Electronic modules having integrated lever-activated latching mechanisms

• US 7,186,134 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: II-VI Delaware, Inc. (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Finisar Corporation (II-VI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Togami, Chris, Newhouse, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US10/776,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20040161958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 439/372, 439/638, 439/157, 439/160, 439/484, 439/76.1, 439/49, 385/88, 385/72, 385/89, 385/92, 361/728, 361/732, 361/733
• US Class Current: 439/484
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3898 Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence

Abstract

An integrated latching mechanism for use with a user pluggable electronic module, such as an opto-electronic transceiver module, is disclosed. The latching mechanism allows the user to selectively latch the module within a corresponding host port by manipulation of a pivot lever. Movement of the pivot lever causes a locking pin to extend and latch the module within the port. Conversely, movement of the pivot lever can disengage the locking pin and thereby allow the user to extract the module from within the port. The pivot lever can further include a biasing member that biases the pivot lever in a locked position.

Claims

1. A transceiver module, comprising:

a housing portion;

a connector portion attached to the housing portion and configured to removably receive one or more cable connectors;

a pivot block rotatably engaging the connector portion, the pivot block being rotatable between a first pivot block position where the module is latched to a host port, and a second pivot block position where the module is unlatched from the host port; and

a bail secured in position on the connector portion by the pivot block, the bail being operably arranged with respect to the pivot block so that movement of the bail to a first bail position corresponds with a movement of the pivot block to the first pivot block position where the module is latched to the host port, and movement of the bail to a second bail position corresponds with a movement of the pivot block to the second pivot block position where the module is unlatched from the host port.

2. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot block includes a pivot arm rotatably engaged with the connector portion.

3. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein movement of the pivot block by the bail is effected by a cam arrangement.

4. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot block is biased into the first pivot block position.

5. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot block is positioned on top of the connector portion.

6. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the bail is secured in position on top of the connector portion.

7. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the bail is rotatably secured in position on the connector portion.

8. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot block includes a locking member configured and arranged to selectively engage the host port, so that disposition of the bail in the first bail position corresponds to a state where the locking member is engaged with the host port, and disposition of the bail in the second bail position corresponds to a state where the locking member is disengaged from the host port.

9. The transceiver module as recited in claim 1, wherein when:

the bail is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the pivot block rotates in a counterclockwise direction; and

the bail is rotated in a clockwise direction, the pivot block rotates in a clockwise direction.