Angled patch panel assembly

• US 6,971,909 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Levesque, Stewart A., Larsen, Lars R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/748,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20050142932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/533, 385/55, 385/134
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/066 arranged on the front side
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/068 arranged on the rear side

Abstract

An angled patch panel is provided that is configured to be mounted to a rack or console. The angled patch panel facilitates cable management functions and enhances space utilization at and around the rack/patch panel assembly. The angled patch panel includes first and second patch panel elements that are angularly oriented with respect to each other. The transition from the first patch panel element to the second patch panel element is generally achieved in an apex region. The angled patch panel also includes flange members that extend from the first and second patch panel elements. Each of the flange members define a mounting face and an extension arm that is intermediate the mounting face and the patch panel element. The extension arm is dimensioned to facilitate at least partial recessing of the angled patch panel relative to the rack/console when the angled patch panel is mounted thereto.

Claims

1. An angled patch panel comprising:

(a) first and second patch panel elements that are joined in an apex region and are angularly oriented relative to each other; and

(b) first and second flange members extending from said first and second patch panel elements, respectively;

wherein each of said flange members includes a mounting face and an extension arm, and wherein said extension arm facilitates said first and second patch panel elements to be substantially recessed relative to a rack.

2. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein said first and second patch panel elements are formed from a single elongated element.

3. An angled patch panel according to claim 2, wherein said single element is an elongated steel member.

4. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein said first and second patch panel elements are angularly oriented relative to each other through at least one bend in said apex region.

5. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second patch panel elements include at least one opening that is configured and dimensioned to receive a jack module, and wherein said angled patch panel further comprises a jack module positioned in each of said at least one openings.

6. An angled patch panel according to claim 5, wherein each of said jack modules is retained in position with respect to said first or second patch panel by at least one mounting bracket.

7. An angled patch panel according to claim 5, wherein each of said jack modules includes six linearly aligned ports.

8. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein said first and second patch panel are angularly oriented at an angle of between about 10°

and 20°

.

9. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, further comprising an appliqué

adhered to said first and second patch panels, said appliqué

including indicia printed thereon.

10. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein said first and second flange members are integrally formed with respect to said first and second patch panel elements.

11. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said mounting face and extension arm is formed from a unitary structure through a pair of bends.

12. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said mounting faces includes a plurality of apertures configured and dimensioned for mounting said angled patch panel with respect to a rack or console.

13. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said extension arms has a length of about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches.

14. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wire management bracket mounted with respect to rear faces of said first and second patch panel elements.

15. An angled patch panel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cable manager mounted with respect to a front face of said first patch panel element.

16. An angled patch panel assembly, comprising:

(a) a rack that includes first and second spaced rack support elements;

(b) an angled patch panel mounted to said first and second spaced rack support elements, said angled patch panel including;

(i) first and second patch panel elements that are joined in an apex region and are angularly oriented relative to each other; and

(ii) first and second flange members extending from said first and second patch panel elements, respectively;

wherein each of said flange members includes a mounting face and an extension arm, and wherein said extension arm facilitates said first and second patch panel elements to be substantially recessed relative to said rack when said angled patch panel is mounted to said first and second rack support elements.

17. An angled patch panel assembly according to claim 16, wherein each of said extension arms has a length of about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches.

18. An angled patch panel assembly according to claim 16, wherein each of said first and second patch panel elements include at least one opening that is configured and dimensioned to receive a jack module, and wherein said angled patch panel further comprises a jack module positioned in each of said at least one openings.

19. An angled patch panel assembly according to claim 16, further comprising at least one wire management bracket mounted with respect to rear faces of said first and second patch panel elements.

20. An angled patch panel assembly according to claim 16, further comprising at least one cable manager mounted with respect to a front face of said first patch panel element.