Abstract:
An adapter module used to convert optical signals to electrical signals or electrical signals to optical signals utilizing a “C” shaped retaining clip to secure the adapter module housing together. The retaining clips are used in place of screws, rivets or snap fits and provide an easy and simple way to assembled adapter modules. The retaining clips require no additional structure thereby minimizing the overall size of the adapter module.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/641,284, filed Jan. 4, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed generally to adapter modules, and more particularly to an adapter module having a retaining clip that secures the housing components of the adapter module together without the need for screws or other fasteners. 
     Adapter 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. In many instances, adapter modules house converters that are used to convert optical signals to electrical signals or electrical signals to optical signals while maintaining the signals at high speeds. These modules are usually placed in an adapter frame that surrounds a connector and is attached to a circuit board. The adapter module has a grounding structure that connects the exterior surface of the adapter module to the adapter frame or cage creating a ground path to the circuit board. 
     An adapter module generally has a pair of mating halves, that enclose a circuit board along with other electrical, or optical, components required to convert the high speed signals passing through the module. These housings are typically secured together by screws, rivets or other suitable fastening means which allow the adapter module to be disassembled and serviced in required. Although the screws provide a simple and easy way to secure the adapter module together, their use can be tedious and time consuming in practice. Also, the screws provide internal single ground paths between the housing halves and do not necessarily present any conductive grounding path along the exterior of the module. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved adapter module having and easily assembled housing that is cost effective and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an adapter module that is easily assembled and slides into an adapter frame or cage mounted on a printed circuit board. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a retaining clip that secures the housing of an adapter module together without the need for screws, rivets or snap fits. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means for holding together an RJ-45 module together, which means holds two housing halves together and which means provides a ground path between the two halves that is accessible from the exterior of the module, such as when the module is inserted into a shielding cage or adapter frame. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a retaining member for use with an electronic module, the retaining member having a backbone with two free ends and a central leg member extending from the backbone at an angle thereto, the leg portion also including a free end, the free ends having turned in portions that define clip ends, the three clip ends being disposed along two intersecting axes so that movement of the retaining member is limited. 
     Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a retainer member for a module that applies a compressive force to two mating housing halves in order to retain the two halves together, the retainer member having a base portion and a leg portion extending at an angle to the base portion, the base portion applying the compressive force to the module and the leg portion ensuring the position of the retainer member in place on the module, the retainer member being formed from a conductive material to provide not also a conductive grounding path between the housing halves and along the exterior of the module, the leg portion further extending into the interior of the module and providing a groung contact that contacts a plug inserted thereinto. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the course of this detailed description, the reference will be frequently made to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter module with two retaining clips constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in place on the module holding the halves of the module together near the front end of the adapter module; 
         FIG. 2  is a the same view as  FIG. 1 , but with the retaining clips shown separated from the adapter module for clarity to show the grounding leg portions that extend from the retaining clips into the interior of the adapter module; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one of the retaining clips. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the retaining clip in  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the retaining clip in  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the retaining clip in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the adapter module  20  of the present invention. The adapter module  20  is commonly used in the art as an adapter that is inserted into a shielding cage (not shown) and makes contact with a receptacle connector disposed within the cage. The adapter module  20  typically contains a circuit board, the end of which extends out of the rear end  50  of the module  20 . As is common in the art, a edge of this circuit board is received in a receptacle connector held in a shielding cage. The adapter module  20  is one that has a uniquely configured opening  26  at its front end  52 . This opening  26  is preferably configured to receive an RJ-45-style jack. 
     Such a receptacle includes a plurality of wire contacts  54  arranged in individual channels or slots  55 , which are aligned with corresponding conductive leads or wires in an opposing plug connector (not shown). The plug connector is inserted into the opening to effect a connection between the wires terminated to the plug connector and circuits on the circuit board enclosed within the module  20 . A means by which the module  20  may be removed from a corresponding shielding cage or adapter frame may be provided and such a means is shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  as a bail latch  16  which is rotatably held at the end of the module  20  and which provides a grip surface by which a user can grab the adapter module  20 . 
     The module  20  can be seen to include a top housing half  22  and a bottom housing half  24  that when assembled together, define the overall body of the adapter module  20 . The top and bottom housings  22 ,  24  also cooperatively define the receptacle opening  26  at the front end of the adapter module  20 . The body of the adapter module  20  is usually formed of a conductive material but it may also be formed from a non-conductive material. A grounding gasket is shown  28  as attached to the exterior of the adapter module  20  that interconnects the exterior of the adapter module to the inner surface of an adapter frame or shielding cage (not shown). The grounding gasket creates multiple points of connection along the exterior of the module  20  such as by its collar portion  28   a  and its finger portions  28   b  a grounding path from the adapter module through the grounding gasket and adapter frame to the printed circuit board (not shown) that the adapter frame is mounted upon. A pair of retaining clips  30 ,  32  are attached to the front of the adapter module  20  thereby securing the top housing  22  and the bottom  24  housing together. 
     The retaining clips  30 ,  32  serve to mechanically hold the front end of the housing halves  22 ,  24  together and they also electrically interconnect them together for purposes of defining a grounding path between the two halves  22 ,  24 . These clips  30 ,  32  also extend partially into the interior of the RJ-45 receptacle and, as such, provide a means for contacting ground portions on the opposing plug and thereby provide a means for grounding the plug inserted into the opening  26 . 
       FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6  show the retaining clips  30 ,  32  in greater detail. The retaining clip  30 ,  32  is preferably stamped and formed from a conductive material, such as a sheet metal and consists of a flat body, or backbone portion,  34  having two free ends  36 . These free ends  36  are vertically oriented on each clip, when installed on the adapter module  20 , and each free end  36  preferably terminates in a curved hook, or engagement portion,  38 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , these hook portions  38  engage slots  48  formed in the exterior surfaces of the adapter module. The hook portions  38  extend transversely to the body portions  34 , but lengthwise of the adapter module  20 . 
     The clip further includes a leg portion  40  that extends from the body portion  34  in a perpendicular direction from the body portion. The body portion of the clip may be considered as extending along a first line of action, and the leg portion extending along a second line of action. The distal end  42  of the intermediate leg also terminates in a free end with an end tab  44  that is bent back upon itself. The end tab  44  is bent more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees as shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in FIG  4 , the curved hook portions  38  positioned at each end of the body portion  34  form the shape of a “C”. The leg portion, when applied to the module, extends along the area where the top and bottom housing halves meet. This is in about the center of the body portion of the retaining clip. 
       FIG. 2  shows the adapter module  20  with the retaining clips  30 , 32  exploded away from the adapter module. The adapter module housings  22 ,  24  have recesses  46 ,  48  formed at the front end of the adapter module that are adapted to receive the retaining clips therein. The depth of the recesses is slightly greater than the thickness of the retaining clips so that when assembled the surfaces of the retaining clips do not extend past the outer surfaces of the adapter module housing. This will prevent any stubbing that may occur when the adapter module is inserted into the adapter frame. Grooves  48  are formed on the outer surface of both the top and bottom housings  22 ,  24  and correspond to the location of the hook portion  38  of the retaining clips  30 ,  32 . The distance between the grooves on corresponding top and bottom housings is slightly greater than the distance between the hook portions of the retaining clips. The retaining clips resiliently deflect to accommodate this difference and therefore bias the housing together creating a tight and secure fit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the end tab  44  formed at the distal end of the intermediate leg portion of each retaining clip will extends into the opening  26  of the adapter module  20 . The effect of the end tabs is to effect a biasing force of the plug connector (not shown) inserted into the opening of the adapter module and provide a grounding path from the plug connector to the exterior of the adapter module  20 . Thus, it will be understood that the clips prevent a loose fit condition between the adapter module and the plug that can jeopardize the integrity of the electrical connection therebetween that may result in a failed connection, and also provide a complete grounding path from the plug and adapter module to a frame or cage into which the adapter module sits. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.