Equipment unit latch and associated switch

Abstract

An equipment unit latch and an associated switch arrangement are advantageously employed to generate an action initiation signal upon initial movement of the latch toward physically removing the equipment from an equipment frame but prior to any movement of the equipment unit in an equipment frame in which it is inserted. The physical shape and dimensions of the latch and the spatial relationship of the associated switch arrangement to the latch are such that the latch is allowed to move a sufficient distance toward removing the equipment unit from the equipment frame, in order to activate the switch to generate the action initiation signal prior to any movement of the equipment unit in the equipment frame. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the switch includes a light emitter and a light detector. Light from the emitter is inhibited from reaching the detector by the latch when the equipment unit is fully inserted in the equipment frame and the latch is in a closed position. Upon movement of the latch, the light is no longer inhibited from being detected by the detector and the action initiation signal is generated after movement of the latch, but prior to any movement of the equipment unit toward being removed from the equipment frame.