Abstract:
A telecommunications apparatus ( 10, 210 ) includes a frame ( 20, 220 ) for mounting to a fiber optic cable trough ( 104, 106, 206 ). The frame ( 20, 220 ) includes a main body ( 22, 222 ) defining at least one opening ( 24, 26 ). The opening ( 24, 26 ) receives a connector module ( 60, 260 ). The frame ( 20, 220 ) includes a plurality of extensions ( 40, 240 ) extending transversely to the main body ( 22 ), wherein one or more extensions ( 40, 240 ) includes two parallel prongs ( 42 ) separated by a slot ( 44 ). Fasteners ( 34 ) mount the frame ( 20, 220 ) to slots ( 138 ) on a trough system element.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to methods and devices for use in the telecommunications industry. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods and devices for use in managing and organizing telecommunications cables and cable termination components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the telecommunications industry, effective management and organization of cables and associate cable termination components is necessary in light of the massive cabling schematics involved in providing telecommunication services. Telecommunication facilities, such as data centers or central offices, for example, often have rows of equipment racks and/or equipment cabinets interconnected to cables routed overhead. The cabling schematics of such facilities involve dropping cables down from overhead troughs or ladders, for example, and terminating the cables to termination panels mounted on the racks or in the cabinets. 
         [0003]    Space to accommodate the increasing demand for telecommunication services is limited. Improvements are needed in the methods and devices for managing and organizing the systems, cabling schematics, and components associated with providing telecommunication services. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to an overhead cable management system including a cable termination device that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure. The overhead cable pathway structure can include, for example, a U-shaped trough or a ladder-type structure. The overhead arrangement of the cable termination device allots more space on equipment racks or in equipment cabinets for telecommunication equipment. 
         [0005]    One embodiment of a cable termination device mounts to overhead cable management system with a quick connection device to mount cable terminations to the overhead troughing or other components. The quick connection device mounts connectors, adapters, modules or other equipment to the troughing or other components. 
         [0006]    A telecommunications apparatus includes a frame for mounting to a cable trough. The frame includes a main body defining at least one opening. The opening receives a connector module. The frame includes a plurality of extensions extending transversely to the main body, wherein parallel prongs are defined separated by a slot. Fasteners mount the prongs of the frame to the slots on a trough system element. 
         [0007]    A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cable management system including a lateral cable trough and a cable exit trough; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a telecommunications system including multiple embodiments of a cable termination device mounted to a cable trough in accordance with the principles disclosed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of a cable exit trough including a cable termination device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a further side view of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the cable termination device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9A  shows a threaded fastener in greater detail; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of a cable termination device mounted to a cable exit trough; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the cable termination device mounted to a cable exit trough shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 5  mounted to a different lateral trough element; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 10 , shown mounted to an end of a lateral trough; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrates one embodiment of an overhead cable management system  100  which includes a lateral trough  104  and a cable exit trough  106 . The overhead cable management system  100  is designed to manage and organize cables and related components to increase capacity in limited telecommunication facility space. The overhead cable management system  100  of the present disclosure includes a cable termination device or apparatus  10  that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure of the cable management system  100 . 
         [0025]    Cable exit trough  106  includes a main body  108 , flanges  110 , and a cover  112 . A pivoting cover portion  113  allows for access to cable trough  104 . Downspout portion  114  includes slots  138 . Lateral trough  104  also includes slots  138 . More details of cable exit troughs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,683, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Cable exit troughs  106  allow cables to exit cable trough or lateral trough  104 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in telecommunication facilities, such as data centers or central offices, for example, overhead cable pathway structures  120  are hung above racks  154 , cabinets  156 , and/or other equipment enclosures or framework. The overhead cable pathway structures  120  carry cables that interconnect to equipment mounted to on the racks, for example. For the purposes of simplification, the remaining description refers to the structure in which the equipment mounts as a “rack”; however it is to be understood that the present disclosure applies similarly to the other equipment structures (e.g., cabinets, and other enclosures or framework). The “overhead” cable pathway structures are typically run “overhead”, as racks commonly have a height equivalent or greater than the height of a technician. It is to be understood that “overhead” is not intended to be limiting to the height of the technician, but rather means that the cable pathway structures are located a distance from the floor, typically overhead, the more commonly above the structures to which the equipment is mounted (e.g. the rack or cabinet). In the illustrated embodiment  FIG. 4 , the overhead cable pathway structure includes a U-shaped channel or trough  104 . In other embodiments, the overhead cable pathway structure can be a ladder-type structure. Other types of structures that carry cables overhead to and from racks or cabinets can be used in accordance with the principals disclosed. 
         [0027]    In utilizing the space above equipment racks for the run of cables, it can be understood that the cable pathway structure provides a generally horizontal run for the cables. That is, the cable pathway structures are constructed such that the cables run more horizontally, rather than vertically, when carried by the cable pathway structure. 
         [0028]    In conventional arrangements, cables carried by the overhead cable pathway structures are pulled down from the overhead structure and terminated to a termination panel mounted on the equipment racks. Termination panels are panels to which overhead cables are terminated and generally include a number of adapters or connectors. Jumper cables or patch cords are used to provide interconnections between the termination panel and the equipment mounted on the rack. The racks in conventional facility arrangements hold both the equipment and the termination panel to which the cables terminate, the termination panel occupying at least one of the limited number of unit spaces of the rack. 
         [0029]    Referring still to  FIG. 4 , the overhead cable management system  100  of the present disclosure provides improvements upon spatial utilization of racks and facilities. That is, the overhead cable management system increases service capacity of a facility by providing cable terminations at a location other than the rack. Cable terminations are instead provided in unoccupied space above the racks at apparatus  10 , with cables  160  extending downwardly from terminations associated with apparatus  10 . Valuable rack space can thereby be allocated for more equipment, as opposed to being constrained by the requirement of a termination panel on racks  154  or in cabinets  156 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-9  and  9 A, the cable termination apparatus  10  includes a frame  20  including a main body  22  defining at least one opening  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, main body  22  includes a second opening  26 . Each opening  24 ,  26  receives a telecommunications connection module  60 . Each connection module  60  includes one or more connection locations  62  on the front and the rear for connecting to cables. The front and rear connections can be copper, fiber, hybrid, or other. The connections can be the same or different, such as MPO on the rear, and single fiber on the front, or IDCs on the rear and RJ-45s on the front, in much the same way as rack mounted patch panels or modules. The modules/connections can be fiber adapter holders or RJ jack holders, for example. The modules  60  snap mount to frame  20 . 
         [0031]    Frame  20  of cable termination apparatus  10  includes extensions  40  which each include a pair of prongs  42  with a slot  44  defined there between. Threaded fasteners  34  thread into winged retaining pieces  36 . The winged retaining pieces  36  are sized to fit within a slot  138  of exit trough  106  so as to mount prongs  42  of extensions  40  to exit trough  106 . Prongs  42  mount outside of slots  138  in alignment with slots  38 . 
         [0032]    Each module  60  includes connection locations  62  on a front  64  and a back  66 . A depth dimension D is created by module  60  for housing internal components and cabling. Main body  22  of frame  20  includes side walls  28  which define an interior for receiving module  60 . A framework  32  mounts to side walls  28 , and defines the prongs  42 . Frame  20  includes a grounding lug  70  in order to provide a grounding location if desired. Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the overhead cable management system  100  includes cabling in the lateral troughs  104  extending into exit troughs  106  to modules  60  in the cable termination apparatus  10 . Cables  160  mounted to the front  64  of modules  60  extend downward to racks  154  or cabinets  156 . Cables  160  can be copper, fiber, hybrid, or other. Similarly, the cables in the lateral trough  104  extending to modules  60  can be copper, fiber, hybrid or other. 
         [0033]    Referring back to  FIG. 9 , apparatus  10  is shown in exploded view. Frame  20  includes a first frame portion  72  and a second frame portion  74  fastened together which cooperate to define main body  22 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an alternative cable termination apparatus  210  is shown. Cable termination apparatus  210  includes a frame  220  with a main body  222  having a plate shape with rear extensions  240  and a rear plate  244  extending directly from the plate portion  242 . Modules  260  are in the form of RJ jack holders which snap fit into openings  24 ,  26 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , cable termination apparatus  10  is shown mounted to an alternative lateral trough element  206  including a downspout portion  208 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , cable termination apparatus  210  is shown mounted to an end of lateral trough  104 . 
         [0037]    The overhead pathway structures  120  of the present disclosure minimize the amount of rack space needed in a data center, central office, or other telecommunications facility. Alternatively, the devices allow for expansion and/or upgrade of systems and facilities having spatial constraints and can be added without having to add racks or cabinets. The devices are also easily incorporated and mounted to the various trough devices  104 ,  106 ,  206  shown with a quick connect coupling in the form of threaded fasteners  34 . The present cable management system  100  does not increase costs by requiring replacement or upgrading of existing racks or existing overhead structures. 
         [0038]    In addition, the present devices do not interfere with cooling pathways of existing systems. For example, in conventional methods, expanding the capacity of cabinets often requires the installation of additional termination panels within the cabinets. The added panels can block airflow needed to cool the electrical components inside the cabinet. Because the added panels or devices of the present system are mounted overhead, the panels or devices do not obstruct the airflow passages through the cabinet. 
       Parts List 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Cable termination apparatus 
           20  Frame 
           22  Main body 
           24  Opening 
           24  Opening 
           28  Side walls 
           32  Framework 
           34  Threaded fasteners 
           36  Winged retaining pieces 
           40  Extensions 
           42  Prongs 
           44  Slot 
           60  Module 
           62  Connection locations 
           64  Front 
           66  Back 
           70  Grounding lug 
           72  First body portion 
           74  Second body portion 
           100  Cable management system 
           104  Lateral trough 
           106  Exit trough 
           108  Main body 
           110  Flanges 
           112  Cover 
           114  Downspout portion 
           120  Overhead pathway cable structures 
           138  Slots 
           154  Racks 
           156  Cabinets 
           160  Cables 
           206  Alternative lateral trough element 
           208  Downspout portion 
           210  Cable termination apparatus 
           220  Frame 
           222  Main body 
           240  Extensions 
           242  Plate portion 
           244  Rear plate 
           260  Module