Angled patch panel with cable support bar for network cable racks

• US 20050215112A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jed M. Barker, Kevin E. Honan, Mark J. Donnell
• Original Assignee: Jed M. Barker, Kevin E. Honan, Mark J. Donnell
• Inventors: Donnell, Mark J., Barker, Jed M., Honan, Kevin E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,981,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/540.100
• 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 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/062 vertical management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/066 arranged on the front side
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/068 arranged on the rear side
• 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 2201/02 Details of frames

Abstract

A patch panel mountable to a network rack includes a patch panel frame and rack mounting plates. The frame forms a central section having a longitudinal width sized to fit within the network rack. The rack mounting plates are provided on opposite longitudinal ends of the central section and allow the panel to be mounted to a network rack. The central section includes two panel sections angled outwardly in an inverted V-shape, and the central section has mounted thereon a plurality of cable connectors that recieve cabling on the front side and the rear side of the patch panel frame. Each connector has a horizontal axis.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A patch panel having a plurality of openings for mounting communication connectors, the patch panel comprising:

a frame having two rack mounting ends for mounting the patch panel to a network rack,

wherein the frame includes a first plurality of openings located a first distance from a horizontal axis extending between the rack mounting ends and a second plurality of openings located a second distance from the horizontal axis extending between the rack mounting ends, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

29. The patch panel of claim 28, wherein the first plurality of openings is located closer to one of the rack mounting ends than the second plurality of openings is located to either of the rack mounting ends.

30. The patch panel of claim 28, further comprising a third plurality of openings located a third distance from the horizontal axis extending between the rack mounting ends, wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance.

31. The patch panel of claim 30, wherein the second plurality of openings is located closer to one of the rack mounting ends than the third plurality of openings is located to either of the rack mounting ends.