Electronic modules having integrated lever-activated latching mechanisms

• US 7,507,111 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: II-VI Delaware, Inc. (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Finisar Corporation (II-VI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Newhouse, Guy, Togami, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US11/682,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20070149005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 439/372, 439/638, 439/49, 439/157, 439/160, 439/484, 439/76.1, 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. An optical transceiver module having transceiver electronics and optics to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals, the module comprising:

a fiber optic cable receptacle that is capable of receiving one or more fiber optic cable connectors;

a movable pivot lever rotatably engaged with the cable receptacle and having a locking member that is configured to selectively engage a host port, the pivot lever being configured to allow removal of the module from within a host port, wherein movement of the pivot lever manipulates the locking member in a manner so as disengage the module from within the host port, wherein a length of the pivot lever extends beyond a front plane of the optical transceiver module and allows for a user to apply upward pressure to a leading edge of the pivot lever, pivoting the pivot lever about the pivot point to release the locking member; and

a biasing member that biases the moveable pivot lever in a latched position, wherein the biasing member is a metal portion of a housing of the transceiver module that is formed as a leaf spring.

2. An optical transceiver module as defined in claim 1, wherein the moveable pivot lever is shaped so as to prevent the manipulation of the locking member when a fiber optic cable connector is disposed within the fiber optic cable receptacle.

3. An optical transceiver module as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing member is biased against a top surface of the moveable pivot lever so as to operatively secure the moveable pivot lever.

4. An optical transceiver module as defined in claim 1, wherein the moveable pivot lever pivots about a pivot point.

5. An optical transceiver module as defined in claim 1, wherein the moveable pivot lever is a cantilevered portion of a housing of the transceiver module.

6. An optical transceiver module having transceiver electronics and optics to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals, the module comprising:

a fiber optic cable receptacle that is capable of receiving one or more fiber optic cable connectors;

a movable pivot lever rotatably engaged with the cable receptacle and having a locking member that is configured to selectively engage a host port, the pivot lever being configured to allow removal of the module from within a host port, wherein movement of the pivot lever manipulates the locking member in a manner so as disengage the module from within the host port, wherein a length of the pivot lever extends beyond a front plane of the optical transceiver module and allows for a user to apply upward pressure to a leading edge of the pivot lever, pivoting the pivot lever about the pivot point to release the locking member; and

a biasing member that biases the moveable pivot lever in a latched position, wherein the biasing member is biased against a top surface of the moveable pivot lever so as to operatively secure the moveable pivot lever.