Abstract:
A cover is described that includes an opening for the cover to receive a latch of a pluggable device to secure the pluggable device in the cover. The cover includes a retaining latch for the cover to hold the cover within an opening of a device. The cover, when inserted into the opening of the device, provides dust protection for the opening of the device and a parking location for the pluggable device. A method is also described for parking a fiber optic connector in a cover and latching the cover into a cage of a communications device.

Description:
FIELD 
   Embodiments of the present invention relate to fiber optic communications equipment and accessories. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a cover for a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) cage of a telecommunications or data communications device, wherein the cover functions as a dust cover for the SFP cage and also as a parking location for unused fiber optic cables. 
   BACKGROUND 
     FIG. 1  shows a prior art small form-factor pluggable (SFP) compact optical transceiver  10  that is used for optical communications. The SFP transceiver  10  can be used for telecommunications and data communications applications. The first end  12  the SFP transceiver  10  has two openings  16  and  18  for receiving optical ends  26  and  28  of a duplex LC fiber optic connector  30  connected to a fiber optic networking cable  34 . Opening  16  includes a receiver of optical signals and the other opening  18  includes a transmitter of optical signals. 
   Termination covers  36  and  38  are shown in  FIG. 1 . Termination covers  36  and  38  are used to cover respective termination points  56  and  58  of respective optical ends  26  and  28  of duplex LC fiber optic connector  30 . 
   A prior art dust cover  40  can be placed in openings  16  and  18  of SFP transceiver  10  when optical ends  26  and  28  of duplex LC fiber optic connector  30  are not placed in openings  16  and  18 . Prior art dust cover  40  helps to keep dust and debris from entering openings  16  and  18 . 
     FIG. 2  shows SFP transceiver  10  in an inverted position. The back end  42  of transceiver  10  is shown. Connector  40  provides an electrical connection between transceiver  10  and a communications switch or router. 
     FIG. 3  shows transceiver  10  inserted into SFP cage  46  of gigabit switch  50 , which is a port of the gigabit switch  50 . Optical ends  26  and  28  of duplex LC fiber optic connector  30  are inserted into openings  16  and  18  of transceiver  10 . An electrical connector at the internal end of SFP cage  46  allows connector  40  of transceiver  10  to electrically couple with an internal motherboard (not shown) of switch  50 .  FIG. 3  also shows another SFP transceiver  12  inserted into SFP cage  48  of switch  50 , which is another port of switch  50 . 
   One disadvantage of prior art cable and switch systems is the difficulty in handling unconnected fiber optic cables. Numerous unconnected fiber optic cables can be hard to keep track of. 
   Sometimes fiber optic connector ends of cables are temporarily placed or parked in unused SFP cages or ports, such as SFP cage  62  of  FIG. 3  that does not contain a transceiver. Nevertheless, such fiber optic connector ends only loosely reside in such unused SFP cages, given that the SFP cages typically are much larger than the fiber optic connector ends. This means that the fiber optic connector ends can be easily dislodged from the unused SFP cages. 
   SUMMARY 
   A cover is described that includes an opening for the cover to receive a latch of a pluggable device to secure the pluggable device in the cover. The cover includes a retaining latch for the cover to hold the cover within an opening of a device. The cover, when inserted into the opening of the device, provides dust protection for the opening of the device and a parking location for the pluggable device. 
   A method is also described for parking a fiber optic connector in a cover by latching the fiber optic connector into the cover. The cover is latched into the cage of a communications device to provide dust protection for the cage. When the fiber optic connector is parked in the latched cover, the latched cover cannot be removed from the cage. 
   Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art transceiver, a prior art fiber optic duplex connector, and a prior art dust cover. 
       FIG. 2  shows a prior art transceiver. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a prior art communications switch into which is inserted prior art transceivers and a prior art duplex connector. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dust cover showing the front, top, and right side. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dust cover showing the back, bottom, and left side. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the dust cover. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the dust cover. 
       FIG. 8  is a right-side view of the dust cover. 
       FIG. 9  is a back view of the dust cover. 
       FIG. 10  shows the dust cover and a simplex LC fiber optic connector prior to insertion into an SFP cage of a communications switch. 
       FIG. 11  shows a simplex LC fiber optic connector after insertion into the dust cover and after the dust cover has been inserted into the SFP cage of the communications device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   An embodiment of the present invention is a cover that helps to shield and protect an unused SFP cage of a telecommunications switch from dust. When the dust cover is placed in the SFP cage, the dust cover also serves as a place to park or store one or more fiber optic connectors for fiber optic cabling. Alternatively, the dust cover can be designed to park or store electrical connectors for twisted pair or other types of cabling for communications. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of dust cover  100 . For one embodiment of the invention, the dust cover is made of plastic. For alternative embodiments, dust cover  100  can be constructed of metal, fiberglass, or other materials. 
   Dust cover  100  includes an opening  102 . Opening  102  is large enough to receive two fiber optic connectors. For one embodiment, opening  102  accommodates simplex LC fiber optic connectors, which are also referred to as LC fiber optic terminations or LC fiber optic patches. Alternatively, opening  102  can accommodate or receive a duplex LC fiber optic connector, which is comprised of two fiber optic terminations coupled together. 
   For an alternative embodiment, opening  102  can be designed to be large enough to receive two simplex SC fiber optic connectors or an SC duplex fiber optic connector. 
   For yet other embodiments, opening  102  can be designed to receive another type of connectors, including one or more electrical connectors, such as, for example a telephone plug or a Category 6 electrical connector. 
   The connectors that are inserted into opening  102  are connected to respective communications cabling. For example, LC fiber optic connectors or SC fiber optic connectors would be coupled to fiber optic cabling. Electrical connectors would be coupled to corresponding electrical cabling. For example, a Category 6 electrical connector would be coupled to a Category 6 cable that has wires. 
   Simplex fiber optic connectors would each be coupled to separate fiber optic cables. A duplex fiber optic connector would be coupled to two fiber optic cables. 
   For one embodiment of the invention, dust cover  100  is made from ABS plastic. For one type of embodiment, dust cover  100  can be made in different colors. For example, dust cover  100  can be orange. For other embodiments, dust cover  100  can be various other colors. Having multiple dust covers like dust cover  100  with various colors can be useful in organizing fiber optic cables. Dust covers of certain colors can be associated with particular cables or ports. 
   For various embodiments, dust cover  100  can include markings, letters, or numbers in order to help with organizing fiber optic cables or identifying communications ports. 
   One fiber optic connector would be inserted into side  104  of opening  102 . The other fiber optic connector would be inserted into side  106  of opening  102 . Separation piece  110  helps to guide and separate the two connectors inserted into opening  102 . 
   The upper latches on the fiber optic connectors inserted into opening  102  are pressed down by the portions  124  and  126  of thumb grip  130  as the fiber optic connectors are inserted into dust cover  100 . As the fiber connectors are inserted into dust cover  100 , the latches of the fiber connectors pop up to enter respective openings  114  and  116 . This causes the fiber optic connectors to be latched or secured within dust cover  100 . This is because the latches press against thumb cover  130  if one attempts to remove the fiber optic connectors from dust cover  100  by simply pulling the fiber optic connectors outward from dust cover  100 . Thus, openings  114  and  116 , by receiving the latches of the fiber optic connectors, serve to keep the fiber optic connectors parked securely within dust cover  100 . 
   To remove the fiber optic connectors from dust cover  100 , one needs to press down the latches of the fiber optic connectors and pull the connectors from dust cover  100 . This allows the latches from the fiber optic connectors to clear the portions  124  and  126  of thumb grip  130 . 
     FIG. 5  shows the dust cover  100  turned upside down in a perspective view.  FIG. 5  shows the back  150  of dust cover  100 , the side  144 , and the bottom  148  of dust cover  100 . 
   The covers  134  and  136 , the sides  144  and  146 , the bottom  148 , and the back  150  of dust cover  100  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  surround the ends of the fiber optic connectors inserted into dust cover  100 . 
   Dust cover  100  includes an ultrasonic staking post  152 . Staking post  152  is a cylindrical plastic protruberence that fits within a cylindrical opening at the end of SFP cage or opening within a telecommunications switch. Staking post  152  has a pointed end  153 . 
   Dust cover  100  includes ridges  164  and  166  that press against an SFP cage opening when dust cover  100  is inserted into an SFP cage. In other words, ridges  164  and  166  provide a stop. 
   Dust cover  100  includes a moveable latch  170 , also referred to as eject latch  170  or ejection latch  170 . Moveable latch  170  includes a V-shaped ridge  172  that fits within a recess or opening in an SFP cage into which the dust cover  100  is inserted. Ridge  172  is also referred to as retaining latch  172 . 
   Inserting fiber optic connectors into opening  102  causes those connectors to push against end  174  of eject latch  170 . Latch  170  pivots and is rotatable. Inserting fiber optic connectors into opening  102  causes the rotatable eject latch  170  to pivot ridge  172  outward from the dust cover  100 . Retaining latch  172  thus becomes engaged against the SFP cage within telecommunications switch and inserted into any opening or hole of the SFP cage. This helps to prevent the dust cover  100  from being removed from the SFP cage. 
   To remove the dust cover  100  from the SFP cage, one needs to pivot eject latch  170  by using handle  174  of latch  170  in order to disengage retaining latch  172  from the SFP cage. But the fiber connectors press against handle  174  of latch  170 . To be able to move handle  174 , one needs to remove the fiber optic connectors that were recently inserted in opening  102 . Thus, dust cover  100  only allows removal of dust cover  100  if both fiber connectors have been removed from opening  102  of dust cover  100 . 
   Dust cover  100  includes a thumb grip  130  that is offset from ridges  164  and  166 . Thumb grip  130  allows a user to grasp the dust cover  100  and pull dust cover  100  out of an SFP cage of a telecommunications switch. 
     FIG. 6  shows a top view of dust cover  100 .  FIG. 6  shows the full extent of the openings  114  and  116  in the top of dust cover  100 .  FIG. 6  also shows the grasp handle  174  of lower eject latch  170  of dust cover  100 . 
     FIG. 7  shows the front of dust cover  100 . Opening  102  is clearly visible, with left portion  104  for accommodating a simplex fiber optic connector and right portion  106  for accommodating a separate simplex fiber optic connector. Alternatively, portions  104  and  106  can together receive a duplex fiber optic connector.  FIG. 7  also shows extension or ridge  172  that is used to secure the dust cover  100  in an SFP cage of a telecommunications switch. 
     FIG. 8  shows a right side view of dust cover  100 .  FIG. 8  highlights the lower extension  166  that acts as a stop against the SFP cage of the telecommunications switch.  FIG. 8  also shows the thumb grip  130  and how far it extends above the dust cover  100 .  FIG. 8  also shows the grasp handle  174  of lower latch  170 . Also shown in  FIG. 8  is the ultrasonic staking post  152  with the pointed end  153 . 
     FIG. 9  shows the back view of dust cover  100  showing back end  150 .  FIG. 9  shows the cutouts  124  and  126  of thumb grip  130 .  FIG. 9  also shows retaining latch  172  or eject latch  170 . 
     FIG. 10  shows telecommunications switch  200 , dust cover  100 , and a simplex LC fiber optic connector  306 . For one embodiment, switch  200  is a fiber optic switch for telecommunication or data communication applications. For alternative embodiments, switch  200  can be a router, cable modem, telephone switch, personal computer, blade server, electrical switch, etc. 
   Communications switch  200  includes an SFP cage  210  within an unused port or inactive opening. SFP cage  210  is considered to be unused given that there is no SFP compact optical transceiver  10  plugged into SFP cage  210 . 
   When no SFP transceiver  10  is plugged into SFP cage  210 , it is possible that dust or debris can accumulate in SFP cage  210 . This could cause a problem given that an SFP transceiver might be plugged into SFP cage  210  at a later date. The dust and debris in SFP cage  210  could interfere with and hinder an electrical connection made at the end of SFP transceiver  10  at the end of SFP cage  210 . The insertion of dust cover  100  into SFP cage  210  helps to prevent the accumulation of dust or debris within SFP cage  210 . 
   Dust cover  100 , when inserted into SFP cage  210 , also provides a parking spot or retention spot for simplex or duplex fiber optic connectors or other types of connectors. This is useful because parking those fiber optic connectors in dust cover  100  provides a resting place near telecommunications switch  200  for those fiber optic connectors and their respective cables. 
   Simplex fiber optic LC connector  306  can be inserted into opening  102  of dust cover  100 . Simplex connector  306  can either be inserted into side  104  or side  106  of opening  102 . 
   The latch portion  309  of simplex LC fiber optic connector  306  slides under thumb grip  130  and snaps into either opening  114  or opening  116  of dust cover  100 , depending on whether the connector  306  is inserted into side  104  or side  106  of opening  102 . 
   Simplex LC fiber optic connector  306  includes fiber end  316 . For one embodiment, a cover can be placed on fiber end  316 . Dust cover  100  is deep enough to accommodate simplex fiber optic connector  306  including its fiber end  316  and cover  317 . Parking fiber optic connector  306  in dust cover  100  provides protection against damage to the polished fiber end  316  of fiber optic connector  306 . The accommodation of a protective cover—such as cover  317 —supplied with and used to protect the polished end of a fiber at termination (e.g., an LC or SC fiber optic connector) by dust cover  100  offers increased protection to the polished end (e.g., end  316 ) of a fiber termination, such as connector  306 . This increased protection can help to improve performance and reduce the time necessary for the deployment of new ports. 
   Fiber connector  306  is connected to fiber optic cable  334 . Optical signals can pass through fiber optic cable  334 , fiber optic connector  306 , and fiber end  316 . 
     FIG. 11  shows the parking arrangement wherein fiber optic cable  334  and its connector  306  are parked, or secured, within dust cover  100 . Dust cover  100  in turn resides within SFP cage  210  of communications switch  200 . For this embodiment, LC simplex fiber connector  306  has been inserted into the right side opening  306  of opening  102  of dust cover  100 . 
   The parking feature shown in  FIG. 11  allows fiber optic cables to be installed, dressed, and managed in a telecommunications system prior to turning on ports. This added functionality shown in  FIG. 11  helps to reduce the mean time to turn service on. This functionality also protects existing ports from being disturbed by minimizing the disturbance of existing fiber routing. 
   For one embodiment, the dust covers, such as dust cover  100 , can be color coded. That means that various dust covers can have different colors. The different colors can be coded to help to identify cables or ports. The color coding of dust covers allows system administrators to quickly identify unused spare ports within a telecommunications system. 
   The ability to park fiber optic connectors (coupled to fiber optic cables) in unused SFP cages helps to improve the upgrading and management of telecommunications systems. 
   For alternative embodiments, other types of connectors besides fiber optic connectors can be parked within dust covers, such as dust cover  100 . Those connectors can be electrical connectors, including networking electrical connectors, (such as Category 6 network connectors) and telephone electrical connectors. 
   In the foregoing specification, reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.