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US6814502B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

De-latching mechanisms for fiber optic modules

Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
•
Filing: 2002-12-27
•
Granted: 2004-11-09
•
Expires: 2022-12-27
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Abstract

Abstract Rotate-and-pull mechanisms for fiber optic modules. The rotate-and-pull mechanisms have a lever-actuator to unlatch and withdraw a fiber optic module from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The lever-actuator pivotally couples to the fiber optic module so that when lever-actuator is rotated about its pivot point, the lever-actuator causes the second actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The lever-actuator includes an actuating-tab to cause the second actuator to move when the lever-actuator is rotated. By pulling the lever-actuator away from the cage assembly, the fiber optic module is withdrawn from the cage assembly. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the rotate-and-pull release fiber optic modules.

Inventors

  • 👤 Liew C. Chiu
  • 👤 Ron C. Pang
  • 👤 Yong P. Sim
  • 👤 Kee S. Tan
  • 👤 Tat T. Ming

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 16:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4256; G02B6/426; G02B6/4261; G02B6/4292; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/4246

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 68 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator rotationally coupled to a fiber optic module, the lever-arm actuator having a pivot point; and a sliding actuator slidingly coupled to the fiber optic module, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about the pivot point, the lever-arm actuator couples to the sliding actuator and the sliding actuator slides to release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 68 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator rotationally coupled to a fiber optic module, the lever-arm actuator having a pivot point; and a sliding actuator slidingly coupled to the fiber optic module, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about the pivot point, the lever-arm actuator couples to the sliding actuator and the sliding actuator slides to release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 59 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lever-arm actuator includes an actuating tab coupled to the lever-arm actuator, wherein the actuating tab rotates with the lever-arm actuator about the pivot point and couples to a first end of the sliding actuator to cause the sliding actuator to slide and release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the first movable rotational actuator rotates about an axis at the pivot point and the actuating tab rotates about the axis with the lever-arm actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein pulling the lever-arm actuator causes the fiber optic module to withdraw from the cage assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising: a pivot fastener coupled to the fiber optic module at the pivot point of the lever-arm actuator, the pivot fastener to rotationally couple the lever-arm actuator to the fiber optic module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 13 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the pivot fastener includes a pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the pivot fastener includes a hole in the lever-arm actuator to rotationally couple to a pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the de-latch mechanism permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing an adjacent de-latch mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the pivot point is an axis about which the lever-arm actuator rotates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 77 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lever-arm actuator is a bail latch actuator, the bail latch actuator has a first end rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module at the pivot point and a second end free to rotate away from the fiber optic module to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly and enable a finger to pull on the bail latch to withdraw the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the sliding actuator is movably coupled to the fiber optic module to slide along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 82 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a center member having a first end and a second end, the center member being rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module to rotate about the pivot point; and at least one lever arm having a first end coupled to and extending from the center member to a second, end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 66 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; a spring coupled to the lever-arm actuator around the pivot point, the spring to apply a bias force to the lever-arm actuator; and a sliding actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the sliding actuator to slide thereby releasing a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 66 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; a spring coupled to the lever-arm actuator around the pivot point, the spring to apply a bias force to the lever-arm actuator; and a sliding actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the sliding actuator to slide thereby releasing a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 51 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the lever-arm actuator includes an actuating tab coupled to the lever-arm actuator, wherein the actuating tab rotates when the lever-arm actuator is rotated about its pivot point thereby causing the second actuator to slide and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 25 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 14 wherein the actuating tab rotates about the same axis as the lever-arm actuator when the lever-arm actuator is rotated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein pulling the lever-arm actuator causes a fiber optic module to withdraw from a cage assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 31 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the spring is a biasing spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, a wind-up spring, or a coil spring to apply the bias force.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the pivot point is a first axis and the lever-arm actuator is rotationally coupled to the fiber opticmodule to rotate about the first axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 77 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the lever-arm actuator is a bail latch actuator, the bail latch actuator has a first end rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module at the pivot point and a second end free to rotate away from the fiber optic module to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly and enable a finger to pull on the bail latch to withdraw the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 82 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a center member having a first end and a second end, the center member being rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module to rotate about the pivot point; and at least one lever arm having a first end a coupled to and extending from the center member to second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 56 words
A de-latch mechanism comprising: rotational means for disengaging a fiber optic module, the rotational means rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module; sliding means movably coupled to the fiber optic module; wherein rotating the rotational means about a pivot point causes the sliding means to slide and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 56 words
A de-latch mechanism comprising: rotational means for disengaging a fiber optic module, the rotational means rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module; sliding means movably coupled to the fiber optic module; wherein rotating the rotational means about a pivot point causes the sliding means to slide and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 51 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 21 wherein the rotational means includes an actuating means coupled to the rotational means, wherein the actuating means rotates when the rotational means is rotated about the pivot point thereby causing the sliding means to slide and release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 22 wherein the actuating means rotates about an axis at the pivot point with the rotational means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 21 wherein pulling the rotational means causes the fiber optic module to withdraw from the cage assembly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 26 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 21 wherein the de-latch mechanism permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing an adjacent de-latch mechanism.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 77 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 21 wherein the lever-arm actuator is a bail latch actuator, the bail latch actuator has a first end rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module at the pivot point and a second end free to rotate away from the fiber optic module to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly and enable a finger to pull on the bail latch to withdraw the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 82 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 21 wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a center member having a first end and a second end, the center member being rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module to rotate about the pivot point; and at least one lever arm having a first end coupled to and extending from the center member to a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2007-11-09 2008-05-10 2008-11-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2011-11-09 2012-05-10 2012-11-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2015-11-09 2016-05-10 2016-11-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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