Labelling system for rackmount case for the accommodation of optical equipment

A rackmount case for the accommodation of optical equipment and labelling tag is disclosed. The case comprises a box like housing comprising an end defining a rectangular opening, labelling tags each comprising a rectangular tag plate and a plurality of hinge elements arranged along an edge of the rectangular tag plate. At least one labelling tag receiving slot is within the housing for receiving one of the labelling tags. The slot comprises an opening adjacent the housing opening and a plurality of hinge elements adjacent the slot opening. The labelling tags are moveable between a first position, wherein the tags are held within the slot, and a second position wherein the tags are outside of the slot and each of the hinge elements is engaged by a respective of the second hinge elements such that the tags are rotatable about an axis in parallel to the slot opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a labelling system for a rackmount case for the accommodation of optical equipment. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a labelling tag member for a rackmount case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rackmount cases for optical equipment in the field generally accommodate numerous fiber-optic cables or connections. It is an object of the invention to allow a user of such a rackmount case to easily label and comprehend the organization of cables or connections, in particular without the need to manipulate them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the above and other drawbacks there is provided a rackmount case for the accommodation of optical equipment. The case comprises a box like housing comprising an end defining a substantially rectangular housing opening, at least one labelling tag each comprising a rectangular tag plate and a plurality of first hinge elements arranged along a first edge of said rectangular tag plate, and at least one labelling tag receiving slot within said housing for removeably receiving one of said at least one labelling tag and comprising a slot opening adjacent said housing opening and a plurality of second hinge elements adjacent said slot opening. The at least one labelling tag is moveable between a stowed position, wherein said labelling tag is held substantially entirely within said slot, and a viewing position wherein said labelling tag is substantially entirely outside of said slot and each of said first hinge elements is engaged by a respective of said second hinge elements such that said labelling tag is rotatable about a hinge axis in parallel to said slot opening.

There is also provided a labelling tag for use with a rackmount case for the accommodation of optical equipment, the case comprising an end defining a substantially rectangular housing opening and at least one labelling tag receiving slot within the housing for removeably receiving one of the at least one labelling tag and comprising a slot opening adjacent the housing opening and a plurality of second hinge elements adjacent the slot opening. The labelling tag comprises a rectangular labelling tag plate for receiving a piece of readable information and sized to be received within the slot via the slot opening, and a first hinge element adapted to engage with the least a second hinge element for hingedly connecting the tag member to the rackmount case.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a rackmount case10in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the invention will be described. The rackmount case10comprises a housing12and a door14for selectively opening and closing the rackmount case10. InFIG. 1, the door14is shown in an open position. The housing12is adapted to house optical equipment, such as a plurality of fibre optic cables. In particular, the rackmount case10includes means for housing and engaging a plurality of removable cassettes (not shown). Such cassettes may include further optical equipment. The rackmount case10also comprises a second door16, which can comprise any or all of the features of the door14described herein.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the housing12of the rackmount case10comprises on each one of two side walls18an opening20for feeding through cables even when the door14is closed. Each opening20is open in direction to the respective door. The door14comprises a cutaway22near the opening20, the cutaway22further facilitates feeding cables into the housing12. Each opening20can comprise a brush-type cover (not shown) preventing dust from entering the rackmount case10.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the side wall18of the rackmount case10comprises a flange24for attaching the rackmount case10on two uprights26of a rack, in particular a standard size rack for the accommodation of a plurality of rackmount cases. The door14additionally comprises a lock28and catches30for securing the door14in a closed position. The housing12further comprises a plurality of cable holders31for receiving cables (not shown) and holding them in place.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the housing12comprises a top wall32having a structural member34made from sheet metal and a functional member36made from plastic, although other materials can be used. The structural member34and the functional member36are arranged to define two slots38between each other, each slot38accommodating a labelling tag40received therein. The structural member34provides for a structural integrity of the top wall32, whereas the functional member36comprises a plurality of functional features described in more detail below. However, the slot38could also be formed between any at least two elements or even by only one single element, as for example described further below with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.

Referring now toFIG. 2, each labelling tag40comprises a tag plate42for receiving or containing information is provided. The information may take a variety of forms, including readable information. For the purpose of the present disclosure, the term “readable information” may refer to any information that is retrievable from or through the tag plate42. Preferably, the tag plate42comprises written information or a surface adapted to receive such written information. Other examples of readable information include machine readable information; such as bar codes or QR-codes or the like. The tag plate42may also comprise an integrated circuit, such as a chip, storing information in a machine readable form. The tag member40can be made from any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. For the purpose of illustration, the labelling tag40comprises a first face A and a second face B, both of which can carry identical or different information.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the labelling tag40further comprises two first hinge elements44each illustratively formed as a flap/hinge knuckle. Each hinge knuckle44comprises a first portion46protruding from the tag plate42, a second portion48defining a turn of the knuckle and comprising a shape of a partial cylinder suitable for receiving a hinge pin or the like, and a third portion50substantially parallel to the tag plate42, wherein the second portion48connects the first portion46and the third portion50. The first portion46and the third portion50are spaced apart to receive a hinge pin54in a manner discussed below in more detail, such that the hinge pin54can engage with the second portion48to allow for rotating the labelling tag40about the hinge pin54.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, the slot38is shown in more detail, and wherein the structural member34ofFIG. 1is hidden to uncover the slot38. The labelling tag40is shown in a stowed position when fully received within the slot38, wherein the second face B faces upwards, i.e. the third portions50of each hinge knuckle44, as shown inFIG. 2, are facing downwards. The functional member36defines the perimeter of the slot38by means of ribs52, wherein the slot38matches the rectangular shape of the labelling tag40. The structural member34(not visible inFIGS. 3 and 4) comprises a flat shape in the area of the slot38, i.e. the space defined by the ribs52is bordered by the structural member34only in one plane.

As can be best seen inFIG. 4(depicting the same view asFIG. 3but with the labelling tag40removed) the functional member36comprises two hinge pins54at an open slot end, each hinge pin54forming a second hinge element55for engaging with the hinge knuckle44of the labelling tag40. In particular, the hinge ping54can be received between a first portion46and a third portion50of a respective hinge knuckle44.

Still referring toFIG. 4, the slot38comprises a guide56for each first hinge knuckle44, the guide being formed by two guide ribs58and having a guiding direction, which is parallel to the guiding ribs58. The hinge pin54is formed at and connecting the guide ribs58at the open slot end. At an opposite end of the slot38, the rib52forms a recess60for receiving the hinge knuckle44when the labelling tag40is in a position, in which it is fully received within the slot38, as for example shown inFIG. 3.

Still referring toFIG. 4, a ridge62is provided within the guide56, the ridge62being perpendicular to the guiding direction of the guide56. The ridge62is formed near the recess60and allows for the third portion50of the first hinge element44to snap behind the ridge62upon insertion of the labelling tag40into the slot38. Thereby, the ridge62releasably holds the labelling tag40in the fully received position, as shown inFIG. 3.

Still referring toFIG. 4, during extraction of the labelling tag40from the slot38, the labelling tag40is guided by the hinge knuckle44in the guide56. However, the rib52may also serve a guiding function parallel to the guiding direction of the guide56. Regarding the vertical direction, the labelling tag40is carried on the guide ribs56as well as on a central rib64and lateral ribs66. During movement of the labelling tag40from its sotwed position within the slot38to the viewing position, the hinge pin54is received between the first portion46and the third portion50and, thus, engages with the first hinge element44. The viewing position of the labelling tag40is illustrated inFIG. 5.

Still referring toFIG. 4, the functional member36comprises a plurality of beveled slopes68formed at the central and lateral ribs64,66at the open slot ends. The beveled slopes68facilitate initial insertion of the labelling tag40into the slot38. Further, the functional member36comprises a recess70at the open slot end for manual access to the labelling tag40in the fully received position, i.e. for allowing a user to manually pull the labelling tag40out of the slot38. Although herein the extraction of the labelling tag40from slot38is generally referred to as pulling, an extraction motion could also be driven by pushing or any other type of force application.

FIGS. 5 and 6further illustrate the movement of the labelling tag40, wherein, in contrast toFIGS. 3 and 4, the labelling tag40is in the viewing position and no longer hidden.FIG. 5shows the labelling tag40in a fully extracted viewing position, i.e. the tag plate42is parallel to the slot38, to the guiding direction and to the structural member34. The second face B faces upwards. Each hinge knuckle44is engaged with the respective hinge pin54.

FIG. 6depicts the labelling tag40in a rotated position infront of the housing opening. In comparison withFIG. 5, the labelling tag40is rotated about the hinge pin54, wherein the angle of rotation is roughly 90°. The second face B faces in the same direction as the open slot end and the open housing end, i.e. it faces the viewer ofFIG. 6. In the rotated viewing position of the labelling tag40as shown inFIG. 6, the tag member40is hanging down from the hinge pins54and, thereby, held in a position that allows a user to easily read any information on the second face B without having to further manipulate or manually hold the labelling tag40.

As can be best seen inFIG. 6, similar to the recess70of the functional member36the structural member34comprises a recess72to provide manual access to the labelling tag40when being in the fully received position. In particular, the recesses70and72have matching shapes for allowing a user to grab the labelling tag40with opposing fingers.

Further, the structural member36comprises another recess74by each of the hinge pins54. The recess74is shaped to allow for a vertical movement of the labelling tag40from the rotated viewing position shown inFIG. 6, i.e. the recess74allows the respective hinge knuckle44to pass through during an upwards movement. This vertical movement leads to the hinge knuckle44and the hinge pin54disengaging and to completely release the labelling tag40from the housing12into a removed position. The labelling tag40or another tag member can be installed by means of an opposite movement, i.e. by vertically aligning the hinge knuckle44of the labelling tag40with the recesses74and the hinge pins54and moving the tag member40downwards until the hinge knuckle44engage with the hinge pins54. Subsequently, the labelling tag40may be rotated about the hinge pin54until the tag plate42is substantially parallel to the slot38, i.e. until the position of the labelling tag40corresponds to the fully extracted position as described above and as shown inFIG. 5. Subsequently, the labelling tag40may be pushed into the slot38until the stowed position (as shown inFIG. 3) is reached.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9depict the door14in more detail, wherein two labelling tags40are installed on the inside of the door14. In particular,FIG. 7shows the door14from the front as it would be visible when in a closed position. The door14is illustratively transparent and allows for the labelling tag40to be viewed through it from the front. Each labelling tag40is engaged with its hinge knuckles44to respective third hinge elements76of the door14. Each third hinge element76comprises a hinge pin78, which can be best seen inFIG. 1and which is similar to the hinge pin54. The right labelling tag40is arranged such that the first face A faces the viewer ofFIG. 7through the transparent door14. In contrast, the left labelling tag40is arranged such that the second face B faces the viewer. This illustrates that the labelling tag40may be attached to the door in any of the two shown positions as desired.

Still referring toFIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the door14further comprises a plurality of locking tabs80for holding a respective labelling tag40against an inside of the door14. In particular, at least one locking tab80for each labelling tag40may be provided. The locking tab80comprises a protrusion forming a releasable snap-fit connection for an edge of the tag plate42. When snapped in, the tag plate42is substantially parallel to and visible through the door14.

Referring toFIG. 8, the inside of the door14is shown. In comparison toFIG. 7, the door14has been rotated about a door hinge82, such that labelling tags40are directly visible, i.e. not through the transparent door14. However, in this position, the respective opposite faces of the labelling tags40are now visible. In particular, the right labelling tag40faces the viewer with its second face B and the left labelling tag40faces the viewer with its first face A.

From the position shown inFIG. 8, the right labelling tag40, for example, may be released from the locking tab80and rotated about the hinge pin78of the third hinge member76until the first face A of the right labelling tag40is visible again, as it is shown inFIG. 9. Thus, the information on one face of the labelling tag40visible through the closed door14can be easily made available again by the user, simply by flipping over the labelling tag40when the door14is open. However, it may be unnecessary to flip over the labelling tag40if the two faces of the labelling tag40contain identical information or different information specific to the open and closed positions of the door14.

As it has been illustrated, the labelling tag40can be easily positioned in numerous different positions as desirable by a user of the rackmount case10. It is possible to provide as many labelling tags40as desirable or exchange labelling tags40as needed. Also, the labelling tag40can be easily removed from the rackmount case to facilitate adding information to the labelling tag40. Thus, the rackmount case10allows for storing and conveniently retrieving information on the labelling tag40, such information preferably including information about the organization of fiber-optic cables and connections in the rackmount case10and the like.

The respective hinge elements may also be embodied in several different manners. For example, the first hinge element may comprise a hinge pin, wherein the second and/or third hinge elements comprise a flap or any other hinge structure being able to receive the hinge pin of the first hinge element and rotate about it.

FIG. 10depicts a rackmount case10of a second embodiment of the invention. The rackmount case10of the second embodiment is similar to the rackmount case10of the first embodiment, with the exception that a door has not been installed. The rack mount case10comprises two further slots38in a bottom wall84of the housing12. The bottom wall84is similar to the top wall as regards the design of the slots38, although the features defining the bottom slots38are essentially upside down when compared to the top slots38.

A third embodiment is shown inFIG. 11. A rackmount case110for accommodating optical equipment comprises a housing112defining an open housing end and a door114for selectively opening and closing the open housing end. The rackmount case110has a smaller height than the rackmount case10. In particular, the rackmount case110has a height of1U, whereas the rackmount case10has a height of4U. The housing112comprises a top wall132having two open-sided slots138each for accepting a labelling tag40, as shown inFIG. 2. Near the open housing end the top wall132is made of a one-piece plastic element, this element alone defining the open-sided slots138.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a more detailed view of one of the slots138of the top wall132is provided, wherein the top wall132is viewed from the bottom. At an open slot end the top wall132comprises two hinge pins154forming a second hinge element155and for engaging with the hinge knuckles44of the labelling tag40. The slot138further comprises a guide156for the hinge knuckles44formed as a recess as well as a recess160and a ridge162similar to the ones describes above. Also, a recess170for manual access to the labelling tag40is provided.

The slot138is formed in a recess of the top wall132and is defined in a vertical plane, i.e. parallel to the top wall132, by two side edges186and a back edge188. In the vertical direction, the slot138is defined by a pair of opposed protrusions190on respective ones of the side edges186and an additional protrusion192on the back edges188. The protrusions190,192define channels that receive edges of the tag plate42thereby retaining the labelling tag40in the slot138when in the stowed position and when moving between the stowed position and the viewing position.