Pull tab with exchangeable identification marker for pluggable communications modules
View Patent ↗A pull tab with exchangeable identification marker for pluggable communications modules is provided. In general, the pull tab includes an identification region that receives an exchangeable identification marker. The exchangeable identification marker is attached to the pull tab via at least one of compression, fastening, clipping, spring force, and retention features built into the pull tab. This attachment can be permanent, semi-permanent, removable, and combinations thereof. Moreover, the exchangeable identification marker can be attached to, and even removed from, the pull tab while the pluggable communications module is connected to other communications equipment.
1. A pull tab for a pluggable module, comprising:
a pair of elongate arms having proximal and distal ends, the elongate arms adapted to operatively attach to the pluggable module via the proximal ends; and
a web section coupling the pair of elongate arms via the distal ends, the web section comprising:
a first recess disposed in the web section at least on a first side of the web section and configured to receive at least a portion of an exchangeable identification marker; and
a first retaining feature configured to maintain a position of the exchangeable identification marker relative to the web section when the at least a portion of the exchangeable identification marker engages the first recess, and wherein the exchangeable identification marker is configured to at least engage with and disengage from the pull tab while the pluggable module is installed in a socket.
2. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the web section further comprises:
a marker clearance area disposed adjacent to the first recess and through the web section from the first side to a second side of the web section, wherein the marker clearance area is sized to receive a portion of an exchangeable identification marker body.
3. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the web section further comprises:
a second retaining feature configured to maintain a position of the exchangeable identification marker relative to the web section when the at least a portion of the exchangeable identification marker engages the first recess.
4. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the first retaining feature is configured to prevent rotation of the exchangeable identification marker when the exchangeable identification marker is engaged with the first recess of the web section.
5. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the first recess passes through the first side of the web section to a second side of the web section.
6. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the first recess is configured as a receptacle having a bottom depth within the web section.
7. The pull tab of claim 6 , wherein the web section further comprises:
a second recess configured as a receptacle disposed on a second side of the web section and having a bottom depth within the web section, and wherein the first and second recesses are configured to receive the exchangeable identification marker when engaged with the pull tab.
8. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the web section includes a viewing relief area, and wherein the viewing relief area is configured as a relieved portion of material adjacent to the web section, such that the exchangeable identification marker, when engaged with the pull tab, is visible at least from a distal end of the pull tab.
9. The pull tab of claim 8 , wherein the viewing relief area is configured to provide a partially unobstructed view of the engaged exchangeable identification marker from a viewing position along a plane that is coplanar with the first side of the web section and distal to both the distal ends and the web section.
10. The pull tab of claim 1 , wherein the exchangeable identifier marker comprises a body having at least one identification surface.
11. The pull tab of claim 10 , wherein the exchangeable identification marker comprises at least one engagement feature that engages with and disengages from the first recess.
12. The pull tab of claim 11 , wherein the body is arranged as a spring clip and wherein the spring clip is configured to clip onto the web section via a spring force created at least partially by a cross-section of the spring clip.
13. The pull tab of claim 12 , wherein the cross-section of the spring clip is substantially “C-shaped”.
14. The pull tab of claim 13 , wherein the at least one engagement feature is disposed on at least one open portion of the substantially “C-shaped” cross-section.
15. The pull tab of claim 10 , wherein the body is configured as a snap rivet.
16. The pull tab of claim 15 , wherein the snap rivet comprises a flanged head including an identification surface.
17. The pull tab of claim 16 , wherein the snap rivet further comprises a retaining feature disposed adjacent to the flanged head and a coupling.
18. The pull tab of claim 17 , wherein the flanged head of the snap rivet is configured as a cylindrical axially symmetrical shape.
19. The pull tab of claim 15 , wherein the snap rivet comprises a two-piece construction.