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  Method and apparatus for a latchable and pluggable electronic and optical moduleUSPTO Application #: 20060014408Title: Method and apparatus for a latchable and pluggable electronic and optical module Abstract: A latchable and pluggable module includes a top portion and a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, both the top portion and the bottom portion having side walls, the side walls of the top portion having narrowed portions at their front ends and the side walls of the bottom portions having recessed regions at their front ends such at a gap exists at the front end of each side of the module. The module further comprises a bail that rotates about or around two first pins inserted through the sides of the bail and the side walls of the bottom portion and two slider strips positioned and constrained to move between each recessed region and each corresponding narrowed portion, the slider strips coupled to the bail by two second pins passing through each bail side and a corresponding slider strip, each slider strip having an outwardly flared tab portion that may engage with an inwardly bent tab portion of a housing, cage or container. (end of abstract) Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, LLP - Houston, TX, US Inventors: William Z. Guan, Olivier Villiod USPTO Applicaton #: 20060014408 - Class: 439160000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, With Coupling Separator, Nonconducting Pusher, Including Handle For Direct Manual Urge To Separate The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060014408. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical connector systems for electrical components. In particular, the present invention relates to a latching system that for use with low profile, user-removable, electronic modules that interface with a port of a host device and with an optical communications network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Fiber optics are increasingly used for transmitting voice and data signals. Generally, however, the data carried by light signal must be converted to an electrical format when received by a device, such as a network switch. Conversely, when data is transmitted to the optical network, it must be converted from an electronic signal to a light signal. Typically, an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module is electrically interfaced with a host device such as a host computer, switching hub, network router, switch box, and the like via a compatible connection port. Certain international and industry standards have been adopted that define the physical size and shape of optical transceiver modules to insure compatibility between different manufacturers. For example, in 1998, a group of optical manufacturers developed a set of standards for optical transceiver modules called the Small Form-factor Pluggable ("SFP") Transceiver MultiSource Agreement ("MSA"). In addition to the details of the electrical interface, this standard defines the physical size and shape for the SFP transceiver modules, and the corresponding host port, so as to insure interoperability between different manufacturers' products. The standard also specifies that the module be hot-pluggable, that is, that it may be removed or inserted while in operation. Although the industry standard specifies a minimum amount of space between host ports, so that transceiver modules can be individually accessed and removed from the host device without disturbing the adjacent modules and/or cable connections, there is often a desire to provide configurations having a higher port density. [0003] To provide for higher port density while maintaining other aspects of the SFP design of the MSA standard, an integrated latching mechanism has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,603 in the name of Togami. In the module apparatus taught by Togami, the latch mechanism is operated by way of a moveable bail lever that is moveable between two positions, which in turn dictate the position of a locking pin. When placed in a latched position, the locking pin extends from the module and engages with a corresponding recess within a host port, causing the module to be latched and secured within the port. When the bail is moved to an unlatched position, the locking pin is disengaged from the locking recess, which permits the module to be extracted from the port. In the apparatus taught by Togami, movement of the locking pin by way of the bail is accomplished with a cam portion that is integrated with the bail lever. Rotation of the bail causes manipulation of the cam, which in turn operates against a cam follower surface formed on a pivot block which carries the locking pin and that has pivot arms that are held within pivot points on the top surface of a connector portion. When in the latched position, the cam is disengaged from the cam follower surface, and a biasing means formed on the housing urges the pivot block to rotate the locking pin into the latched position. In the unlatched position, the cam forces the pivot block to rotate the locking pin so that it is disengaged from the locking recess. [0004] Although the latch mechanism of the aforementioned Togami apparatus appears to perform its intended function adequately, it, disadvantageously, requires a pivot block and an associated pivot-point means of attachment of the pivot block to the connector portion of the module. The need for a pivot block and its associated means of attachment adds complexity and cost to the latching mechanism and occupies volume within the module. Unfortunately, the total volume available within a module may be severely constrained and, in such a situation, the need for the pivot block for latching purposes causes the space available for other critical components to be reduced. [0005] Because of these aforementioned disadvantages of the latching mechanism of the prior art, there is currently a need for a latchable optical and electronic module, such as an optical transceiver module, having a simple latching mechanism that does not require a pivot block but that, nonetheless, permits maximum port density, maintains compliance with the mechanical dimensions of existing industry standard modules, permits the module to be easily inserted and extracted from a port without disturbing the communications link of adjacent modules and that provides a means for simple extraction or insertion of the module. The present invention addresses such a need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] To address the above-discussed needs, the present invention discloses an improved latchable and pluggable optical and electronic module, such as a transceiver module conforming to the MSA standard, having a bail coupled to a pair of slider strips having, at their ends, outwardly flared tab portions that, depending upon the position of the bail, either engage or do not engage an inwardly bent tab portion of a container or cage housing the module. [0007] In a preferred embodiment, the module is formed as a small form-factor pluggable ("SFP") device in accordance with existing industry standards. Moreover, the module is capable of being operatively received within a housing or cage provided by the host device. A preferred embodiment of a latchable and pluggable module in accordance with the present invention includes a top portion and a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, both the top portion and the bottom portion having side walls, the side walls of the top portion having narrowed portions at their front ends and the side walls of the bottom portions having recessed regions at their front ends such at a gap exists at the front end of each side of the module. The preferred embodiment of a latchable and pluggable module in accordance with the present invention further comprises a bail that rotates about or around two first pins inserted through the sides of the bail and the side walls of the bottom portion and two slider strips positioned and constrained to move between each recessed region and each corresponding narrowed portion, the slider strips coupled to the bail by two second pins passing through each bail side and a corresponding slider strip, each slider strip having an outwardly flared tab portion that may engage with an inwardly bent tab portion of a housing or container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The object and features of the present invention can be more fully understood and better appreciated with reference to the attached drawings, wherein [0009] FIG. 1 is an external view of a preferred embodiment of a latchable opto-electronic module, shown in the un-latched position; [0010] FIG. 2 is an external view of the latchable opto-electronic module of FIG. 1, shown in the latched position; [0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the latchable opto-electronic module of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 4 is an external view of the latchable opto-electronic module of FIG. 1 and its housing; [0013] FIG. 5A is a plan section view of the latch portion of the latchable opto-electronic module of FIG. 1, shown in the latched position; and [0014] FIG. 5B is a plan section view of the latch portion of the latchable opto-electronic module of FIG. 1, shown in the un-latched position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] The present invention relates to an improved latching mechanism for a pluggable optical and electronic module. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. To more particularly appreciate the features and advantages of the latchable opto-electronic module of the present invention, the reader is referred to the appended FIGS. 1-5 in conjunction with the following discussion. [0016] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a preferred embodiment of a latchable and pluggable opto-electronic module 100, shown in its un-latched position. FIG. 2 is a drawing of the same latchable opto-electronic module 100, shown in its latched position. Preferably, the overall dimensions of the latchable opto-electronic module 100 conform to industry standards, such as the MSA standard. The module 100 has two hollow front ports 122a-122b (FIG. 2), which, preferably, are also in conformance with industry standards, for insertion of optical fiber cables or connectors. [0017] The latchable opto-electronic module comprises a top section 102 that mates with and couples to a bottom section 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Although only one side is shown, generally, it is to be noted that, for each component referenced on the illustrated side of the apparatus, there is an identical component on the opposite, hidden side of the apparatus. The top section comprises two side walls 102w (only one of which is shown) that have narrowed or cut-away portions 102wn. Likewise, the bottom section comprises two side walls 104w. The narrowed-side-wall portions 102wn cause the existence of gaps 120 (one on each side; see inset box 107 in FIG. 1) between the top section and the bottom section and extending along the front portions of the sides of the module 100. Further, the narrowed-portion side walls 102wn and the side walls 104w are shaped such that the gaps 120 comprise enlarged-gap sections 120w (see FIG. 2). [0018] The latching mechanism of the module 100 is partially comprised of a bail 106 being shaped such that it has two side sections 106s and a top section 106t. The top section 106t may comprise a concave finger guide 106g to aid a user to grab the bail. To latch the module 100 within a supporting cage or housing (described further in the following discussion), the user first lifts the bail 106 upward such that the bail top 106t is above and parallel to the top of the top section 102, as shown in FIG. 2, and then slides the module 100 into the cage or housing and pushes the module into its fully latched position. To release the module 100 from its cage or housing, the user first pulls the bail 106 forward and downward to the position shown in FIG. 1, wherein the bail top 106t is to the front of the module 100. The user then pulls or slides the module 100 out of its cage or housing in a forward direction. [0019] When the user either pushes or pulls the bail 106, the movement of the bail is constrained to that of a rotation about two first pins 110 that extend through holes in the sides 106s of the bail 106 and into the bottom section 104. A second pin 112 also passes through each side 106s of the bail. Each one of the two second pins 112 extends through a respective side 106s of the bail 106 and into a respective slider strip 108, the two slider strips 108 constrained to movement inward of and parallel to the narrowed the side walls 102wn and the side wall 104w. During rotation of the bail 106 about the first pins 110, each second pin 112 either pulls or pushes the slider 108 to which it is coupled either forward or to the rear. The inset box 107 of FIG. 1 provides greater detail of a portion of a front side of the module 100. Within inset box 107, it may be seen the position and movement of the slider strip 108 is constrained, at its bottom edge, within a groove 104g that is formed in the side wall section. The movement of the slider strip is also constrained, at its upper edge, by the narrowed side wall 102wn of the top portion 102. Continue reading... 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