Communications module integrated boot and release slide

1. An integrated boot and release slide for a communications module, the integrated boot and release slide comprising:

a release slide, the release slide including:

a main body;

a plurality of arms extending from a first end of the main body; and

a plurality of coupling structures extending from a second end of the main body opposite the first end; and

a boot overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures of the release slide, the boot defining a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable.

2. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the release slide further includes a plurality of tabs configured to engage a plurality of springs of a communications module to bias the integrated boot and release slide in a non-activated position.

3. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the release slide comprises sheet metal.

4. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portion of one end of a housing of the module, the hollow cylinder having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

5. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coupling structures includes five substantially U-shaped coupling structures.

6. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coupling structures includes two substantially U-shaped coupling structures.

7. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the boot includes a main body overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures.

8. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the boot includes a handle extending from the main body.

9. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the boot includes a plurality of coupling lobes overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures.

10. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1 , wherein the boot comprises rubber.

11. A communications module comprising:

a housing comprising a top shell and a bottom shell; and

an integrated boot and release slide, the integrated boot and release slide comprising:

a release slide, the release slide including:

a main body comprising a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portion of one end of the bottom shell, the hollow cylinder having a substantially rectangular cross-section;

a plurality of arms extending from a first end of the main body along opposing sides of the housing; and

a plurality of coupling structures extending from a second end of the main body opposite the first end of the main body; and

a boot overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures of the release slide, the boot defining a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable.

12. The communications module of claim 11 , wherein the housing includes at least one shoulder formed on each of the opposing sides of the housing and each of the plurality of arms includes a ramp and a de-latch member positioned near a corresponding at least one shoulder.

13. The communications module of claim 12 , wherein the ramps are configured to accommodate inward-directed latches of a cage that are operable to engage the at least one shoulders, and wherein the de-latch members are configured to displace the latches so as to disengage the latches from the at least one shoulders.

14. The communications module of claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of pivot slots and each of the plurality of arms of the release slide includes a cutout, the communications module further comprising:

a cam including two pivot posts configured to be received within the pivot slots and that define an axis of rotation with the pivot slots, the cam further including a plurality of cam legs that each extend in a direction substantially normal to the axis of rotation, each cam leg configured to be received by a corresponding cutout of the plurality of arms of the release slide;

a latch having a first end and a second end with the first end positioned above the cam, the first end configured to be displaced by the cam when the cam is rotated about the axis of rotation; and

a retaining cover configured to secure the latch to the communications module.

15. The communications module of claim 11 , wherein the communications module is substantially compliant with the QSFP MSA or the CXP MSA.

16. An active cable comprising:

a communications cable comprising one or more optical fibers, the communications cable having first and second ends; and

first and second communications modules attached to the first and second ends of the communications cable, respectively, each communications module comprising:

a housing comprising a top shell and a bottom shell;

an integrated boot and release slide, the integrated boot and release slide comprising:

a release slide, the release slide including:

a main body including a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portion of one end of the bottom shell, the hollow cylinder having a substantially rectangular cross-section;

a plurality of arms extending from a first end of the main body along opposing sides of the housing; and

a plurality of coupling structures extending from a second end of the main body opposite the first end of the main body; and

a boot overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures of the release slide, the boot defining a cavity configured to slidably receive the communications cable.

17. The active cable of claim 16 , wherein the cavity permits the boot to travel back and forth along a portion of the communications cable.

18. The active cable of claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of springs, each disposed in a corresponding channel of the housing and configured to engage a corresponding tab formed in the release slide so as to bias the integrated boot and release slide in a non-activated position.

19. The active cable of claim 16 , wherein each communications module is substantially compliant with the QSFP MSA or the CXP MSA.

20. The active cable of claim 16 , wherein the communications cable comprises twelve optical fibers or twenty four optical fibers.