Connector module with lever actuated release mechanism
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Phillips, Michael E. Shirk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A small footprint plugable (SFP) connector module is provided having a housing carrying contacts at a lead end that are configured to be inserted into a cage. The housing has a rear end configured to be connected to a cable. The housing has a wall with a module latch formed thereon. The module latch is configured to engage a cage latch on a cage. The connector module also includes a lever beam slidably mounted to the wall of the housing. The lever beam is movable to a position proximate the module latch to release the module latch from the cage latch. The connector module also includes a lever arm rotatably mounted to the housing. The lever arm drives the lever beam to the position porximate the module latch when the lever arm is rotated.
Claims20
A small footprint pluggable (SFP) connector module, comprising:
- a housing carrying contacts at a lead end that are configured to be inserted into a cage, said housing having a rear end configured to be connected to a cable, said housing having a bottom wall with a module latch formed thereon, said module latch being configured to engage a cage latch on said cage;
- a ramp beam slidably mounted to said wall of said housing, said ramp beam being movable to a position proximate said module latch to release said module latch from the cage latch;
- and
- a lever arm rotatably mounted to a longitudinal side wall of said housing, said lever arm driving said ramp beam to said position proximate said module latch when said lever arm is rotated.
A connector module configured to join a cage housing having a retention spring extending from a bottom wall of the cage housing, comprising:
- a module housing having a ramp beam slidably mounted thereto and having a locking tab projecting from a bottom wall of said module housing, a lever arm rotatably mounted to a longitudinal side wall of said module housing to move said ramp beam;
- and
- a cage housing having an open end to receive said module housing, said cage housing including a retention spring extending from a wall of said cage housing, said cage housing receiving said module housing such that said locking tab is received in said retention spring, said lever arm moving said ramp beam to engage said retention spring and release said locking tab from said retention spring.
A connector assembly comprising:
- a module housing having a ramp beam slidably mounted thereto and having a locking tab projecting from a wall bottom of said module housing, a lever arm rotatably mounted to a longitudinal side wall of said module housing to move said ramp beam;
- and
- a cage housing having an open end to receive said module housing, said cage housing including a retention spring extending from a wall of said cage housing, said cage housing receiving said module housing such that said locking tab is received in said retention spring, said lever arm moving said ramp beam to engage said retention spring and release said locking tab from said retention spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.