WO2019059929A1

WO2019059929A1 - Panel latches

Info

Publication number: WO2019059929A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/053014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emma KELP-STEBBINS
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2017-09-22
Filing date: 2017-09-22
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-22

Abstract

In an example, a panel latch may include a first latch pivotably engaged with a panel at a first pivot point, and a second latch pivotably engaged with the panel at a second pivot point, separate from the first pivot point. The panel latch may also include a handle movably disposed on the panel in between the first pivot point and the second pivot point, a first lever attached to the first latch, and a second lever attached to the second latch. The first lever and the second lever may both be engaged with and movable with the handle. Further, the first lever and the second lever may move the first latch and the second latch, respectively, from a latched position to a released position if the first lever and the second lever are moved by the handle.

Description

PANEL LATCHES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Electronic devices may having housings or chassis, within which components of the electronic device may be disposed. Such components may be accessed, in some situations, through removable or openable portions or panels of the electronic device. Such openable portions or panels may be attached to the housing or chassis through the use of mechanical fasteners and/or moving or actuatable fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of an example panel latch.

[0003] Fig. IB is a top view of an example panel latch.

[0004] Fig. 1C is a top view of an example panel latch.

[0005] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of an example device module having an example panel latch.

[0006] Fig. 2B is a detail view of an example panel latch.

[0007] Fig. 2C is a top view of an example device module having an example panel latch.

[0008] Fig. 2D is a back view of an example panel latch.

[0009] Fig. 3 A is a top view of an example panel latch.

[0010] Fig. 3B is a top view of an example panel latch.

[0011] Fig. 3C is a top view of an example panel latch.

[0012] Fig. 4A is a cutaway perspective view of an example electronic device having an example panel latch.

[0013] Fig. 4B is a detail cutaway view of an example electronic device having an example panel latch.

[0014] Fig. 4C is a cutaway perspective view of an example electronic device having an example panel latch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Electronic devices, such as imaging devices, for example, may perform operations on or with media, sometimes referred to as print media, or a medium thereof. Such operations may be referred to as print operations, and may include printing, copying, fixing, scanning, or other operations that may be performed on or with media. In some situations, such operations may include three-dimensional (3D) printing. In other situations, the electronic device may be another type of device other than an imaging device.

[0016] Sometimes media may become jammed or stuck within the electronic device during such operations, and/or the electronic device may experience a malfunction. Such a malfunction or media jam may have to be cleared or remedied before the electronic device may continue with operation performance. A user may sometimes gain access to an inside portion of the electronic device through an openable or removable panel in order to manually remove stuck media, or to fix or remedy the malfunction. Further, additional modules or components may be removed from within the electronic device through such a removable or openable panel before the jam or malfunction can be fixed or cleared. In other implementations, a user may gain access to an inside or interior portion of an electronic device for other reasons, for example, to repair, replace, or upgrade components or parts, to refill or replace consumable materials or

components, such as ink or toner, or for other reasons.

[0017] Removable panels or portions of the electronic device may be secured to the electronic device, or a chassis or housing thereof, with mechanical fasteners, in some situations. In other situations, to expedite the opening and closing of such a panel, tool-less fasteners or components may be used to secure the panel, and may include latches, switches, handles, and the like.

[0018] In situations wherein an interior component or module may be removed from the electronic device through a removable or openable panel and then reinstalled after the problem or task is completed, such a component or module may need to be securably reinstalled into the device in order to ensure proper function of the module and/or electronic device as a whole. Such a secure installation may be assisted by the removable or openable panel, or a component thereon, exerting a pressure on the component or module when the panel is in a closed or attached position with the electronic device. However, sometimes the fasteners or components used to attach or hold closed such a panel may not be strong enough to ensure such a secure installation of the component or module, which may still result in improper or inefficient function of the electronic device. In some situations, a passive biased latch may be employed to hold the openable panel in the closed position, wherein the latch is biased to a sufficient degree to ensure that the panel holds the component or module tightly enough such that the module functions properly. However, a user pulling against such a strongly-biased latch may make subsequent opening or removal of the panel difficult, or may cause harm to the electronic device or a part thereof.

[0019] Therefore, in some situations it may be desirable to employ a release component, such as a latch, on an openable panel or module of an electronic device, that may both retain the panel or module in the closed position strongly and tightly enough that the panel or module may hold or press another, interior, module in a correctly-operating position, yet may also enable the easy release of the panel or module such that a user may easily gain access to the interior of the electronic device.

[0020] Implementations of the present disclosure provide active panel latches that may hold or retain a device module or panel in a tightly closed position with an electronic device, yet may also be easily actuated by a user in order to open the module or panel to provide access to an interior portion of the electronic device. Further, example panel latches disclosed herein may ensure that a device module or panel is held in a closed position securely enough to ensure that the module or panel, or a component thereon, provides proper positioning and installation of another, interior component of the electronic device.

[0021] Referring now to Figs. 1 A-B, a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of an example panel latch 100 is illustrated. The panel latch 100 may include a first latch 102 pivotably engaged with a panel at a first pivot point 107, and a second latch 104 pivotably engaged with the panel at a second pivot point 109, separate from the first pivot point 107. The panel latch 100 may also include a handle 106 slidably or otherwise movably disposed on the panel in between the first pivot point and the second pivot point, a first lever 108 attached to the first latch 102, and a second lever 110 attached to the second latch 104. The first lever 108 and the second lever 110 may both be engaged with and movable with the handle 106. Further, the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 may move the first latch 102 and the second latch 104, respectively, from a latched position to a released position if the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 are moved by the handle 106. [0022] The handle 106 may be a component sized and structured sufficiently to allow a user to hold or grab on to the handle 106 and to cause the handle to move by pulling or pushing on the handle 106. In some implementations, the handle 106 may include features such as a palm swell, finger hold, finger notches, or similar features to enable a user to interact with the handle 106. In further implementations, the handle 106 may be constructed of a polymer material, such as plastic or rubber, and may be injection molded. In other implementations, the handle 106 may be constructed of other materials, e.g., metallic or composite materials, and may be constructed by other manufacturing methods.

[0023] The first latch 102 and the second latch 104 may each have a pivot end engaged with the first pivot point and the second pivot point, respectively. The first latch 102 and the second latch 104 may also each have a latching end suitably structured to latch on to or otherwise engage with a respective retention feature. In some implementations, the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 may each have a J-shaped, L-shaped, or hook-shaped structure, while in other implementations, they may have a different structure that is capable of engaging with a respective retention feature. Additionally, the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 may each have a rigid or semi-rigid structure such that, if engaged with the respective retention features, the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 provide a rigid connection in tension between the retention features and the panel to which the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 are pivotably attached.

[0024] The first lever 108 and the second lever 110 may each also be a rigid or semi-rigid member so as to provide a rigid connection between the respective first latch 102 and second latch 104 and the handle 106. Thus, when the handle 106 moves, the engagement of the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 with the handle 106 causes the first lever 108 and the second lever 1 10 to transfer such movement of the handle 106 to the first latch 102 and the second latch 104, as will be discussed further below. In further implementations, first lever 108 and the second lever 110 may each be a linkage between the handle 106 and the first latch 102 and the second latch 104. In yet further implementations, the first latch 102 together with the first lever 108, and the second latch 104 together with the second lever 110, may operate as a bellcrank, and transfer motion in one direction about a pivot point.

[0025] Referring now to Fig. 1C, a top view of the panel latch 100 is illustrated, wherein the handle 106 has been moved along a release direction 105a and the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 have been moved from a latched position to a released position. In some implementations, the handle 106 has been moved by a user, and in other implementations, the handle 106 has been moved by an intermediate component, or by another mechanism. Fig. 1C illustrates the handle 106 as having been translated or slid lateral or substantially parallel to the view plane along the release direction 105a, but it should be noted that other manners of movement along the release direction 105a are contemplated. For example, in some

implementations, the handle 106 may pivot in the release direction 105a, for example, towards or into the view plane. Additionally, implementations are contemplated wherein the handle 106 may move in a different direction in order to actuate the first latch 102 and the second latch 104, for example, the handle 106 may rotate substantially parallel to the view plane in an arcuate or circular manner.

[0026] The handle 106 may slide or otherwise move along the release direction 105a such that the handle 106 causes the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 to also move. In some implementations, the handle 106 may pull on the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 upon being moved in the release direction 105a such that the first lever 108 moves along a corresponding first lever release direction 105b, and the second lever 110 moves along a second lever release direction 105c. The handle 106 may slide or move along the release direction 105a to pivot the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 about the first pivot point 107 and the second pivot point 109, respectively. The first lever 108 and the second lever 110 may be attached to or engaged with the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 such that the first latch 102 may move with the first lever 108 upon the first lever 108 moving in the first lever release direction 105b, and, similarly, the second latch 104 may move with the second lever 110 upon the second lever 110 moving along the second lever release direction 105c. More specifically, in some implementations, the first lever 108 may be sufficiently fixed to the first latch 102 such that, upon the handle 106 moving the first lever 108 about the first pivot point 107, the first lever 108, in turn, causes the first latch 102 to also pivot about the first pivot point 107, for example, along direction 111a, which may be in a clockwise manner. Similarly, the second lever 110, upon being moved about the second pivot point 109 by the handle 106, may cause the second latch 104 to pivot about the second pivot point 109, for example, along direction 11 lb, which may be in a counter-clockwise manner, in some implementations. The movement of the first latch 102 about the first pivot point 107, and the second latch 104 about the second pivot point 109, may result in the latching end of both the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 moving, or at least having a component of motion, along first unlatching direction 113a and second unlatching direction 113b, respectively. The first latch 102 and the second latch 104, or latching ends thereof, may move along the respective unlatching directions 113a and 113b in order to transition from the latched position to the released position. Thus, in other words, the handle 106 may pivot the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 from the latched position to the released position if the handle 106 is moved along the release direction 105a. In some implementations, the first latch 102 and the second latch 104 may pivot or move towards each other, or, in opposing directions while transitioning from the latched position to the released position.

[0027] Referring now to Fig. 2 A, a perspective view of an example device module 201 having an example panel latch 200 is illustrated. Example panel latch 200 may be similar to example panel latch 100, described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example panel latch 200 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of example panel latch 100, as they are described above. Device module 201 may be an openable module or component of an electronic device. Further, device module 201 may itself be referred to as a removable or openable door or panel of an electronic device. The device module 201 may even include a hinge 218 or a component to receive a hinge, in order to hingeably engage with the electronic device. It should be noted that the location of the hinge 218 may be other than as illustrated, in other implementations. Example device module 201 may include a surface or panel 212 disposed on a side of the device module 201 of the electronic device, wherein the example panel latch 200 may be disposed on such a panel 212.

[0028] The example panel latch 200 may include a first latch 202, a second latch 204, a handle 206, a first lever 208, and a second lever 210. The handle 206 may be movable along the panel 212 in a release direction, and may be disposed in between the first latch 202 and the second latch 204. Further, the first latch 202 and the first lever 208 may be pivotably attached to or engaged with the panel 212 at a first pivot point. Similarly, the second latch 204 and the second lever 210 may be pivotably attached to or engaged with the panel 212 at a second pivot point. The first latch 202 and the second latch 204 may be movable between a latched position and a released position. In some implementations, the panel latch 200 may further include a first bias member 214 and a second bias member 216. The first bias member 214 may be a resilient component capable of returning to its original shape after undergoing a deformation. In other words, the first bias member 214 may be elastically deformable. In some implementations, the first bias member 214 may be a spring. In further implementations, the first bias member 214 may be an extension or tension spring, and in other implementations, the first bias member 214 may be another type of springs, such as a compression spring or a torsion spring. The second bias member 216 may have a similar structure and/or function to the first bias member 214. In some implementations, the first bias member 214 and the second bias member 216 may bias or urge the first latch 202 and the second latch 204 towards the latched position, respectively.

[0029] Referring now to Fig. 2B, a detail view of the example panel latch 200 is illustrated. Although only the second latch 204 and associated components are shown in Fig. 2B, it should be noted that the following description may also apply to the first latch 202 and its associated components. In some implementations, the second latch 204 may have a latching end 204a and a pivot end 204b. In some implementations, the latching end 204a and the pivot end 204b may be disposed away from each other, or, in further implementations, may be disposed on opposite ends of the latch. The second latch 204 may be engaged with the second lever 210 at the pivot end 204b, and both of which may pivot about a second pivot point 209 at the pivot end 204b. The second bias member 216 may engage with the second latch 204 at the latching end 204a. Specifically, in some implementations, the latching end 204a may have a clearance notch 222 within which a portion of the second bias member 216 may be received. Further, the second bias member 216 may be retained within the clearance notch 222 by a bias member pin 220, in some implementations. In other implementations, the second bias member 216 may be attached to or retained to the second latch 204 (and similarly the first bias member 214 with the first latch 202) at another location, and/or in another manner, for example, using mechanical fasteners or other methods.

[0030] Referring now to Fig. 2C, a top view of the example device module 201, and the panel 212 thereof, is illustrated. It should be noted that Fig. 2C only identifies the first latch 202 and its associated components for clarity. It is contemplated that the following description may also apply to the second latch 204 and its associated components, as well. The handle 206 may be translated, slid, or otherwise moved along the panel 212, for example in a release direction 205, in order to actuate the first latch 202 and the second latch 204, thereby transitioning the first latch 202 and the second latch 204 from the latched position to a released position, shown. Upon the handle 206 moving, the first lever 208 may also move with the handle 206 and cause the first latch 202 to pivot or rotate along direction 211 about the first pivot point 207 so as to move the first latch 202, or a latching end thereof, along a first unlatching direction 213. As illustrated, the first bias member 214 may be engaged with the first latch 202, or the latching end thereof, and may also have another end fixed to a relatively stationary feature, for example, on the panel 212. Since the first latch 202 is moving relative to the panel, the first bias member 214 may resist such movement, for example, by pulling on the latch 202 along example direction 215. In implementations wherein the bias member 214 is another type of spring, other structures or orientations of the bias member 214 may be utilized such that the bias member 214 resists the movement of the latch 202 along the first unlatching direction 213.

[0031] Referring now to Fig. 2D, a back view of the example panel latch 200 is illustrated. Only first latch 202 and first lever 208 are illustrated for clarity, but it should be noted that the following description may also apply to the second latch 204 and second lever 210. In some implementations, the handle 206 may engage with the first lever 208 by receiving one end of the first lever 208 within a lever slot 224 of the handle 206. Within the handle 206, the one end of the first lever 208 may extend into the lever slot 224 and engage, mate with, and/or rest or press against a lever wall 226. Thus, as the handle 206 is moved along the release direction 205a, the lever wall 226 may press against the one end of the first lever 208 in order to move the first lever 208 along a first lever release direction 205b. Such movement of the first lever 208 may cause the first lever 208, and thus the first latch 202, to pivot about the first pivot point 207 to transition the first latch 202 to the released position. In other implementations, the first lever 208 may engage with the handle 206 in another suitable manner wherein movement of the handle 206 causes the lever 208 to move in a corresponding first lever release direction 205b.

[0032] Referring now to Fig. 3A, a top partial view of an example panel latch 300 is illustrated. Example panel latch 300 may be similar to other example panel latches, described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example panel latch 300 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example panel latches, as they are described above. The panel latch 300 may be disposed on a removable and/or openable device module of an electronic device, in some implementations. Further, the panel latch 300 may latch on to a retention feature 330 fixed to the electronic device in order to retain or hold the device module in an attached or closed position with the electronic device. One example of how the panel latch 300 may become engaged with such a retention feature is described with reference to Figs. 3A-3C.

[0033] Example panel latch 300 may include a handle 306, a first latch, a first lever, a first bias member, a second latch 304, a second lever 310, and a second bias member 316. Since only the second latch 302 and its associated components are illustrated in Figs. 3A-3C for clarity, they will be referred to generally as latch 304, lever 310, and bias member 316. It should be noted, however, that the following description may also apply to the first latch and its associated components. As the device module moves in a closing or attaching direction, the handle 306, the lever 310, and the latch 304 may also move in a corresponding direction 319, relative to the retention feature, which may be fixed to the electronic device. Thus, the point at which the latch 304 initially contacts the retention feature 330 is illustrated in Fig. 3A. The retention feature 330 may come into contact with a latching surface 328 as the latch moves along direction 319 towards the retention feature. Referring additionally to Fig. 3B, a partial top view of example panel latch 300 is illustrated wherein the panel latch 300 has continued to move along closing or attaching direction 319, along the retention feature 330. As the latch 304 continues along direction 319, the retention feature 330 may push against latching surface 328, causing the latch to pivot or move about pivot point 309, for example along direction 317a, relative to the lever 310. Thus, the latch 304 may be pivotably attached to the lever 310 so as to be movable relative to the lever 310. As the retention feature 330 forces the latch 304 to move about the pivot point 309 towards the lever 310, the bias member 316 may be sufficiently engaged with the latch 304 to resist such movement, for example by urging or pulling the latch 304 back towards direction 315. Thus, as the latch 304 moves past the retention feature 330 along direction 319, the retention feature 330 pushes the latch 304 to the side, against the resistance of the bias member 316.

[0034] Referring now to Fig. 3C, a partial top view of example panel latch 300 is illustrated wherein the panel latch 300 has continued to move along closing or attaching direction 319, past the retention feature 330, and the retention feature 330 has become seated against a retention surface 332 of the latch 304. As the handle 306, the lever 310, and the latch 304 have continued moving along direction 319, the retention feature 330 has continued to push the latch 304 to the side until the latch 304 is able to slide around the retention feature 330 so as to seat the retention feature 330 against the retention surface 332. As the latch 304 slides around the retention feature 330, the resistive urging of the bias member 316 along direction 315 pulls or otherwise moves the latch 304 back about pivot point 309 relative to and away from the lever 310 along example direction 317b, until the retention feature 330 is securely seated against the retention surface 332. Further, the latch 304 may have a lever lock 334 disposed near the pivot point to engage with the lever 310. The lever lock 334 may prevent the latch 304 from being pulled by the bias member 316 too far along direction 315, both when the retention feature 330 is seated against the retention surface 332, and also when the latch 304 is not in contact with the retention feature, for example, when the device module is in a detached or opened state or position with the electronic device.

[0035] In the state illustrated in Fig. 3C, the latch 304 can be considered to be engaged with the retention feature 330 and also be considered to be in the latched position. Further, the motion of the latch 304 depicted in Figs. 3A-3B may be referred to as the latch 304 moving in a locking direction, both relative to the lever 310, and also the retention feature 330. Thus, it may be said that the latch 304 is biased or urged by the bias member 316 against moving in the locking direction.

[0036] Referring now to Fig. 4A, a cutaway perspective view of an example electronic device 403 having an example panel latch 400 is illustrated. Example electronic device may also have a device module 401, upon which the example panel latch 400 may be disposed. Example panel latch 400 and device module 401 may be similar to other example panel latches and device modules, described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example panel latch 400 and device module 401 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example panel latches and device modules, as they are described above. In some implementations, the electronic device 403 may be an imaging device, for example, a printer, scanner, copier, plotter, all-in-one multifunction device, or the like. Such an imaging device may perform imaging operations on or with print media. In some implementations, the imaging device may be an inkjet printer or a laser printer. In other implementations, the imaging device may be a 3D printer, or additive manufacturing machine, and may perform 3D printing operations on or with 3D print powder, a fusing agent, or a substrate upon which such 3D print powder or fusing agent may be deposited. In other implementations, the electronic device 403 may be a computing device, such as a desktop personal computer (PC) tower, server, or another type of computing device. In yet other implementations, the electronic device 403 may be any type of device that may benefit from having a panel latch employed on a removable or openable panel or module of the electronic device. The electronic device 403 may include a chassis 446, which may be a housing, casing, or another type of outer structure or inner support structure, in some implementations.

[0037] In some implementations, the device module 401 may be a passive component, such as a door or openable panel, and in other implementations, the device module 401 may be an active component and may perform functions to assist the electronic device 403 in carrying out or performing operations, e.g., imaging operations. In some implementations, the device module 401 may be a component that is near or part of a media path for print media, and may help drive, direct, or redirect print media along the media path. The device module 401 may be disposed on an exterior side of the electronic device 403, the chassis 446 thereof, or, in other implementations, may be disposed either wholly or partially within the electronic device 403, or the chassis 446 thereof. In some implementations, the electronic device 403 may include an exterior panel 436 which may cover all or part of the device module 401, and which may need to be removed before the device module 401 may be opened or removed from the electronic device 403, or the chassis 446 thereof. The device module 401 may be hingeably or pivotably attached to the chassis 446 on a hinged side of the device module 401, and correspondingly may include a hinge 418. Further, the device module 401 may be movable between a closed position, illustrated in Fig. 4A, and an open position, illustrated in Fig. 4C with an access window 444 of the chassis 446.

[0038] Referring now to Fig. 4B, a detail cutaway view of the example electronic device

403, the device module 401, and the panel latch 400 thereof, is illustrated. The panel latch 400 may be disposed on the device module 401. In some implementations, the panel latch 400 may be disposed on a top surface or panel of the device module 401, which may be away from or opposite to the hinged side of the device module 401. The electronic device 403, or the chassis 446 or another portion thereof, may include a first retention feature 430a and a second retention feature 430b (collectively referred to as retention features 430). The retention features 430 may be pins, posts, tabs, ledges, or other types of protrusions, in some implementations. The retention features 430 may engage with the panel latch 400. In some implementations, the panel latch 400 may engage with such retention features 430 in order to hold the device module 401 in the closed position, and may disengage with such retention features 430 in order to release the device module 401 to the open position. In some implementations, the first retention feature 430a and the second retention feature 430b may each extend from the chassis 446 into the access window 444 towards the device module 401. It should be noted that the retention features 430 are illustrated as being by themselves and not being attached to the chassis 446 or any other component of the electronic device 403 for clarity, and are illustrated in the engaged position with the panel latch 400 in Fig. 4B. It should be understood, however, that in implementations of the present disclosure, the retention features 430 would be fixed to a portion of the electronic device 403.

[0039] The panel latch 400 may include a first latch 402, a second latch 404, a handle

406, a first lever 408, and a second lever 410. The first latch 402 and the second latch 404 may each be movable between a latched position and a released position. The device module 401, in some implementations, may include covers 438 to conceal and/or protect the latches and levers. As such, Fig. 4B includes a cutaway portion for clarity in order to illustrate the second latch 404 and the second lever 410. The first latch 402 may engage with the first retention feature 430a in the latched position and, similarly, the second latch 404 may engage with the second retention feature 430b in the latched position. Thus, the retention features 430 may have a suitable shape or structure sufficient to enable the retention features 430 to engage with the first latch 402 and the second latch 404, and/or latching ends thereof. The first latch 402 and the second latch 404 may engage with the retention features 430 to retain the device module 401 in the closed position with the chassis 446, or the access window 444 thereof.

[0040] The handle 406 may be movably disposed on the device module 401, or the top surface or panel thereof, and, upon being moved along a release direction 405, may actuate the first latch 402 and the second latch 404 to move them from the latched position to the released position, as described above, and thus disengage them from the first retention feature 430a and the second retention feature 430b, respectively. Upon the first latch 402 and the second latch 404 being disposed in the released position, their disengagement with the retention features 430 may allow the device module 401 to move or be moved from the closed position to the open position, as illustrated in Fig. 4C.

[0041] Referring additionally to Fig. 4C, a perspective cutaway view of the example electronic device 403 is illustrated, wherein the device module 401 is disposed in the open position. The device module 401 has been moved along example direction 423 in order to transition the device module 401 from the closed position with the access window 444 to the open position. In some implementations, the device module 401 may pivot about the hinge 418 approximately 150 degrees to move from the closed position to the open position, and in other implementations, the device module 401 may pivot a different amount or angular distance.

[0042] The electronic device 403 may include a removable module 442, in some implementations. Such removable module 442 may be a module which may assist in the function of the electronic device 403, or which may assist the electronic device 403 in performing or carrying out operations, e.g., imaging operations. In further implementations, the removable module 442 may be an imaging module, and, thus, may perform imaging operations itself, for example, printing, copying, scanning, moving or driving print media along a print media path, or other imaging operations. In one example, the removable module 403 may be a roller, or a pressure roller, and in further examples, may be a heated pressure roller.

[0043] In some situations, the removable module 442 may be exposed, accessed, and/or removed in order to access and remedy a jam or a malfunction of the electronic device 403. In yet further implementations, the removable module 442 may be accessed, removed, and/or reinstalled or loaded from or into the electronic device 403 (or the chassis 446 thereof) through the access window 444. In one example, the removable module 442 may be taken out of the electronic device 403 through the access window 444 along example direction 425. Thus, in some implementations, the handle 406 of the panel latch 400 may be moved to actuate the first latch 402 and the second latch 404 to disengage them from the retention features 430, thus allowing the device module 401 to be moved to the open position and exposing the access window 444. The removable module 442 may then be accessed or removed through the access window 444 in order to remedy or clear a malfunction or jam.

[0044] In some implementations, the removable module 442 may have to be properly reinstalled into the electronic device 403, and/or held in proper place, in order to function efficiently and/or properly. Accordingly, and referring additionally to Fig. 4B, the device module 401 may include one or multiple bias plungers 440 to exert or press against the removable module 442, for example along direction 421, disposed within the chassis 446 if the device module 401 is disposed in the closed position. Such bias plungers 440 may use a spring or other resilient bias component to exert such a force on to the removable module 442 in order to push or hold the removable module 442 in place for its proper function. Stated differently, the first latch 402 and the second latch 404 may hook or latch on to the first retention feature 430a and the second retention feature 430b in the latched position in order to hold the device module 401 in the closed position, against the urging of the one or multiple bias plungers 440.

[0045] Additionally, the panel latch 400 may also include a bias member 416 engaged with the second latch 404, and another similar bias member, not shown, engaged with the first latch 402. The bias member may exert a pulling force on the respective latch in order to hold the latch in the latched position with the respective retention feature 430. Therefore, each bias member may exert a strong enough pulling force on the respective first or second latch to resist the force of the bias plungers 440 pushing on the removable module 442. Further, the use of a bias member on each of the first latch 402 and the second latch 404, opposed to each other, may provide a balance of forces across the device module 401 to prevent the device module 401 from being urged or biased to one side or the other, thereby providing a smoother function to the panel latch 400. Additionally, the active nature of the panel latch 400, i.e., the actuation of the handle 406 to release the first latch 402 and the second latch 404, allows the bias members 416 to be strong enough to ensure that the device module 401, or the bias plungers 440 thereon, holds the removable module 442 correctly in place, while also providing a smooth and easy engagement and disengagement of the latches of the panel latch 400.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A panel latch, comprising:

a first latch pivotably engaged with a panel;

a second latch pivotably engaged with the panel;

a handle movably disposed on the panel in between the first pivot point and the second pivot point;

a first lever attached to the first latch and engaged with the handle; and a second lever attached to the second latch and engaged with the handle, the first lever and the second lever to move the first latch and the second latch, respectively, from a latched position to a released position if the first lever and the second lever are moved by the handle.

2. The panel latch of claim 1, wherein the handle is to slide along the panel in a release direction to pivot the first lever and the second lever about a first pivot point and a second pivot point, respectively.

3. The panel latch of claim 2, wherein the first latch and the second latch are to pivot about the first pivot point and the second pivot point, respectively to transition from the latched position to the released position.

4. The panel latch of claim 2, wherein the first latch and the second latch are to pivot towards each other about the first pivot point and the second pivot point, respectively, when the handle is moved in a release direction.

5. The panel latch of claim 1, further comprising a first bias member and a second bias member to bias the first latch and the second latch, respectively, towards the latched position.

6. The panel latch of claim 5, wherein the first latch and the second latch are pivotably attached to the first lever and the second lever so as to be movable relative to the first lever and the second lever, respectively.

7. The panel latch of claim 6, wherein first latch and the second latch are biased by the first bias member and the second bias member, respectively, against moving in the locking direction.

8. A device module, comprising:

a panel disposed on a side of the device module; and

a panel latch disposed on the panel and comprising:

a handle movable along the panel in a release direction;

a first latch and first lever pivotably attached to the panel at a first pivot point; and

a second latch and a second lever pivotably attached to the panel at a second pivot point,

the handle disposed between the first pivot point and the second pivot point and engaged with the first lever and the second lever, and the handle to pivot the first latch and the second latch towards each other from a latched position to a released position if the handle is moved along the release direction.

9. The device module of claim 8, wherein the handle is to pull on the first lever and the second lever upon being moved along the release direction in order to pivot the first latch and the second latch to the released position.

10. The device module of claim 9, wherein the panel latch further comprises a first bias member and a second bias member to urge the first latch and the second latch towards the latched position, respectively.

11. The device module of claim 10, wherein the first latch and the second latch are movable relative to the first lever and the second lever, respectively.

12. The device module of claim 8, wherein the device module is hingeably attached to a chassis of an electronic device, and the first latch and the second latch are to engage with a first retention feature and a second retention feature disposed on the chassis, respectively, to retain the device module in a closed position with the chassis.

13. An imaging device, comprising:

a chassis; a device module hingeably attached to the chassis and movable between a closed position and an open position with a window of the chassis;

an imaging module removable from the chassis through the window; a first retention feature and a second retention feature each extending from the chassis into the window towards the device module; and

a panel latch disposed on a panel of the device module and comprising:

a first latch and first lever pivotably engaged with the panel to engage with the first retention feature;

a second latch and second lever pivotably engaged with the panel to engage with the second retention feature; and

a handle slidably disposed on the panel between the first latch and the second latch to move the first latch and the second latch from a latched position to a released position to disengage the first latch and the second latch from the first retention feature and the second retention feature.

14. The imaging device of claim 13, wherein the device module further includes a bias plunger to press against the imaging module disposed within the chassis if the device module is disposed in the closed position.

15. The imaging device of claim 14, wherein the first latch and the second latch are to hook on to the first retention feature and the second retention feature in the latched position to hold the device module in the closed position against the urging of the bias plunger.