Communications bladed panel systems

• US 9,223,105 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2015
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Chad, Coffey, Joseph C., Kostecka, Ryan, Stone, David, Wentworth, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Petkovsek, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/686,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20150219869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• Field of Search: 385134-137
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor
• 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 1/155 characterised by connection features
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1401 comprising clamping or extracting means H05K7/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1487 Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 : having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fiber panel system includes a chassis and at least a first blade configured to moveably mount to the chassis. Each blade includes a base, a frame, and front couplers. The base of each blade defines at least one opening at a location spaced rearwardly from the front couplers. The front couplers may be smart or passive.

Claims

1. A bladed chassis system comprising:

a chassis including a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall that cooperate to define an interior, the first sidewall defining an aperture therethrough; and

a blade configured to be disposed within the interior of the chassis, the blade being configured to move relative to the chassis along a slide axis, the blade including;

a base at which a plurality of couplers are disposed, the couplers having first ports facing in a first direction and second ports facing in an opposite direction;

a first latch arm disposed at a first side of the base, the first latch arm having a distal end that is flexible towards and away from the base, the distal end defining a first latching member; and

a second latch arm disposed at the first side of the base, the second latch arm having a distal end that is flexible towards and away from the base, the distal end defining a second latching member;

the first and second latch arms being spaced along the first side of the base so that the first latching member is accessible through the aperture from an exterior of the chassis when the blade is disposed in a first position along the slide axis and the second latching member is accessible through the aperture from the exterior of the chassis when the blade is disposed in a second position along the slide axis.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein the couplers are separated into a first group located towards the first side of the base and a second group location towards a second side of the base.

3. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of couplers is separated into first and second subgroups, the second subgroup being spaced from the first subgroup.

4. The blade of claim 1, wherein each coupler is configured to receive an MPO-type optical connector.

5. The blade of claim 1, wherein at least one of the couplers is configured to receive an LC-type optical connector.

6. The blade of claim 1, wherein at least one of the couplers is configured to receive an SC-type optical connector.

7. The blade of claim 1, wherein each coupler defines four front ports.

8. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outgoing media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the first ports of the couplers.

9. The blade of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the second ports of the couplers, the couplers optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

10. The blade of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of rear couplers coupled to the base at a position spaced from the couplers along the slide axis.

11. The blade of claim 10, wherein the rear couplers are configured to receive MPO-type optical connectors.

12. The blade of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into rear ports of the rear couplers; and

a plurality of connecting media segments extending between front ports of the rear couplers and the second ports of the couplers, the connecting media segments optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

13. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of retention fingers extending forwardly of the couplers.

14. The blade of claim 13, wherein the retention fingers support port label members.

15. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a handle extending from the base.

16. The blade of claim 1, wherein each coupler includes at least one media reading interface.

17. The blade of claim 16, further comprising a blade processor configured to manage the media reading interfaces of the couplers.

18. The blade of claim 17, further comprising a circuit board arrangement that electrically couples the blade processor and the media reading interfaces, the circuit board arrangement defining a connection edge for connection to a master processor via a backplane.

19. The blade of claim 18, further comprising a flexible cable having a first end connected to the circuit board arrangement and a second end configured to connect to the backplane.

20. The blade of claim 1, wherein neither of the first and second latching members is accessible through the aperture from the exterior of the chassis when the blade is fully retracted within the chassis.