Cable management panel with sliding drawer

• US 6,438,310 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Smith, Trevor D., Holman, John C., Lance, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Connelly, Michelle R.
• Application Number:
  US09/490,379
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134-137
• US Class Current: 385/135
• 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

Abstract

An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slideable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. The take-up mechanism is held stationary when the drawer is moved furthest from the chassis. As the drawer is moved toward the closed position, the take-up mechanism begins to move with the drawer. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer.

Claims

1. A cable management device for mounting to a drawer slideably mounted to a chassis, the drawer including a front key and a rear slot, the drawer further including a base and raised side ledges on opposite sides of the drawer, the cable management device comprising:

a drop-in plate including a notch along a front edge and a tab along a rear edge, the notch engageable with the key of the drawer, the tab engageable with the slot of the drawer;

wherein the plate further includes a base and two side edges which are positioned adjacent to the side ledges of the drawer, the plate including two radius limiters, each radius limiter having a portion extending beyond the respective side edges of the base of the plate, the radius limiter having a notch along a lower edge, the notch extending from each respective side edge of the base of the plate to the side ledge of the drawer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the radius limiters include an arcuate portion having a convex surface facing the rear edge of the plate.

3. A cable management panel comprising:

a chassis;

a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis, the drawer slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis, the drawer including a front key and a rear slot;

an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer;

a cable take-up mechanism including a push member slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position, the push member also slideably mounted to the chassis; and

a drop-in plate including a notch along a front edge, and a tab along a rear edge, the notch engageable with the key of the drawer, the tab engageable with the slot of the drawer.

4. The cable management panel of claim 3, wherein the drawer further includes a base and raised side ledges on opposite sides of the drawer, and wherein the plate includes a base and two side edges which are positioned adjacent to the side ledges of the drawer, the plate including two radius limiters, each radius limiter having a portion extending beyond the respective side edges of the base of the plate, each radius limiter having a notch along a lower edge, the notch extending from each respective side edge of the base of the plate to the side ledge of the drawer.

5. A cable management panel comprising:

a chassis;

a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis, the drawer slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer; and

a cable take-up mechanism including a push member slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position, the push member also slideably mounted to the chassis;

wherein the drawer includes a base and raised side ledges on opposite sides of the drawer, and further including a drop-in plate including a base and two side edges which are positioned adjacent to the side ledges of the drawer, the plate including two radius limiters, each radius limiter having a portion extending beyond the respective side edges of the base of the plate, each radius limiter having a notch along a lower edge, the notch extending from each respective side edge of the base of the plate to the side ledge of the drawer.

6. The cable management panel of claim 5, wherein the radius limiters include an arcuate portion having a convex surface facing the rear edge of the plate.

7. A cable management panel comprising:

(a) a chassis;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis;

the drawer including a front key and a rear slot,

(i) the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

(ii) the chassis and the drawer defining an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer;

(c) a cable take-up mechanism including a push member;

(i) the push member being slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position;

(ii) the push member being slideably mounted to the chassis; and

(d) a drop-in plate including a notch along a front edge, and a tab along a rear edge;

(i) the notch engageable with the key of the drawer; and

(ii) the tab engageable with the slot of the drawer.

8. A cable management panel according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) the cable take-up mechanism further includes a retention member;

(i) the retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the second position toward the first position;

(ii) the retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate position to the first position.

9. A cable management panel according to claim 8 further comprising:

(a) a second retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the first position toward the second position, the second retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate opening position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate opening position to the second position.

10. A cable management panel according to claim 7, further comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount on the drawer, the storage tray mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations, and a plurality of storage trays;

(i) each storage tray rotatably mounted to the storage tray mount at one of the staggered mounting locations;

(ii) one of the trays and the tray mount including a post and the other including a hole for receiving the post so as to rotatably mount each tray to the tray mount at each mounting location; and

(iii) one of the trays and the tray mount including a projection extending parallel to a rotation axis of the tray, and the other includes a notch wherein the projection is received in the notch when each tray is pivoted vertically upwardly from a first horizontal position to a second pivoted position at an angle to the horizontal.

11. A cable management panel comprising:

(a) a chassis;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis;

the drawer including a base and raised side ledges on opposite sides of the drawer;

(i) the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

(ii) the chassis and the drawer defining an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer;

(c) a cable take-up mechanism including a push member;

(i) the push member being slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position;

(ii) the push member being slideably mounted to the chassis; and

(d) a drop-in plate including a base and two side edges positioned adjacent to the side ledges of the drawer;

the plate including two radius limiters;

(i) each of the radius limiters having a portion extending beyond the respective side edges of the base of the plate;

(ii) each of the radius limiters having a notch along a lower edge, the notch extending from each respective side edge of the base of the plate to the side ledge of the drawer.

12. A cable management panel according to claim 11 wherein:

(a) the drawer includes a front key and a rear slot; and

(b) further comprising a drop-in plate including a notch along a front edge, and a tab along a rear edge;

(i) the notch engageable with the key of the drawer; and

(ii) the tab engageable with the slot of the drawer.

13. A cable management panel according to claim 11 wherein:

(a) the cable take-up mechanism further includes a retention member;

(i) the retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the second position toward the first position;

(ii) the retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate position to the first position.

14. A cable management panel according to claim 13 further comprising:

(a) a second retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the first position toward the second position, the second retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate opening position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate opening position to the second position.

15. A cable management panel according to claim 11, further comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount on the drawer, the storage tray mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations, and a plurality of storage trays;

(i) each storage tray rotatably mounted to the storage tray mount at one of the staggered mounting locations;

(ii) one of the trays and the tray mount including a post and the other including a hole for receiving the post so as to rotatably mount each tray to the tray mount at each mounting location; and

(iii) one of the trays and the tray mount including a projection extending parallel to a rotation axis of the tray, and the other includes a notch wherein the projection is received in the notch when each tray is pivoted vertically upwardly from a first horizontal position to a second pivoted position at an angle to the horizontal.

16. A cable management panel comprising:

(a) a chassis;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis;

(i) the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

(ii) the chassis and the drawer defining an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer;

(c) a cable take-up mechanism including a push member;

(i) the push member being slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position;

(ii) the push member being slideably mounted to the chassis; and

(iii) the push member being curved on one side and planar on an opposite side, the curved side facing inwardly relative to the drawer, the planar side facing outwardly relative to the drawer, the planar side positioned adjacent to the access location.

17. A cable management panel according to claim 16 wherein:

(a) the cable take-up mechanism further includes a retention member;

(i) the retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the second position toward the first position;

(ii) the retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate position to the first position.

18. A cable management panel according to claim 16, further comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount on the drawer, the storage tray mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations, and a plurality of storage trays;

(i) each storage tray rotatably mounted to the storage tray mount at one of the staggered mounting locations.

19. A cable management panel according to claim 16 wherein:

(a) the drawer includes a front key and a rear slot; and

(b) further comprising a drop-in plate including a notch along a front edge, and a tab along a rear edge;

(i) the notch engageable with the key of the drawer; and

(ii) the tab engageable with the slot of the drawer.

20. A cable management panel comprising:

(a) a chassis;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis;

(i) the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

(ii) the chassis and the drawer defining a first and second access location;

the first access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a first side of the chassis and the drawer; and

the second access location allowing entry of the optical fiber cable into a second side opposite of the first side;

(c) a first and second cable take-up mechanism each including a push member and being located adjacent to respective first and second sides;

(i) each push member being slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position;

(ii) each push member being slideably mounted to the chassis.

21. A cable management panel according to claim 20 further comprising:

(a) a drop-in plate including engagement structure;

(i) the engagement structure engaging cooperating engagement structure in the drawer.

22. A cable management panel according to claim 20 wherein:

(a) each of the first and second cable take-up mechanism further includes a retention member;

(i) each retention member holding the respective push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the second position toward the first position; and

(ii) each retention member releasing the respective push member at an intermediate position so as to allow the respective push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate position to the first position.

23. A cable management panel according to claim 20, further comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount on the drawer, the storage tray mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations, and a plurality of storage trays mounted thereon.

24. A cable management panel comprising:

(a) a chassis;

the chassis including a first slot;

(i) first slot including a longitudinal extension and a side notch;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis;

(i) the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis;

(ii) the chassis and the drawer defining an access location allowing entry of optical fiber cable into a side of the chassis and the drawer;

(c) a cable take-up mechanism including a push member;

(i) the push member being slidably mounted on the drawer and movable from a first position on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which is forward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position;

(ii) the push member being slideably mounted to the chassis;

(iii) the drawer including a rearward extension extending from the push member;

the rearward extension including a flexible tab;

the push member positioned above the drawer, the rearward extension positioned below the push member;

(A) the tab being positioned in the longitudinal extension of the first slot during movement of the push member; and

(B) the tab being positioned in the side notch during holding of the push member.

25. A cable management panel according to claim 24 wherein:

(a) the cable take-up mechanism further includes a retention member;

(i) the retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the second position toward the first position;

(ii) the retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate position to the first position.

26. A cable management panel according to claim 25 further comprising:

(a) a second retention member holding the push member relative to the chassis for a portion of movement of the drawer from the first position toward the second position, the second retention member releasing the push member at an intermediate opening position so as to allow the push member to move relative to the chassis as the drawer is moved from the intermediate opening position to the second position.

27. A cable management panel according to claim 24 wherein:

(a) the push member is curved on one side and planar on an opposite side, the curved side facing inwardly relative to the drawer, the planar side facing outwardly relative to the drawer, and the planar side positioned adjacent to the access location.

28. A cable management panel according to claim 24 further comprising:

(a) a drop-in plate including engagement structure;

(i) the engagement structure engaging cooperating engagement structure in the drawer.

29. A cable management panel according to claim 24, further comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount on the drawer, the storage tray mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations, and a plurality of storage trays mounted thereon.

30. A cable management device comprising:

(a) a storage tray mount having a base and two upwardly extending portions defining a plurality of pairs of opposed, staggered mounting locations;

each of the mounting locations;

(i) defining a pair of receiving holes therethrough; and

(ii) defining a pair of notches therein;

(b) a plurality of storage trays, each storage tray rotatably mounted to the storage tray mount at one of the staggered mounting locations;

each of the plurality of trays includes;

(i) a pair of projections;

(A) each of the pair of projections having a post extending orthogonally therefrom;

(1) each post being rotatably received within one of the receiving holes to permit selective pivoting of the trays relative to the mount between a horizontal position and a vertical position; and

(B) each of the pair of projections having a retention tab projecting outwardly therefrom and in a same direction as each of the posts;

(1) each tab selectively engaging one of the notches when a respective tray is pivoted from the horizontal position to a second pivoted position at an angle to the horizontal position; and

(2) the tab and notch engagement retaining the respective tray in the second pivoted position.

31. A device according to claim 30 wherein:

(a) each storage tray includes a base, a peripheral edge extending up from the base, a center spool extending up from the base, and an end defining a rotation axis;

(i) the peripheral edge defining two cable access locations through the peripheral edge; and

(ii) the cable access locations being positioned on opposite sides of the tray at the end of the tray defining the rotation axis.

32. A device according to claim 31 wherein:

(a) each tray is symmetrical about a center axis extending from the end toward an opposite free end.

33. A device according to claim 30 further comprising:

(a) a chassis;

(b) a drawer slidably mounted within the chassis, the drawer being slideable between a first position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and a second position with the drawer extended from the interior of the chassis, the drawer having a horizontal base portion;

(i) the chassis and the drawer defining an access location to allow entry of fiber optic cable into the chassis and the drawer; and

(c) the storage tray mount being located on the horizontal base portion of the drawer.