Thumbscrew for pluggable modules

A pluggable module, comprising:

• a shell;
• and
• a thumbscrew at least partially housed in the shell and configured to secure the pluggable module to the host device, the thumbscrew comprising:
• a screw head;
• a shaft having an axis;
• a cantilever spring extending from the screw head in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and disposed adjacent to the shaft;
• and
• a cam protruding radially from the shaft, the cantilever spring and cam cooperating to substantially prevent application of tightening torques that are applied to the screw head and that exceed a predetermined maximum torque from being applied to the shaft.

A pluggable module, comprising:

• a shell defining a cavity within which a printed circuit board and one or more components are disposed, the shell including a front, back, first side, and second side;
• a module connector operatively connected to the printed circuit board near the back of the shell and extending from within the cavity to outside the shell through an opening defined in the back of the shell, the module connector configured to operatively couple the pluggable module to a host device;
• protecting means for protecting a portion of the module connector extending outside the cavity from damage;
• and
• a thumbscrew configured to secure the pluggable module to the host device, the thumbscrew comprising a means for limiting torque that substantially prevents application of tightening torques that exceed a predetermined maximum torque to the shaft of the thumbscrew, the means for limiting torque comprising a cantilever spring extending from a screw head of the thumbscrew in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of a shaft of the thumbscrew;
• and a cam protruding radially from the shaft and selectively engageable by the cantilever spring.