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.

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 3 A, 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 7 A, 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 D 1 , in  FIG. 8 ) and also along the latch free ends  44  (shown as D 2  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 &amp; 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.