Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays

• US 8,867,884 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Smrha, Mark, Coburn, Hutch, Sjodin, Chad J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US13/722,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20140010511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/444 Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• 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 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• 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 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames

Abstract

An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining rearward cable connections and forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. Openings permitting access to the rearward and forward cable connections of the adapters are provided. The chassis further including a removable rear chassis portion to provide access to cable routing areas within the chassis interior.

Claims

1. A chassis arrangement, comprising:

a) a chassis housing having an interior accessible through an open front, the chassis housing enclosing a plurality of optical adapters that are configured to move relative to the chassis housing, the optical adapters defining ports accessible through the open front; and

b) a removable rear chassis portion, the removable rear chassis portion including;

i) a first part that partially defines a top chassis wall; and

ii) a second part that defines a rear chassis wall, the second part being fixed relative to the first part;

wherein removal of the rear chassis portion exposes cable routing areas provided within the interior of the chassis.

2. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the optical adapters are carried by separately movable frame pieces disposed within the chassis housing.

3. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first part of the removable rear chassis portion is integral with the second part.

4. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the removable rear chassis portion secures to a remainder of the chassis housing by latches.

5. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein a depth of the first part provides an exposed opening in a top wall of the chassis housing when the rear chassis portion is removed.

6. The chassis arrangement of claim 5, wherein the exposed opening is at least about 5 inches across.

7. The chassis arrangement of claim 5, wherein the exposed opening extends a width of the chassis housing.

8. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a removable access panel disposed the open front of the chassis housing, the removable access panel is configured to slide outwardly from a top wall of the chassis housing to enhance access to the optical adapters.

9. The chassis arrangement of claim 8, wherein the removable access panel includes a flexible tab that engages the top wall of the chassis housing to secure the removable access panel at the chassis housing.

10. The chassis arrangement of claim 1, wherein the optical adapters are carried by a drawer that is configured to move relative to the chassis housing.

11. The chassis arrangement of claim 10, wherein the optical adapters are mounted to a framework that is coupled to the drawer so that the drawer carries the framework when moved.

12. The chassis arrangement of claim 11, wherein the framework and optical adapters are movable relative to the drawer.