US6840680B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retention and release mechanisms for fiber optic modules
Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
•
Filing: 2002-08-09
•
Granted: 2005-01-11
•
Expires: 2022-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A rotate-and-pull mechanism for fiber optic modules. The mechanism having 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 a pivot-arm actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The pivot-arm actuator further including a keeper to engage into a latch in the cage assembly. A bracket, which may be coupled to the fiber optic module, provides a flexible arm portion to provide a counteracting force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The bracket may include a slot through which the keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.
Inventors
- 👤 Liew C. Chiu
- 👤 Ron C. Pang
- 👤 Yong P. Sim
- 👤 Tat M. Teo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and a cross-member coupled to the first end of the lever arm and including an actuating slot, the cross-member to couple to a second actuator at the actuating slot, the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever-arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and a cross-member coupled to the first end of the lever arm and including an actuating slot, the cross-member to couple to a second actuator at the actuating slot, the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever-arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes a pin to rotationally couple the lever-actuator to the fiber optic module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes one or more holes to receive one or more pins to rotationally couple the lever-actuator to the fiber optic module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 further comprising: a pull-arm coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lever-actuator of claim 4 wherein, the pull-arm is a semi-circular ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 4 wherein, the pull-arm is a tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 4 wherein, the pull-arm is a bail-latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein at the actuating slot, the cross-member couples to the second actuator in response to the rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the cross-member rotates to couple to the second actuator at the actuating slot in response to the rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the lever arm has 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 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener is perpendicular to the lever arm, and the cross-member is perpendicular to the lever arm and parallel to the pivoting fastener.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled to the lever arm, the cross-member including an actuating slot to control a coupling of the cross-member to a second actuator; and wherein the lever-actuator rotates to cause the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled to the lever arm, the cross-member including an actuating slot to control a coupling of the cross-member to a second actuator; and wherein the lever-actuator rotates to cause the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever actuator of claim 12 wherein the actuating slot rotates with the lever arm to cause the second actuator to disengage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 wherein the pivoting fastener includes at least one pin to rotationally couple the lever arm to the fiber optic module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 wherein the pivoting fastener includes one or more holes to receive one or more pins to rotationally couple the lever arm to the fiber optic module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 further comprising: a pull-arm coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lever-actuator of claim 16 wherein, the pull-arm is a semi-circular ring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 16 wherein, the pull-arm is a tab.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 16 wherein, the pull-arm is a bail-latch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 , wherein to control the coupling, the actuating slot provides additional clearance between a surface of the second actuator and the cross-member when the lever-actuator is in a closed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lever-actuator of claim 20 , wherein the actuating slot delays a coupling of the cross-member to the second actuator when the lever-actuator is rotated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 , wherein to control the coupling, the actuating slot has side walls to align the cross-member with sides of the second actuator when the lever-actuator is rotated.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 , wherein to control the coupling, the actuating slot has side walls to laterally constrain the cross-member in alignment with the second actuator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
71 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled to the lever arm and including an actuating slot; and a pivot arm actuator to couple to the cross-member in the actuating slot, the pivot arm actuator rotates to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to the cross-member being rotated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled to the lever arm and including an actuating slot; and a pivot arm actuator to couple to the cross-member in the actuating slot, the pivot arm actuator rotates to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to the cross-member being rotated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 further comprising: a bracket coupled to the fiber optic module, the bracket including a flexible arm portion to maintain the pivot arm actuator in an engaged position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lever-actuator of claim 25 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides a counteracting force when the pivot arm actuator rotates to disengage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein the pivoting fastener includes at least one pin to rotationally couple the lever arm to the fiber optic module.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein the pivoting fastener includes one or more holes to receive one or more pins to rotationally couple the lever arm to the fiber optic module.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 further comprising: a pull-arm coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lever-actuator of claim 29 wherein, the pull-arm is a semi-circular ring.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 29 wherein, the pull-arm is a tab.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 29 wherein, the pull-arm is a bail-latch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein the cross-member rotates in response to the lever arm being rotated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 33 wherein the pivoting fastener provides an axis around which the lever arm and the cross-member rotate together.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein. the pivot arm actuator has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, the first end of the pivot arm actuator to couple to the cross-member, the middle portion of the pivot arm actuator rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module, the second end of the pivot arm actuator having a releasable triangle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lever-actuator of claim 35 wherein the releasable triangle of the pivot arm actuator is triangularly shaped to mate with a triangularly shaped opening in the cage assembly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
The lever-actuator of claim 35 wherein the middle portion of the pivot arm actuator having a side tab including a pin opening to receive a pin, and the lever actuator further includes a pin inserted in the pin opening and coupled to the fiber optic module.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
The lever-actuator of claim 35 further comprising: a bracket coupled to the fiber optic module, the bracket including a flexible arm portion to maintain the pivot arm actuator in an engaged position and a slot opening aligned with the releasable triangle, the releasable triangle to extend out through the slot opening in the engaged position, the pivot arm actuator including a platform to couple to the flexible arm portion of the bracket.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lever-actuator of claim 38 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides a counteracting force when the pivot arm actuator rotates to a disengaged position, the releasable triangle to retract back through the slot opening in the disengaged position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
73 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein the pivot arm actuator has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, the first end of the pivot arm actuator to couple to the cross-member, the middle portion of the pivot arm actuator rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module, the second end of the pivot arm actuator having a releasable boss.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lever-actuator of claim 40 wherein the releasable boss of the pivot arm actuator is shaped to mate with an opening in the cage assembly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The lever-actuator of claim 40 wherein the middle portion of the pivot arm actuator having a side tab including a pin opening to receive a pin, and the lever actuator further includes a pin inserted in the pin opening and coupled to the fiber optic module.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
72 words
The lever-actuator of claim 40 further comprising: a bracket coupled to the fiber optic module, the bracket including a flexible arm portion to maintain the pivot arm actuator in an engaged position and a slot opening aligned with the releasable boss, the releasable boss to extend out through the slot opening in an engaged position, the pivot arm actuator including a platform to couple to the flexible arm portion of the bracket.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lever-actuator of claim 43 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides a counteracting force when the pivot arm actuator rotates to a disengaged position, the releasable boss to retract back through the slot opening in the disengaged position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
The lever-actuator of claim 24 wherein the pivoting fastener is perpendicular to the lever arm, the cross-member is perpendicular to the lever arm and parallel to the pivoting fastener, and the pivot arm actuator is perpendicular to the cross-member and the pivoting fastener and parallel to the lever arm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
69 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled perpendicular to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled perpendicular to the lever arm and parallel to the pivoting fastener, the cross-member including an actuating slot to actuate a second actuator; and wherein the lever-actuator rotates to cause the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
69 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm; a pivoting fastener coupled perpendicular to one end of the lever arm; a cross-member coupled perpendicular to the lever arm and parallel to the pivoting fastener, the cross-member including an actuating slot to actuate a second actuator; and wherein the lever-actuator rotates to cause the second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lever-actuator of claim 46 , wherein the actuating slot provides a delay in actuation of the second actuator when the lever-actuator is rotated.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lever-actuator of claim 47 , wherein the actuating slot provides additional clearance between a surface of the second actuator and the cross-member when the lever-actuator is in a closed position.
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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) | 2008-01-11 | 2008-07-12 | 2009-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-01-11 | 2012-07-12 | 2013-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-01-11 | 2016-07-12 | 2017-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |