Self-latching storage device module

Abstract

A latching device for latching a storage device module into a storage chassis is provided. The latching device includes a latch member having a latching end and a spring end opposite the latching end, the latch member slidingly disposed within a front bezel of the storage device module and being movable between a latching position and a releasing position. The latching device also includes a latch spring between a bearing surface of the front bezel and the spring end of the latch member. The latch spring is in increased compression when the latch member transitions from the latching position to the releasing position, and the latch spring is in decreased compression when the latch member transitions from the releasing position to the latching position. The latching end extends through a latch hole in a side member of the storage chassis for locking the storage device module in the chassis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A latching device for latching a storage device module into a storage chassis, the storage chassis confining an open-ended receiving space that extends in a first direction and that receives slidably and removably the storage device module therein, the storage chassis having a wall comprising a latch hole that borders the receiving space, the latching device comprising:
 a latch member having a latching end portion and a spring end portion opposite the latching end portion, the latch member slidingly disposed within a front bezel of the storage device module and being movable in a second direction transverse to the first direction between a latching position, and a releasing position,   wherein the latching end portion of the latch member in the latching position extends into the latch hole for locking the storage device module into the storage chassis, wherein the latching end portion of the latch member in the releasing position is extracted from the latch hole thereby permitting the removal of the storage device module from the receiving space; and   a latch spring for providing spring force in the second direction and disposed within the front bezel between a bearing surface of the front bezel and the spring end portion of the latch member, wherein the latch spring is in increased compression when the latch member transitions from the latching position to the releasing position, wherein the spring member is in decreased compression when the latch member transitions from the releasing position to the latching position.   
     
     
         2 . The latching device of  claim 1 , wherein a rear surface of the latching end portion is beveled to cause the latch member to transition from the latching position to the releasing position after the storage device module is inserted a first predetermined distance into the receiving space. 
     
     
         3 . The latching device of  claim 2 , wherein after inserting the storage device module the first predetermined distance into the receiving space, the latch member transitions from the releasing position to the latching position when the storage device module is fully inserted into the receiving space. 
     
     
         4 . The latching device of  claim 3 , wherein the storage device module comprises a storage device, wherein an electrical connector of the storage device makes electrical connection with a mating connector of the storage chassis when the storage device module is fully inserted into the receiving space. 
     
     
         5 . The latching device of  claim 4 , wherein the latching end portion is registered with the latch hole when the storage device module is fully inserted into the receiving space. 
     
     
         6 . The latching device of  claim 1 , wherein an ejection spring exerts force in the first direction between the storage chassis and storage device module when the storage device module is fully inserted into the receiving space. 
     
     
         7 . The latching device of  claim 6 , wherein the ejection spring moves the storage device module a second predetermined distance out from the receiving space when the latch member transitions from the latching position to the releasing position after the storage device module is fully inserted into the receiving space. 
     
     
         8 . The latching device of  claim 7 , wherein after the ejection spring moves the storage device module the second predetermined distance out from the receiving space, a bezel finger recess of the front bezel of the storage device module allows a user to fully remove the storage device module from the receiving space.