Abstract:
A telecommunications patch panel includes a frame and multiple connector modules mounted to the frame. The connector modules are pivotally movable about generally upright pivot axes that extend between upper and lower portions of the frame. Each connector module includes a circuit board, front connector ports mounted to the first side of the circuit board; rear connector ports mounted to the second side of the circuit board; and a housing enclosing the circuit board. The housing can be formed from a first housing shell cooperating with a second housing shell to capture the circuit board.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a telecommunications connection panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a telecommunications cross-connection patch panel with connectors on both sides of the panel. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Local area networks and telecommunications connections often use patch panels, especially at customers premises to enable quick and convenient cross-connection between telecommunications equipment. Twisted pair communications cable is often used to link telecommunications devices to these patch panels, with each cable including four twisted pairs or eight total individual wires. 
   Front connectors on these patch panels typically have jacks to receive plug-type connectors, such as RJ-45 connectors. Such front connectors allow for easy connection and disconnection between telecommunications equipment electronically connected to the same patch panel or to patch panels located in relatively close proximity to one another. These front connectors are mounted to a circuit board within the panel and accessed through a faceplate of the panel. These connectors are typically mounted so that the outermost surface of the connector is flush with the faceplate and the remainder of the connector and the circuit board is housed within the panel. The circuit boards are mounted to the rear of the faceplate with screws and stand-offs to provide the offset spacing so that the connector is properly positioned relative to the faceplate. Patch panels assembled in this fashion include a high part count, are expensive to manufacture and are difficult to service. Improvements to the mounting and positioning of front connectors in telecommunications patch panels are desirable. 
   Often, the rear connectors on a patch panel are more permanent types of connectors, such as insulation displacement connectors or wire wrap connectors. These types of connectors are suitable for permanent or semi-permanent connection. However, the quality of the electrical connection made with such a connector can vary with the skill level of the person assembling the panel and the environment in which the panel is mounted. Furthermore, permanent type connectors can be complicated or time consuming to install. Improvement to the rear connectors of telecommunication patch panels is desirable. 
   SUMMARY 
   One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications patch panel assembly including connector modules that are pivotally connected to a frame of the assembly. Each connector module includes a housing enclosing a circuit board, front connector ports mounted to one side of the circuit board, and rear connector ports mounted to the other side of the circuit board. The connector modules can pivot from a closed position wherein the connector modules are aligned parallel with the frame, and one or more open angled positions wherein the connector modules are positioned at angled positions relative to the frame. 
   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 can be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure can 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 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain several aspects of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a telecommunications patch panel assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the frame of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1  with the connection modules removed; 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded, front perspective view of the telecommunications assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a first type of locking pin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of a second type of locking pin according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 1  with the connection modules arranged in angled positions in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the telecommunications patch panel assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a front, perspective, partially exploded view of one of the connection modules of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the front connector ports of a connection module exploded from a circuit board of the connection module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of rear connector ports exploded from the circuit board of  FIG. 17  after the front connector ports have been attached to the circuit board; 
       FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of a jack port according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 20  is a rear perspective view of the jack port of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a front view of the jack port of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a top view of the jack port of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of the jack port of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a rear view of the jack port of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of the circuit board and connector ports of  FIG. 17  after the front and rear connector ports have been mounted to the circuit board; 
       FIG. 26  is a rear perspective view of the circuit board and connector ports of  FIG. 25 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a side view of the circuit board and connector ports of  FIG. 25 ; 
       FIG. 28  is a front perspective view of a rear housing shell exploded from the circuit board and connector ports of  FIG. 25 ; 
       FIG. 29  is a front perspective view of a rear housing shell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 30  is a rear view of the rear housing shell of  FIG. 29 ; 
       FIG. 31  is a top view of the rear housing shell of  FIG. 29 ; 
       FIG. 32  is a side view of the rear housing shell of  FIG. 29 ; 
       FIG. 33  is a front perspective view of a front housing shell exploded from the rear housing shell, circuit board, and connector ports of  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 34  is a front perspective view of the front housing shell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 35  is a rear view of the front housing shell of  FIG. 34 ; 
       FIG. 36  is a top view of the front housing shell of  FIG. 34 ; 
       FIG. 37  is a side view of the front housing shell of  FIG. 34 ; 
       FIG. 38  is a front view of the front housing shell of  FIG. 34 ; 
       FIG. 39  is a front perspective view of an indicia strip exploded from the front housing shell of  FIG. 34 ; and 
       FIG. 40  is a front perspective view of an indicia strip exploded from the rear housing shell of  FIG. 29 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure relates to telecommunications patch panels, and more particularly relates to patch panel assemblies that include connection modules that are pivotally connected to a frame of the assembly. The connection modules include connector ports on opposite sides of a printed circuit board. Each connection module is mounted to be pivotable relative to the frame. The modules include a connector port geometry that facilitates access to the ports and reduces bend angles for cables coupled to the connector ports. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , a telecommunications patch panel  100  including a frame  110  and four connection modules  200  is shown. Each connection module  200  includes one or more front ports  210  ( FIG. 1 ) and an equal number of rear ports  220  ( FIG. 2 ). In the example shown, each connection module  200  includes six front ports  210 , shown as jack ports, and six rear ports  220 , shown as jack ports, providing a total of twenty-four jack ports each on the front and rear sides  102 ,  104 , respectively, of the patch panel assembly  100 . In other embodiments, however, the patch panel assembly  100  can include greater or fewer connection modules  200  and each connection module  200  can include greater or fewer connector ports  210 ,  220 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the frame  110  generally includes a top portion  112  and an opposing bottom portion  114 . End brackets  120  extend between the top and bottom portions  112 ,  114  to form at least one opening  115 . Each opening  115  is configured to receive at least one connection module  200 . In certain embodiments, a panel  116  and intermediate brackets  118  can also extend between top and bottom potions  112 ,  114  to form multiple openings  115 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the end brackets  120  include rack mounting holes  122  to enable the frame  110  to mount to a rack of conventional construction (e.g., partial rack as shown in  FIG. 1  at  121 ). In one embodiment, the patch panel assembly  100  can mount to such a rack  121  with fasteners  126  passing through holes  122  of the end brackets  120  for receipt into holes  124  of the rack  121 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , one or more connection modules  200  can be mounted within the linear array of openings  115  of the frame  110 . In the example shown, four connection modules  200 A,  200 B,  200 C, and  200 D are being mounted in openings  115 A,  115 B,  115 C, and  115 D, respectively. Locks  140  are mounted to the frame  110  behind the end brackets  120 , intermediate brackets  118 , and the panel  116 . Further details with respect to the locks  140  will be described herein with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
   In certain embodiments, the connection modules  200  can be rotatably mounted to the frame  110  of the patch panel assembly  100 . In general, each connection module  200  defines an axis of rotation A R  about which the connection module  200  can rotate relative to the frame  110 . In general, the axis of rotation A R  extends parallel to the front side  102  of the frame  110  and extends transversely relative to the linear array of openings  115 . The top and bottom potions  112 ,  114  of the frame  110  define openings  111 ,  113 , respectively, through which a pin  119  or other fastener can pass to couple each connection module  200  to the frame  110 . The pin  119  extends along the axis of rotation A R . 
   When so mounted to the frame  110 , each connection module  200  can be rotated into one of multiple positions about the axis A R . In certain embodiments, each connection module  200  can be rotated to one of three positions. In the first position, the front connector ports  210  of the connection module  200  extend parallel to the front side  102  of the frame  110  and the rear connector ports  220  extend parallel to the rear side  104  of the frame  110  (e.g., see  FIGS. 1-5 ). 
   In the second position, however, the front connector ports  210  extend at an angle θ 1  (e.g., see  FIG. 15 ) relative to the front side  102  of the frame  110 . In the third position, the front connector ports  210  extends at a second angle θ 2  (e.g., see  FIG. 15 ) relative to the frame  110 . The front connectors  210  face a first direction D 1  when in the second position and face a second direction D 2  when in the third position (e.g., see  FIG. 15 ). 
   In some embodiments, the connection modules  200  can be rotated to face in the same direction. In other embodiments, however, each of the connection modules  200  can be rotated to face in different directions. For example, as shown in  FIG. 15 , connection modules  200 A,  200 B can be rotated in the first direction D 1 , and connection modules  200 C,  200 D can be rotated in the second direction D 2 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the angle of displacement θ 1 , θ 2  of each connection module  200  relative to frame  110  is about ten degrees (10°) to about 45 degrees (25°), and more preferably about fifteen degrees (15°). 
   In a preferred embodiment, each connection module  200  includes outwardly facing stops  268  (e.g., see  FIGS. 29-32 ) on each side that limit the amount by which the connection module  200  can be rotated during use. Each stop  268  is configured to engage one edge of a bracket  142  ( FIG. 10 ) mounted to the frame  110  so as to limit the rotation of the connection module  200  to approximately plus or minus fifteen degrees (15°) in the preferred embodiment. Such an angle can provide strain relief so as to help prevent cable damage and/or loss of cable performance. The cable positioning provided by angling connection modules  200  helps reduce the likelihood of falling below the minimum bend radius of the cable as each cable travels to other jacks or other equipment. Such strain relief is advantageous over a perpendicular mounting of the connector plug relative to the cable pathway, 
   Referring back to  FIG. 10 , each connection module  200  can be retained in a desired position with respect to the frame  110  using the lock  140 , shown generally in  FIG. 10 . The lock  140  can be released to allow rotation of each connection module  200  as desired. To maintain each of the connection modules  200  in a position, the lock  140  is then reactivated. In other embodiments, however, one or more of the connection modules  200  can be constructed in a permanently angled configuration relative to the front face  102  of the frame  110 . 
   The lock  140  is a preferred feature for the patch panel assembly  100 . However, a patch panel assembly  100  where the lock  140  is not activated, or a patch panel assembly  100  where no lock is present are both advantageous arrangements. In those instances, each connection module  200  is positionable to the left (fully or partially), to the right (fully or partially) or parallel as desired. For such connection modules  200  which are freely rotatable, the modules  200  may move to a new position from an original position to provide strain relief as patch cords are added or changed. 
   In certain embodiments, each lock  140  includes a bracket  142  mounted to the frame  110  and a locking pin  144  mounted to the bracket  142 . Each locking pin  144  includes a shaft  145  having a first tool engageable end  148  and an opposite end  146  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Each locking pin  144  also includes two spaced apart tabs ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). When the brackets  142  are mounted to the frame  110 , the locking pins  144  are rotatable between an unlocked position, and a locked position. 
   The locked position of a locking pin  144  is shown in the  FIG. 10 . The tabs  147  extend outwardly from the shaft  145  and protrude into detents  274  defined in the sides of the connection modules  200  (e.g., see  FIG. 14 ). Moving the locking pins  144  to the unlocked position includes rotating the shaft  145  approximately ninety degrees (90°) about its longitudinal axis to rotate the tabs  147  out of engagement with the detents  274 . For example, the shaft  145  can be rotated using a flathead or Phillips screwdriver received in the tool engageable end  148 . 
   In certain embodiments, locks  140  can include a particular type of locking pin  144  depending on where each lock  140  attaches to the frame  110 . For example, a first type of locking pin, shown in  FIG. 11  at  144 , includes tabs  147  having two ends extending in opposite directions from the shaft  145 . Such a locking pin  144  is preferably used in locks  140  positioned between first and second connection modules  200  (e.g., see  FIG. 10 ). The first end of each tab  147  can engage with a detent  274  on the first connection module and the second end of each tab  147  engages with a detent  274  on the second connection module. 
   A second type of locking pin, shown in  FIG. 12  at  144 ′, includes tabs  147 ′ having a first end terminating adjacent the shaft  145  and a second end extending outwardly from the shaft  145 . Such a locking pin  144 ′ is preferably used in locks  140  positioned adjacent only one connection module  200  (e.g., see  FIG. 10 ). Further details regarding the lock  140  can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,106, issued Mar. 25, 2003, and entitled “TELECOMMUNICATIONS PATCH PANEL WITH ANGLED CONNECTOR MODULES,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 16-40 , each connection module  200  includes multiple front connector ports  210  and an equal number of rear connector ports  220  extending from opposite sides of a printed circuit board  230  (e.g., see  FIGS. 25-27 ). A first housing shell  250  ( FIG. 16 ) covers a first side  232  ( FIG. 25 ) of the printed circuit board  230  and a second housing shell  260  ( FIG. 28 ) covers a second side  234  ( FIG. 18 ) of the printed circuit board  230 . The printed circuit board  230  is generally pinched or captured between the first and second housing shells  250 ,  260 . 
   In general, the housing shells  250 ,  260  provide a degree of protection to the circuit board  230  and the connector ports  210 ,  220  to inhibit accidental contact or intrusion that may damage one of these items. In some embodiments, the housing shells  250 ,  260  can be secured together with screws  275  ( FIG. 16 ) or other such fasteners. In other embodiments, the housing shells  250 ,  260  can be secured together about the circuit board  230  using adhesive, a snap-fit connection, or any other desired securement means. 
     FIGS. 17 and 18  show a front  232  and a rear  234 , respectively, of circuit board  230  with connector ports  210  and  220  exploded from the circuit board  230 . The circuit board  230  has a top  231  and a bottom  233 . The circuit board  230  includes first and second sets of post openings  236  and first and second sets of pin openings  238  for receiving the front and rear connectors  210 ,  220  as shown. Further details regarding the circuit board  230 , including suitable circuit arrangements, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,764, issued Aug. 19, 2003, and entitled “TELECOMMUNICATIONS PATCH PANEL,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 19 through 24 , each connector port  210 ,  220  can include a telecommunications jack  280 . The example jack  280  shown in the figures is manufactured by the Stewart Co. and is part number SS-7188V-A-NF. Jack  280  includes a body  281  with a top  282 , a side defining a plug receiving opening  284 , and a board mounting side  285  opposite the plug receiving opening  284 . 
   The plug receiving opening  284  is adapted to receive a plug attached to the end of a telecommunications cable. In a preferred embodiment, the opening  284  is configured to receive a plug on a twisted pair telecomm. cable (i.e., an RJ-45 plug). When an RJ-45 plug is inserted within opening  284 , contacts on the plug, which are electrically connected to wires within the telecommunications cable, are placed in electrical contact with springs  286  ( FIG. 21 ) provided in the opening  284 . Springs  286  are in electrical contact with pins  283  ( FIG. 20 ) extending from the body  281  on the board mounting side  285 . The combination of pins  283  and springs  286  allow wires within the telecommunications cable to be electrically linked with circuits on the circuit board  230  (e.g. see  FIG. 27 ). The pins  283  can be numbered, such as from 1 to 8, as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
   A slot  287  ( FIG. 21 ) can also be provided within the plug receiving opening  284  to receive and releasably hold a locking tab of the plug. Typically, the locking tab is located on the opposite side of the plug from the contacts within the plug. In the example shown, the plug receiving opening  284  conforms to an RJ-45 plug standard and is adapted to receive an RJ-45 plug connected to an unshielded twisted pair cable. In other embodiments, however, other similar format plugs and connectors may be adapted within the scope of the present disclosure. 
   Additionally, in certain embodiments, posts  290  ( FIG. 20 ) extend from the board mounting side  285  of the connector jacks  280  to allow the connector jacks  280  to be mounted to the circuit board  230 . Each post  290  is typically made of a resilient, deformable material. The posts  290  include ramped surfaces  292 , a wide portion  294  and a narrower portion  296  ( FIG. 22 ). In some embodiments, the posts  290  are flat on one side and rounded on an opposite side (see  FIG. 24 ). In other embodiments (not shown), however, the posts  290  can curve continuously around a post insertion axis A P  ( FIG. 17 ). 
   To mount each jack  280  to the circuit board  230 , the pins  283  from the jack  280  are inserted through the pin openings  238  in the circuit board  230  and the posts  290  are inserted through the post openings  236 . For example, a pair of spaced apart posts  290  can cooperate with a pair of similarly spaced apart post openings  236  in the circuit board  230  (e.g., see  FIG. 18 ) to mount the jacks  280  to the circuit board  230 . When the posts  290  are inserted into the post openings  236 , the wide portions  294  of each post  290  engage the circuit board  230 . Ramped surfaces  292  engage a first side of the circuit board  230  at the post openings  236  and deflect the posts  290  inwardly sufficiently for the wide portions  294  to enter and pass through the post openings  236 . When the wide portions  294  have passed through the post openings  236 , the posts  290  return to their original shape, forcing the wide portions  294  to engage a second side of the circuit board  230  and to hold jacks  280  to the circuit board  230  (e.g., see  FIGS. 18 and 26 ). 
   To enable the connector ports  210 ,  220 , such as jacks  280 , to be mounted on opposite sides of the circuit board  230 , the rear connectors  220  can be inverted with respect to the front connectors  210 . The top  212  of each front connection  210  is oriented toward the first edge  231  of the circuit board  230 , while the top  222  of each rear connector  220  is oriented toward the opposite edge  233  of the circuit board  230  (see  FIG. 27 ). A plug oriented for insertion into one of the front connectors  210  would need to be rotated about the axis of insertion A I  ( FIG. 26 ) one half turn to fit within one of the rear connectors  220 .  FIG. 27  illustrates the inverted orientation of the springs  216 ,  226 , and the tops  212 ,  222  of the front and rear connector ports  210 ,  220  when mounted to the circuit board  230  in the illustrated embodiment. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 28-32 , the circuit board  230  can be positioned within a rear housing shell  260  after at least the rear connectors  220  have been mounted to the circuit board  230 . Preferably, the rear connectors  220  are positioned relative to the rear housing shell  260  after both the front and rear connectors  210 ,  220  have been mounted to the circuit board  230  (e.g., see  FIG. 28 ). In the example shown, the rear housing shell  260  is positioned over the rear  234  of the circuit board  230  before the front housing shell  250  is positioned over the front  232  to capture the circuit board  230 . In other embodiments, however, the front housing shell  250  can be positioned over the front  232  of the circuit board  230  first. 
   The rear housing shell  260  includes a faceplate  261  secured to a top portion  264 , a bottom portion  266 , and a first side portion  263 , and a second side portion  265  ( FIG. 29 ). The faceplate  261  defines an opening  262  configured to enable access to the rear connector ports  220  through the faceplate  261 . In the example shown, the opening  262  is defined in a bottom portion of the faceplate  261  ( FIG. 30 ). In certain embodiments, stops  268  (which limit rotation of the connection modules  200  as discussed above) can protrude from at least one of the first and second side portions  263 ,  265  (e.g., see  FIG. 31 ). 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , a connection member  270  extends from each side  263 ,  265  of the rear housing  260 . Each connection member  270  is configured to overlap a portion of the front housing shell  250  to facilitate securing together of the housing shells  250 ,  260 . In the example shown, each connection member  270  defines two openings  272  through which fasteners, such as fasteners  275  of  FIG. 16 , can pass to secure the rear housing  260  to the front housing  250 . Each connection member  270  can also define a notch  271  that cooperates with a faceplate  251  of the front housing  250  to form a second detent  274  ( FIG. 16 ), which can cooperate with a lock  140  to inhibit rotation of the connection module  200  (as discussed above). In other embodiments, the connection members  270  interact with sides  253 ,  255  of the front housing  250  ( FIG. 35 ) to form the detent  274 . A similar detent  274  can also be defined between the faceplate  261  and each side  263 ,  265  (see  FIG. 29 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 33-38 , the front housing shell  250  can be positioned over the circuit board  230  after at least the front connectors  210  have been mounted to the circuit board  230 . Preferably, the front housing shell  250  is attached to the rear housing shell  260  after the rear housing shell  260  has been positioned over the circuit board  230  (e.g., see  FIG. 33 ). The front housing shell  250  includes a faceplate  251  ( FIG. 34 ) secured to a top portion  254  and a bottom portion  256  ( FIG. 35 ). The front housing shell  250  can also include side portions  253  and  255  ( FIG. 35 ). 
   The faceplate  251  defines an opening  252  configured to enable access to the front connectors  210  through the faceplate  251  (e.g., see  FIG. 33 ). In the example shown, the opening  252  is defined in a top portion of the faceplate  251  ( FIG. 38 ). The top and bottom portions  254 ,  256  of the front housing shell  250  define depressions or openings  258  (best seen in  FIGS. 35 and 36 ) into which the pins  119  ( FIG. 10 ) protrude to rotatably mount the connection modules  200  to the frame  110 . 
   Sides portions  253 ,  255  define openings  273  ( FIG. 37 ) through which fasteners  275  ( FIG. 33 ) extend after passing through opening  272  in the connection members  270  of the rear housing shell  260  to secure the housing shells  250 ,  260  together. In some embodiments, each side  253 ,  255  includes a first segment extending from the top portion  254  and a second segment extending from the bottom portion  256  (e.g., see  FIG. 35 ). In other embodiments (not shown), each side portion can include a single segment extending between the top portion  254  and the bottom portion  256  and having a notch similar to the notch  271  of the connection member  270 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 39 and 40 , in certain embodiments, the housing shells  250 ,  260  can include indicia receiving areas  257 ,  267 , respectively, adapted to receive indicia strips  259 ,  269 , respectively. Typically, the indicia receiving areas  257 ,  267  are located adjacent the openings  252 ,  262  in the faceplate  251 ,  261 , respectively. The indicia strips  259 ,  269  can include markings indicating the circuits connected to the connector ports  210 ,  220 , respectively. The indicia strips  259 ,  269  can be coupled to the housing shells  250 ,  260  using adhesive, fasteners, or any desired securement means. 
   In certain embodiments, numbers or other indicia are provided on the connection modules  200 , such as on the faceplates  251 ,  261  of the housing shells  250 ,  260  adjacent each connector port  210 ,  220  to identify each of the connector ports  210 ,  220  (e.g., see  FIGS. 39 and 40 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the numbers can increase sequentially with each connection module  200 , so that each front connector port  210  of the patch panel assembly  100  can be identified by a unique number and each rear connector port  220  can be matched to one of the front connector ports  210 . In other embodiments, the numbers can restart at each connection module  200 . 
   In certain embodiments, an indicia sheet can also be coupled to the frame  110  separate from the connection modules  200 . For example, an indicia sheet  160  can be affixed to a front side of the panel  116  of the frame  110  (e.g., see  FIG. 1 ). The indicia sheet  160  can be marked to indicate the circuits or equipment coupled to each connector port  210 ,  220 . The numbers marked on the connection module housings  250 ,  260  can be used to identify the connector ports  210 ,  220  on the indicia sheet  160 . 
   The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the assembly and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.