U.S. patent application number 10/900215 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for adapter module with insertion guide aspect.
Invention is credited to Dirkers, Christopher P., Neer, Jay H..
Application Number | 20050003697 10/900215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29250597 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050003697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neer, Jay H. ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Adapter module with insertion guide aspect
Abstract
An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that
serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter
module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it
engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two
opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to
thereby release it from the adapter frame.
Inventors: |
Neer, Jay H.; (Boca Raton,
FL) ; Dirkers, Christopher P.; (Calico Rock,
AK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOLEX INCORPORATED
2222 WELLINGTON COURT
LISLE
IL
60532
US
|
Family ID: |
29250597 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900215 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10900215 |
Jul 27, 2004 |
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10408506 |
Apr 7, 2003 |
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6793517 |
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60370853 |
Apr 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/374 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0256 20130101;
G02B 6/4292 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/374 |
International
Class: |
H01R 013/64 |
Claims
1. Cancelled.
2. Cancelled.
3. Cancelled.
4. Cancelled.
5. Cancelled.
6. Cancelled.
7. Cancelled.
8. Cancelled.
9. Cancelled.
10. Cancelled.
11. Cancelled.
12. Cancelled.
13. Cancelled.
14. Cancelled.
15. Cancelled.
16. Cancelled.
17. Cancelled.
18. Cancelled.
19. Cancelled.
20. Cancelled.
21. An adapter module for insertion into and removal from an
adapter frame mounted, comprising: a conductive body defining an
interior space for housing an electronic converter therewithin, the
conductive body including a pair of spaced-apart side walls and at
least one of said side walls includes a longitudinal slot extending
lengthwise of said conductive body, the slot being adapted to
receive a complementary member of said adapter frame.
22. The adapter module of claim 21, wherein each of said conductive
body side walls includes a slot that engages a portion of said
adapter frame and guides said module into said adapter frame during
insertion of said module into said adapter frame.
23. The adapter module of claim 22, wherein each of said slots
includes a rear portion having an angled lead-in surface which
permits said module to be tilted during insertion of said module
into said adapter frame.
24. The adapter module of claim 21, further including a handle
member disposed at a front of said conductive body for pulling said
module out of said adapter frame.
25. The adapter module of claim 21, wherein slot includes a rear
portion having an angled lead-in surface which permits said module
to be tilted during insertion of said module into said adapter
frame.
26. The adapter module of claim 21, wherein said angled lead-in
surface includes an outwardly diverging portion.
27. The adapter module of claim 23, wherein said angled lead-in
surfaces each include an outwardly diverging portion.
28. An adapter module and adapter frame combination, comprising: an
adapter frame for mounting to a printed circuit board, the adapter
frame including a pair of spaced-apart frame side walls that define
an interior portion of said adapter frame, said adapter frame
further having an opening disposed between the two side walls that
permits access by a user to the interior portion of said adapter
frame; an adapter module including a conductive body having an
interior space, a pair of spaced-apart side walls, one of the
conductive body side walls including longitudinal slot disposed
thereon, the slot receiving a complementary member of said adapter
frame therein so as to guide said adapter module into said adapter
frame interior portion.
29. The adapter module and frame in accordance with claim 28,
wherein said adapter module includes a longitudinal slot on each of
said side walls.
30. The adapter module and frame in accordance with claim 28,
wherein said adapter module longitudinal slot includes a rear
portion that includes a diverging opening which permits said
adapter module to be tilted when inserted into said adapter
frame.
31. The adapter module and frame in accordance with claim 29,
wherein each of said adapter module longitudinal slots includes a
rear portion that includes a diverging opening which permits said
adapter module to be tilted when inserted into said adapter frame.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional Patent
Application No. 60/370,853, filed Apr. 8, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to adapter modules,
and more particularly to an adapter module having a retention
member that is easily operable to hold the adapter module in place
or to release it from within an adapter frame.
[0003] Adapter frames or modules are used in many different
applications and are usually used to contain an electrical
component, such as an optical transceiver or a cable to board
connector. Adapter modules are used in a wide variety of
applications that range from simple connecting faces between hard
(copper) conductor wiring to more sophisticated applications that
may involve optical fibers, flexible or printed cables, etc. In
many instances, adapter modules house converters that are used to
convert optical signals or electrical signals or electrical signals
to optical signals. These modules are used to convert high speed
signals from either copper to optical or optical to copper, while
maintaining the signals at high speeds, such as in the gigabit
range. These adapter modules are placed into adapter frames that
are usually attached to a circuit board, and the modules are
retained in place in the adapter frames by retention means.
[0004] One such retention means is the use of thumbscrews. These
thumbscrews are difficult to operate in environments with many
cables, for the user has to move the cables to the side when
installing, removing or reconfiguring the cables. Thus, these
adapter modules are not easily pluggable.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
improved adapter frame, or module having a simple to use retention
means that renders the adapter frame or module more like a
pluggable component.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
provide an adapter module that easily slides into a an adapter
frame and which uses a moveable latch to retain it in place within
the frame.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
adapter module that utilizes a simple wire bail latch having two
free ends that engage openings in the frame, and the bail latch is
moveable about its free ends between two positions, wherein in one
of the two positions, the free ends of the bail latch extend
outwardly from the adapter module to provide interfering posts that
serve to retain the adapter module in place within the
adapter/frame and in the other of the two positions, the free ends
of the bail latch are withdrawn inwardly into the adapter module so
that they do not interferingly engage the adapter frame to thereby
permit the adapter module to be easily removed from the bezel.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
adapter module with a retention bail latch that is moveable between
two positions wherein the adapter module is either retained within
a guiderail or removable therefrom, the bail latch preventing the
cable assembly from being attached to the transceiver within the
adapter module prior to installation of the adapter module into its
host unit.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
adapter module with a moveable bail latch as described above, the
module having a housing with a cam member formed therein proximate
to the free ends of the bail latch, the bail latch engaging the cam
members in its movement to thereby draw the bail latch free ends
inwardly into the adapter module during movement of the bail latch
to an open position.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an adapter module that is easily insertable into an adapter
frame, the adapter module having a cast housing that has a pair of
slots formed therein extending lengthwise, the slots receiving
corresponding opposing guiderails of a receiving frame, the adapter
module slots having flared ends at their rear portions that provide
a lead-in for the guiderails, the flared ends diverging from the
width of the slots to a wider slot at an daiverging angle therefrom
so that the module may be tilted in its installation and/or
removal.
[0011] The present invention accomplishes these and other objects
and aspects by virtue of its structure. In one principal aspect of
the present invention, an adapter module is provided with a means
for securing it in place within an adapter frame that is mounted to
a circuit board. The module has a hollow body that is sized to
receive therein an electronic device such as a connector,
transceiver, optical to electrical connector or the like and the
device may have a circuit board that extends outwardly therefrom
for mating with an opposing connector mounted to the circuit board.
The module body further may include an exterior flange that extends
around it for flush engagement with either a faceplate or the front
edge of an adapter frame mounted to the circuit board.
[0012] The securing means preferably takes the form of a bail latch
that has a general U-shape with two free ends. The free ends are
received within openings formed in the module sidewalls and the
free ends are interconnected by a horizontal bar that extends
across the front of the module.
[0013] The bail latch is moveable between two operative positions.
In the first operative position, the bail latch bar lies across the
front of the module and prevents connection therewith of any cable
assemblies. In the second operative position, the bail latch is
raised permitting insertion of cable assemblies into the module.
The module includes a pair of cam members having cam surfaces that
the bail latch rides open in its movement. These cam members serve
to draw the free ends of the bail latch inwardly so that the module
may be inserted into, or removed from, the adapter frame. When the
free ends of the bail latch are not cammed inwardly, they extend
through an exterior of the module sidewalls and into an
interference engagement with the adapter frame that prevents the
module from being removed from the adapter frame.
[0014] In another principal aspect of the present invention, the
adapter frame has a pair of guiderails that extend inwardly and the
module has a pair of slots formed in its exterior that extend
lengthwise of the module. These module slots receive the adapter
frame guide rails. These slots open to the rear of the module and
include a flared lead-in opening that permits the module to be
tilted into place into the adapter frame or permit the module to be
used with tilted adapter frames.
[0015] Electromagnetic gaskets may be applied to the module flange
in an orientation to engage and mate with opposing gaskets on the
adapter frame. The bail latch may also be configured to accommodate
a cable assembly.
[0016] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention, together with its objects and the advantages
thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures
and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an adapter
frame/module assembly that utilizes an adapter module constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention in its
operational environment with a cable assembly;
[0019] FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1, but partially cutaway and
illustrating the adapter module in place within its adapter frame
and ready to receive the cable assembly therein;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter module and
adapter frame of FIG. 1 in alignment with each other prior to
insertion of the frame/module into the frame and illustrating the
module in a position ready for insertion/removal from the
frame.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the adapter module of FIG.
3 with its bail latch moved to a retention or engagement
position;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the adapter module of
FIG. 3, with the bail latch removed for clarity;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the adapter module of
FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a lengthwise sectional view of the adapter module
of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adapter module of FIG. 4
taken from the underside thereof;
[0026] FIG. 7A is an enlarged detail view of the portion designated
"A" in FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the bail latch of the
adapter module of the present invention illustrating the
displacement that occurs therein during movement between its two
operative positions;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a partial side elevational view of the adapter
module of the present invention illustrating the range of movement
between the two positions of the bail latch;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an adapter
frame/module having an alternative bail latch;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a partial side elevational view of the adapter
frame/module of FIG. 10; and
[0031] FIG. 12A is an enlarged detail view of the bail latch in a
raised position such as is shown in FIG. 3A, with the bail latch
positioned above the cam member;
[0032] FIG. 12B is the same view as FIG. 12A, but with the bail
latch in a depressed position as shown in FIG. 3 where the bail
latch legs and free ends have deflected inwardly;
[0033] FIG. 13 is an angled perspective view of a module in place
within an adapter frame and illustrating the bail latch in a up
position, wherein the module is engaged with the adapter frame and
which utilizes a cam member that is raised off the floor of the
module;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a similar view as FIG. 14, taken at a different
angle, but illustrating the bail latch in a lowered position,
wherein the module is disengaged with the adapter frame and the
free ends of the bail latch are cammed out of engagement with the
adapter frame;
[0035] FIG. 15 is an enlarged, partial top plan detail view of the
cam member and the bail latch when the module is in the position as
illustrated in FIG. 14;
[0036] FIG. 16 is an angled enlarged detail view of the bail
latch-cam member engagement when the bail latch is in a lowered
position as shown in FIG. 14;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a view similar to that of FIG. 16, but of the
bail latch-cam member in the position when the module is in the
position as illustrated in FIG. 13;
[0038] FIG. 18, is an enlarged detail view of the front side of the
module as illustrated in FIG. 14, showing one free end of the bail
latch disengaged from the adapter frame and the bail latch in front
of the opening of the module to prevent insertion of a cable or
other device therein; and, FIG. 19, is an enlarged detail view of
the front side of the module as illustrated in FIG. 13, showing one
free end of the bail latch engaged with the adapter frame and the
bail latch raised above the opening of the module to permit
insertion of a cable or other device therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical assembly 20 that is used to
provide an interface between one device (not shown) that has a
cable assembly 21 leading from it to another electronic device
(also not shown) that has a circuit board 22 associated therewith
and which is enclosed in a housing 23. Such assemblies are commonly
used in the telecommunication industry and may include a fiber or
other type of optical deice that transmits signals through a fiber
optic cable 25 which are terminated to one or more transmitters 26,
that are housed within connector housing 27 that are illustrated as
plug connectors in the drawings.
[0040] These cable assemblies 21 plug into what is known in the art
as an adapter module 30 that in turn is received within an adapter
frame 50 that is mounted to the circuit board 22 and that partially
surrounds, or encloses, a connector 60 mounted on the circuit board
22 and having a plurality of conductive terminals 62 that are
terminated to circuits on the circuit board 22.
[0041] The module 30 houses one or more electronic devices,
typically converters that connect high speed signals from copper
cables or fiber optic cables to electrical signals that can be
transmitted through the connector terminals 62 and onto the
selected circuits on the circuit board 22. The electronic devices
may typically include a pair of optical converter heads 37 that are
contained in nests, or openings 31, of the module 30 and these
conversion heads may include additional electronic structure that
ends in a circuit board 38 (FIG. 4) that extends out from the rear
face 32 of the module 30. One type of module and its internal
components are illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,062,893, issued May 16, 2000.
[0042] The module 30 is received within an adapter frame 50 that is
mounted to a circuit board 22. The adapter frame, as illustrated
best in FIG. 3, has a rectangular shape with a pair of side walls
52 interconnected by opposing front and rear faces 53, 54. The rear
face 54 of the adapter frame 50 includes a rear wall 55 that closes
off the rear of the frame 50 and further includes a transverse rear
member 56 with spring arms 57 formed therein that depend downwardly
into the cavity 29 defined within the adapter frame 50. These
spring arms 57 engage a rear ledge 39 (FIG. 1) formed in the module
30 in order to provide effective grounding of the module 30. This
grounding into grounding circuits on the circuit board 22 and
occurs primarily by way of a series of engagement pins 58 that are
preferably formed as part of the adapter frame 50 and which may be
received within plated holes, or vias 28 (FIG. 2) formed in the
circuit board 22.
[0043] Returning to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the module 30 is preferably die
cast from a conductive material and may be formed of one or more
parts with a hollow internal cavity (not shown) that receives and
houses converters, of which only the connector heads 37 and the
rear circuit board 38 are shown.
[0044] The front face of the module 30 has a pair of openings 31,
each communicating with a specific converter head 37. These
openings 31 receive the connector housings 27 of the cable assembly
plug connectors. In order to retain the module 30, within the
adapter frame 50, a retention means 40 is provided in the form of a
moveable (or rotatable) bail latch 41. As illustrated in FIG. 8,
the bail latch 41 has a general U-shape having a base 42 that
extends transverse to two legs 43. The legs 43 terminate in free
ends 44 that also extend in the transverse direction of these free
ends 44 and are received within a pair of openings 33 (FIGS. 3 and
4) that are formed in the sidewalls 34. The free ends 44 are
movable in the openings 33 so that the bail latch 41 may be moved
(preferably rotated) between first and second operative positions.
In the first operative position, which is illustrated in FIG. 3,
the bail latch 41 extends horizontally in front of the movable
openings 31 and its base part 42 extends crosswise in front of the
module openings 31 in a manner so as to interfere with insertion of
the cable connector housing 27 therein. In this same position, the
free ends 44 are drawn inwardly of the module sidewalls 34 and
adapt the position shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 8 where the
free ends 44 are drawn and do not project outside of the module
sidewalls 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0045] In the second operative position, as illustrated in FIG. 3A,
the bail latch 41 is raised up and over the openings 37 on the
front face of the module 30. This position is shown in outline in
FIGS. 8 and 9 and no interference is presented with any cable
assemblies. In order to provide the inward-outwardly movement of
the bail latch free arms 44 in concert with the upward-downward
movement of the bail latch, the adapter module 30 includes a pair
of cam members 70 that are preferably integrally formed with the
module 30. As shown in FIG. 5, these cam members 70 are located
along the inner base 71 of the slots 72. The cam member 70 are
preferably three-dimensional bumps having covered surfaces that are
curved with a radius both in the transverse direction "T" (FIG. 3A)
and the longitudinal direction "L" so that the bail latch legs 43
will cam inwardly to pull the free ends 44 of the bail latch
inwardly 20 that they do not project from the module sidewalls 34
and into the adapter frame openings 59.
[0046] In another aspect of the present invention, the module 30,
may have a pair of slots 80 formed therein that extend lengthwise
of the module 30. These slots 80 receive and engage corresponding
guiderails 82 that are formed as part of the adapter frame 50 and
which bend inwardly into the internal cavity 29 of the frame 50. As
seen best in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the slots 80 may be further disposed
in the module sidewalls 34 just beneath the heat dissipating fins
83 that are preferably formed as part of the module 30. At the rear
face 32 of the module 30, the slots 80 open in a diverging manner
by way of an angled wall 84 to create a large opening 85 with an
angled lead-in surface 84 that will permit the adapter module 30 to
be tilted into place as to engage the adapter frame guiderails 82
or to engage an adapter frame 50 that is itself slightly tilted
with respect to an opening 90 in a device foreplate, or bezel
91.
[0047] Turning now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, these figures show in
detail the relationship between the cam member 70 and the bail
latch 41. In FIG. 12A, the bail latch 71 extends up at an angle as
in FIG. 3A and the latch legs 43 are positioned above the cam
member 70. In FIG. 12B, the bail latch 41 has been moved down to a
horizontal position as in FIG. 3 and it can be seen that the latch
legs 43 have ridden down on the cam member 70 and so deflected
inwardly. This deflection occurs along the latch legs 43 (shown as
D1, in FIG. 8) and also along the latch free ends 44 (shown as D2
in FIG. 8). In this deflection, the free ends 44 are withdrawn from
their engagement with the frame openings 59, and preferably
partially into the module sidewall 34 so that the module 30 may be
freely and easily inserted into and removed from the frame 50.
[0048] The module flange 120 may have an electromagnetic gasket 100
applied thereto as its rear face 50 so that it mates with a like
electromagnetic gasket 101 supported on the adapter frame front
face.
[0049] Another embodiment 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 10-11 where
the module 30 includes a bail latch 141 that has a recess or slot
146 formed therein to receive a cable or patch cord.
[0050] FIGS. 13-19 illustrate the interaction of the bail latch
free ends and the module adapter frame more clearly. In FIG. 13,
the assembly 200 is shown as an adapter frame 202 that has a pair
of side walls which are interconnected by rear and front members.
The adapter frame 202 is shown mounted to a circuit board 236 and
the frame holds an electronic module 204 therein. The module shown
is an optical transceiver, but it will be understood that other
suitable types of components may be used as modules.
[0051] The module 204 has a pair of openings 206 that communicate
with its front face to permit the coupling thereto of cables and
the like. The module 204 is equipped with a moveable bail latch 208
of the type described previously. The bail latch 208 has a U-shape
with a base 214 that may by moved up or down into and out of
interference with the module openings 206, and a pair of legs 216
that terminate in free ends 218. These legs 216 are moveable, or
pivotable, within slots 212 disposed within the module 204 and they
move, or pivot around their associated free ends 218. A cam member
210 is shown disposed within the slots 212 in a position to
interfere with the movement of the bail latch 208, particularly the
legs 216 thereof.
[0052] As discussed above in this description, the cam member 210
is positioned in the module 204, and preferably within the slots
212 thereof. It is positioned so that movement of the bail latch
208 causes the leg portions 216 thereof to contact the cam member
210. These leg portions 216 ride over the cam member 210, and the
exterior surfaces thereof. This movement, as explained above, draws
the free ends 218 of the bail latch inwardly and outwardly with
respect to an imaginary centerline of the free ends. FIG. 18
illustrates the bail latch 208 in an insertion/removal position,
where the bail latch 208 extends in front of and prevents the user
from inserting a cable into the module opening 206. At this
position, the bail latch leg portions 216 are cammed inwardly, as
best illustrated in FIG. 15 and lie, preferably in abutting
contact, against the cam member 210 as illustrated. This cam member
210 has a profile that extends upwardly from the floor of the
module slot 206, as shown in FIG. 13, and need not have the
quarter-spherical configuration shown in the preceding drawing
Figures. Moreover, the quarter-spherical configuration may be
positioned on the top of a post portion 234 to specify the point
exactly where the camming action occurs in the rotation of the bail
latch. The free ends 218 of the bail latch 208 have a length that
is sufficient for them to clear engagement of the exterior adapter
frame 202, so that the module may be inserted and removed without
problem.
[0053] Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 & 19, the attachment
aperture 230 may be specially configured to include an arcuate
recess 232 that receives the bail latch free end 218 therein when
the bail latch is in the engaged position. The aperture 230 is
aligned with the corresponding apertures formed in the bail latch
in which the free ends 218 reside. The free ends 218 of the bail
latch are shown in a retracted position in FIG. 18.
[0054] It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For
example, although the cam has been described as having a partially
spherical (quarter spherical) engagement face, other faces may be
utilized so long as the camming action is provided. The present
examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein.
* * * * *