Structured Cabling Chassis

• US 20080296060A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telect Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Telect Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Hawley, Mark Robert, Jenkins, James Patrick, Takisaki, Walt Dean, Gallagher, Jeremy James
• Granted Patent: US 9,084,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/535
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/062 vertical management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/064 horizontal management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/186 for supporting telecommunication equipment selecting apparatus H04Q1/02

Abstract

Structured cabling solutions may include techniques and systems usable to route, organize, and otherwise manager wires, optical fibers, and other cables. Structured cabling solutions may include one or more chassis coupled to and movable relative to a frame to provide access to signal connectors on the chassis. Structured cabling solutions may also include labeling schemes that identify patch connectors that correspond to outlets in a structured cabling installation.

Claims

1. A telecommunications chassis comprising:

a first substantially planar side member;

a second substantially planar side member; and

a central spine interposed between, and pivotably coupled to, the first and second side members.

2. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second planar side members includes a pair of cutouts configured to receive modules.

3. The telecommunications chassis of claim 2, wherein the cutouts are at least about 4.5 and at most about 6 inches wide, and at least about 1 and at most about 2 inches tall.

4. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, further comprising a module coupled to one of the first and second planar side members, the module comprising one or more signal connectors.

5. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second planar side members includes a latching mechanism.

6. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, wherein the first planar side member includes a latch actuatable by hand or using a publicly available tool, and wherein the second planar side member includes a latch actuatable using a private tool.

7. The telecommunications chassis of claim 6, wherein the latch on the first planar side member comprises a knurled knob, and wherein the latch on the second planar side member comprises a keyed lock.

8. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, further comprising a standoff configured to fixedly couple the spine of the chassis to a frame, such that the first and second planar side members are pivotable relative to the frame.

9. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, wherein the chassis has overall dimensions of at least about 13 and at most about 15 inches wide, and at least about 4 and at most about 7 inches high.

10. The telecommunications chassis of claim 1, wherein the chassis has overall dimensions of about 14 inches wide and about 5.5 inches high.

11. A telecommunications system comprising:

a frame; and

a chassis couplable to the frame, the chassis including a substantially planar side member having signal connectors mounted thereto, the signal connectors having a patch side disposed on one side of the substantially planar side member and a terminal side disposed on an opposite side of the substantially planar side member,

wherein the substantially planar side member is pivotable relative to the frame.

12. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the substantially planar side member is pivotably coupled to the frame about a fixed pivot point.

13. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the substantially planar side member is detachable from the frame, and is attachable to the frame in at least two different positions.

14. The telecommunications system of claim 11, further comprising a second substantially planar side member and a central spine interposed between, and pivotably coupled to, the substantially planar side members.

15. The telecommunications system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second planar side members includes a pair of cutouts configured to receive modules.

16. The telecommunications system of claim 11, further comprising a standoff fixedly coupling the chassis to the frame, such that the substantially planar side member is pivotable relative to the frame.

17. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the chassis has overall dimensions of at least about 12 and at most about 24 inches wide, and at least about 4 and at most about 12 inches high.

18. The telecommunications system of claim 11, further comprising a module coupled to the substantially planer side member, the module having a first type of signal connector, the chassis further comprising a second module having a second type of signal connector different than the first type of signal connector, wherein the modules have a same form factor.

19. A telecommunications chassis comprising:

a substantially planar body having dimensions of at least about 12 and at most about 24 inches wide, and at least about 4 and at most about 12 inches high.

20. The telecommunications chassis of claim 19, wherein the chassis has overall dimensions of at least about 13 and at most about 15 inches wide, and at least about 4 and at most about 7 inches high.

21. The telecommunications chassis of claim 19, wherein the chassis has overall dimensions of about 14 inches wide and about 5.5 inches high.

22. The telecommunications chassis of claim 19, wherein the substantially planar body comprises:

a first substantially planar side member;

a second substantially planar side member; and

a central spine interposed between, and pivotably coupled to, the first and second side members.

23. The telecommunications chassis of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second planar side members includes a pair of cutouts configured to receive modules.

24. The telecommunications chassis of claim 23, wherein the cutouts are at least about 4.5 and at most about 6 inches wide, and at least about 1 and at most about 2 inches tall.

25. The telecommunications chassis of claim 23, wherein the cutouts are about 5.3 inches, and about 1.7 inches tall.

26. The telecommunications chassis of claim 22, wherein the first planar side member includes an access mechanism accessible by hand or using a publicly available tool, and wherein the second planar side member includes a latch actuatable using a private tool.

27. The telecommunications chassis of claim 19, further comprising a module coupled to one of the first and second planar side members, the module comprising one or more signal connectors.

28. The telecommunications chassis of claim 27, wherein the module has overall dimensions of at least about 4.5 and at most about 6 inches wide, and at least about 1 and at most about 2 inches tall.

29. A telecommunications module comprising:

a mounting plate having dimensions of at least about 4.5 and at most about 6 inches wide, and at least about 1 and at most about 2 inches tall; and

one or more signal connectors.

30. The telecommunications module of claim 29, wherein the mounting plate is generally rectangular and has a pair of mounting tabs, the mounting tabs being disposed proximate to diagonally opposite corners of the mounting plate.

31. A telecommunications chassis comprising:

a first module comprising a first type of signal connector; and

a second module comprising a second type of signal connector different than the first type of signal connector,

wherein the first and second modules have a same form factor.

32. The telecommunications chassis of claim 31, wherein the first type of signal connector comprises an RJ-45 connector and the second type of signal connector comprises a radio frequency connector.