Telecommunications patch panel with angled connector modules

• US 20060025011A1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Follingstad, Michael Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/534
• 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 13/748 using one or more screws H01R13/746 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/09 Frames or mounting racks not otherwise provided for
• 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 1/148 Identification strips for distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/12 Printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/954 Special orientation of electrical connector

Abstract

A telecommunications patch panel is provided having a plurality of connector modules rotatably mounted to a frame member. Each connector module has a front face and an opposite facing rear face, and each front face includes a plurality of connector jacks. Each rear face includes a plurality of wire termination blocks. The wire termination blocks are electrically connected to the connector jacks. Each connector module is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the frame member. A lock selectively locks each connector module to the frame member as desired. The connector jacks and the connector modules are arranged in linear arrays perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A telecommunications component, comprising:

a) a frame piece having a front face, the front face defining an opening; and

b) a connector module including at least a first connector jack configured for coupling to a telecommunication cable, the connector module being rotatably mounted at the opening of the frame piece;

c) wherein the connector module locks in any selected one of a number of positions, the number of positions including;

i) a center position;

ii) a first angled position wherein the connector module is rotated within the opening of the frame piece at a first angle relative to the center position; and

iii) a second angled position wherein the connector module is rotated within the opening of the frame piece at a second angle relative to the center position.

18. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the connector module rotates in a clockwise direction from the center position to the first angled position.

19. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the connector module rotates in a counterclockwise direction from the center position to the second angled position.

20. The telecommunications component of claim 17, further including a locking arrangement configured to lock the connector module in any selected one of the number of positions.

21. The telecommunications component of claim 20, wherein the locking arrangement includes detents formed in the connector module.

22. The telecommunications component of claim 21, wherein the locking arrangement includes a locking structure interconnected to the frame piece, the locking structure being arranged to engage at least one of the detents formed in the connector module to lock the connector module in the selected one of the number of positions.

23. The telecommunications component of claim 22, wherein the locking structure includes a tab that engages the at least one detent of the connector module.

24. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the first connector jack is configured for coupling to a copper-based telecommunication cable.

25. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the connector module includes first and second connector jacks configured for coupling to telecommunication cables.

26. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the connector module rotates about a vertical axis.

27. The telecommunications component of claim 17, wherein the front face of the frame piece defines a plurality of openings configured to receive a plurality of connector modules.

28. A telecommunications component, comprising:

a) a frame structure having a front face that defines an opening, the frame structure including a locking element; and

b) a connector module for coupling to a telecommunication cable, the connector module being rotatably mounted at the opening of the frame structure, the connector module including one or more detents;

c) wherein the locking element of the frame structure is arranged to engage the one or more of the detents of the connector module to lock the connector module in any selected one of a number of positions, the number of positions including;

i) a center facing position;

ii) a rightward facing position; and

iii) a leftward facing position.

29. The telecommunications component of claim 28, wherein the locking element includes a tab that engages the one or more of the detents of the connector module.

30. The telecommunications component of claim 28, wherein the connector module includes at least a first connector jack.

31. The telecommunications component of claim 30, wherein the first connector jack is configured for coupling to a copper-based telecommunication cable.

32. The telecommunications component of claim 28, wherein the connector module includes a first connector jack and a second connector jack, the first and second connector jacks being configured for coupling to telecommunication cables.

33. The telecommunications component of claim 28, wherein the connector module rotates about a vertical axis.

34. The telecommunications component of claim 28, wherein the front face of the frame structure defines a plurality of openings configured to receive a plurality of connector modules.

35. A method of orienting a cable relative to a telecommunications structure, the method comprising the steps of:

a) mounting a telecommunications component to the telecommunications structure, the telecommunications component including a frame piece and a connector module positioned at an opening in the frame piece;

b) coupling the cable to the connector module;

c) rotating the connector module to an off-center position; and

d) locking the connector module in the off-center position.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of locking the connector module in the off-center position includes engaging a locking element interconnected to the frame piece with a detent formed in the connector module.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of rotating the connector module includes either rotating the connector module in a clockwise direction from a center position to a first off-center position, or rotating the connector module in a counterclockwise direction from the center position to a second off-center position.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of coupling the cable to the connector module includes coupling the cable to a connector jack of the connector module.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of coupling the cable to the connector jack includes coupling the cable to a copper-based connector jack.