High-density fiber distribution frame

• US 5,497,444 A
• Filed: 05/22/1995
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1994
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Wheeler, Todd A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANGHAVI, HEMANG
• Application Number:
  US08/446,428
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135, 385/134, 385/136, 385/139, 385/53, 385/59, 385/25, 385/89
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• 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 6/44528 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 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• 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 1/062 vertical management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/066 arranged on the front side
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/068 arranged on the rear side
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/804 in optical transmission systems

Abstract

A fiber distribution frame includes a fixture having a plurality of modules mounted side-by-side within said fixture with each of the modules being individually mounted in a line of travel. Each of the modules can be locked in any one of a plurality of discrete positions within the line of travel. Each of the modules contains a plurality of adapters for receiving and retaining fiber optic connectors. Further, the fixture may be tilted downwardly to provide access to the rear of the fixture.

Claims

1. A signal transmission cable management system comprising:

a fixture;

a plurality of modules mounted on said fixture with each of said modules movably mounted on said fixture for movement along a line of travel, each one of said modules including a plurality of adaptor means for holding a fiber optic connector, each one of said adaptor means movable with said one of said modules along said line of travel;

releasable lock means for releasably locking each of said modules in any one of a plurality of fixed positions along said line of travel;

means for connecting a first signal transmission cable at a rear side of said module with a second signal transmission cable connected at a front side of said module.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said modules each have a longitudinal axis;

said modules mounted on said fixture in side-by-side relation with said longitudinal axes generally parallel to said line of travel, said plurality of adaptor means linearly disposed along said longitudinal axis.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said fixture includes a plurality of spaced-apart walls, opposing pairs of said walls, defining a plurality of channels, each of said modules being disposed within a respective channel, cooperating guide means for each of said modules and said walls for attaching said modules to said walls and accommodating movement of each of said modules along said line of travel.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of fixed positions includes a first, second and third position, each linearly separated along said line of travel.

5. A system according to claim 1 comprising a frame having mounting means for mounting said fixture in said frame;

said mounting means including a pivot attachment for said fixture to pivot relative to said frame about said pivot axis.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said pivot axis is generally perpendicular to said line of travel.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means further includes a frame lock for releasably locking said fixture in any one of a plurality of a pivoted positions about said pivot axis.

8. A system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of mating elements secured to each of said modules, said mating elements each including means for connection of said front side, respectively, with said first and second cables optically coupled.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said mating elements are mounted in a linear array defining a longitudinal axis for each of said modules, said modules mounted on said fixture in side-by-side relation with said longitudinal axes generally parallel to said line of travel.

10. A signal transmission cable management system comprising:

a fixture;

a plurality of modules mounted on said fixture with each of said modules movably mounted on said fixture for movement along a line of travel;

releasable lock means for releasably locking each of said modules in any one of a plurality of fixed positions along said line of travel, each of said plurality of fixed positions including a first, second and third position, each linearly separated along said line of travel;

means for connecting a first signal transmission cable at a rear side of said module with a second signal transmission cable connected at a front side of said module;

a forward wall disposed, spaced from and opposing said front sides of said modules said modules shielded by said forward wall when said one of said modules is in said first position and with a first upper portion of said one of said modules exposed above an upper edge of said forward wall when said one is in said second position and with a second portion of said one exposed below a lower edge of said forward wall when said one is in said third position.

11. A signal transmission cable management system comprising:

a fixture;

a plurality of modules mounted on said fixture with each of said modules movably mounted on said fixture for movement along a line of travel;

releasable lock means for releasably locking each of said modules in any one of a plurality of fixed positions along said line of travel;

means for connecting a first signal transmission cable at a rear side of said module with a second signal transmission cable connected at a front side of said module;

said fixture including a plurality of spaced-apart walls, opposing pairs of said walls, defining a plurality of channels, each of said modules being disposed within a respective channel, cooperating guide means for each of said modules and said walls for attaching said modules to said walls and accommodating movement of each of said modules along said line of travel;

said lock means including a locking member on each of said modules, said locking member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position;

said walls and said locking member including cooperating elements for restraining said modules for movement along said line of travel at each of said plurality of fixed positions when said locking member is in said locked position and accommodating movement of said module along said line of travel when said locked member is in said unlocked position.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said cooperating elements includes a detent formed in said walls and corresponding with said plurality of fixed positions, said locked member including an edge sized to be received within said detent when said lock member is in said locked position and said edge removed from said detent when said lock member is in said unlocked position.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said lock member is biased toward said locked position.

14. A signal transmission cable management system comprising:

a fixture;

a plurality of modules mounted on said fixture with each of said modules movably mounted on said fixture for movement along a line of travel;

releasable lock means for releasably locking each of said modules in any one of a plurality of fixed positions along said line of travel;

means for connecting a first signal transmission cable at a rear side of said module with a second signal transmission cable connected at a front side of said module;

said fixture including a plurality of spaced-apart walls, opposing pairs of said walls, defining a plurality of channels, each of said modules being disposed within a respective channel, cooperating guide means for each of said modules and said walls for attaching said modules to said walls and accommodating movement of each of said modules along said line of travel;

said cooperating guide means including a rail on each of said modules and a mating groove on at least one of said walls opposing each of said channels with said rails slidable received within said groove and with said rails sliding within said groove along said line of travel.

15. In a signal transmission cable management system having a fixture including a plurality of spaced apart walls defining a plurality of parallel spaced apart cavities, said walls including first and second parallel and opposing recesses;

an optic module for mounting in said cavities, said module comprising;

a body sized to be slidably received within said cavity for movement along a line of travel, said body having first and second parallel rails, said rails sized to be slidably received within said recesses;

said body including a plurality of adaptor means for connecting a plurality of fiber optic cables to said body, said plurality of adaptor means linearly aligned along said line of travel;

said body including latch means for securing said body to said fixture in any one of a plurality of fixed positions along said line of travel.