Telecommunications patch panel with angled connector modules

• US 6,916,199 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Follingstad, Michael Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Gushi, Ross
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US10/349,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20030129871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 439/534, 439/713, 439/131, 439/954, 439/31, 439/941, 439/731, 385/53, 385/75, 385/59
• US Class Current: 439/534
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/748 using one or more screws H01R13/746 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/09 Frames or mounting racks not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/13 Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/148 Identification strips for distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/12 Printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/954 Special orientation of electrical connector

Abstract

A telecommunications patch panel is provided having a plurality of connector modules rotatably mounted to a frame member. Each connector module has a front face and an opposite facing rear face, and each front face includes a plurality of connector jacks. Each rear face includes a plurality of wire termination blocks. The wire termination blocks are electrically connected to the connector jacks. Each connector module is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the frame member. A lock selectively locks each connector module to the frame member as desired. The connector jacks and the connector modules are arranged in linear arrays perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A telecommunications patch panel for mounting to a telecommunications rack comprising:

a frame member having first and second ends, the first and second ends having first and second brackets, the first and second brackets defining a vertical plane when the telecommunications patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

first and second connector modules, the first connector module including a first horizontal row of front connector jacks aligned along a first horizontal line when the frame member is mounted to the rack, the second connector module including a second horizontal row of front connector jacks aligned along a second horizontal line when the frame member is mounted to the rack, each front connector jack connected to a rear connection location;

the first and second connector modules being laterally adjacent to one another when the frame is mounted to the rack, each of the first and second horizontal lines being positioned at an angle relative to the vertical plane, and the first and second horizontal lines intersecting one another at a location in front of the frame member.

2. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the brackets are integrally formed with the frame member.

3. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the connector modules are rotatably mounted to the frame member, and further comprising a lock for selectively locking each connector module to the frame member.

4. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein at least some of the front connector jacks are configured and arranged to receive plugs of copper telecommunications cables.

5. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the connector modules are positioned in openings through the frame member.

6. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the rear connector locations are included as part of the modules.

7. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the frame member includes a spacer positioned between the first and second connector modules.

8. A telecommunications patch panel for mounting to a telecommunications rack, the patch panel comprising:

a frame adapted for connection to the telecommunications rack, the frame defining at least first and second mounting openings;

a first connector module that mounts at the first mounting opening, the first connector module including a first horizontal row of front connector jacks, the first horizontal row of front connector jacks defining a first front face plane that is generally vertical when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

a second connector module that mounts at the second mounting opening, the second connector module including a second horizontal row of front connector jacks, the second horizontal row of front connector jacks defining a second front face plane that is generally vertical when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

the first and second connector modules being aligned along generally the same horizontal plane when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack; and

the first and second front face planes intersecting each other at an oblique angle.

9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the first and second front face planes intersect at a location in front of the frame.

10. The patch panel of clam 8, wherein the frame includes a spacer positioned between the first and second mounting openings.