Front access punch down patch panel

• US 7,526,171 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Wojcik, Alan F., Caveney, Jack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong; Tina M
• Application Number:
  US11/187,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20060018622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 385134-137
• 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 6/4453 Cassettes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/064 horizontal management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/066 arranged on the front side
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/131 being pivotable
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/08 Pivotable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details

Abstract

The patch panel assembly includes a drawer and a patch panel pivotally mounted to the drawer. The drawer has a pair of sidewalls and a cable tray positioned therebetween. The cable tray has a plurality of slide locks including lock releases that allow the cable tray to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the sidewalls. The cable tray also has a plurality of retainer clips that allow the patch panel to move between an upright position and a rotated position with respect to the cable tray.

Claims

1. A patch panel assembly comprising:

a drawer having a front, a rear and a pair of sidewalls and a cable tray positioned therebetween, the cable tray having a plurality of slide locks including lock releases that allow the cable tray to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the sidewalls; and

a patch panel pivotally mounted to the drawer.

2. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein each sidewall includes a mounting bracket having a plurality of apertures for mounting the sidewalls to an equipment rack or frame.

3. The patch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein a front portion of the cable tray is flush with the mounting bracket in the closed position.

4. The patch panel assembly of claim 2, wherein a front portion of the cable tray is extended in front of the mounting bracket in the open position.

5. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein each sidewall includes a plurality of slots for receiving a cable tie to secure a bundle of cables to the sidewalls.

6. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable tray has a top portion including a cable retaining ring affixed thereon.

7. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the patch panel has a front surface including a plurality of cable management rings attached thereto.

8. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the patch panel includes a plurality of modular jacks and a plurality of punch down connector blocks.

9. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the patch panel is a punch down patch panel.

10. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables connected to the patch panel.

11. The patch panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief bar releasably secured to the patch panel, the strain relief bar having a plurality of cable clamps and being capable of rotating 90 degrees with respect to the patch panel.

12. A patch panel assembly comprising:

a drawer having a front, a rear and a pair of sidewalls and a cable tray positioned therebetween; and

a patch panel pivotally mounted to the drawer,

wherein the cable tray has a plurality of retainer clips that allow the patch panel to move between an upright position and a rotated position with respect to the cable tray.

13. The patch panel assembly of claim 12, wherein the patch panel is flush with a front portion of the cable tray in the upright position.

14. The patch panel assembly of claim 12, wherein the patch panel is rotated about 135 degrees with respect to the cable tray in the rotated position.

15. The patch panel assembly of claim 12, wherein each side of the cable tray includes a pivot pin and each side of the patch panel includes an aperture for receiving the pivot pin.

16. The patch panel assembly of claim 12, wherein each side of the patch panel includes a first aperture and a second aperture.

17. The patch panel assembly of claim 12, wherein each retainer clip includes a handle having a first end affixed to an outer surface of a side of the cable tray and a second end opposite the first end.

18. The patch panel assembly of claim 17, wherein the second end includes a knob extending toward the cable tray and at least one finger extending outwardly at an angle away from the cable tray.

19. A patch panel assembly comprising:

a drawer having a front, a rear and a pair of sidewalls and a cable tray positioned therebetween, the cable tray having a plurality of slide locks including lock releases that allow the cable tray to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the sidewalls; and

a patch panel pivotally mounted to the drawer,

wherein the cable tray has a plurality of retainer clips that allow the patch panel to move between an upright position and a rotated position with respect to the cable tray.