Telecommunications patching systems with vertically-oriented patching modules

• US 7,729,586 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Keith, Scott Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng; Charlie
• Application Number:
  US12/275,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20100086274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135
• 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 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00

Abstract

A telecommunications patching system includes: a carrier having a horizontally disposed member with longitudinal slots; and at least one patching module. The module includes: a generally vertically disposed main panel; a plurality of connectors mounted on the main panel, the connectors configured to receive and interconnect patch cords; and a guide member connected with the main panel and received in one of the longitudinal slots of the carrier. The module is slidable relative to the carrier along a path defined by the slot between an access position, in which a front portion of the main panel slides forward so that the plurality of connectors are accessible to a technician, and a non-access position, in which the plurality of connectors are not accessible to a technician.

Claims

1. A telecommunication assembly, comprising:

a frame having a pair of uprights;

a carrier having a horizontally disposed member with longitudinal slots, the carrier mounted on the uprights of the frame;

at least one patching module, the module comprising;

a generally vertically disposed main panel and a bottom panel, the bottom panel having a cutout area;

a plurality of connectors mounted on the main panel, the connectors configured to receive and interconnect patch cords; and

a guide member connected with the main panel and received in one of the longitudinal slots of the carrier;

a cord trough positioned below the patching module;

a plurality of patch cords, each of the patch cords being connected to a respective one of the connectors, wherein the patch cords are routed rearwardly from the connectors through the cutout area into the cord trough;

a plurality of cords, each of the cords being connected to a respective one of the connectors, wherein the cords are routed forwardly from the connectors, then rearwardly out of the module through the rear;

wherein the module is slidable relative to the carrier along a path defined by the slot between an access position, in which a front portion of the main panel slides forward so that the plurality of connectors are accessible to a technician, and a non-access position, in which the plurality of connectors are not accessible to a technician.

2. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the module includes a front panel adapted to receive a label.

3. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of slots comprises inwardly-extending lips, and wherein the guide member of the module includes outwardly-extending wings that fit within the slot above the lips.

4. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one module is a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules are substantially horizontally aligned with each other in the non-access position.

5. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the carrier and the module together have a height of about 3 U.

6. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the horizontally disposed member is located above the patching module, such that the patching module is suspended from the horizontally disposed member.

7. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors are mounted in a front end portion of the main panel.

8. The assembly defined in claim 7, wherein the module includes a fiber guide mounted in the rear end portion of the main panel.