Telecommunications tray assembly

• US 10,502,917 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Geens, Johan, Vermeulen, Pieter, Keustermans, Eric Marcel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ellen E
• Application Number:
  US15/512,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20180231730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding

Abstract

A modular multi-positionable tray assembly (420) for mounting within a chassis (10) of a telecommunications panel (100) is disclosed. The multi-positionable tray assembly (420) may include support arm structure (423) having a first support arm (424) and a second support arm (480) that pivotally supports a tray (422) and that allows the tray assembly (420) to be installed and removed from the chassis (10). The tray (422) and the support arm structure (423) cooperatively define a cable routing pathway (208) that extends through a pivot axis (A1) defined by the tray and the support arm. To protect the cables (300) and to increase accessibility of cables (300) within the portion of the cable routing pathway (208) defined by the tray (422), a bend radius limiter (460) can be provided that is rotatably mounted to the tray (422). The tray (422) can also be provided with attachment features for allowing the tray (422) to accept various telecommunications components, such as splice trays and splitter trays.

Claims

1. A multi-positionable tray assembly for mounting within a chassis of a telecommunications panel, the multi-positionable tray assembly comprising:

a. a tray configured to support at least one cable management structure, the tray defining a wall structure having a top wall a back wall and a bottom wall that together define a channel having an open face; and

b. a support arm connected to and supporting the tray at a pivot joint such that the tray is rotatable about the pivot joint at a pivot axis between a folded position and an access position;

c. a bend radius limiter defining a curved surface for limiting the degree to which a cable can bend as the cable extends from the support arm, through the pivot joint, and into the channel of the wall structure, the bend radius limiter being pivotally mounted to the tray and rotatable between an open position and a closed position in which the open face is at least partially covered by the bend radius limiter in the closed position, wherein the tray includes a mounting structure to which a first end of the bend radius limiter is rotatably attached.

2. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the bend radius limiter includes a first flexible segment between the curved surface and the first end, the first flexible segment being less rigid than material defining the curved surface.

3. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 2, wherein the first flexible segment is configured as a living hinge.

4. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 3, wherein the first flexible segment includes a plurality of ribs interconnected by sections of material that have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the ribs.

5. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 4, wherein the bend radius limiter includes a second flexible segment between the curved surface and the first flexible segment, the second flexible segment being less rigid than material defining the curved surface.

6. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 5, wherein the second flexible segment is configured as a living hinge.

7. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 6, wherein the second flexible segment includes a plurality of ribs interconnected by sections of material that have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the ribs.

8. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the bend radius limiter includes at least one first attachment feature configured for engagement with a corresponding second attachment feature located on the tray, the first and second attachment features being configured to retain the bend radius limiter in the closed position.

9. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one first attachment feature is configured as a latch member and the second attachment feature is configured as a notch in the wall structure top or bottom wall.

10. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 9, wherein a first pair of first attachment features is provided and wherein a second pair of first attachment features is provided on the bend radius limiter.

11. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one first attachment feature is configured as a latch member and the second attachment feature is configured as a notch in the wall structure top or bottom wall.

12. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 11, wherein a first pair of first attachment features is provided and wherein a second pair of first attachment features is provided on the bend radius limiter.

13. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 12, wherein the first pair of first attachment features is located between the first end and the first flexible segment.

14. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 13, wherein the second pair of first attachment features is located between the curved surface and the first flexible segment.

15. A method of routing a cable through a multi-positionable tray assembly comprising:

a. rotating a tray of a tray assembly with respect to a support arm to place the tray in an access position;

b. rotating and bending a bend radius limiter with respect to the tray to an open position to expose an open face of a wall structure defining a channel;

c. routing a cable through the support arm and into the wall structure channel;

d. rotating and bending the bend radius limiter to a closed position to at least partially block the channel open face; and

e. rotating the tray to a folded position with respect to the support arm.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of rotating the bend radius limiter to the closed position includes securing the bend radius limiter to the tray.