Adapter block including connector storage

• US 7,941,026 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Solheid, James J., Holmberg, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Pak; Sung H
• Application Number:
  US11/725,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20100266237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• 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 6/4472 Manifolds

Abstract

A fixture includes an adapter array with movable adapter modules and a storage panel. A housing of a connector holder includes a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within the storage panel. Each of the connectors are inserted within the openings in the connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable in the adapter array. The fixture is used in a cabinet including fiber optic splitters. Offset vertical fingers are provided on the fixture for cable management.

Claims

1. A telecommunications connection cabinet comprising:

a frame;

an enclosure around the frame;

a fiber optic splitter mounted to the frame, the fiber optic splitter receiving a first fiber optic cable and splitting an optical signal carried by the cable into a plurality of fiber distribution cables, each fiber distribution cable terminated by a fiber optic connector and a polished end face;

a fiber connection panel mounted to the frame and including a plurality of fiber optic adapters;

a fiber storage panel mounted to the frame and including a plurality of openings, the fiber storage panel having a front side and a rear side;

the adapters of the fiber connection panel configured to optically connect two optical fiber cables terminated with fiber optic connectors, one cable on a rear side of the adapter and one cable on a front side of the adapter, the adapters mounted in groups on modules, each module movably mounted on the fiber connection panel along a line of travel, the group of adapters on each module linearly disposed along the line of travel for each module, wherein the lines of travel of the modules are horizontal;

at least one housing mounted within one of the openings of the fiber storage panel, the housing including a plurality of connector holder openings, each connector holder opening configured to receive one of the fiber optic connectors including a dust cap to protect the polished end face of the fiber optic connector from contamination, the housing adapted to be inserted into one of the openings of the fiber storage panel through the front side, and the connector holder openings of the housing accessible from a front side of the fiber storage panel;

wherein the fiber storage panel includes a plurality of staggered sections, each staggered section facing partially vertically downwardly, each staggered section including at least one of the openings.

2. The telecommunication connection cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of spools positioned on the frame vertically below the fiber connection panel, the first plurality of spools defining a horizontal row of spools.

3. The telecommunications connection cabinet of claim 2, further comprising a second plurality of spools positioned on the frame, the second plurality of spools defining a vertical row of spools.

4. The telecommunications connection cabinet of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of the modules move horizontally toward one side of the cabinet, and a second plurality of the modules move horizontally toward the other side of the cabinet.

5. The telecommunications connection cabinet of claim 4, wherein the fiber storage panel is mounted to a front of the fiber connection panel between the first and second pluralities of modules.

6. The telecommunications connection cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a vertical arrangement of cable management fingers positioned on the fiber connection panel, the vertical arrangement including a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers horizontally offset from the first set of fingers to define two vertical columns for cables to be located, the two vertical columns offset in a direction from the front of the cabinet toward the rear.