A latching mechanism in a carrier tray is provided herein. The latching mechanism may include a sliding rack gear with gear teeth and a lever arm that includes a gear mechanism that engages with the gear teeth of the sliding rack gear. The latching mechanism may include a number of gears, where the gears may operatively couple the sliding rack gear with a first latching member and a second latching member. The first latching member may be disposed along a first end of a sliding rack. The second latching member may be disposed along a second end of the sliding rack. Movement of the lever arm to a closed position may actuate the sliding rack, thereby, simultaneously rotating the first and the second latching members. The simultaneous rotation of the latching members may supply a balanced force of pressure upon the carrier tray to alleviate the binding of connectors.