US7118281B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retention and release mechanisms for fiber optic modules
Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
•
Filing: 2004-08-03
•
Granted: 2006-10-10
•
Expires: 2024-08-03
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
2026-11-01 11:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4245; G02B6/4256; G02B6/426; G02B6/4261; G02B6/4274; G02B6/4277; G02B6/428; G02B6/4284; G02B6/4292; G02B6/3897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; and a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly; wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a cross member coupled to the lever-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-arm actuator is rotated about its pivot point to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; and a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly; wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a cross member coupled to the lever-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-arm actuator is rotated about its pivot point to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the actuating slot rotates about the same axis as the lever-arm actuator when the lever-arm actuator is rotated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein pulling the lever-arm actuator causes a fiber optic module to withdraw from a cage assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising: a pivot fastener at the pivot point of the lever-arm actuator to rotationally couple the lever-arm actuator to a fiber optic module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising: a bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides a counteracting force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the bracket acts as a stop for the pivot-arm actuator in one direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the bracket further includes side panels to couple to an optical module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 8 wherein the bracket further includes rectangular locating tab openings at the side panels to fit over locating tabs on an optical module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the pivot-arm actuator, includes a keeper to fit into a latch in a cage assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The de-latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the keeper of the pivot-arm actuator includes a triangular protrusion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly; and a bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position; wherein the bracket further includes a slot through which a keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising: a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly; and a bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position; wherein the bracket further includes a slot through which a keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A fiber optic module comprising: a nose receptacle including a fiber optic cable receptacle to receive one or more fiber optic cable plugs; a lever-actuator to release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly using a rotational action; and a pivot-arm actuator coupled to the lever-actuator, the pivot-arm including a keeper which is released from a latch to release the fiber optic module in response to a rotational action on the lever-actuator. wherein the lever-actuator includes a cross member coupled to the pivot-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-actuator is rotated to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
A fiber optic module comprising: a nose receptacle including a fiber optic cable receptacle to receive one or more fiber optic cable plugs; a lever-actuator to release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly using a rotational action; and a pivot-arm actuator coupled to the lever-actuator, the pivot-arm including a keeper which is released from a latch to release the fiber optic module in response to a rotational action on the lever-actuator. wherein the lever-actuator includes a cross member coupled to the pivot-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-actuator is rotated to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 further comprising: a printed circuit board including one or more electro-optic transducers to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the fiber optic module is a small form pluggable (SFP) fiber optic module and the cage assembly is a small form pluggable (SFP) cage assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiber optic module of claim 15 further comprising: a housing to couple to the nose receptacle and cover the printed circuit board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the lever-actuator includes one or more pins to rotationally engage the nose receptacle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the lever-actuator includes one or more holes to rotationally engage the nose receptacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the nose receptacle further includes, a bracket, the bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides an opposing spring force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket acts as a stop for the pivot-arm actuator in one direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket further includes side panels to couple to the nose receptacle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fiber optic module of claim 23 wherein the bracket further includes rectangular locating tab openings at the side panels to fit over locating tabs on the nose receptacle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket further includes a slot through which the keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the keeper of the pivot-arm actuator includes a triangular protrusion.
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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) | 2009-10-09 | 2010-04-10 | 2010-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-10-09 | 2014-04-10 | 2014-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-10-09 | 2018-04-10 | 2018-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |