Optical module locking mechanism for locking optical module case and cage for housing case to each other

Claim 2

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; locking means for locking said locking member and said cage to each other; and a lever pivotably arranged on said case, said lever capable of moving said locking member to release a locking state of said locking means, wherein said locking means is released from the locking state by pulling said lever in a direction in which said optical module housed in said cage is drawn out of said cage, wherein said locking means comprises a locking hole formed through said cage, and an locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole, wherein said lever is arranged for pivotal movement about a pivotal shaft supported in a first groove formed in said case, and said locking member is arranged to swing about a shaft supported in a second groove formed in said case, wherein said locking member includes a front section disposed on the front side of said case from said shaft and pushed by said lever, and a rear section disposed on the rear side of said case from said shaft and having said locking protrusion, and wherein said locking member includes shoulders on said front section against which said lever abuts when said lever projects in front of said case.

Claim 3

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein: said case includes a stopper for locking said lever at a predetermined position relative to said case, and said lever is brought to a position projecting in front of the front end surface of said case when said lever is released from the lock by said stopper.

Claim 4

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein: said mechanism further comprises urging means for urging said locking member to bring said locking means into the locking state when said case is housed in said cage.

Claim 5

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein: said urging means consists of a spring portion for urging said rear section of said locking member to bring said locking protrusion to a position at which said locking protrusion is fitted into said locking hole.

Claim 6

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein: said direction in which said optical module housed in said cage is drawn out of said cage is in front of a front end surface of said case, and said lever is movable over an extent which is within a region in front of the front end surface of said case.

Claim 7

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein: said extent over which said lever is movable is defined within a region between an extension of a topmost surface of said case in front of the front end surface of said case and an extension of a lowermost surface of said case in front of the front end surface of said case.

Claim 8

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein: said case includes a connection port in its front end surface for connection to a connector to which a cable is connected; and said lever comprises a portion having a gap so that said lever avoids interference with said cable extending from said connector connected to said connection port when said lever is manipulated.

Claim 9

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein: said lever abuts against said connector as said optical module is moved in a direction in which said optical module is drawn out of said cage when said connector is in connection to said connection port, so that said lever is prevented from moving to a position at which said locking means is released from the locking state.

Claim 10

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; locking means for locking said locking member and said cage to each other; and a lever pivotably arranged on said case, said lever capable of moving said locking member to release a locking state of said locking means, wherein said locking means is released from the locking state by pulling said lever in a direction in which said optical module housed in said cage is drawn out of said cage, wherein said locking means comprises a locking hole formed through said cage, and an locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole, wherein said lever is arranged for pivotal movement about a pivotal shaft supported in a first groove formed in said case, and said locking member is arranged to swing about a shaft supported in a second groove formed in said case, wherein said locking member includes a front section disposed on the front side of said case from said shaft and pushed by said lever, and a rear section disposed on the rear side of said case from said shaft and having said locking protrusion, wherein said first groove is formed such that said pivotal shaft is movable between a first position at which said pivotal shaft is situated when said locking protrusion is fitted in said locking hole and a second position at which said pivotal shaft is situated when said lever is pulled in front of said case; and wherein said locking member includes a cain face formed in said front section such that said pivotal shaft pushes said front section as said pivotal shaft is moved from said first position to said second position within said first groove.

Claim 11

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; locking means for locking said locking member and said cage to each other; and a lever pivotably arranged on said case, said lever capable of moving said locking member to release a locking state of said locking means, wherein said locking means is released from the locking state by pulling said lever in a direction in which said optical module housed in said cage is drawn out of said cage, wherein said locking means comprises a locking hole formed through said cage, and an locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole, wherein said lever is arranged for pivotal movement about a pivotal shaft supported in a first groove formed in said case, and said locking member is arranged to swing about a shaft supported in a second groove formed in said case, wherein said locking member includes a front section disposed on the front side of said case from said shaft and pushed by said lever, and a rear section disposed on the rear side of said case from said shaft and having said locking protrusion, wherein said first groove is formed such that said pivotal shaft is movable between a first position at which said pivotal shaft is situated when said locking protrusion is fitted in said locking hole and a second position at which said pivotal shaft is situated when said lever is pulled in front of said case; and wherein said locking member includes a cain face formed in said front section such that said pivotal shaft pushes said front section as said pivotal shaft is moved from said first position to said second position within said first groove.

Claim 12

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein: said case includes a stopper for locking said lever at a predetermined position relative to said case, and said lever is brought to a position projecting in front of the front end surface of said case when said lever is released from the lock by said stopper.

Claim 13

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein: said mechanism further comprises urging means for urging said locking member to bring said locking means into the locking state when said case is housed in said cage.

Claim 14

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein: said urging means consists of a spring portion for urging said rear section of said locking member to bring said locking protrusion to a position at which said locking protrusion is fitted into said locking hole.

Claim 15

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein: said direction in which said optical module housed in said cage is drawn out of said cage is in front of a front end surface of said case, and said lever is movable over an extent which is within a region in front of the front end surface of said case.

Claim 16

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein: said extent over which said lever is movable is defined within a region between an extension of a topmost surface of said case in front of the front end surface of said case and an extension of a lowermost surface of said case in front of the front end surface of said case.

Claim 17

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein: said case includes a connection port in its front end surface for connection to a connector to which a cable is connected; and said lever comprises a portion having a gap so that said lever avoids interference with said cable extending from said connector connected to said connection port when said lever is manipulated.

Claim 18

The optical module locking mechanism according to claim 15 , wherein: said lever abuts against said connector as said optical module is moved in a direction in which said optical module is drawn out of said cage when said connector is in connection to said connection port, so that said lever is prevented from moving to a position at which said locking means is released from the locking state.

Claim 19

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; a locking hole formed in said cage; a locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole, and a lever pivotally arranged on said case that releases said locking state of said locking hole and said locking protrusion, wherein said lever is arranged for pivotal movement about a pivotal shaft supported in a first groove formed in said case, and said locking member is arranged to swing about a shaft supported in a second groove formed in said case, wherein said locking member includes a front section disposed on the front side of said case from said shaft and pushed by said lever, and a rear section disposed on the rear side of said case from said shaft and having said locking protrusions, and wherein said locking member includes shoulders on said front section against which said lever abuts when said lever projects in front of said case.

Claim 20

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; a locking hole formed in said cage; a locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole, and a lever pivotally arranged on said case that releases said locking state of said locking hole and said locking protrusion, wherein said lever is arranged for pivotal movement about a pivotal shaft supported in a first groove formed in said case, and said locking member is arranged to swing about a shaft supported in a second groove formed in said case, wherein said locking member includes a front section disposed on the front side of said case from said shaft and pushed by said lever, and a rear section disposed on the rear side of said case from said shaft and having said locking protrusions, and wherein said locking member includes shoulders on said front section against which said lever abuts when said lever projects in front of said case.

Claim 21

An optical module locking mechanism according to claim 17 , further comprising a resilient member for urging said locking member to bring said locking hole and said locking protrusion into the locking state when said case is housed in said cage.

Claim 22

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; a locking hole formed in said cage; a locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole; and a lever pivotally arranged on said case that releases said locking state of said locking hole and said locking protrusion, wherein said lever is movable between a first position such that said locking protrusion is fitted in said locking hole and a second position such that said locking protrusion is outside said locking hole; and wherein said locking member includes a cam face such that said lever urges against said locking member when aid lever is moved from said first position to said second position.

Claim 23

An optical module locking mechanism for locking a case containing an optical element and a cage for housing said case, said mechanism comprising: a locking member swingably arranged in said case; a locking hole formed in said cage; a locking protrusion formed on said locking member for insertion into said locking hole; and a lever pivotally arranged on said case that releases said locking state of said locking hole and said locking protrusion, wherein said lever is movable between a first position such that said locking protrusion is fitted in said locking hole and a second position such that said locking protrusion is outside said locking hole; and wherein said locking member includes a cam face such that said lever urges against said locking member when aid lever is moved from said first position to said second position.

Claim 24

An optical module locking mechanism according to claim 19 , further comprising a resilient member for urging said locking member to bring said locking hole and said locking protrusion into the locking state when said case is housed in said cage.