Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a cable organizer. The cable organizer has a base with a plurality of ports. Each port is configured to hold a plug extending from a patch cord. The cable organizer also has a plurality of flanges connected to the base and a plurality of latch mechanisms. Each flange defines a side of one of the ports and each latch mechanism is connected to the ports by a pivot element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/870,000, filed Aug. 26, 2013, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a patch cord plug organizer, and more particularly to a patch cord plug organizer with mass plug insertion and mass plug removal capability. 
         [0003]    Quick deployment of telecom rooms and data centers is advantageous in order to lower costs to deploy such facilities and to reduce the time it takes to bring such facilities on line. One potentially time consuming effort is patching between patch panels and switches, for example. Patch panels and switches typically have individual RJ45 ports (or other form factor such as SFP+, fiber optic, etc.), a respective patch cord connects a port on a switch to a patch panel port, and this process can be repeated with hundreds of patch cords for even a relatively small telecom room, with data centers having much greater patching requirements. If multiple patch cables are organized into a cable assembly which assembly ends that can be inserted and removed en masse (i.e., mass plug insertion and mass plug removal) then significant time savings can be achieved during installation. 
         [0004]    One challenge to such a design is that switch port jacks are typically configured differently than patch panel jacks. Switch port jacks can be in two rows with the upper and lower jacks in opposed configuration as the two rows are mounted on opposite sides of the same circuit board within the switch. In contrast, a high density patch panel can have two rows of jacks in one rack unit (1 RU) but the upper and lower jacks are typically in the same configuration with the plug interface contacts faced downward to reduce the opportunity of dust, and other contaminants, settling on the contacts. Further, jacks within the switches are spaced differently than patch panel jacks because of the different manufacture and function of the respective pieces of equipment. 
         [0005]    Another consideration in patch cable assembly design is troubleshooting individual patch cords. In the event of a channel problem it may be necessary to remove and reinstall an individual patch cord and accomplish such removal and installation without disturbing other patch cords. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,638 (Wojcik et al.), incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an advantageous multi-position quick release plug cassette assembly which accomplishes mass plug insertion, mass plug removal; and individual patch cord removal and installation if needed. However, this plug cassette assembly is particularly suited for the switch end as the plug rows are oriented in an opposed configuration. 
         [0007]    A cable connector holder is known for connecting and disconnecting multiple cable connectors; however, this holder only positively engages the outer plug latches as the inner plug latches are continuously depressed. There are several disadvantages to such a design. One disadvantage of this holder is that a plug latch, when properly engaged in a jack, ensures proper contact between respective plug/jack contacts. By continuously depressing the inner latches, the inner plugs may not have proper engagement with respective jack contacts. Additionally, latches are typically made of plastic and plastic can exhibit creep when under a continuous load, therefore with time the inner latches may be rendered non-functioning. Further, this holder does not allow for individual patch cord removal and installation without disassembly of the holder. 
         [0008]    It is desirable to provide a cable management device that organizes the plug ends of patch cords to allow for mass insertion of multiple plugs into a patch panel or switch, or other similar equipment. It is also desirable to provide a cable management device that enables individual plug removal without affecting the remaining attached plugs as well as simultaneous removal of multiple plugs from the associated equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A cable organizer designed to hold a plurality of plugs is disclosed. The cable organizer has a base with a plurality of ports. The sides of the ports are defined by a plurality of flanges extending from the base. The cable organizer also includes a plurality of latch mechanisms. The latch mechanisms are connected to the ports by a pivot element. The latch mechanism enables the plugs to be secured and released, as desired, with respect to the cable organizer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a patch panel and a cable assembly with an embodiment of a patch cord plug organizer of the present invention installed therein and a removal tool of the present invention exploded therefrom. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the patch cord plug organizer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the patch cord plug organizer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the cable assembly with the patch cord plug organizer and a bottom perspective view of the removal tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the cable assembly with the patch cord plug organizer and a top perspective view of the removal tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a plug installed in the patch cord plug organizer taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the cable assembly of  FIG. 5  with the removal tool attached to the patch cord plug organizer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a partial see-through side view of the cable assembly with the removal tool attached to the patch cord plug organizer of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention includes a communication system  20  with a patch panel  30  that is populated with RJ45 jacks  32  in QuickNet™ cassettes  34 . Cable assembly  50  can be connected to patch panel  30 . Cable assembly  50  includes patch cables  52  terminated with respective RJ45 plugs  54  that are installed in a one piece patch cord plug organizer  60 . Plugs  54  are inserted into jacks  32  to allow data to flow in both directions through the connectors. A removal tool  100  is used to remove plugs  54 , en masse, from patch panel  30 ; and organizer  60  allows plugs  54  to be inserted, also en masse, into patch panel  30 . 
         [0019]    Although communication equipment  30  is illustrated as a patch panel in  FIG. 1 , equipment  30  can be passive equipment or active equipment, and can be in a multi-port cassette configuration as is the case with QuickNet™ cassettes  34 , or other port configurations. Examples of passive equipment that may contain other port configurations can be, but are not limited to, modular patch panels, punch-down patch panels, shielded patch panels, intelligent patch panels, coupler patch panels, wall jacks, etc. Examples of active equipment can be, but are not limited to, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layer management systems, and power-over-Ethernet equipment as can be found in data centers/telecommunications rooms; security devices (cameras and other sensors, etc.) and door access equipment; and telephones, computers, fax machines, printers and other peripherals as can be found in workstation areas. Communication system  20  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management and overhead routing systems, and other such equipment. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , patch cord plug organizer  60  includes base  61  with a plurality of ports  62  for receiving RJ45 plugs  54 , including shielded and unshielded CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, CAT8, and higher data rates, as well as all keyed and 28/30 gauge RJ45 plugs. The sides of each port  62  are defined by flanges  63 . Each port  62  in patch cord plug organizer  60  includes a latch feature  64 , a lever  66  and an axial bar  68 . As described below with respect to  FIG. 6 , each latch feature  64  is positioned in a recess  56  of each plug  54  to secure plug  54  to patch cord plug organizer  60 . Ports  62  in patch cord plug organizer  60  are oriented to enable plugs  54  to be inserted in jacks  32 . 
         [0021]    Patch cord plug organizer  60  also includes a plurality of slot openings  70  with a slot opening positioned adjacent each side of ports  62 . Each slot opening includes axle relief features  72  that accommodate pivot points  110  of removal tool  100 . As described below, slot openings  70  and axle relief features  72  receive removal tool  100  to enable mass removal of plugs  54  positioned in patch cord plug organizer  60 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate cable assembly  50  of the present invention removed from patch panel  30 , and removal tool  100  of the present invention positioned to be installed in patch cord plug organizer  60 . Patch cord plug organizer  60  orients and spaces RJ45 plugs  54  when they are mounted in ports  62 . Removal tool  100  includes a first end or paddle  102  and a second end  104 . Second end  104  includes a plurality of tabs  106 . Removal tool  100  is installed over plugs  54  with a tab  106  positioned over each plug latch  58  (see  FIG. 8 ). Removal tool  100  also includes a plurality of flanges  108  with pivot points  110  allowing rotation of removal tool  100  when inserted in organizer as further described below. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a RJ45 plug  54  installed in patch cord plug organizer  60 . RJ45 plug  54  is locked in a port  62  in patch cord plug organizer  60  by latch feature  64 . Latch feature  64  engages recess  56  found on the underside of RJ45 plug  54 . To individually remove RJ45 plug  54  from patch cord plug organizer  60 , lever  66  at opposite end of latch feature  64  is depressed to rotate latch feature  64  away from recess  56  and release an individual RJ45 plug  54 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates the cable assembly  50  installed in patch cord plug organizer  60  with removal tool  100  attached thereto. Removal tool  100  is designed to provide mass removal, from a patch panel or the like, of the plugs  54  installed in the patch cord plug organizer  60 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of cable assembly  50  with cables  52  removed. Plug  54  and removal tool  100  are visible through patch cord plug organizer  60 . When removal tool  100  is inserted into slot openings  70 , axle relief features  72  of patch cord plug organizer  60  capture pivot points  110  of removal tool  100 . Axial relief features  72  allow removal tool  100  to rotate when attached to patch cord plug organizer  60 . The axial rotation of tool  100  is controlled by pivot points  110 . As one end  102  of removal tool  100  is engaged, removal tool  100  rotates and tabs  106  at opposite end  104  move in the opposite direction. Tabs  106  then depress plug latches  58  to simultaneously release plugs  54  from RJ45 jacks  32 . 
         [0026]    Although patch cord plug organizer  60  and removal tool  100  of the present invention are designed with six plug ports  62 , the patch cord plug organizer  60  and removal tool  100  can be modified to include more or less ports, as desired. 
         [0027]    The one piece patch cord plug organizer of the present invention controls the orientation of the inserted patch cord plugs and allows for mass insertion of the plugs into the jacks in the patch panel or other equipment. The one piece patch cord plug organizer allows for individual actuation of a respective latch release for removal of an individual plug and allows for mass removal of the plugs with the removal tool. 
         [0028]    Other advantages of at least one embodiment of the present invention include a low profile cable organizer which allows mass insertion and mass removal of plugs, and removal of individual plugs. Yet other advantages of at least one embodiment of the present invention are that it is a one piece design that is relatively easy to manufacture and use, and is usable in stacked configurations such as high density (and other) patch panels, switches, routers, servers, and other multiport communication equipment. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.