Retractable datacommunications rack

• US 10,139,580 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2015
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Crain, Charles T., Case, Richard L., Livingston, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lepisto, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Guy
• Application Number:
  US14/931,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20160150670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 385134-136
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/063 Parallelogram arms
• 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 6/4455 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 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A retractable datacommunications rack includes: a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure; a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections. The linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position.

Claims

1. A retractable datacommunications rack, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member;

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacotmmunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position;

an upward facing open channel extending in a parallel direction in relation to the enclosure;

a first upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a first side of the enclosure, the first upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure; and

a second upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a second side of the enclosure, the second upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure.

2. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to maintain the enclosure in substantially horizontal orientation as it moves between the raised and lowered positions.

3. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 2, wherein the linkage includes an upper swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure and a lower swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure.

4. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 3, wherein the upper swing link and the lower swing link are substantially the same length.

5. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a fiber management section.

6. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 5, wherein the enclosure further includes at least one of:

a tool tray, a bulkhead adapter panel, and a drying desiccant section.

7. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, further comprising a lift assist unit that assists the enclosure in moving between the raised and lowered positions.

8. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a vertical column.

9. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a ceiling.

10. The datacommunications rack defined in claim 1, in combination with at least two fiber optic cables that are connected within one of the locations for datacommunications interconnection in the enclosure.

12. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to maintain the enclosure in substantially horizontal orientation as it moves between the raised and lowered positions.

13. The assembly defined in claim 12, wherein the linkage includes an upper swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure and a lower swing link pivotally mounted to the mounting member and to the enclosure.

14. The assembly defined in claim 13, wherein the upper swing link and the lower swing link are substantially the same length.

15. The assembly defined in claim 13, wherein the upper swing link is a bridge member that receives the cables as they are routed to the enclosure.

11. A retractable datacomnmunications assembly, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member;

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position;

the assembly further comprising two fiber optic cables interconnected in one of the locations of datacommunications interconnections;

an upward facing open channel extending in a parallel direction in relation to the enclosure;

a first upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a first side of the enclosure, the first upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure; and

a second upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a second side of the enclosure, the second upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure;

wherein the fiber optic cables are routed to the enclosure along one or both of the first and second open bridge members, and wherein the first and second open bridge members are configured so that the fiber optic cables experience substantially no increase in tension in moving between the raised and lowered positions.

16. The assembly defined in claim 11, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a vertical column.

17. The assembly defined in claim 11, wherein the mounting member is configured to mount to a ceiling.

18. A retractable datacommunications assembly, comprising:

a mounting member configured to mount to a mounting structure;

a linkage mounted to the mounting member; and

an enclosure mounted on the linkage and configured to provide locations for datacommunications interconnections;

wherein the linkage is configured to move the enclosure between a retracted raised position and a lowered working position;

the assembly further comprising two fiber optic cables interconnected in one of the locations of datacommunications interconnections;

an upward facing open channel extending in a parallel direction in relation to the enclosure;

a first upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a first side of the enclosure, the first upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure; and

a second upward facing open bridge member pivotally mounted to the open channel and extending to a second side of the enclosure the second upward facing open bridge member being pivotal relative to the enclosure;

wherein the enclosure further comprises a fiber management section that receives the fiber optic cables.