Shielding cage assembly adapted for multiple transceiver modules

[0002] This is a continuation-in-part of the copending application Ser. No. 29/169,366 filed on Oct. 17, 2002.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates generally to a shielding cage for shielding components from electromagnetic interference and more particularly to a shielding cage assembly for arranging a plurality of transceiver modules therein.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] A transceiver module is a discrete unit used in interface communications equipment, and is normally singly received in a cage that provides shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Prior art shielded transceiver modules are too difficult to assemble densely to a circuit board. Therefore, an improved inexpensive shielding cage assembly that will allow transceiver modules to be easily and densely mounted on a circuit board is desired.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a shielding cage assembly for receiving a plurality of transceiver modules therein.

[0008] A shielding cage assembly according to the present invention includes a conductive body cage, a conductive cover cage and a plurality of dividing walls, which cooperatively define a plurality of hollowed spaces for receiving transceiver modules therein. Retaining tabs are respectively formed on the body cage and the dividing walls, and engage in a corresponding plurality of slots defined in the cover cage to hold the cover cage to the body cage and to fix the dividing walls between the cover cage and body cage.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with attached drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the shielding cage assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1 from a bottom-side aspect; and

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shielding cage assembly mounted to a printed circuit board.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a shielding cage assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is made of electrically conductive material and comprises a conductive body cage 1, a conductive cover cage 2, and a plurality of conductive dividing walls 3 for receiving multiple transceiver modules (not shown) therein.

[0014] Referring also to FIG. 2, the body cage 1 includes a bottom wall 11 and two side walls 12 extending upwardly therefrom. A plurality of notches 111 is defined through the bottom wall 11 arranged in parallel lines in a frontward to rearward direction. A plurality of retaining tabs 121 extends upwardly and inwardly from upper edges (not labeled) of the side walls 12, a top portion of each retaining tab 121 being curved inwardly in a horizontal direction to form an engaging surface 123. A soldering tab 125 extends upwardly from a front end of the upper edge of each side wall 12. For the sake of EMI suppression, a plurality of spring tabs 113 is formed at the front end of the bottom wall 11 and the side walls 12. A plurality of releasing tabs 115 extends upwardly at an angle from the bottom wall 11, each releasing tab 115 defining a triangular shaped opening 117 therethrough for securing a transceiver module in the shielding cage assembly 10. The releasing tab 115 can be depressed to remove a transceiver module from the shielding cage assembly 10. A plurality of mounting pins 127 extends downwardly from bottom edges of the side walls 12. A curved ground tab 129 extends inwardly from a rearward edge of each side wall 12 of the body cage 1.

[0015] Each dividing wall 3 is elongated in shape and includes a plurality of retaining tabs 311 and a stopper 315 projecting upwardly from an upper edge thereof, a curved ground tab 335 projecting sidewardly and forwardly from a rear edge thereof, and a plurality of mounting pins 331 extending downwardly from a bottom edge thereof. The dividing walls 3 come in complementary pairs, each member of a pair being the mirror-image of the other. The retaining tabs 311 of each pair have the same shape as the retaining tabs 121 of the body cage 1.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover cage 2 includes a top wall 21 with two side walls 22 and a back panel 23 respectively extending downwardly from two side and a rear edges of the top wall 21. Each side wall 22 includes a front side wall 221 and a rear side wall 223. The rear side wall 223 is longer than the front side wall 221, and overlaps much of the side wall 12 of the body cage 1 when the cover cage 2 is attached to the body cage 1. A plurality of slots 24 is defined through the top wall 21, arranged in parallel lines in a frontward to rearward direction. Another plurality of slots 24ais located at an intersection of the top wall 21 and each side wall 22. Each slot 24, 24ahas a seam portion 241, 241aand an enlarged opening 243, 243ain communication with the seam portion 241, 241a.Each opening 243 is larger in size than the engaging surfaces 313 of two retaining tabs 311 placed back-to-back. Each opening 243ais larger in size than the engaging surface 123 of the retaining tab 121. The mounting pins 331 of each complementary pair of dividing walls 3 are engaged in corresponding notches 111 of the body cage 1. A pair of short slots 211 is defined in the front side walls 221 to accept the soldering tabs 125 of the body cage 1. A plurality of cutouts 215 is defined near the front edge of the top wall 21 to accept corresponding pairs of stoppers 315 of the complementary pairs of dividing walls 3. A plurality of spring tabs 217 extends upwardly near the front edge of top wall 21 of the cover cage 2 for EMI suppression. A plurality of mounting pins 231 extends downwardly from the back panel 23 of the cover cage 2.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in assembly, complementary dividing walls 3 are placed back-to-back, the mounting pins 331 of each pair are engaged in corresponding notches 111 of the body cage 1. Next the cover cage 2 and the body cage 1 are engaged together. The retaining tabs 311, 121 pass through the corresponding openings 243, 243a,and then the cover cage 2 is fully pushed forward on the body cage 1 so that the seam portions 241, 241aof the slots 24, 24afixedly engage with the retaining tabs 311, 121. The soldering tabs 125, which protrude through corresponding short slots 211, are soldered to the cover cage 2, completing assembly of the shielding cage assembly 10. The plurality of hollowed spaces formed within the shielding cage assembly 10 can receive a plurality of transceiver modules therein. The shielding cage assembly 10 is mounted to a printed circuit board (not labeled) with the mounting pins 127, 231, 331 being respectively received within mounting holes of the printed circuit board, where they can be soldered or otherwise fixed therein. For instance, in order to improve the stability of the shielding cage assembly 10 mounted on the printed circuit board, the mounting pins 127, 231, 331 of the shielding cage assembly 10 can be made larger than the mounting holes (not shown) of the printed circuit board with each mounting pin defining a needle eye therethrough, to create an interference fit between the mounting pins and the printed circuit board mounting holes.

[0018] Although the present invention has been described with specific terms, it should be noted that the described embodiments are not necessarily exclusive, and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.