International Business Machines Corporation

Ronald Armand Roy

Steven Michael Christensen

Brandon Joel Brocklesby

A snap latch device has a handle with a pair of cam members extending from a lower end. The device also has a flexible snap which protrudes from the handle. The front end of the snap has a barbed lip. The device is designed to interlock a shuttle assembly to a stationary chassis. The device is pivotally mounted to the shuttle which carries a board with connectors. The device is movable between an engaged position and a retracted position. In the engaged position, the cam members engage an end wall on the chassis and the snap inserts through and engages a hole in the shuttle. The mechanical interlock between the cam members and the end wall rigidly secures the shuttle in the chassis. The device is moved to the retracted position by pulling back on the snap to dislodge the barbed lip. This release allows the device to rotate so that the cam members disengage the end wall. After the snap and cam members are clear of the hole and end wall, respectively, the shuttle may be completely removed from the chassis. The shuttle may be inserted and locked into the chassis by reversing these steps. The snap provides visual and audible feedback to the installer to insure a proper connection between the mating connectors on the shuttle and chassis.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Ronald Armand Roy