Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays

• US 20080175552A1
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Sjodin, Chad J., Coburn, Hutch, Smrha, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/444 Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• 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: 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames

Abstract

An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining rearward cable connections and forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. Openings permitting access to the rearward and forward cable connections of the adapters are provided. The chassis further including a removable rear chassis portion to provide access to cable routing areas within the chassis interior.

Claims

1. A chassis arrangement, comprising:

a) a chassis housing having an interior, the chassis housing including a removable rear chassis portion, the removable rear chassis portion including;

i) a first part that partially defines a top chassis wall; and

ii) a second part that defines a rear chassis wall;

b) wherein removal of the rear chassis portion exposes cable routing areas provided within the interior of the chassis.

2. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the removable rear chassis portion includes latches that detachably secure the rear chassis portion to a remainder of the chassis housing.

3. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first part of the rear chassis portion provides an exposed opening in the top chassis wall when the rear chassis portion is removed, the exposed opening having a depth of at least about 5 inches.

4. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first part of the rear chassis portion provides an exposed opening in the top chassis wall when the rear chassis portion is removed, the exposed opening extending the width of the chassis.

5. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first part of the rear chassis portion provides an exposed opening in the top chassis wall when the rear chassis portion is removed, the exposed opening extending the width of the chassis and having a depth of at least about 5 inches.

6. A chassis arrangement, comprising:

a) a chassis housing including a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls;

b) a drawer that slides relative to the chassis;

c) a panel mounted to the drawer, the panel including a plurality of adapters; and

d) a bottom access opening formed in the drawer, the bottom access opening being located to provide access to front connections of the adapters of the panel;

e)wherein during operative use, the bottom access opening provides access to the front connections of the adapters by increasing finger space between the panel and the drawer.

7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the panel slides outward toward a front opening of the chassis housing.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the bottom access opening is located to provide access to the front connections of the adapters of the panel when the panel is slid outward toward the front opening of the chassis housing.

9. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the bottom access opening is an elongated opening extending a length, the length spanning a substantial majority of the distance of which the adapters of the panel span.

11. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein during installation procedures, the bottom access opening provides access to the front connections of the adapters by permitting a technician to reach through the bottom opening when the drawer is positioned in an open position relative to the chassis.

12. The arrangement of claim 6, further including a top access opening formed in the chassis housing, the top access opening being located adjacent to a front opening to provide access to the adapters of the panel.

13. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the top access opening is provided by removal of panels attached to the top wall of the chassis housing.

14. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the panels slide outward from the chassis housing to provide access to the adapters of the panel through the top access opening.

10. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. A chassis arrangement, comprising:

a) a chassis housing including a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls;

b) a drawer that slides relative to the chassis;

c) a panel mounted to the drawer, the panel including a plurality of adapters; and

d) a bottom access opening formed in the drawer, the bottom access opening being located to provide access to front connections of the adapters of the panel;

e) wherein the bottom access opening is elongated, the elongated bottom access opening extending a length that spans a substantial majority of the distance of which the adapters of the panel span.