;

a biasing member coupled to the securing member and operable to bias the securing member into a deactivated position;

a component detection member coupled to the securing member and operable to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into an activated position in response to the component detection member being engaged by a modular component; and
an activation member including an activator surface, whereby in response to the securing member being moved into the activated position, the activator surface of the activation member may engage the activation surface of the securing member to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into a securing position, whereby the activated position is separate and distinct from the securing position such that the securing member must be in the activated position in order for the activation member to move the securing member into the securing position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing member is pivotally coupled to the chassis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the activation surface includes an inclined surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component detection member extends from a side of the securing member and is operable to pivot the securing member relative to the chassis and into the activated position in response to the component detection member being engaged by a modular component.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the activator surface includes an inclined surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a deactivation surface positioned adjacent the activation surface on the securing member, whereby the activation member engages the deactivation surface when the securing member is in the deactivated position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a bracing member mounted to the chassis and positioned adjacent the activation member.

8. An information handling system comprising:

a chassis defining a modular component passageway;

a securing member moveably coupled to the chassis, including an activation surface, and positioned adjacent the modular component passageway;

a biasing member coupled to the securing member and operable to bias the securing member into a deactivated position;

a component detection member coupled to the securing member and positioned in the modular component passageway when the securing member is in the deactivated position, the component detection member operable to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into an activated position in response to the component detection member being engaged by a modular component; and
an activation member including an activator surface, whereby in response to the securing member being moved into the activated position, the activator surface of the activation member may engage the activation surface of the securing member to move the securing member relative to the chassis and into a securing position, whereby the activated position is separate and distinct from the securing position such that the securing member must be in the activated position in order for the activation member to move the securing member into the securing position.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the securing member is pivotally coupled to the chassis.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the activation surface includes an inclined surface.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the component detection member extends from a side of the securing member and into the modular component passageway, whereby the component detection member is operable to pivot the securing member relative to the chassis and into the activated position in response to the component detection member being engaged by a modular component.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the activator surface includes an inclined surface.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a deactivation surface positioned adjacent the activation surface on the securing member, whereby the activation member engages the deactivation surface when the securing member is in the deactivated position.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a bracing member mounted to the chassis and positioned adjacent the activation member.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a modular component positioning in the modular component passageway and engaging the component detection member.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the securing member may be moved into the securing position only when the modular component is positioned in the modular component passageway.

17. A method for securing a modular component in an information handling system comprising:

providing a chassis including a modular component passageway;

moveably coupling a securing member to the chassis, the securing member including an activation surface and a deactivation surface adjacent the activation surface;

positioning an activation member adjacent the securing member, the activation member including an activator surface;

engaging the deactivation surface with the activation member when the securing member is in a deactivated position;
positioning a modular component in the modular component passageway, whereby the positioning a modular component in the modular component passageway moves the securing member to an activated position;
engaging the activation surface with the activator surface on the activation member; and
securing the modular component in the chassis by moving the securing member to a securing position, whereby the activated position is separate and distinct from the securing position such that the securing member must be in the activated position in order for the activation member to move the securing member into the securing position.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

coupling a component detection member to the securing member, whereby the modular component engages the component detection member and moves the securing member to an activated position in response to being positioned in the modular component passageway.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising;

locking the activation member in position with the activator surface of the activation member engaging the activation surface of the securing member.

Drawings