RETRACTABLE DATACOMMUNICATIONS RACK

• US 20160150670A1
• Filed: 11/03/2015
• Published: 05/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Livingston, Joseph C., Crain, Charles T., Case, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,139,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/063 Parallelogram arms
• 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 6/4455 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 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A retractable datacommunications rack includes: a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure; a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections. The linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position.

Claims

1. A retractable datacommunications rack, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position.

2. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to maintain the enclosure in substantially horizontal orientation as it moves between the raised and lowered positions.

3. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 2, wherein the linkage includes an upper swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure and a lower swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure.

4. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 3, wherein the upper swing link and the lower swing link are substantially the same length.

5. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, further comprising a bridge member configured to receive cables routed to the enclosure.

6. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 3, wherein the upper swing link is a bridge member configured to receive cables routed to the enclosure.

7. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a fiber management section.

8. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 7, wherein the enclosure further includes at least one of:

a tool tray, a bulkhead adapter panel, and a drying desiccant section.

9. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, further comprising a lift assist unit that assists the enclosure in moving between the raised and lowered positions.

10. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a vertical column.

11. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a ceiling.

12. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, in combination with at least two fiber optic cables that are connected within one of the locations for datacommunications interconnection in the enclosure.

14. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to maintain the enclosure in substantially horizontal orientation as it moves between the raised and lowered positions.

15. The assembly defined in claim 14, wherein the linkage includes an upper swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure and a lower swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure.

16. The assembly defined in claim 15, wherein the upper swing link and the lower swing link are substantially the same length.

17. The assembly defined in claim 15, wherein the upper swing link is a bridge member that receives the cables as they are routed to the enclosure.

13. A retractable datacommunications assembly, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position;

the assembly further comprising two fiber optic cables interconnected in one of the locations of datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the fiber optic cables are routed to the enclosure along bridge members, and wherein the bridge members are configured so that the fiber optic cables experience substantially no increase in tension in moving between the raised and lowered positions.

18. The assembly defined in claim 13, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a vertical column.

19. The assembly defined in claim 13, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a ceiling.

20. A retractable datacommunications assembly, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position;

the assembly further comprising two fiber optic cables interconnected in one of the locations of datacommunications interconnections; and

wherein the enclosure further comprises a fiber management section that receives the fiber optic cables.