Patent ID: 7457539

Claim:
An apparatus for switching a first light signal that is normally transferred from a first input port to a second output port and a second light signal that is normally transferred from a second input port to a first output port such that the first light signal is transferred from the first input port to the first output port and the second light signal is transferred from the second input port to the second output port in a loop back mode, said apparatus comprising: an adjustable light signal steering element comprising a single light bending element mounted onto a light bending element carrier attached to a bar such that the single light bending element is selectively placed in a path of said first and second light signals to transfer the first light signal from the first input port to the second output port and the second light signal from the second input port to the first output port; a steering element actuator in communication with said light signal steering element to reposition said light signal steering element such that said light signal steering element is in the path of the first and second light signals to transfer said first and second light signals from said first and second input ports to the selected first and second output ports; an arm connected to the bar onto which the light bending element is attached and connected such that the steering element actuator causes the arm to rotate the light bending element to selectively place the light bending element in the path of said first and second light signals; and an arm spring placed upon the arm to limit the movement of the moveable arm by applying a spring force from a top surface of the arm to hold the arm resistant to vibration or mechanical impact that will change a position of said adjustable light signal steering element to cause said first and second light signals to follow an undesired optical path.