High density optical fiber distribution frame with modules

• US 20060193591A1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Rapp, David E., Miller, Heidi L., Bolster, Kristofer J., Haataja, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,367,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/137
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• 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

Abstract

A fiber optic telecommunications frame is provided including termination modules positioned on left and right sides of the frame. The frame further includes left and right vertical cable guides. The frame includes a horizontal passage linking the left and right panels and the cable guides. The termination modules hold fiber optic modules with front termination locations. The fiber optic modules can house couplers, such as splitters, combiners, and wave length division multiplexers. A retention mechanism retains each fiber optic module in a partially removed position from the termination module.

Claims

1. A fiber optic module adapted to be held by a frame, the fiber optic module comprising:

a housing including two spaced-apart major sides extending parallel to one another, the major sides interconnected by two spaced-apart minor sides, extending parallel to one another, the major and minor sides extending between front and rear ends of the housing, the front end being open and defined by edges of the two major and minor sides, each of the major sides including a plurality of apertures at the front end;

a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the front end, each adapter including two projections, each projection received in one of the apertures in each of the major sides;

fiber optic circuitry within the housing connecting the fiber optic adapters.

2. The fiber optic module of claim 1, further comprising front flanges on opposite ends of the front end, one of front flanges including a latch for latching the front end of the housing to the frame.

3. The fiber optic module of claim 1, wherein one of the major sides defines first and second planar flanges extending beyond the minor sides.

4. The fiber optic module of claim 1, wherein one of the minor sides includes first and second round openings, the first opening positioned further from the rear end than the second opening, each of the first and second openings sized to receive a ball end of a spring loaded ball plunger held by the frame.

5. The fiber optic module of claim 4, wherein the first opening is smaller than the second opening.

6. A fiber optic module adapted to be held by a frame, the fiber optic module comprising:

a housing including two spaced-apart major sides extending parallel to one another, the major sides interconnected by two spaced-apart minor sides, extending parallel to one another, the major and minor sides extending between front and rear ends of the housing, the front end being open and defined by edges of the two major and minor sides, each of the major sides including a plurality of apertures at the front end;

front flanges on opposite ends of the front end, one of the front flanges including a latch for latching the front end of the housing to the frame;

two side flanges extending in opposite directions from one of the major sides.

7. The fiber optic module of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the front end, each adapter including two projections, each projection received in one of the apertures in each of the major sides;

a fiber optic coupler mounted within the housing;

cables connecting the fiber optic adapters and the fiber optic coupler.

8. The fiber optic module of claim 6, wherein a first one of the major sides includes a cover portion defining the two side flanges, wherein the first major side further includes a front extension separate from the cover portion which defines the plurality of apertures at the front end, wherein a second one of the major sides and the two minor sides are formed of a single housing construction, and further comprising fasteners for connecting the front extension and the cover portion to the single housing construction.

9. The fiber optic module of claim 8, wherein the front extension is adjustably mounted by the fasteners to the single housing construction, wherein a spacing between the front extension and the second major side is variable.