TWM648482U - Handle assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle assembly includes a bracket, a first handle movably coupled to the bracket, and a second handle movably coupled to the bracket. The bracket can be movably coupled to a housing of a computing device. The first handle is movable between an insertion orientation and an ejection orientation. The second handle is movable between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation and includes a locking structure to lock the expansion card within the housing. When the bracket is coupled to the housing, movement of the first handle between the insertion orientation and the ejection orientation causes the bracket and the second handle to move linearly within the housing. Movement of the second handle between the locked orientation and the unlocked orientation causes the locking structure to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Description

handle assembly

The present disclosure generally relates to a handle assembly, and more particularly, to a handle assembly for inserting and removing an expansion card from a computing device.

Computing systems and devices often include various electronic components, including expansion cards that plug into connectors on the motherboard of the computing device. Typically these expansion cards are locked in place after being inserted into the computing device to ensure that they cannot be inadvertently removed from the computing device. This locking technique usually involves the use of specific hardware such as screws, tools, etc. However, using this hardware to lock and unlock expansion cards can be time-consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for a new device that can be used to insert an expansion card into a computing device and to remove the expansion card from the computing device.

The terminology of embodiments and similar terms (eg, implementations, configurations, features, examples, and options) is intended to refer broadly to all subject matter of this disclosure and the following claims. Several statements containing these terms are to be understood as not limiting the subject matter described herein or limiting the meaning or scope of the patent claims claimed below. The embodiments of the disclosure encompassed herein are defined by the scope of the following claims and not by the content of the invention. This summary is a high-level overview of the various features of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described below in the implementation paragraphs. This novel content is not intended to identify key or essential features of the subject matter of the patent application, nor is it intended to be used independently to determine the scope of the subject matter of the patent application. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all of the drawings, and the scope of each claim.

In a first implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a handle assembly for interacting with an expansion card configured to plug into a computing device. The handle assembly includes a bracket, a first handle, and a second handle. The stand is configured to be movably coupled to a housing of the computing device. The first handle is movably coupled to the bracket, and the first handle is moveable between an insertion position and an ejection position. The second handle is movably coupled to the bracket and moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. The second handle includes a locking structure configured to lock the expansion card within the housing. When the bracket is coupled to the housing, movement of the first handle between the inserted position and the ejection position causes the bracket and the second handle to move linearly within the housing. Movement of the second handle between the locked position and the unlocked position causes the locking structure to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

In some features of the first embodiment, the first handle is rotatably coupled to the bracket and rotates between an inserted position and an ejected position.

In some features of the first embodiment, when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into a housing of the computing device, rotation of the first handle between an inserted position and an ejected position causes the expansion card to move linearly within the housing.

In some features of the first embodiment, when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the housing of the computing device and the locking structure engages the expansion card, rotation of the first handle from the ejection position to the inserted position causes the locking structure to move linearly, and Push the expansion card in the housing along a first linear direction.

In some features of the first embodiment, when the expansion card is fully inserted into the computing device, rotation of the first handle from the insertion position to the ejection position causes the bracket to move linearly and push the expansion card in a second linear direction within the housing. The linear direction is opposite to the first linear direction.

In some features of the first embodiment, the second handle is rotatably coupled to the bracket and rotates between a locked position and an unlocked position.

In some features of the first embodiment, rotation of the second handle between the locked position and the unlocked position causes the locking structure to engage or disengage the expansion card when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device.

In some features of the first embodiment, when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device, rotation of the second handle from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the locking structure to move to the unlocked position and away from the expansion card, causing the locking structure to disengage from the expansion card.

In some features of the first embodiment, when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device, rotation of the second handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the locking structure to move to the locked position and toward the expansion card such that the locking structure engages expansion card.

In some features of the first embodiment, the locking structure includes a projection extending from the second handle, the projection extending through a gap in the expansion card when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device and the locking structure is in the locked position. .

The above novel content is not intended to present every embodiment or every feature of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing description merely provides examples of some of the novel features and characteristics described herein. The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Additional features of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings and the simplified notation provided below.

Computing systems and devices often include various electronic components, including expansion cards that plug into connectors on the computing device's motherboard. According to features of the present disclosure, a handle assembly may be used to assist in inserting an expansion card into a computing device and connecting the expansion card to a connector, and in disconnecting the expansion card from the connector and thereby disconnecting the expansion card from the computing device. Remove. The handle assembly also helps secure the expansion card within the computing device. The handle assembly includes a first handle movable between an insertion position and an ejection position. The first handle is moveable to an insertion position to insert the expansion card into the connector. The first handle is moveable to an ejection position to remove the expansion card from the connector. The handle assembly also includes a second handle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The second handle is moveable to the locking position to lock the expansion card within the computing device so that the expansion card cannot be removed from the computing device even after the first handle has been moved to the ejection position and the expansion card has been disconnected from the connector. The second handle is moveable to an unlocking position to unlock the expansion card from the computing device so that the expansion card can be removed from the computing device.

Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters are used to designate similar or equivalent elements throughout. The drawings are not to scale and are provided solely to illustrate features and characteristics of the present disclosure. It is understood that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that various embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or in other ways. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. Various embodiments are not limited to the order in which actions or events are displayed, as some actions may occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other actions or events. Furthermore, not all actions or events shown may be required to implement certain features and characteristics of the present disclosure.

For the purposes of this embodiment, the singular includes the plural and vice versa unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "including" means "including without limitation." In addition, similar words such as "about, almost, substantially, approximately" and similar words may here mean, for example, "at", "near, nearly at", "at 3% "Within 3-5% of", "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances", or any logical combination thereof. Additionally, the terms "vertical" or "horizontal" are intended to additionally include "within 3-5%" of the vertical or horizontal direction, respectively. In addition, directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," and "below" are intended to relate to the equivalent directions depicted in the reference illustration; from the reference object or component Understood in context, such as from the usual position of the object or element; or such other description.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a computing device 200. The computing device 200 includes a housing 202 and a handle assembly 100. The handle assembly 100 can be disposed within the housing 202 and coupled to the housing 202. Various electronic components may be disposed within the housing 202, such as a motherboard, a processing unit (eg, a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU)), a memory device, a communication interface, etc. An expansion card (not shown) may also be inserted into housing 202 and connected to a connector on the computing device's motherboard. Handle assembly 100 may be used to insert or remove expansion cards from housing 202 .

Figure 1B is an exploded view of the handle assembly 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle assembly 100 includes a first pair of rails 105A and 105B, a second pair of rails 110A and 110B, a bracket 120 formed by a first bracket portion 122A and a second bracket portion 122B. A first handle 140 and a second handle 160 . One or both of the first pair of rails 105A and 105B and the second pair of rails 110A and 110B may be coupled to the housing 202 (Fig. 1A) of the computing device 200 (Fig. 1A).

The bracket 120 may be coupled to the first pair of rails 105A and 105B and/or the second pair of rails 110A and 110B such that the bracket 120 is moveable relative to the housing 202 . For example, first bracket portion 122A may be coupled to rail 105A and/or rail 110A, while second bracket portion 122B may be coupled to rail 105B and/or rail 110B. One or both of rails 105A and 110A may be coupled to housing 202 , and one or both of rails 105B and 110B may be coupled to housing 202 . Typically, rails 110A and 110B provide ledges on which the expansion card slides when inserted into housing 202 of computing device 200 .

In some embodiments, the handle assembly 100 includes only the first pair of rails 105A and 105B, only the second pair of rails 110A and 110B, or none of the rails 105A, 105B, 110A, and 110B. In embodiments that do not include any rails, bracket 120 may be directly coupled to housing 202 .

The first handle 140 and the second handle 160 are each movably coupled to the bracket 120 . The first handle 140 includes a main body 142, a first leg 144A, and a second leg 144B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 144A of the first handle 140 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket portion 122A, and the second leg 144B of the first handle 140 is rotatably coupled to the second bracket. Part 122B. Therefore, the first handle 140 is rotatably coupled to the bracket 120 and can be rotated to various different positions. In some embodiments, the first handle 140 is rotatable between an insertion position and an ejection position.

The second handle 160 is formed similarly to the first handle 140 and includes a main body 162, a first leg 164A, and a second leg 164B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket portion 122A, and the second leg 164B of the second handle 160 is rotatably coupled to the second bracket. Part 122B. Therefore, the second handle 160 is also rotatably coupled to the bracket 120 and can be rotated to a variety of different positions. In some embodiments, the second handle 160 is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, which causes a locking structure of the second handle 160 to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Figures 2A-4B illustrate how the handle assembly 100 is assembled. Although the second handle 160 is illustrated as being coupled to the bracket 120 prior to the first handle 140 , in some implementations the first handle 140 may be coupled to the bracket 120 before the second handle 160 . In addition, Figures 2A to 4B generally only show the rail 110A, the first bracket portion 122A, the first leg portion 144A of the first handle 140, and the first leg portion 164A of the second handle 160. However, the pair of rails 110A and 110B, the bracket 120, the first handle 140, and the second handle 160 are generally symmetrical. Thus, track 110A is substantially the same as track 110B, first bracket portion 122A is substantially the same as second bracket portion 122B, first leg 144A is substantially the same as second leg 144B, and first leg 164A is substantially the same as second leg 164B. Much the same. If any of the track 110A, the first bracket portion 122A, the first leg 144A, and the first leg 164A are described as having specific features and/or performing a specific function, then the second bracket portion 122B, the second leg 144B , and second leg 164B typically also have this component and/or perform this function. Furthermore, the process of coupling rail 110A, first bracket portion 122A, first leg 144A, and first leg 164A together is the same as coupling rail 110B, second bracket portion 122B, second leg 144B, and second leg 144A. The process of coupling the legs 164B together is generally the same. However, in some embodiments, the various components of handle assembly 100 may be asymmetric such that corresponding portions of rails 110A and 110B, bracket 120, first handle 140, and second handle 160 may differ from each other in various ways.

Figure 2A shows the alignment between the first bracket portion 122A of the bracket 120 and the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 before the first bracket portion 122A is coupled to the first leg 164A. Figure 2B shows the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 164A after the first bracket portion 122A has been coupled to the first leg 164A. Pin 180 is insertable through a hole 124 defined in first bracket portion 122A and through a hole 166 defined in first leg 164A to couple first bracket portion 122A and first leg 164A. Pin 180 is rotatable within bore 124 and/or bore 166 such that first bracket portion 122A and first leg 164A are rotatable relative to each other.

A torsion spring 130 is disposed between the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg portion 164A. The first leg 164A includes a boss member 168 extending from the first leg 164A toward the first bracket portion 122A and through the center of the torsion spring 130 . A first leg 132A of the torsion spring 130 rests on a flange 170 of the first leg 164A. A second leg 132B of the torsion spring 130 rests on a flange 126 of the first bracket portion 122A. When the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 rotates relative to the first bracket part 122A so that the flange 170 moves closer to the flange 126, the first leg 132A and the second leg 132B of the torsion spring 130 will be compressed. The compression of the torsion spring 130 will cause the torsion spring 130 to impart a corresponding spring force to the flange 126 and the flange 170, causing the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 to rotate back to its original position. Thus, the torsion spring 130 helps bias the second handle 160 to a position (relative to the first bracket portion 122A) in which the torsion spring 130 is uncompressed.

As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the first bracket portion 122A also includes a pair of track channels 128A and 128B. As discussed further herein, track channels 128A and 128B serve to couple the first bracket portion 122A to the track 110A of the second pair of tracks. Although not shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the second bracket portion 122B will have a pair of track channels similar to the pair of track channels 128A and 128B and will serve to couple the second bracket portion 122B to the second pair of track channels 128A and 128B. Track 110B. The first bracket part 122A also includes an ejection arm 138 and a stopper 139 . The ejection arm 138 helps disconnect the expansion card from its connector on the motherboard, and the stop tab 139 helps prevent the first handle 140 from rotating past the unlocked position, both of which are discussed in greater detail herein. Finally, Figure 2B shows a protrusion 172 extending downwardly from the flange 170. When first leg 164A is coupled to first bracket portion 122A, protrusion 172 of first leg 164A will extend away from first bracket portion 122A from flange 170 .

Figure 3A shows the first bracket portion 122A and the first bracket portion 122A before the first bracket portion 122A is coupled to the first leg portion 144A (and after the first leg portion 164A of the second handle 160 has been coupled to the first bracket portion 122A). Alignment between first legs 144A of first handle 140 . Figure 3B shows the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 144A after the first bracket portion 122A has been coupled to the first leg 144A. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , when the first leg portions 144A and 164A have been coupled to the first bracket portion 122A, the first leg portion 144A and the first leg portion 164A will be disposed on the first bracket portion 122A. on the opposite side.

The first bracket portion 122A includes a hole 134 and the first leg 144A includes a channel 146 . Pin 182 may be inserted through hole 134 and channel 146 defined in first leg 144A to couple first bracket portion 122A to first leg 144A. Pin 182 is rotatable within bore 134 and/or channel 146 such that first bracket portion 122A and first leg 144A are rotatable relative to each other. When this rotation occurs, pin 182 moves through channel 146. The first bracket portion 122A also includes a detent 136 to facilitate setting the first handle 140 to various positions during use of the handle assembly 100.

Finally, the first leg 144A of the first handle 140 includes a boss member 148 and a pair of stopper holes 150A and 150B. Boss member 148 is used to couple first handle 140 to second pair of rails 110A and 110B, as further described herein. The two detent holes 150A and 150B also facilitate setting of different positions of the first handle 140 during use of the handle assembly 100. As further described herein, detent hole 150B may receive detent 136 of first bracket portion 122A when first handle 140 is in a particular position.

Figures 4A and 4B show how the bracket 120, the first handle 140, and the second handle 160 are all coupled to the second pair of rails 110A and 110B. Figure 4A shows the alignment between rail 110A, first bracket portion 122A, first leg 144A, and first leg 164A before coupling rail 110A. Figure 4B shows the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 164A after the first bracket portion 122A has been coupled to the first leg 164A. Track 110A includes an outer wall 116A and an inner wall 116B. The outer wall 116A defines a first hole 112A and a second hole 112B, and the inner wall 116B defines a third hole 112C. Track 110A also includes a flange 119 on which the expansion card slides when inserted into the computing device.

A pin 184A is inserted through the first hole 112A in the outer wall 116A and through the track channel 128A in the first bracket portion 122A. A pin 184B is inserted through the second hole 112B in the outer wall 116A and through the track channel 128B of the first bracket portion 122A. As shown in FIG. 4B , the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg portion 144A are generally disposed inside the outer wall 116A of the track 110A relative to the handle assembly 100 . Therefore, when the handle assembly 100 is fully assembled, the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 144A will be positioned between the outer wall 116A of the rail 110A and the rail 110B. Pins 184A and 184B can slide within track channels 128A and 128B, respectively. Therefore, the first bracket portion 122A is slidable relative to the track 110A. Because the second handle 160 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket portion 122A (and the second bracket portion 122B), the second handle 160 can also slide relative to the track 110A (and the track 110B).

The boss member 148 of the first leg 144A of the first handle 140 is used to couple the first leg 144A to the track 110A. As shown, boss member 148 is inserted into third hole 112C of inner wall 116B of track 110A to couple first leg 144A to track 110A. As shown in Figure 4B, inner wall 116B will be disposed generally inboard of first leg 144A of first handle 140 relative to handle assembly 100. Therefore, when the handle assembly 100 is fully assembled, the inner wall 116B will be located between the first leg 144A and the second leg 144B. The outer wall 116A is located outside one end of the first leg 144A (relative to the handle assembly 100), and the inner wall 116B is located inside one end of the first leg 144A (relative to the handle assembly 100). A fastener 152 may be secured to an end of boss member 148 that projects from the inside of inner wall 116B. Any suitable device may be used for fastener 152, such as pins, circlips, retaining rings, retaining rings, etc. Boss member 148 is rotatable within third hole 112C. Therefore, the first leg 144A (and therefore the first handle 140) can rotate relative to the track 110A.

As described herein, Figures 2A-5B only show half of the components of the handle assembly 100. In some embodiments, various features of these components will be replicated on the other half of the handle assembly 100. For example, the handle assembly 100 may include two torsion springs 130 , one between the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 , and another between the second bracket portion 122B and the second leg 164A of the second handle 160 . between legs 164B. In another example, bracket 120 may include two ejection arms 138, one ejection arm 138 each extending from bracket portions 122A and 122B. In yet another example, in some embodiments, the second handle 160 includes two protrusions 172 , one each extending from a leg 164A, 164B of the second handle 160 . One or both of the protrusions 172 of the second handle 160 may form a locking structure that helps lock the expansion card within the second handle 160 within the computing device, as discussed further herein.

Figures 5A and 5B show how the first pair of rails 105A and 105B are coupled to the second pair of rails 110A and 110B. Figure 5A shows the alignment between track 105A and track 110A and between track 105B and track 110B before the first pair of tracks 105A and 105B are coupled to the second pair of tracks 110A and 110B. Track 105A includes a pair of holes 108A and 108B, while track 105B includes a pair of holes 108C and 108D. Track 110A includes a pair of holes 113A and 113B aligned with holes 108A and 108B, while track 110B includes a pair of holes 113C and 113D aligned with holes 108C and 108D. As shown in Figure 5B, pins can be inserted through the pairs of holes to couple track 105A to track 110A and track 105B to track 110B. Pin 111A is inserted through hole 108A as well as hole 113A. Pin 111B is inserted through hole 108B as well as hole 113B. Pin 111C is inserted through hole 108C as well as hole 113C. Pin 111D is inserted through hole 108D as well as hole 113D.

Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 is in the inserted position and the second handle 160 is in the locked position. For ease of explanation, the first pair of rails 105A and 105B are not shown in Figure 6A. When the first handle 140 is in the inserted position, the first leg 144A and the second leg 144B are generally parallel to and aligned with the second pair of rails 110A and 110B. Similarly, when the second handle 160 is in the locked position, the first leg 164A and the second leg 164B (not visible in Figure 6A) are generally parallel to and aligned with the second pair of rails 110A and 110B.

Figures 6B and 6C show side views of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 is in the inserted position and the second handle 160 is in the locked position. FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 below the first leg 144A of the first handle 140 . When the first handle 140 is in the inserted position, the detent hole 150A of the first leg 144A (shown in Figure 6C) receives the detent 136 of the first bracket portion 122A (shown in Figure 6B). The detent 136 does not prevent the first handle 140 from moving out of the inserted position, but provides a small amount of resistance to prevent inadvertent movement out of the inserted position. When received in detent hole 150A, detent 136 also provides a small amount of tactile feedback to indicate that first handle 140 has reached the insertion position. When the first handle 140 is in the inserted position, the pin 182 coupling the first leg 144A to the first bracket portion 122A is disposed in the channel 146 closer to the detent hole 150A and further away from the boss member 148 (coupling the first leg portion 144A and track 110A) and one end of the brake hole 150B.

As shown in FIG. 6C , the torsion spring 130 is not compressed and thus imparts no force (or a minimal amount of force) to the first bracket portion 122A and the first leg 164A of the second handle 160 . Figure 6C also shows the location of pins 184A and 184B within the track channels 128A and 128B of the first bracket portion 122A. The first bracket portion 122A and the first leg portion 164A are positioned as far apart as possible in a direction relative to the track 110A (eg, to the left relative to the plane of Figure 6C). The ejection arm 138 of the first bracket portion 122A and the protrusion 172 of the first leg 164A are also positioned relative to one direction of the track 110A as much as possible.

Pins 184A and 184B are thus disposed at one end of their respective track channels 128A and 128B, closer to the connection point between the legs 144A and 144B of the first handle 140 and the tracks 110A and 110B. When the second handle 160 is in the locked position, the protrusion 172 is in the locked position.

Figure 7A shows a perspective view of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 has been rotated to the ejection position and the second handle 160 remains in the locked position. When the first handle 140 is in the ejection position, the main body 142, the first leg 144A, and the second leg 144B are positioned at a certain angle relative to the rail 110A, the rail 110B, the first bracket portion 122A, and the second bracket portion 122B.

Figures 7B and 7C show side views of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 has been rotated to the ejected position and the second handle 160 remains in the locked position. Figure 7C is a perspective view showing the second handle 160 below the first handle 140. As shown, first leg 144A has pivoted about boss member 148 such that detent hole 150A of first leg 144A has moved away from detent 136 of first bracket portion 122A and detent 136 no longer receives In the detent hole 150A. The detent hole 150B of the first leg 144A has been moved toward the track 110A such that a detent 114 of the track 110A is received within the detent hole 150B.

Similar to detent 136, detent 114 does not prevent first handle 140 from moving out of the ejection position, but provides a small amount of resistance to prevent inadvertent movement out of the ejection position. When received in detent hole 150B, detent 114 also provides a small amount of tactile feedback to indicate that first handle 140 has reached the ejection position. Track 110A includes a stop surface 115 . When the first handle 140 moves to the ejection position, an end 154 of the first leg 144A contacts the stop surface 115 . Contact between the stop surface 115 and the end 154 prevents the first handle 140 from rotating beyond the ejection position, which may damage the handle assembly 100 .

As the first handle 140 rotates to the ejection position, the first leg 144A rotates away from the track 110A. However, first bracket portion 122A cannot rotate away from track 110A with first leg 144A because first bracket portion 122A is not rotatably coupled to track 110A. Conversely, as first leg 144A rotates, pin 182 (coupling first bracket portion 122A to first leg 144A) moves to an end of channel 146 closer to boss member 148 and detent hole 150B. Pin 182 pulls first bracket portion 122A in a linear direction relative to rail 110A, causing first bracket portion 122A to slide along pins 184A and 184B (coupling first bracket portion 122A to rail 110A). The first bracket portion 122A (and the ejection arm 138 of the first bracket portion 122A) therefore moves away from a first end 117A of the track 110A and toward a second end 117B of the track 110A. When first handle 140 reaches the ejection position, pins 184A and 184B have moved to opposite ends of track channels 128A and 128B.

As first bracket portion 122A slides along pins 184A and 184B, first bracket portion 122A pulls first leg 164A of second handle 160. Therefore, when the first handle 140 moves to the ejection position, the first leg 164A also moves in a linear direction relative to the track 110A. The protrusion 172 of the first leg 164A moves with the first leg 164A and the first bracket portion 122A away from the first end 117A of the track 110A and toward the second end 117B of the track 110A. And because the second handle 160 is still in the locked position, the protrusion 172 remains in the locked position.

Figure 8A shows a perspective view of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 has been rotated to the ejection position and the second handle 160 has been rotated to the unlocked position. When the second handle 160 rotates to the unlocking position, the main body 162 of the second handle 160 moves toward the rails 110A and 110B and away from the main body 142 of the first handle 140 . Because the second handle 160 is rotatably coupled to the bracket portions 122A and 122B, the ends of the first leg 164A and the second leg 164B move in the opposite direction to the body 162 and toward the body 142 .

Figure 8B is a perspective side view of the handle assembly 100 when the first handle 140 has been rotated to the ejected position and the second handle 160 has been rotated to the unlocked position. When the second handle 160 is rotated to the unlocked position, the first leg 164A rotates about the pin 180 coupling the first leg 164A to the first bracket portion 122A. Rotation of the second handle 160 to the locked position causes the protrusion 172 of the first leg 164A to move away from the track 110A toward the unlocked position (eg, upward relative to the plane of Figure 8B).

The second handle 160 can be rotated to the unlocked position in various ways. For example, the user may press down on a portion of second handle 160 (eg, body 162), causing second handle 160 to rotate into a locked position. When this occurs, protrusion 172 (which forms the locking structure of second handle 160) will move to the unlocked position. However, the protrusion 172 is designed such that insertion of the expansion card will also cause the second handle 160 to rotate to the unlocked position without further user intervention. As shown in Figure 8B, the protrusion 172 has a curved surface facing the direction in which the expansion card is inserted. When the expansion card is inserted and contacts this curved surface, the protrusion 172 is forced upward to the unlocked position, causing the entire second handle 160 to rotate to the unlocked position.

Rotation of first leg 164A also compresses torsion spring 130 . When first leg 164A rotates to the unlocked position, flange 170 moves toward flange 126 of first bracket portion 122A, causing torsion spring 130 to compress. Compression of torsion spring 130 biases first leg 164A (and second handle 160 as a whole) toward the locked position. The stopper piece 139 is provided at one end of the first bracket portion 122A adjacent to the body 162 of the second handle 160 . When the body 162 rotates toward the rails 110A and 110B, the body 162 contacts the stopper piece 139 . This contact prevents the second handle 160 from rotating beyond the unlocked position.

9-12 illustrate the process of using the handle assembly 100 to insert an expansion card 210 into a housing 202 of a computing device 200. Figures 9-12 show side cross-sectional views of the handle assembly 100 such that the track 110B, the second bracket portion 122B, the second leg 144B of the first handle 140, and the second leg 164B of the second handle 160 are not visible. For ease of explanation, track 105A and track 105B are not shown.

In Figure 9, handle assembly 100 is located within housing 202 of computing device 200. The first handle 140 of the handle assembly 100 is in the inserted position, and the second handle 160 of the handle assembly 100 is in the locked position. The expansion card is initially inserted into housing 202. The computing device includes a motherboard 204 disposed within a housing 202 . The motherboard 204 includes a connector 206 to which the expansion card 210 can be connected. When expansion card 210 is inserted into housing 202 toward connector 206, expansion card 210 slides along flange 119 of track 110A (and 110B, not shown). As shown in FIG. 9 , the expansion card 210 can be inserted into the housing 202 until the expansion card 210 reaches the protrusion 172 of the second handle 160 (eg, the protrusion 172 of the first leg 164A and the protrusion 172 of the second leg 164B. ). Because the second handle 160 is biased in the locked position and no force is applied to the second handle 160 to move it to the unlocked position, the second handle 160 is in the locked position and the projection 172 is in the locked position.

During insertion, expansion card 210 will be positioned approximately in the center of handle assembly 100 such that expansion card 210 is positioned between (i) rail 105A and rail 105B, (ii) rail 110A and rail 110B, (iii) the first between the bracket part 122A and the second bracket part 122B, (iv) between the first leg 144A and the second leg 144B, and (v) between the leg 164A and the leg 164B.

In FIG. 10 , the expansion card 210 has been inserted further into the housing 202 toward the connector 206 of the motherboard 204 . As the expansion card 210 is further inserted, the leading edge 212 of the expansion card 210 contacts the protrusion 172 of the second handle 160 . Since the protrusions 172 each have a curved surface facing the first edge 212, the contact between the first edge 212 and the protrusions 172 causes the second handle 160 to move to the unlocked position. When the second handle 160 is moved to the unlocked position, the protrusion 172 moves out of the path of the expansion card 210 , allowing the expansion card 210 to be further inserted into the housing 202 .

In FIG. 11 , expansion card 210 has been inserted further into housing 202 toward connector 206 of motherboard 204 . As expansion card 210 is further inserted, leading edge 212 continues to move past protrusion 172 , which slides along the top surface of expansion card 210 . Eventually, the protrusion 172 reaches the gap 214 (eg, a recess, cutout, etc.) defined in the expansion card 210 . Although only a single gap 214 is shown in FIG. 11 , a typical expansion card 210 will have a gap 214 on each side of the expansion card 210 , and the two gaps 214 respectively correspond to one of the protrusions 172 of the second handle 160 .

Gap 214 is sized to receive protrusion 172 therein. Because the second handle 160 is biased toward the locked position, once the protrusion 172 reaches the gap 214, the second handle 160 rotates back to the locked position. When this occurs, protrusion 172 moves to the locked position such that protrusion 172 extends at least partially through gap 214 . Because protrusion 172 extends through gap 214, expansion card 210 cannot be inserted further. Generally, the handle assembly 100 and expansion card 210 are sized such that once the protrusion 172 reaches the gap 214 and moves to the locked position, the leading edge 212 will contact (or be immediately adjacent to) the ejection arm 138 of the bracket 120 (e.g., the first bracket portion 122A the ejection arm 138 of the second bracket portion 122B).

In Figure 12, the first handle 140 of the handle assembly 100 has been moved to the inserted position, while the second handle 160 remains in the locked position. When the first handle 140 moves to the insertion position, the first handle 140 causes the bracket 120 and the second handle 160 to move in a linear direction toward the connector 206 of the motherboard 204 . As the second handle 160 remains in the locked position, the protrusion 172 remains in the locked position disposed within the gap 214 . Therefore, when the second handle 160 moves toward the connector 206, the protrusion 172 pulls the expansion card 210 toward the connector 206 and causes the expansion card 210 (or a connector of the expansion card 210) to be inserted into the connector 206, causing the expansion card 210 to be inserted into the connector 206. 210 electrically connects the motherboard 204 and the computing device 200 .

13-15 illustrate the process of using the handle assembly 100 to remove the expansion card 210 from the housing 202 of the computing device 200. Similar to Figures 9-12, the track 110B, the second bracket portion 122B, the second leg 144B of the first handle 140, and the second leg 164A of the second handle 160 are not shown in Figures 13-15 . In addition, for convenience of illustration, the rail 105A and the rail 105B are not shown.

In FIG. 13, expansion card 210 (shown partially in section) is fully inserted into housing 202 of computing device 200, with first handle 140 in the inserted position and second handle 160 in the locked position. As shown, expansion card 210 may include a connector 216 extending forward of leading edge 212 . When expansion card 210 is fully inserted into computing device 200, connector 216 plugs into connector 206 of motherboard 204. The leading edge 212 of the expansion card 210 contacts or is immediately adjacent to the ejection arm 138 of the bracket 120 .

In FIG. 14 , the first handle 140 has moved to the ejection position, which causes the bracket 120 and the second handle 160 to move in a linear direction away from the connector 206 of the motherboard 204 . As the bracket 120 moves, the ejection arm 138 pushes the expansion card 210 away and disconnects the connector 206 so that the expansion card 210 is no longer electrically connected to the motherboard 204 . Additionally, a trailing edge 213 of the expansion card 210 will now extend from the housing 202 to allow the user to easily grasp the expansion card 210.

However, as shown in FIG. 14 , even if the second handle 160 is linearly moved by the rotational movement of the first handle 140 , the second handle 160 remains in the locked position. Therefore, the protrusion 172 of the second handle 160 remains in the locked position disposed in the gap 214 of the expansion card 210, preventing the user from completely removing the expansion card 210 from the housing 202. In FIG. 15 , the second handle 160 has been moved to the unlocked position, such as in response to a user applying force to the second handle 160 in a direction toward the bracket 120 . The protrusions 172 move to their unlocked position such that the protrusions 172 are no longer disposed within the gap 214 of the expansion card 210 . The user can thus grasp the trailing edge 213 of the expansion card 210 and remove the expansion card 210 from the housing 202 of the computing device 200 .

Figure 16 shows a flowchart of a method 300 for inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly (eg, handle assembly 100). Step 302 of method 300 includes moving an expansion card (eg, expansion card 210) to an initial position within a housing (eg, housing 202) of a computing device (eg, computing device 200). Movement of the expansion card to the initial position causes a locking structure (eg, protrusion 172 of the handle assembly 100) to move from a locked position to an unlocked position. When the locking structure is in the unlocked position, the locking structure does not engage the expansion card.

Step 304 of method 300 includes moving the expansion card to an intermediate position within the housing. Movement of the expansion card to the intermediate position causes the locking structure to move from the unlocked position to the locked position and engage the expansion card. In some embodiments, the locking structure includes one or more protrusions (e.g., protrusions 172 of handle assembly 100) configured to extend at least partially through one or more gaps defined in the expansion card (e.g., expansion card 210 of the gap 214) to fit the expansion card.

Step 306 of method 300 includes moving a handle of the handle assembly (eg, first handle 140 of handle assembly 100) from an ejection position to an insertion position. Movement of the first handle toward the insertion position causes the expansion card to move to a final position within the housing. When the expansion card is in its final position, at least a portion of the expansion card is received by a connector of the computing device (eg, connector 206 of motherboard 204).

Generally, the initial position can be any position where the expansion card contacts the locking structure and moves the locking structure to the unlocked position, including the position of the expansion card 210 in FIG. 10 . The intermediate position may be any position in which the locking structure has moved back to the locking position before the expansion card is coupled to the connector of the computing device and engages the expansion card in response to further movement of the expansion card into the housing of the computing device. Thus, the intermediate location would include the location of expansion card 210 in Figure 11, but may also include other locations where the expansion card is closer to the connector. The final position generally includes any position in which at least a portion of the expansion card is received by a connector of the computing device, including the position of expansion card 210 in FIG. 12 .

In some embodiments, the locking structure has a curved surface (eg, the curved surface of protrusion 172). In step 302, when the expansion card moves to the initial position, one edge of the expansion card (for example, the first edge 212 of the expansion card 210) contacts the curved surface of the locking structure, so that the locking structure moves away from the expansion card and moves to the initial position. . In some implementations, one or more gaps are defined in the expansion card (eg, gap 214 of expansion card 210). When the expansion card moves to the neutral position at step 304, one or more gaps become aligned with the locking structure, causing the locking structure to move back to the locked position. In the locked position, at least a portion of the locking structure may be disposed within one or more gaps.

Figure 17 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for removing an expansion card from a computing device using a handle assembly (eg, handle assembly 100). Step 402 of method 400 includes moving a first handle (eg, first handle 140) of the handle assembly from an insertion position to an ejection position. Movement of the first handle toward the ejection position causes the expansion card to disconnect from a connector of the computing device (eg, connector 206 of computing device 200 ). In some embodiments, the handle assembly includes a bracket (eg, bracket 120 of handle assembly 100) coupled to the first handle. In response to the first handle moving from the insertion position to the ejection position, the bracket moves linearly within the housing of the computing device and pushes the expansion card away from the connector, thereby causing the expansion card to disconnect from the connector. In some implementations, a portion of the expansion card extends out of the housing of the computing device after the first handle has moved to the ejection position.

Step 404 of method 400 includes moving the expansion card to an intermediate position within the housing. Movement of the expansion card to the intermediate position causes the locking structure to move from the unlocked position to the locked position and engage the expansion card. In some embodiments, the locking structure includes one or more protrusions (e.g., protrusions 172 of handle assembly 100) configured to extend at least partially through one or more gaps defined in the expansion card (e.g., expansion card 210 of the gap 214) to fit the expansion card. In some embodiments, the locking structure includes one or more protrusions (eg, protrusion 172 of second handle 160 ) configured to extend at least partially through one or more gaps defined in the expansion card (eg, expansion card 210 gap 214) to engage the expansion card and prevent the expansion card from moving. When the locking structure moves to the unlocked position, the protrusions move away from the expansion card so that they no longer extend through the gap and the expansion card is removable.

Step 406 of method 400 includes removing the expansion card from the computing device. In some implementations, a user can grasp the expansion card and manually remove the expansion card from the computing device.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalents and modifications will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. Additionally, while specific features of the present disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such features may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments as may be desirable and advantageous for any given or particular application. other combinations of characteristics.

Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Various changes may be made in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

100: handle assembly

105A, 105B: first pair of tracks/tracks

108A, 108B, 108C, 108D: Hole

110A, 110B: Second pair of tracks/tracks

111A, 111B, 111C, 111D: pin

112A:The first hole

112B: Second hole

112C:Third hole

113A, 113B, 113C, 113D: Hole

114:brake parts

115: Stop surface

116A:Outer wall

116B:Inner wall

117A:First end

117B:Second end

119:Flange

120:Bracket

122A: First bracket part

122B: Second bracket part

124:hole

126:Flange

128A, 128B: Track channel

130: Torsion spring

132A: First leg

132B: Second leg

134:hole

136: Brake parts

138:Ejection arm

139: Stopper

140:First handle

142:Subject

144A:First leg

144B:Second leg

146:Channel

148:Boss component

150A, 150B: Brake hole

152: Fasteners

154:End

160:Second handle

162:Subject

164A:First leg

164B:Second leg

166:hole

168:Boss component

170:Flange

172:Protrusion

180,182,184A,184B:pin

200:Computing device

202: Shell

204: Motherboard

206:Connector

210:Expansion card

212: First edge

213:Tail edge

214:Gap

216:Connector

300:Method

302,304,306: Steps

400:Method

402,404,406: Steps

The present disclosure and its advantages will be better understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments only and, therefore, should not be construed as limiting the various embodiments or the scope of the claims. Figure 1A is a perspective view of a handle assembly coupled to a housing of a computing device in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 1B is an exploded view of a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 2A is an exploded view of a first step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 2B is a perspective view of a first step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 3A is an exploded view of a second step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 3B is a perspective view of a second step of assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 4A is an exploded view of a third step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 4B is a perspective view of a third step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 5A is an exploded view of a fourth step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 5B is a perspective view of a fourth step for assembling a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 6A is a perspective view of the handle assembly when a first handle is in an inserted position and a second handle is in a locked position, in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 6B is a side view of the handle assembly of Figure 6A in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 6C is a perspective side view of the handle assembly of Figure 6A in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 7A is a perspective view of the handle assembly when the first handle is in an ejection position and the second handle is in the locked position, in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 7B is a side view of the handle assembly of Figure 7A in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 7C is a perspective side view of the handle assembly of Figure 7A in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 8A is a perspective view of the handle assembly when the first handle is in an ejection position and the second handle is in an unlocked position, in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 8B is a perspective side view of the handle assembly of Figure 8A in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a side view of a first step of a method of inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is a side view of a second step of a method of inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly according to features of the present disclosure. 11 is a side view of a third step of a method of inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly according to features of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a side view of a fourth step of a method of inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly according to features of the present disclosure. Figure 13 is a side view of a first step of a method of removing an expansion card from a computing device using a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. 14 is a side view of a second step of a method of removing an expansion card from a computing device using a handle assembly in accordance with features of the present disclosure. Figure 15 is a side view of a third step of a method of removing an expansion card from a computing device using a handle assembly according to features of the present disclosure. Figure 16 is a flowchart of a method of inserting an expansion card into a computing device using a handle assembly according to features of the present disclosure. Figure 17 is a flowchart of a method of removing an expansion card from a computing device using a handle assembly, in accordance with features of the present disclosure.

100: handle assembly

105A,105B: The first pair of tracks/tracks

110A, 110B: Second pair of tracks/tracks

120:Bracket

122A: First bracket part

122B: Second bracket part

140:First handle

142:Subject

144A:First leg

144B:Second leg

160:Second handle

162:Subject

164A:First leg

164B:Second leg

Claims (10)

A handle assembly for interacting with an expansion card configured to plug into a computing device, comprising: a bracket configured to be removably coupled to a housing of the computing device; a first handle movably coupled to the bracket, the first handle movable between an insertion position and an ejection position; a second handle movably coupled to the bracket and moving between a locked position and an unlocked position, the second handle including a locking structure configured to lock the expansion card within the housing , wherein when the bracket is coupled to the housing, movement of the first handle between the insertion position and the ejection position causes the bracket and the second handle to move linearly within the housing, and Wherein, the movement of the second handle between the locking position and the unlocking position causes the locking structure to move between a locking position and an unlocking position. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first handle is rotatably coupled to the bracket and rotates between the insertion position and the ejection position. The handle assembly of claim 2, wherein when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the housing of the computing device, rotation of the first handle between the insertion position and the ejection position causes the expansion card to engage in the housing. Internal linear movement. The handle assembly of claim 3, wherein when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the housing of the computing device and the locking structure engages the expansion card, the first handle rotates from the ejection position to the insertion position. The locking structure is caused to move linearly and push the expansion card along a first linear direction in the housing. The handle assembly of claim 4, wherein when the expansion card is fully inserted into the computing device, the first handle rotates from the insertion position to the ejection position causing the bracket to move linearly and in a second linear direction within the housing. When the expansion card is pushed, the second linear direction is opposite to the first linear direction. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the second handle is rotatably coupled to the bracket and rotates between the locked position and the unlocked position. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device, rotation of the second handle between the locked position and the unlocked position causes the locking structure to engage or disengage the expansion card. . The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device, rotation of the second handle from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the locking structure to move to the unlocked position and away from the expansion card, The locking structure is disengaged from the expansion card. The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device, rotation of the second handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the locking structure to move to the locked position and toward the expansion card Move so that the locking structure engages the expansion card. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein the locking structure includes a protrusion extending from the second handle, the protrusion extending through when the expansion card is at least partially inserted into the computing device and the locking structure is in the locked position. A gap in the expansion card.

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