US6854997B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for unlocking an electronic component that is insertible into a receiving device
Assignee: Ii Vi Optical Systems Inc
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Filing: 2003-07-03
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Granted: 2005-02-15
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Expires: 2023-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for unlocking an electronic component to be inserted into a retaining device, in particular, a transceiver, and held in the retaining device by a locking element, such as a tongue. The apparatus has an unlocking device is integrally formed with the component housing or with a part thereof. The unlocking device is a rocker formed as part of the component and has an unlocking part for moving the unlocking device into an operated position and for unlocking the locking element in that position. An integral reset spring, which can be a leaf or torsion spring, connects the rocker. The operating direction is at right angles to a removal or ejection direction of the component from the retaining device. Preferably, the unlocking device and the component are plastic. The unlocking apparatus allows easily controllable removal of a component, is of simple construction, and can be produced cost-effectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Andreas Stockhaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for locking and unlocking an electronic component to be inserted into a retaining device and held in the retaining device, the apparatus comprising: a rocker to be operatively connected to the electronic component and movable between a first position and a second position, said rocker having a first end interacting with the retaining device and a second end for operating said rocker, said first end unlocking the electronic component in the retaining device when placed in said second position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for locking and unlocking an electronic component to be inserted into a retaining device and held in the retaining device, the apparatus comprising: a rocker to be operatively connected to the electronic component and movable between a first position and a second position, said rocker having a first end interacting with the retaining device and a second end for operating said rocker, said first end unlocking the electronic component in the retaining device when placed in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first position is an initial position and said second position is an operated position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: the electronic component has at least one part; and said rocker is integrally formed with the at least one part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , including at least one resetting means connecting said rocker to the electronic component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said at least one resetting means is integrally formed with the electronic component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic component has a part and said at least one resetting means is integrally formed with the part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein: said rocker has a rotation axis; and said at least one resetting means is a leaf spring connected to said rocker at a region of said rotation axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein: said rocker has a rotation axis; and said at least one resetting means is a torsion spring connected to said rocker at a region of said rotation axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second end has an operating direction at least one of right angles to and in the removal direction of the electronic component from the retaining device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: the electronic component has a longitudinal axis; and said second end has an operating direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: the electronic component is removed from the retaining device in a removal direction; and said second end has an operating direction perpendicular to the removal direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: the electronic component leaves the retaining device in an ejection direction; and said second end has an operating direction perpendicular to the ejection direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: the electronic component has a surface; and said second end has an operating direction perpendicular to the surface of the electronic component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a transceiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein: the transceiver has an optical inlet; and said second end is disposed at the optical inlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the optical inlet has an elongated depression accommodating said second end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: the electrical component has a housing wall defining an opening; said first end is disposed at the optical inlet; and said first end contacts the locking element in said second position through the opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: the electrical component has a housing with a bottom face; and said second end and said first end are disposed on the bottom face.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the retaining device is a metal structure to be fitted on a printed circuit board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the retaining device is a sheet-metal cage to be fitted on a printed circuit board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: said rocker is integral to the electronic component; and the electronic component and said rocker are plastic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: the electronic component has a part; said rocker is integral to the part; and the electronic component, the part, and said rocker are plastic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: said second end and said first end are disposed on opposite ends of said rocker.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein: said rocker has a rotation axis disposed between said second end and said first end; and a control spring is connected to said rocker in a vicinity of said rotation axis.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for unlocking an electronic component held in a retaining device, the method comprising: moving a rocker from an unoperated position to an operated position by operating an operating part of the rocker, thereby causing an unlocking part of the rocker to unlock the electronic component from the retaining device.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for unlocking an electronic component held in a retaining device, the method comprising: moving a rocker from an unoperated position to an operated position by operating an operating part of the rocker, thereby causing an unlocking part of the rocker to unlock the electronic component from the retaining device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the rocker has a rotation axis and the rocker is rotated about the rotation axis when being moved from the unoperated position to the operated position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 25 , further comprising resetting the rocker to the unoperated position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the electronic component has a longitudinal axis and the operating part of the rocker is operated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the electronic component has a removal direction from the retaining device and the operating part of the rocker is operated in a direction perpendicular to the removal direction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the electronic component has a surface and the operating part of the rocker is operated in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the electronic component.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein the rotation axis is located between the unlocking part and the operating part of the rocker.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the unlocking part of the rocker, when the rocker is moved to the operated position, changes its position with respect to a housing wall of the retaining device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the unlocking part of the rocker, when the rocker is moved to the operated position, changes interaction with the retaining device.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for locking and unlocking an electronic component to be inserted in a retaining device and held in the retaining device, the method comprising: providing a rocker which is movable between an unoperated position and an operated position; locking the electronic component in the retaining device when the rocker is in the unoperated position; and unlocking the electronic component from the retaining device by moving the rocker to the operated position.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for locking and unlocking an electronic component to be inserted in a retaining device and held in the retaining device, the method comprising: providing a rocker which is movable between an unoperated position and an operated position; locking the electronic component in the retaining device when the rocker is in the unoperated position; and unlocking the electronic component from the retaining device by moving the rocker to the operated position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the rocker is moved to the operated position by operating an operating part of the rocker, thereby causing an unlocking part of the rocker to unlock the electronic component from the retaining device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 34 , further comprising resetting the rocker to the unoperated position after having moved the rocker to the operated position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the electronic component has a longitudinal axis and the operating part of the rocker is operated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the electronic component has a removal direction from the retaining device and the operating part of the rocker is operated in a direction perpendicular to the removal direction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein the electronic component has a surface and the operating part is operated in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the electronic component.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 35 , the rocker being rotated about a rotation axis located between the unlocking part and the operating part of the rocker.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 35 , wherein the unlocking part of the rocker, when the rocker is moved to the operated position, changes its position with respect to a housing wall of the retaining device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 35 , wherein the unlocking part of the rocker, when the rocker is moved to the operated position, changes interaction with the retaining device.
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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) | 2008-02-15 | 2008-08-16 | 2009-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | 2013-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-15 | 2016-08-16 | 2017-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |