Cable management rack for telecommunications equipment

• US 6,223,909 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2000
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Mendoza, Jose-Filonel Tawag
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US09/507,127
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 211/26, 211/189, 312/265.4, 361/825, 361/826, 361/827, 361/829
• US Class Current: 211/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/062 vertical management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/09 Frames or mounting racks not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/116 lightning or EMI protection, e.g. shielding or grounding
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/14 Screening, grounding or crosstalk reduction details

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a rack for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules. The rack includes a frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls. The bay is sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis. The rack also includes a cable management structure connected to the frame. The cable management structure defines first and second separate vertical channels. The first vertical channel defines a first passage area sized for receiving a plurality of cross-connect cables from the telecommunication chassis. The second vertical channel defines a second passage area sized for receiving power and ground wires from the telecommunication chassis. L-shaped tie brackets are positioned in vertical channels defined by the vertical end walls. The tie brackets assist an installer in installing and tying the input and output cables to the rack.

Claims

1. A rack for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules, the rack comprising:

a frame including a front and a back;

the frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls, the bay being sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis;

a plurality of rings mounted at the back of the frame for receiving cross-connect cables from the cross-connect modules;

a plurality of vertically spaced-apart plate portions projecting transversely outward from the vertical end walls adjacent the front of the frame, the plate portions being arranged and configured for being positioned adjacent to a second frame;

the frame defining a plurality of access openings positioned between the vertically spaced-apart plate portions, the access openings being sized for allowing front access to input/output cables positioned between the frame and the adjacent frame; and

a plurality of L-shaped tie brackets extending from each of the vertical end walls.

2. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rings include portions that oppose the plate portions such that a vertical channel for receiving the input/output cables is formed between the rings and the plate portions.

3. The rack of claim 2, wherein the rings define access openings for allowing the input cables to be fed from the vertical channel to the back of the frame.

4. A rack for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules, the rack being adapted for use with a system having a raised floor with cut-out power cable openings for passing power cables through the floor and cut-out input/output openings for passing input/output cables through the floor, the rack comprising:

a frame including a top and a base, the base including a base plate defining a power cable opening adapted to align with one of the cut-out power cable openings of the raised floor;

the frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls, the bay being sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis;

outwardly facing channels that extend along the vertical end walls, the outwardly facing channels being arranged and configured for receiving the input/output cables such that the input/output cables extend along the vertical end walls, and the outwardly facing channels being adapted to generally align with the cut-out input/output openings of the raised floor; and

a plurality of L-shaped tie brackets extending from each of the vertical end walls.

5. A rack system for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules, the rack system comprising:

first and second racks each including;

a frame including a front and a back, the frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls, the bay being sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis;

a plurality of rings mounted at the back of the frame for receiving cross-connect cables from the cross-connect modules;

a front wall portion projecting transversely outward from each of the vertical end walls adjacent the front of the frame, the front wall portions each defining a plurality of vertically spaced-apart access openings;

a plurality of L-shaped tie brackets extending from each of the vertical end walls;

the first and second racks being interconnected such that one of the front wall portions of the first rack is directly adjacent to one of the front wall portions of the second rack;

the first and second racks defining a vertical channel thereinbetween for receiving input/output cables;

the rings of the first and second racks being arranged and configured to enclose a back side of the vertical channel; and

the vertical channel having a front side enclosed by the adjacent front wall portions of the first and second racks, wherein the access openings of the first and second racks are configured to provide front access to the input/output cables within the vertical channel.

6. The rack system of claim 5, wherein the access openings comprise open sided slots that cooperate to define generally rectangular front access openings.

7. The rack system of claim 5, wherein the access openings comprise closed openings that cooperate to define side-by-side front access openings.

8. The rack system of claim 5, wherein the rings define rear openings for feeding the input/output cables from the vertical channel to the rear of the frames.