US6811317B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
De-latching lever actuator for fiber optic modules
Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
•
Filing: 2002-12-27
•
Granted: 2004-11-02
•
Expires: 2022-12-27
Abstract
Abstract Rotate-and-pull mechanisms for fiber optic modules. The rotate-and-pull mechanisms have 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 the second actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The lever-actuator includes an actuating-tab to cause the second actuator to move when the lever-actuator is rotated. By pulling the lever-actuator away from the cage assembly, the fiber optic module is withdrawn from the cage assembly. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the rotate-and-pull release fiber optic modules.
Inventors
- 👤 Liew C. Chiu
- 👤 Ron C. Pang
- 👤 Yong P. Sim
- 👤 Kee S. Tan
- 👤 Tat Ming Teo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4256; G02B6/426; G02B6/4261; G02B6/4292; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/4246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and an actuating tab coupled to the first end of the lever arm, wherein the actuating tab rotates with the lever arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and an actuating tab coupled to the first end of the lever arm, wherein the actuating tab rotates with the lever arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the lever-actuator rotates to cause a second actuator to disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lever-actuator of claim 2 wherein the actuating tab rotates with the lever arm to cause the second actuator to disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the actuating tab prevents the lever arm from rotating further once it reaches a limit point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 further comprising: a sliding-actuator to slide and disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the lever-actuator permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing adjacent lever-actuators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lever-actuator of claim 6 wherein with the belly-to-belly configuration, two lever-actuators are located in proximity to each other along a common surface between two fiber optic modules.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes a pin to rotationally couple the lever-actuator to a fiber optic module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes a plurality of pins to rotationally couple the lever-actuator to a fiber optic module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes a conical retainer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivoting fastener includes holes to receive one or more pins to rotationally couple the lever-actuator to a fiber optic module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 further comprising: a pull-arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 wherein, the pull-arm is a semi-circular ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 wherein, the pull-arm is a tab.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lever-actuator of claim 12 wherein, the pull-arm is a bail-latch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lever-actuator of claim 1 wherein the actuating tab to rotate and cause a fiber optic module to disengage from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lever-actuator of claim 16 wherein the lever arm has a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lever-actuator of claim 16 wherein the actuating tab is stiff and rigidly coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and a sliding-actuator to couple to the first end of the lever arm and to slide and disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever arm having a first end; a pivoting fastener coupled to the first end of the lever arm; and a sliding-actuator to couple to the first end of the lever arm and to slide and disengage a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lever-actuator of claim 19 further comprising: an actuating tab coupled to the first end of the lever arm, the actuating tab to rotate and couple to the sliding-actuator to slide the sliding-actuator and disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly in response to the rotation of the lever arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 20 wherein the actuating tab prevents the lever arm from rotating further once it reaches a limit point.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 19 wherein the lever-actuator permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing adjacent lever-actuators.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lever-actuator of claim 22 wherein with the belly-to-belly configuration, two lever-actuators are located in proximity to each other along a common surface between two fiber optic modules.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 19 further comprising: a pull-arm coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lever-actuator of claim 19 wherein the lever arm has a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lever-actuator of claim 20 wherein the actuating tab is stiff and rigidly coupled to the lever arm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever means having a first end; a pivoting means coupled to the first end of the lever means; and a sliding-actuating means for disengaging a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a lever means having a first end; a pivoting means coupled to the first end of the lever means; and a sliding-actuating means for disengaging a fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the lever means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The lever-actuator of claim 27 further comprising: a rotating-actuating means coupled to the lever means, wherein the rotating-actuating means rotates with the lever means to cause the sliding-actuating means to slide and disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 28 wherein the rotating-actuating means prevents the lever means from rotating further once it reaches a limit point.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 27 wherein the lever-actuator permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing adjacent lever-actuators.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lever-actuator of claim 30 wherein with the belly-to-belly configuration, two lever means are located in proximity to each other along a common surface between two fiber optic modules.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lever-actuator of claim 27 further comprising: a pull means coupled to the lever means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
163 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a center member having a first end and a second end, the center member being pivotally coupled to a fiber optic module to rotate about a pivot axis; at least one lever arm having a first end coupled to and extending from the center member to a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module; a first actuator coupled to the center member between the first end and second end of the center member, the first actuator to rotate with the at least one lever arm and the center member about the pivot axis; and a second actuator to couple to the first actuator to cause the fiber optic module to disengage from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the at least one lever arm, the center member, and the first actuator about the pivot axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
163 words
A lever-actuator for fiber optic modules, the lever-actuator comprising: a center member having a first end and a second end, the center member being pivotally coupled to a fiber optic module to rotate about a pivot axis; at least one lever arm having a first end coupled to and extending from the center member to a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the lever arm being free to rotate away from the fiber optic module; a first actuator coupled to the center member between the first end and second end of the center member, the first actuator to rotate with the at least one lever arm and the center member about the pivot axis; and a second actuator to couple to the first actuator to cause the fiber optic module to disengage from a cage assembly in response to a rotation of the at least one lever arm, the center member, and the first actuator about the pivot axis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 33 , wherein the pivot axis is a pivot pin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
68 words
The lever-actuator of claim 33 , wherein the pivot axis is an opening in at least one side tab coupled to the center member, and the lever-actuator further includes a pivot pin to rotatably couple into the opening of the at least one side tab. 36 .The lever-actuator of claim 33 , further comprising: a grip coupled to the second end of the at least one lever arm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lever-actuator of claim 33 , wherein the at least one lever arm extending from the center member forms a bail-latch.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lever-actuator of claim 37 , further comprising a pair of side tabs coupled to the ends of the center member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lever-actuator of claim 38 , wherein the pivot axis is a pivot pin in each of the pair of side tabs.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lever-actuator of claim 38 , wherein the pivot axis is an opening in each of the pair of side tabs, and the lever-actuator further includes a pivot pin to rotatably couple into the opening in each of the pair of side tabs.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 33 , wherein the first actuator is an actuating tab.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lever-actuator of claim 41 , wherein the second actuator is a sliding actuator.
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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) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-05-03 | 2008-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-05-03 | 2012-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-02 | 2016-05-03 | 2016-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |