Abstract:
A modular patch panel system is provided and includes a patch panel frame, a data module removably connected to the patch panel frame, and a power module removably connected to the patch panel frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a patch panel system, and more particularly, a modular patch panel system including at least one of a data module, a power module, a pass-through module, and a blank module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a modular patch panel system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded front perspective view of the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0005]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a data module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 , showing four data couplers installed in the data module; 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  is an exploded front perspective view of the data module of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the data module of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 8  is an exploded rear perspective view of the date module of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a data module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 , showing two data couplers and two data blanks installed in the data module; 
           [0011]      FIG. 10  is an exploded front perspective view of the data module of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the data module of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 12  is an exploded rear perspective view of the data module of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a power module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 , showing one power coupler installed in the power module; 
           [0015]      FIG. 14  is an exploded front perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 16  is an exploded rear perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a power module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 , showing two power couplers installed in the power module; 
           [0019]      FIG. 18  is an exploded front perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 20  is an exploded rear perspective view of the power module of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of a pass-through module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 22  is an exploded front perspective view of the pass-through module of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 23  is a rear perspective view of the pass-through module of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 24  is an exploded rear perspective view of the pass-through module of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of a blank module for the modular patch panel system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 26  is a rear perspective view of the blank module of  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    A modular patch panel system is provided and includes a patch panel frame, a data module removably connected to the patch panel frame, and a power module removably connected to the patch panel frame. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , modular patch panel system  100  includes modular patch panel frame  110 , such as Panduit&#39;s M INI -C OM ® Modular Patch Panel Frame. Modular patch panel frame  110  includes at least one module opening  112  for receiving a module, such as data module  120 , power module  130 , pass-through module  140 , and blank module  150 . Additionally, modular patch panel frame  110  includes at least one mounting opening  114 , for example, disposed at each end of modular patch panel frame  110 , for mounting modular patch panel frame  110  in an electronic equipment enclosure, such as Panduit&#39;s N ET -A CCESS ™ Cabinet, Panduit&#39;s N ET -S ERV ™ Cabinet, and Panduit&#39;s 4-Post Rack. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , modular patch panel frame  110  includes six module openings  112  and four mounting openings  114 , but it is likewise contemplated that modular patch panel frame  110  includes any number of module openings  112  and any number of mounting openings  114 . 
         [0030]    Preferably, modular patch panel system  100  includes at least one data module  120  and at least one power module  130 , but it is likewise contemplated that modular patch panel frame  110  includes any combination of data modules  120 , power modules  130 , pass-through modules  140 , and blank modules  150 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-12 , data module  120  includes at least one data coupler  122 , such as Panduit&#39;s M INI -C OM ® Category 6 UTP Coupler Module, for coupling data cable  124 A, such as Panduit&#39;s TX6™ Plus UTP Patch Cord, and data cable  124 B, such as Panduit&#39;s TX6™ Plus UTP Patch Cord ( FIGS. 1-4 ), which may also be referred to as data cords, patch cords, and data patch cords. Additionally, or in the alternative, data module  120  includes at least one data blank  123 , such as Panduit&#39;s M INI -C OM ® Blank Module, for sealing any openings in data module  120  that do not include data couplers  122 . Preferably, data coupler  122 , as well as data blank  123 , snap-fits to data module  120 , for example, using latch  126 , and similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , data module  120  snap-fits to modular patch panel frame  110 , for example, using latches  128 A and latch  128 B. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 13-20 , power module  130  includes at least one power coupler  132 , such as a C13/C14 power coupler, for coupling power cable  134 A, such as a C13 power cable, and power cable  134 B, such as a C14 power cable ( FIGS. 1-4 ), which may also be referred to as power cords. Preferably, power coupler  132  snap-fits to power module  130 , for example, using latches  136 , and similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , power module  130  snap-fits to modular patch panel frame  110 , for example, using latches  138 A and latch  138 B. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 21-24 , pass-through module  140  includes at least one pass-through opening  142  for receiving at least one cable, such as power cable  144 A, which may also be referred to as a power cord. Additionally, pass-through module  140  includes air sealing grommet  143 , such as Panduit&#39;s C OOL B OOT ® Fabric Air Sealing Grommet, CPD&#39;s A IR -B LOCK ® Foam Air Sealing Grommet, and Upsite&#39;s K OLD L OK ® Brush Air Sealing Grommet, for sealing pass-through opening  142  around power cable  144 A. Preferably, air sealing grommet  143  snap-fits to pass-through module  140 , for example, using latches (not shown), and similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , pass-through module  140  snap-fits to modular patch panel frame  110 , for example, using latches  148 A and latch  148 B. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , blank module  150  is for sealing module openings  112  in modular patch panel frame  110  that do not include other modules, such as data modules  120 , power modules  130 , and pass-through modules  140 . Preferably, blank module  150  snap-fits to modular patch panel frame  110 , for example, using latches  158 A and latch  158 B. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , data module  120 , power module  130 , pass-through module  140 , and blank module  150  are installed in a horizontal patch panel, but it is likewise contemplated that data module  120 , power module  130 , pass-through module  140 , and blank module  150  are may be installed in a vertical patch panel, as well as a horizontal air dam, which may also be referred to as a horizontal blanking panel and a horizontal filler panel, and a vertical air dam, which may also be referred to as a vertical blanking panel and a vertical filler panel.