Lock mechanism for multi-component data processing equipment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a lock mechanism for data processing equipment.
The lock mechanism can simultaneously switch the power-supply on or off, lock or unlock the housing of the equipment, and lock or unlock a removable covering installed over a drive assembly.
The lock mechanism has a leaf spring to produce self-retaining and positively-engaged final positions of a pivoted lever lock.
Attached to the lever lock are a plurality of swivel arms arranged and located to perform the simultaneous functions mentioned above.
Further, the lock mechanism includes a lock bolt biased closed by a compression spring and actuated by one of the swivel arms.
The lock mechanism of the present invention maintains self-retaining final positions without employing tension springs, and both switches the power supply of an apparatus on and off and simultaneously locks the housing of the apparatus and a displaceable covering installed near the housing.
After actuation of the pivoted lever lock, the covering is still capable of being brought into the locking position.
An over-dead-center leaf spring is employed for spring-assistance of the pivoted lever lock, and a compression spring is employed for biasing the lock bolt toward the locking position, both of these springs being easily mountable.
The biasing force of the over-dead-center leaf spring effects self-retaining final positions of the pivoted lever lock.
The multiple utilization of a swivel arm as, first, a mechanical lock element and, second, as an actuation element for the contact element of the micro-switch reduces the number of swivel arms of the pivoted lever lock, and simplifies the mechanics of the lock mechanism.
The angled end of the pivot arm that engages behind the retaining element of a part to be locked prevents catching or hanging-up on the retaining element during actuation.
A bore provided in the mounting plate serves as receptacle for a nipple with which the mounting plate is secured against turning.
Since the housings and the frames of most data-processing apparatus are fabricated independently of one another, but various housings should be able to accommodate various frames, the housings are relatively liberally dimensioned, so that some play between the housing and the frame is usually still present after assembly