Telecommunications patch panel with angled connector modules

• US 7,244,144 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Follingstad, Michael Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US11/112,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20050191901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 439/344, 439/941, 439/676, 439/535, 439/540.1, 439/541.4, 439/534
• 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 mountable to the telecommunications rack, the frame member having first and second ends defining a vertical plane when the telecommunications patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack, the frame also including a spacer;

first and second horizontal rows of front connector jacks mounted to the frame member on opposite sides of the spacer, the first and second horizontal rows of front connector jacks being aligned generally along the same horizontal plane when the telecommunications patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack, the front connector jacks configured and arranged to receive plugs of copper telecommunications cables, each front connector jack connected to a rear connection location, the first horizontal row of front connector jacks positioned between the spacer and the first end of the frame member, the second horizontal row of front connector jacks positioned between the spacer and the second end of the frame member; and

the first horizontal row of front connector jacks being aligned along a first horizontal line, the second horizontal row of front connector jacks being aligned along a second horizontal line, and the first and second horizontal lines being angled relative to one another when viewed from above the frame member.

2. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, further including first and second brackets adjacent said first and second ends of said frame member.

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

4. The telecommunications patch panel of claim 1, wherein the connector jacks and the corresponding rear connector locations are mounted to the frame via connector modules.

5. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second horizontal lines define an oblique angle.

6. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein the spacer is generally flat.

7. 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 row of front connectors that mount within the first mounting opening, the first row being generally horizontal when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

a second row of front connectors that mount within the second mounting opening, the second row being generally horizontal when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

the first and second rows of front connectors being aligned generally along the same horizontal plane when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack; and

the first and second rows of front connectors together defining a front connection interface that is generally v-shaped when viewed from above the frame.

8. The patch panel of claim 7, further comprising a first module that carries the first row of front connectors, and a second module that carries the second row of front connectors.

9. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the front connectors comprise jacks.

10. The patch panel of claim 7, further comprising rear connection locations connected to the first and second rows of front connectors, the rear connection locations defining a rear connection interface that is generally v-shaped when viewed from above the frame.

11. The patch panel of claim 10, wherein a first module carries the first row of front connectors and also carries first rear connection locations connected to the first row of front connectors, and a second module carries the second row of front connectors and also carries second rear connection locations connected to the second row of front connectors.

12. 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 including a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the frame including a first mounting bracket positioned at the first end of the frame and a second mounting bracket positioned at the second end of the frame, the first and second mounting brackets defining a generally vertical plane when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

a first row of front jacks mounted to the frame, the first row being generally horizontal when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

a second row of front jacks mounted to the frame, the second row being generally horizontal when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack;

the first and second rows of front jacks being aligned generally along the same horizontal plane when the patch panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack; and

the first and second rows of front jacks being oriented at oblique angles relative to one another and the first and second rows of front jacks together defining a front connection interface that is generally v-shaped when viewed from above the frame.