Optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism

• US 7,059,887 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Technology UK Limited (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eric Liu
• Inventors: Liu, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/770,265
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 439/372, 439/358, 439/368, 439/370, 385/53, 385/92, 385/136, 385/76, 385/88, 385/134
• US Class Current: 439/372
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6335 comprising a handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector

Abstract

An optoelectric module includes a housing having a front face with an opening designed to receive an optical transceiver nestingly engaged therein. The optoelectric module includes a discontinuity in an outer surface positioned to cooperate with a spring latch formed in an inner surface of the cage to latch the module in a fully nested orientation within the cage. An actuator is mounted on an outer surface of the housing and movable from an orientation in which the housing is latched in the cage to an orientation in which the actuator engages the spring latch and disengages it from the discontinuity. A bail latch is pivotally mounted for movement between a stored position and a module removal position and is engaged with the actuator to move from the stored position to the module removal position with movement of the actuator from the latched orientation to the delatched orientation.

Claims

1. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism comprising:

an optoelectric module including a housing having a front face with an opening and designed to receive an optical transceiver nestingly engaged in the opening in the housing, the optoelectric module being designed to cooperate with a spring latch positioned to latch the module nestingly in a cage;

an actuator mounted on an outer surface of the housing and movable from a latched orientation in which the housing is latched in the cage to a delatched orientation in which the actuator engages the spring latch to move the spring latch to a delatched position; and

a bail latch pivotally mounted on the module for movement between a stored position and a module removal position, the bail latch being engaged with the actuator so as to move from the stored position to the module removal position with movement of the actuator from the latched orientation to the delatched orientation.

2. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is mounted in an actuator mount affixed to an outer surface of the module housing, the actuator is mounted in the actuator mount for horizontal movements in response to a force applied to an outwardly extending end surface of the actuator.

3. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the actuator is mounted in an actuator mount affixed to an outer surface of the module housing and the bail latch is pivotally mounted on the actuator, the optoelectric module having a front face and the actuator is mounted in the actuator mount so as to extend forward beyond the front face of the optoelectric module to form a pop-out tab for horizontal movement.

4. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is mounted in an actuator mount affixed to an outer surface of the module housing and the bail latch is pivotally mounted on the actuator mount and in mechanical engagement with the actuator, the actuator is mounted in the actuator mount for horizontal movement in response to a force applied to an outwardly extending end surface of the actuator and the horizontal movement produces a pivotal movement of the bail latch from the stored position to the module removal position.

5. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bail latch is formed of metal.

6. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bail latch is formed in a generally U-shape with legs and a connecting bight, ends of the legs being engaged in opposed openings to pivotally mount the bail latch and the bight providing a handle for withdrawing the module from the cage.

7. An optoelectric module with pop-out tab based latching/delatching mechanism comprising:

an optoelectric module including a housing having a front face with an opening and designed to receive an optical transceiver nestingly engaged in the opening in the housing, the optoelectric module including a discontinuity formed in an outer surface and positioned to cooperate with a spring latch formed in an inner surface of the cage to latch the module in a fully nested orientation within a cage;

an actuator mounted on an outer surface of the housing by an actuator mount so as to extend forward beyond the front face of the optoelectric module to form a horizontally movable pop-out tab, the pop-out tab being horizontally movable from a latched orientation in which the housing is latched in the cage to a delatched orientation in which the actuator engages the spring latch to disengage the spring latch from the discontinuity; and

a bail latch pivotally mounted on one of the actuator and the actuator mount for movement between a stored position and a module removal position, the bail latch being engaged with the actuator so as to move from the stored position to the module removal position with movement of the actuator from the latched orientation to the delatched orientation.