Panel structure for mounting electrical components to provide front access thereto

Claim 1

A panel mounting for receiving an electrical component and for connecting it to circuitry behind the panel, the mounting allowing replacement of said component from the front of said panel, and said mounting comprising: a housing for attachment to a panel; a holder for accommodating said component, said holder being movable into and out of said housing; biasing means within said housing for urging said holder outwardly therefrom whereby access can be gained to said holder for replacement of said component; a latching mechanism comprising a latch member and a latch holding means, which coact to retain said holder in a locked position within said housing, said mechanism being operable when said holder is pressed further inwardly from its locked position to release said latch member from said latch holding means whereby said holder is unlocked enabling ejection thereof from said housing; said latch member being a pawl which is pivotally mounted alongside an inner wall of said housing; said latch holding means is an elevation on the outer surface of said holder, said elevation defining a toothed abutment surface; said pawl having a claw end engageable with said toothed abutment surface for locking said holder, said biasing means urging said claw end and said toothed abutment element to interengage; spring means for moving said latch member towards a position in which it is freed from said toothed abutment element to release said holder; a tooth on said toothed abutment element preventing free movement of said latch member until said holder is moved further inwardly from its locked position against said biasing means, whereupon said claw end can ride over said tooth and reach its freed position under the action of said spring means.