Communications bladed panel systems

• US 10,123,444 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Chad, Coffey, Joseph C., Kostecka, Ryan, Stone, David, Wentworth, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US15/043,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20160309606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/13 Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/155 characterised by connection features
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1401 comprising clamping or extracting means H05K7/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1487 Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 : having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fiber panel system includes a chassis and at least blades configured to mount to the chassis. Each blade is moveable relative to the chassis between a retracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. Cable slack is managed at the front and/or rear of each chassis to facilitate movement of the blades without pulling or bending the cables beyond a maximum bend limit. Each blade may be locked into one or more positions relative to the chassis.

Claims

1. A bladed panel system configured to mount to a frame, the bladed panel system comprising:

a chassis configured to couple to the frame, the chassis having first and second sidewalls extending between a top and a bottom to define an interior accessible through an open front, the chassis also having a rear;

a plurality of blades coupled to the chassis, each blade being configured to slide relative to the chassis between at least a closed position and a first extended position, each blade including a plurality of front ports positioned at the open front of the chassis when the blade is in the closed position, the front ports being positioned forward of the open front of the chassis when the blade is in the first extended position;

a rear cover mounted at the rear of the chassis, the rear cover blocking user access to the interior of the chassis from the rear, the rear cover having a sidewall spaced from the first sidewall of the chassis to define a side cable port leading towards the rear of the chassis;

a plurality of media segments having connectorized ends received at the front ports of the blades; and

a bracket configured to couple to the frame at the open front of the chassis, the bracket being laterally offset from the open front of the chassis, the bracket including a transition surface positioned a distance forward of the open front of the chassis, the transition surface defining a generally convex surface configured to inhibit bending of optical fibers wrapped around the convex surface beyond a maximum bend radius, the distance being sufficiently long to accommodate movement of each of the blades between the closed position and the first extended position without pulling or bending any of the media segments beyond a maximum bend radius of the media segment.

2. The bladed panel system of claim 1, wherein each blade includes a plurality of first retention fingers extending forwardly of the front ports, wherein the media segments are routed from the front ports, through the first retention fingers, to the bracket.

3. The bladed panel system of claim 2, wherein the bracket also includes a plurality of second retention fingers extending forwardly of the transition surface, the second retention fingers being configured to manage the media segments as the media segments are routed over the transition surface.

4. The bladed panel system of claim 3, wherein the second retention fingers form a plurality of enclosed spaces through which the media segments extend, the enclosed spaces securing the media segments to the bracket while accommodating movement of the media segments relative to the transition surface of the bracket.

5. The bladed panel system of claim 4, wherein each blade is configured to move to a second extended position relative to the chassis, wherein the front ports of the blade are positioned farther forward of the open front of the chassis when the blade is in the second extended position then when die blade is in the first extended position.

6. The bladed panel system of claim 5, wherein the enclosed spaces formed by the second retention fingers of the bracket are configured to open to accommodate movement of each of the blades to the second extended position.

7. The bladed panel system of claim 6, wherein each of the second retention fingers includes a body defining an opening that is selectively closed by a closing member to define the enclosure.

8. The bladed panel system of claim 7, wherein each closing member defines a living hinge along which the closing member flexes to open and close.

9. The bladed panel system of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a mounting base, a spacer flange extending forwardly of the mourning base, the bend radius limiter arrangement extending from the spacer flange opposite the mounting base, and a guide member at an opposite side of the bend radius limiter arrangement from the spacer flange.

10. The bladed panel system of claim 9, wherein the spacer flange extends forwardly of the open front of the chassis by at least two inches.

11. The bladed panel system of claim 9, wherein the second retention fingers extend from the bend radius limiter arrangement.

13. The bladed panel system of claim 9, wherein the bend radius limiter defines the transition surface, wherein the bend radius limiter also defines a concave surface defining a generally vertical channel.

14. The bladed panel system of claim 9, wherein the guide member includes a C-shaped body defining an opening.

15. The bladed panel system of claim 14, wherein the guide member defines outwardly tapered surfaces extending rearwardly from the opening to facilitate guiding any optical fibers to the channel.

16. The bladed panel system of claim 9, further comprising a tie member coupled to the guide member, the tie member securing optical fibers to the guide member.

17. The bracket of claim 16, wherein the tie member is a zip tie.

18. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the transition surface extends laterally from a first end to a second end, the first end being mounted to the frame, the second end being spaced from the frame, the bracket defining a vertical channel that is laterally accessible through a guide member disposed at the second end of the transition surface.

19. The bracket of claim 18, wherein a plurality of retention fingers extend outwardly from the transition surface at an intermediate location between the first and second ends, the retention fingers being disposed in a column.

20. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket is monolithically formed.

12. A method of cabling a bladed panel including a plurality of blades that are coupled to a chassis so as to be separately moveable between closed and extended positions, each blade including a first plurality of front ports at a first side of the blade and a second plurality of front ports at a second side of the blade, the method comprising:

routing first and second pluralities of outgoing cables to a front of the chassis;

connecting the first plurality of outgoing cables to the first plurality of front ports of the blades;

routing the first plurality of outgoing cables towards the first side of the blade;

wrapping the first plurality of outgoing cables around a first bracket mounted at a first side of the chassis including routing the first plurality of outgoing cables forwardly along a spacer flange of the first bracket, about a bend radius limiter arrangement of the first bracket, through retention fingers extending forwardly from the bend radius limiter arrangement, and around to a channel defined at the rear of the first bracket;

connecting the second plurality of outgoing cables to the second plurality of front ports of the blades;

routing the second plurality of outgoing cables towards the second side of the blade; and

wrapping the second plurality of outgoing cables around a second bracket mounted at a second side of the chassis including routing the second plurality of outgoing cables forwardly along a spacer flange of the second bracket, about a bend radius limiter arrangement of the second bracket, through retention fingers extending forwardly from the bend radius limiter arrangement, and around to a channel defined at the rear of the second bracket;

mounting a rear cover at a rear of the chassis to provide protection for media segments routed to the rear of the chassis.