Latch for telecommunications module

A latch configured to secure a module to a panel. The latch includes an outer latch and an inner latch configured to move independently of the outer latch. The outer latch and the inner latch are configured to provide at least two latching points between the latch and the panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to telecommunications modules, and more particularly, to a latch for use with a telecommunications module.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications systems often employ rack-mounted enclosures that provide an interconnection point for various cables (e.g., copper, fiber, coaxial cables, etc.). The enclosures may support one or modules, with each module supporting a plurality of telecommunications connectors (e.g., outlets, adapters, etc.). Existing enclosures may employ rail systems for mounting the modules. The rail systems can be overly complex and costly.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a latch configured to secure a module to a panel includes an outer latch; and an inner latch configured to move independently of the outer latch; wherein the outer latch and the inner latch are configured to provide at least two latching points between the latch and the panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described, herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch and the inner latch are configured to provide at least three latching points between the latch and the panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch is configured to provide two latching points between the latch and the panel and the inner latch is configured to provide one latching point between the latch and the panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch is configured to be deflected in a direction towards and away from the module.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the inner latch is configured to be deflected in a direction towards and away from the module.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch includes an outer press area at a distal end of the outer latch and the inner latch includes an inner press area at a distal end of the inner latch.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the inner press area is located within the outer press area.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch includes a base, the outer latch including an outer latch arm extending from the base to an outer latch distal end, the outer latch arm including a notch to provide one of the at least two latching points between the latch and the panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the outer latch arm has a first tapered surface from the base to the notch such that the thickness of the outer latch arm increases from the base to the notch.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may wherein the outer latch arm has a second tapered surface from the notch to the outer latch distal end such that the thickness of the first outer latch arm decreases from the notch to the outer latch distal end.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the inner latch is joined to the module at the base, the inner latch including an inner latch arm extending from the base to an inner latch arm distal end.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the inner latch arm has a third tapered surface from the base to the inner latch arm distal end such that the thickness of the inner latch arm increases from the base to the inner latch arm distal end.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the inner latch includes a central arm, the central arm including a second notch to provide one of the at least two latching points between the latch and the panel.

In addition to one or more of the features described, herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the central arm includes a fourth tapered surface on a first side of the second notch and a fifth tapered surface on a second side of the second notch.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a tether, the tether including a head positioned to travel over an outer latch deflection surface and an inner latch deflection surface.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein when the outer latch deflection surface and the inner latch deflection surface are configured such that the head deflects the inner latch and the outer latch towards the module.

According to another embodiment, a module includes a mounting location configured to receive one or more telecommunications connectors; and a latch configured to secure the module to a panel, the latch including an outer latch; an inner latch configured to move independently of the outer latch; wherein the outer latch and the inner latch are configured to provide at least two latching points between the latch and the panel.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include providing a latch suitable to mount a module to a panel from the front or rear and remove the module from the panel from either the front or rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is perspective view of an enclosure10in an example embodiment. The enclosure10is generally rectangular, having four side walls, a bottom, a rear and a front door that can be opened and closed. A top (not shown) may also be part of the enclosure10. The enclosure10is designed for mounting to a rack via mounting tabs12, as known in the art. The enclosure10is sized to take up1U space rack, but may be sized to take up more rack space, Mounted in the enclosure10are one or more modules20. Each module20provides a mounting location configured to receive one or more telecommunications connectors, as described further herein.

FIG.2is an enlarged, view of a portion of the enclosure10in an example embodiment. As shown inFIG.2, modules20are mounted in a panel22within the enclosure10. The panel22inFIG.2is parallel to the front door of the enclosure10. In other embodiments, the panel22may be non-parallel to the front door of the enclosure10or may include a plurality of sections at different angles with respect to the front door of the enclosure10. The panel22includes one or more openings24sized to receive a module20. A latch100is disposed on each end of the module20to secure the module20to the panel22.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a module20having telecommunications connectors30mounted therein in an example embodiment. The telecommunications connectors30may have a variety of formats, such as outlets, adapters, couplers, splices, etc. The telecommunications connectors30mate with respective telecommunications connectors, such as plugs. The cabling joined at the telecommunications connectors30may include one or more of optical fiber, copper, co-ax, etc. The latch100includes a tether400that allows the latch100to be defeated from the rear of the enclosure10, as described in further detail herein.

FIG.4depicts the latch100of the module20secured to a panel22in an example embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG.4, the latch100provides three latching points102,104and106to secure the module20to the panel22. The latch100may be configured to provide at least two latching points.

FIG.5depicts the latch100for securing the module20to the panel22in an example embodiment. Latch100includes an inner latch200and an outer latch300. The inner latch200and the outer latch300can move relative to each other to enable insertion and removal of the module20to/from the panel22. Both the inner latch200and the outer latch300may be deflected in a direction towards and away from the module20. The outer latch300is secured to the module20at a base302. A first outer latch arm304includes a first notch306that provides the first latching point102. The first notch306receives an edge of the panel22. A second outer latch arm308includes a second notch310that provides the second latching point104. The second notch310receives an edge of the panel22. A distal end312of the outer latch300includes an outer press area314. Applying pressure to the outer press area314deflects the outer latch300towards the module20.

The first outer latch arm304has a tapered surface from the base302to the first notch306such that the thickness of the first outer latch arm304increases from the base302to the first notch306, The first outer latch arm304has a tapered surface316from the base302to the first notch306such that the thickness of the first outer latch arm304increases from the base302to the first notch306; the tapered surface316extends away from the module20. The first outer latch arm304has a tapered surface318from the first notch306to the distal end312such that the thickness of the first outer latch arm304decreases from the first notch306to the distal end312; the tapered surface318extends towards the module20. The second outer latch arm308has a tapered surface322from the base302to the second notch310such that the thickness of the second outer latch arm308increases from the base302to the second notch310; the tapered surface322extends away from the module20. The second outer latch arm308has a tapered surface324from the second notch310to the distal end312such that the thickness of the second outer latch arm308decreases from the second notch310to the distal end312; the tapered surface324extends towards the module20.

FIG.6depicts the latch100for securing the module20to the panel22in an example embodiment. The inner latch200has a first end that joins the base302of the outer latch300, In effect, base302serves as an anchor point for the cantilevered inner latch200and outer latch300. The inner latch200includes a first inner latch arm204and a second inner latch arm206. The first inner latch arm204has a tapered surface208from the base302to a distal end of the first inner latch arm204such that the thickness of the first inner latch arm204increases from the base302to the distal end of the first inner latch arm204; the tapered surface208extends away from the module20. The second inner latch arm206has a tapered surface210from the base302to a distal end of the second inner latch arm206such that the thickness of the second inner latch arm206increases from the base302to the distal end of the second inner latch arm206; the tapered surface210extends away from the module20.

The inter latch also includes a central arm220, which is joined to the first inner latch arm204and the second inner latch arm206. The central arm220includes a third notch222that serves as a third latching paint106. The third notch222receives an edge of the panel22. The central arm220includes tapered surfaces224and226on either side of the notch222. Tapered surfaces224and226extend away from the module as they approach the third notch222. A distal end230of the inner latch200includes an inner press area232. Applying pressure to the inner press area232deflects the inner latch200towards the module20.

FIG.7depicts the latch100for securing a module20to the panel22in an example embodiment. As shown inFIG.7, the tether400includes a pull strap402. A pair of arms404extend from the pull strap402and pass on either side of the central arm220on the inner latch200. The arms404terminate at at least one head406on either side of the central arm220and within an interior of the outer latch300.

The heads406of the tether400travel over deflection surfaces of the inner latch200and the outer latch300, when the pull strap402is pulled backwards so that the heads406travel towards base302. Outer latch300includes at least one outer latch deflection surface340. Inner latch200includes at least one inner latch deflection surface240. When the tether400is pulled backwards, tether head(s)406travel over outer latch deflection surface(s)340and inner latch deflection surface(s)240. This causes the outer latch300and inner latch200to deflect towards the module20, releasing the latch100from the panel at the latching points102,104and106.

FIG.8depicts a module20including the latch100for securing the module to the panel22in an example embodiment. A latch100is positioned on each end of the module20. In usage, the module20may be installed into the panel22from either the front or the back of the panel22. To install the module20from the front of the panel, the user can grip the outer press area314of the outer latches300and push the module20into an opening24in the panel22. The panel edges ride on the tapered surfaces208and210to deflect the inner latch200until the panel edge is received in the third notch222. Once the outer press area314is released the panel edge engages first notch306and second notch310.

To install the module20from the rear of the panel, the user can grip a rear of the module and push the module20into an opening24in the panel22. The panel edges ride on the tapered surfaces318and324of the outer latch300and tapered surface226of the central arm220of the inner latch200. This deflects the inner latch200and the outer latch300until the panel edge is received in the first notch306, the second notch310and the third notch222.

To remove the module20from the front of the panel22, a user depresses both the outer press area314of the outer latch300and the inner press area232of the inner latch200and pulls the module20forward. To remove the module20from the rear of the panel22, a user putts the tether400associated with each latch100of the module20. This directs both the inner latch200and the outer latch300towards the module20, to release the panel edge from the first notch306, the second notch310and the third notch222and allow removal of the module20from the rear of the panel22.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangement not hereto described wilt be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only sortie of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as being limited by the foregoing description.