Universal cable management panel

A cable management panel including a chassis and a drawer. The chassis defining rear and side openings for cable entry and exit. The drawer having a front panel that may include angled adapters. The drawer having an open rear that accommodates cables entering from the rear openings of the chassis, and that accommodates the addition of a rear wall. The cable management panel being adaptable to provide a variety of cable routing configurations to accommodate a user's particular cable routing needs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to devices for management of telecommunication cables and associated methods. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a cable management panel used in the telecommunications industry for managing fiber optic cables, and associated methods.

BACKGROUND

Cable management arrangements for cable termination, splice, and storage come in many forms. One cable management arrangement used in the telecommunications industry today includes sliding drawers installed on telecommunication equipment racks. The drawers provide organized, high-density, cable termination, splice, and storage in telecommunication infrastructures that often have limited space.

Because telecommunication infrastructures are massive in scale, original installation and subsequent adaptation of the infrastructures can be difficult to manage. Accordingly, the ability to adapt cable management arrangements and schemes is important. There is a continued need in the art for better cable management devices and arrangements to address concerns regarding adaptability and ease of use of cable management arrangements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a cable management panel having a chassis and a sliding drawer. One aspect of the invention relates to the numerous cable routing arrangements that the present cable management panel can provide. Another aspect relates to a combination of structural features that the panel can accommodate, including face panel alternatives, drop-in tray alternatives, rear drawer wall alternatives, and cable routing alternatives.

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, including combinations of features disclosed in separate embodiments. 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a cable management panel or module10according to the present invention is shown. The panel10includes a frame or chassis12having mounting brackets14. Further details of an example mounting bracket arrangement that can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,099; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The mounting brackets14are used to mount the panel10to a telecommunications structure, such as a telecommunications rack, for example. The cable management panel10can also be configured for mounting within a cabinet, enclosure, or on other mounting fixtures or framework. While the presently disclosed panel embodiments are illustrated in a horizontal mounting orientation, the panels can also be mounted in a vertical orientation.

The chassis12of the cable management panel10generally has a front16, opposite sides18, and a rear20. The sides18are defined by sidewalls22each having side cable access openings24for cables entering or exiting the chassis12. The chassis12further includes a top wall23and a bottom wall25opposite the top wall.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-4, the chassis12also includes a drawer26that slides between an opened position and a closed position. The drawer26slides relative to the chassis12between the opened and closed positions by way of two drawer slide assemblies30(FIG. 1). Each drawer slide assembly30is located at one of the sides18of the chassis12. Further details of slide assemblies that can be used in the present cable management panel are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,099; which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. In the closed position, cables and components contained within an interior region28of the drawer26are enclosed and protected. In the opened position, the cables and components can be accessed for maintenance or repair purposes, for example.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the drawer26of the cable management panel10includes a front36, a rear38, a bottom or base40, and sides42,44. The rear38of the drawer26is open (see alsoFIG. 6). Likewise, the sides42,44of the drawer26are open (FIG. 6). What is meant by open is that the rear38and sides42,44of the drawer26accommodate cable entry and exit as opposed to having an upright wall or side wall with an edge over which hanging cables would be damaged.

Referring now toFIG. 5, sliding radius limiters46are provided on the drawer26for managing the exiting and entering of cables during sliding movement of the drawer. The sliding radius limiters46also protect the cables from damage by limiting cable bending beyond a minimum bend radius. The sliding radius limiters46are mounted at the open sides42,44of the drawer26, and in particular, on horizontal side plates48that define the open sides of the drawer.

The side plates48of the base40define longitudinal slots50. The longitudinal slots50cooperate with the radius limiters46on each side of drawer26to permit the radius limiters46to move relative to the drawer26. In some embodiments, movement of the radius limiters46is controlled in a synchronized manner relative to the movement of the drawer26. Further details of example drawers having radius limiters that can be used in the present cable management panel are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,438,310; 6,504,988; and 7,079,744; the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6, the front36of the drawer26is defined by a face panel72. Latches32are provided at both sides of the drawer26in the face panel72for securing the drawer26in the closed position. In the closed position, each latch32engages a side hole34located at the side18of the chassis12.

The face panel72also defines openings74sized for receipt of bulkhead adapter plates76. The bulkhead adapter plates76include a plurality of angled adapters78. The adapters78have a first connection end79accessible from an exterior of the drawer and chassis, and a second connection end81located within the interior region28of the drawer. In the illustrated embodiment, the bulkhead adapter plates76are manufactured by performing a minimum number of bending operations. The series of bending operations provides plates that have an improved, predetermined flatness characteristic. Further details of example bulkhead adapter plates formed by a minimum number of bending operations that can be used are described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/072,186, filed Mar. 28, 2008, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/381,162, filed Mar. 6, 2009; which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring toFIG. 5, the bulkhead adapter plates76are secured within the openings74of the face panel72by fasteners80, such as swell-type fasteners, for example. The bulkhead adapter plates76are designed to be removable and to fit and mount within each opening74of the face panel72in either a leftward facing direction or a rightward facing direction. That is, each bulkhead adapter plate76can mount within the opening74such that the adapters78angle toward the left, and can also mount within the opening74such that the adapters78angle toward the right. The adapters78can include SC and LC type adapters; other types of adapters can also be provided.

The present cable management panel also includes a front cable channel90having a flip-down panel or plate92. The cable channel90is attached to the front36of the drawer26and moves with the drawer during drawer movement. Cables secured to or terminated at the first connection ends79of the adapters78in the face panel72are carried and protected within the channel90(see alsoFIG. 3). The flip-down plate92rotates or pivots to provide access to the adapters78. The plate92also provides areas91(FIG. 1),93(FIG. 6) on which identification labels or other indicia94can be placed.

Referring again toFIG. 5, the cable management panel10of the present disclosure includes first and second rear access openings52,54. The first and second rear access openings52,54are formed in the rear corners of the chassis; i.e., in a rear wall56and each sidewall22at the rear20of the chassis12. In use, first and second cable pathways into or out from the interior region28of the drawer26are provided through the respective first and second rear access openings52,54, and through the open rear38of the drawer26. Cables passing through the first or second rear access openings52,54can be secured to the chassis12by a clamp arrangement95(FIG. 9).

In use, the bottom wall25of the chassis12aids in preventing cables that enter the rear access openings52,54from becoming pinched during drawer movement. For example, when the drawer26slides from the closed position to the open position, cables extending through the rear openings to the drawer can be pulled forward; or at the least are no longer contained within the interior region28of the drawer (i.e., the drawer26slides out while the cables extending through the open rear38remain stationary). When the drawer is closed, the bottom wall25of the chassis12prevents cable slack from falling through the chassis and otherwise becoming pinched between the drawer and the rear wall56of the chassis. Instead, the cable slack is maintained on generally the same level as the rearward moving drawer and is thereby better accommodated.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the drawer26of the illustrated embodiment includes a variety of cable management elements60(e.g., cable management structures and distribution components or devices). The interior region28of the drawer26is sized for receiving the cable management elements60. When the drawer26is in the closed position, the cables and cable management elements60in the interior region28are protected. In some embodiments, a number of the elements60are provided on a drop-in tray or tray insert62(FIG. 6), which drops into the interior region28of drawer26. The cable management elements60can be mounted to the tray62by fasteners, bonded by adhesive, or formed as an integral construction of the tray. InFIG. 6, the drop-in tray62is shown prior to insertion into the interior region28of the drawer26.

Referring toFIG. 6, the illustrated drop-in tray62has a planar bottom82and upstanding sides84. The upstanding sides84extend perpendicular to the planar bottom82and are positioned adjacent to the open sides42,44of the drawer26when the tray62is positioned within the interior region28of the drawer. The upstanding sides84of the drop-in tray62provide separation between cables routed on the drop-in tray62and cables entering or exiting the drawer at the open sides42,44. Alternatively, trays have no upstanding sides may also be used.

The drop-in tray62of the present cable management panel10is designed to fit within the interior region28of the drawer26in a particular orientation. A notch85formed along a front edge86of the planar bottom82dictates the particular orientation. In particular, the notch85provides clearance for securing elements, such as a snap clip87(FIG. 2), located within the drawer. In the panel embodiment, the snap clip87not only secures the tray to the drawer, but also functions as a keying element that determines the particular orientation in which the tray is properly inserted. In an alternative embodiment, the drop-in tray can be reversible; i.e., can be selectively positioned in a first orientation or a second orientation that is 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. Details of reversible drop-in trays that can be used in the present drawer arrangement are described in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0031099; which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring back toFIGS. 1 and 6, to further aid in securing the drop-in tray62within the drawer26, a roll or lip64is provided adjacent to the open rear38of the drawer26. When the drop-in tray62is inserted within the interior region28of the drawer26, a rear edge88of the planar bottom82of the tray is positioned within a space or gap provided under the lip64. In one embodiment, the lip64is manufactured by rolling or curling an extension of the base40of the drawer26upward. The rolled extension or lip64, in cooperation with the clip87and notch85function to retain the drop-in tray62in the particular orientation.

Referring still toFIGS. 1 and 6, and as previously described, the drop-in tray62can include a number of cable management elements60for use with fiber optic cables. Examples of cable management elements include constructions, assemblies, and devices for storing cables or connecting cables to other cables; and/or other fiber optic devices, such as attenuators, couplers, switches, wave divisions multiplexers (WDMs), and splitters/combiners. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,438,310 and 6,504,988, previously incorporated herein by reference, describe other customized element arrangement examples that can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tray62includes cable guides66positioned at various locations on the planar bottom82. The cable guides66extend upwardly from the bottom82, and each include a main arcuate section68and an outwardly extending retention tab70. The cable guides66aid in organizing the cables within the drawer26and prevent cable damage due to excessive bending. Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, the various cable management structures and distribution components or devices can also include, for example, a splice tray108. In the illustrated embodiment, the drop-in tray62includes securing structure110(seeFIGS. 2 and 6) centrally located on the tray. The splice tray108mounts to the securing structure110for use in applications requiring fiber splicing.

Referring generally now toFIGS. 1-8, the rear openings52,54and the side access openings24of the present chassis each provide cable access to and from the interior region28of the drawer. Providing these entry and exit options allow a user to customize the present cable management panel to meet a specific requirement. Similarly, the selective mounting orientation of the presently disclosed bulkhead adapter plates76also allows a user to further customize the cable management panel to meet a specific requirement.

Accordingly, the cable management panel10accommodates a number of cable routing configurations. The cable routing configurations each include a cable entry in combination with a cable exit. Each of the rear openings52,54and side access openings24of the chassis12, for example, define a cable entry. Cable “entry” is meant to be a location through which cable passes into or out from the interior of the chassis or drawer (the term cable “entry” being used for clarity purposes only).

The exterior connection ends81of the bulkhead adapter plates76define the cable “exit.” Cable “exit” is meant to be the location at which cables other than the entering cables extend from the chassis and/or drawer. As previously discussed, cables interconnect to the connection ends81of the adapter78; each bulkhead adapter plate76can be mounted to the front36of the drawer in either a leftward facing direction or a rightward facing direction. Accordingly, the cable exit of a particular panel can be either all leftward facing, all rightward facing, or be a split-front cable exit. A split-front cable exit typically includes first and second bulkhead adapter plates76having adapters angled away from one another (toward the closest side of the chassis) so that the exiting cables do not cross over one another.

Any one of the above cable entries can be combined with any one of the above cable exits. Referring toFIGS. 9-14, the cable entry and the cable exit of differently configured panels are illustrated. InFIGS. 9 and 14, the panels have a right rear cable entry96and a split-front cable exit98. That is, cables enter the chassis12at the right rear access opening54, and cables “exit” or are attached to adapters78on the face panel72that are split into leftward angled adapters and rightward angled adapters. InFIG. 10, the panel has the right rear cable entry96and an all rightward facing cable exit100. That is, cables enter the chassis at the right rear access opening54, and cables “exit” or are attached to adapters78that all face in a rightward direction. InFIG. 11, the panel has a left side cable entry102and an all leftward facing cable exit104. That is, cables enter the chassis/drawer at the left side of the chassis/drawer, and cables “exit” or are attached to adapters78that all face in a leftward direction. InFIG. 11, the panel has a right side cable entry106and the all leftward facing cable exit104.

As can be understood, the various cable entries and cable exits can be combined in a number of ways to meet a user's particular requirements. This includes combining the split-front cable exit98with any of a left rear cable entry (i.e., cables enter the chassis12at the left rear access opening52), the left side cable entry102(seeFIG. 13), or the right side cable entry106. Likewise, the all leftward facing cable exit104can be combined with either one of a left rear cable entry or the right rear cable entry96. Also, the all rightward facing cable exit100can be combined with any of a left rear cable entry, the left side cable entry102, or the right side cable entry106.

The present cable management panel10accommodates a number of cable routing alternatives. In addition to the cable routing alternatives, the present panel also accommodates the combination of alternative structural features, including face panel alternatives, drop-in tray alternatives, rear drawer wall alternatives, as well as other structural options and alternatives.

For example, referring now toFIGS. 15 and 16, the cable management panel10ofFIGS. 1-4is illustrated with a second panel configuration. The cable management panel10shown inFIG. 15includes several similar components as the previous panel configuration, such as the chassis12and the sliding drawer26. In contrast to the previous embodiment, however, the drawer26alternatively has a rear238that is closed. More specifically, an optional wall258has been mounted at the open rear38of the drawer26. The sides42,44of the drawer26are still open. In this particular configuration, which includes the rear wall258, cable entry will typically be located only at either one of the left and right sides42,44of the drawer/chassis. The sliding radius limiters46located at the sides42,44of the drawer manage the exiting and entering cables during sliding movement of the drawer26.

Still referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, the front36of the drawer is defined by an alternative face panel272. Similar to the previous panel configuration, latches32are provided at both sides of the drawer26in the face panel272for securing the drawer26in the closed position. In the closed position, each latch32engages a side hole34located at the side18of the chassis12. In this embodiment, the face panel272does not however have openings (e.g.74,FIG. 5) for receipt of bulkhead adapter plates. Accordingly, the optional front cable channel (e.g.,90,FIG. 1) that carries and protects cables attached to the bulkhead adapter plates is also not present. Instead, the present panel includes sliding adapters278that are mounted to the base40of the drawer. The sliding adapters278can include SC and LC type adapters; other types of adapters can also be provided. The sliding adapters278can include lever arms that allow one of a plurality of the sliding adapters278to be lifted upwardly for access. Further details of an example sliding adapter arrangement that can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,444; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present panel does not include a drop-in tray; rather all the cable management elements60are mounted directly to the drawer. In other embodiments, the sliding adapters278are mounted to a drop-in tray to allow a technician to later re-configure the drawer by merely removing and replacing of the tray.

The cable management panel ofFIGS. 15 and 16also includes a rear latch arrangement239. The rear latch arrangement239prevents inadvertent closing movement of the drawer26relative to the chassis12when the drawer is positioned in the open position. The rear latch arrangement239mounts to the side plate48at either one of the sides42,44of the drawer26. Because the rear latch arrangement239mounts to the drawer side plates48, the rear wall258of the drawer26is optional; i.e., the embodiment ofFIG. 1having a drawer with an open rear38can also utilize the present rear latch arrangement239. Referring toFIG. 17, in use, a latch arm241of the rear latch arrangement239engages the front edge243of the top wall23of the chassis12to prevent inadvertent closing movement of the drawer26relative to the chassis12. To close the drawer, the latch arm241is flexed downward beneath the top wall23to disengage the arm from the front edge243of the chassis top wall. Further details of an example rear latch arrangement that can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed are described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/072,148, filed Mar. 28, 2008, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/381,159, filed Mar. 6, 2009; the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Referring still toFIGS. 15 and 16, the side access openings24of the chassis12define both the cable entry and the cable exit in this second panel configuration. For example, cables can enter the chassis12at the right side cable entry106(FIG. 16) and terminate to the sliding adapters278. Cables that are attached to adapters278typically exit the drawer26and/or chassis12at the other side of the drawer (e.g., at the left side cable “exit”). Cables may also be routed to both enter and exit at the same side of the drawer/chassis.

Referring now toFIGS. 16 to 19, the cable management elements60of this second panel configuration include first and second radius limiting structures245,247. Unlike the sliding radius limiters46, the first and second radius limiting structures are stationary. The first radius limiting structure245is mounted at the left side42of the drawer26adjacent to the rear238of the drawer; the second radius limiting structure247is mounted at the right side44of the drawer26adjacent to the rear238of the drawer.

Each of the radius limiting structures245,247includes an arcuate body249and a number of retaining fingers, including three upper fingers251and a lower finger253located at an opposite end of the arcuate body as that of the upper fingers251. Cables are wrapped about the structure's arcuate body249. The lower finger253has an upwardly extending tab255that prevents these wrapped cables from unintentionally exiting the drawer26at the rear or sides.

Referring toFIGS. 18 and 19, each of the radius limiting structures (e.g.,247) has a step feature259(e.g., a notch formed in the bottom of the arcuate body249). When mounted to the drawer26, the step feature259of the radius limiting structure245,247receives a drawer shoulder59(FIGS. 15 and 16) that joins the base40and the sides42,44. The step feature259accommodates placement of the radius limiting structures245,247in a stepped region of the drawer to maximize the useable space within the interior region28of the drawer26.

Referring now toFIGS. 20-24another radius limiting structure347is illustrated. Like the radius limiting structure ofFIGS. 18 and 19, the radius limiting structure347is stationary and can be used in any of the drawer arrangements disclosed herein. The radius limiting structure347is typically mounted at one of the left and right sides of the drawer adjacent to the rear of the drawer.

This second radius limiting structure347embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment with the exception of the absence of a lower finger (e.g.,253,FIG. 18). For example, the radius limiting structure347includes an arcuate body349and a number of retaining fingers, including three spaced-apart upper fingers351. The three fingers351are located at and project outward from a top edge of the arcuate body349. Also similar to the previous embodiment, and referring toFIGS. 16 and 17, when positioned within the drawer, the three fingers351of the radius limiting structure347are oriented or project toward the rear corner of the drawer.

Further like the previous embodiment, the radius limiting structure347has a step feature359(e.g., a notch formed in the bottom of the arcuate body349). When mounted to the drawer, the step feature359of the radius limiting structure347receives a drawer shoulder59(FIGS. 15 and 16) that joins the base40and the sides42,44. The step feature359accommodates placement of the radius limiting structure347in a stepped region of the drawer to maximize the useable space within the interior region of the drawer.

The above specification provides a complete description of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects of the invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.