Line card for optical network unit mechanical enclosure

• US 5,982,972 A
• Filed: 08/29/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Next Level Communications
• Inventors: Tucker, Russell L., McCall, Mark S., Lovina, Bernabe R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US08/920,926
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 439/377, 439/629, 439/818, 379/164, 379/166, 385/139, 385/141, 385/147, 385/900
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4441 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44465 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/035 Cooling of active equipments, e.g. air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/09 Frames or mounting racks not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/116 lightning or EMI protection, e.g. shielding or grounding
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames

Abstract

A line card is provided for a mechanical enclosure unit for an optical network unit. The line card includes a printed circuit board, a mechanical enclosure and a connector element. The mechanical enclosure substantially surrounds and support the printed circuit board. The connector element, which is coupled to provide access to the printed circuit board, is exposed at a surface of the mechanical enclosure. The line card further includes a fastener coupled to the mechanical enclosure. The fastener is adapted to hold the mechanical enclosure on an external support plate of the mechanical enclosure unit of the optical network unit.

Claims

1. A line card for an optical network unit having a support plate, the line card comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a cartridge which substantially surrounds and supports the printed circuit board;

a connector element to provide access to the printed circuit board, the connector element being exposed at a surface of the cartridge; and

at least one fastener coupled to the cartridge, the at least one fastener being adapted to hold the cartridge on the support plate of the optical network unit.

2. The line card of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening associated with the at least one fastener, wherein the at least one opening is positioned to receive a support rod on the support plate.

3. The line card of claim 1, further comprising means for aligning the connector element with a corresponding external connector element coupled to the support plate.

4. The line card of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is thermally conductive.

5. The line card of claim 1, wherein the cartridge shields the printed circuit board from external signal interference.