Abstract:
A telecommunications chassis ( 10/100 ) is disclosed herein. The telecommunications chassis ( 10/100 ) is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications chassis ( 10/100 ) defines a top ( 12 ), a bottom ( 14 ), a front side ( 16 ), a rear side ( 18 ), a right side ( 20 ), and a left side ( 22 ), the telecommunications chassis ( 10/100 ) defining a central longitudinal axis ( 36 ) extending between the top ( 12 ) and the bottom ( 14 ). A first pair of panels ( 24/124 ) is located at the front side ( 16 ), a second pair of panels ( 24/124 ) is located at the rear side ( 18 ), a third pair of panels ( 24/124 ) is located at the right side ( 20 ), and a fourth pair of panels ( 24/124 ) is located at the left side ( 22 ). Each panel ( 24/124 ) of the pairs of panels ( 24/124 ) defines a plurality of receptacles ( 26/126 ) for receiving the telecommunications equipment. When mounted to a fixed surface, the telecommunications chassis ( 10/100 ) is rotatable relative to the fixed surface about the central longitudinal axis ( 36 ). Each panel ( 24/124 ) of any given pair of panels ( 24/124 ) is pivotable away from the other panel ( 24/124 ) of the any given pair of panels ( 24/124 ) about a pivot axis ( 30 ) parallel to the central longitudinal axis ( 36 ) of the chassis ( 10/100 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/912,736, filed Jun. 7, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/665,199, filed Jun. 27, 2012, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to chassis for housing telecommunications equipment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In telecommunications, high density is desirable, especially if accommodating standard sized equipment or standard footprints. However, achieving high density and standardization in telecommunication connectivity leads to certain design challenges. Cable management and easy access are both issues that must be taken into consideration in configuration of high density equipment. There is a need in the art for telecommunications equipment that can achieve high connectivity density, utilize standard footprints, and provide effective cable management as well as easy accessibility to all major components of the equipment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to a high density mounting arrangement for mounting telecommunications equipment to a chassis, the chassis providing cable management and allowing access to major components of the equipment. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect, the chassis of the present disclosure is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment, the telecommunications chassis defining a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the telecommunications chassis defining a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom. A first plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment is located at the front side, a second plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment is located at the rear side, a third plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment is located at the right side, and a fourth plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment is located at the left side. When mounted to a fixed surface, the telecommunications chassis is rotatable relative to the fixed surface about the central longitudinal axis. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect, the chassis of the present disclosure is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment, the telecommunications chassis defining a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the telecommunications chassis defining a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom. A first pair of panels is located at the front side, a second pair of panels is located at the rear side, a third pair of panels is located at the right side, and a fourth pair of panels is located at the left side of the telecommunications chassis, each panel of the pairs of panels defining a plurality of receptacles for receiving the telecommunications equipment. Each panel of any given pair of panels is pivotable away from the other panel of the any given pair of panels about a pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the chassis. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a telecommunications device including a telecommunications chassis. The telecommunications chassis is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications chassis defines a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the telecommunications chassis defining a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom. A first pair of panels is located at the front side, a second pair of panels is located at the rear side, a third pair of panels is located at the right side, and a fourth pair of panels is located at the left side. Each panel of the pairs of panels defines a plurality of receptacles for receiving the telecommunications equipment. When mounted to a fixed surface, the telecommunications chassis is rotatable relative to the fixed surface about the central longitudinal axis. Each panel of any given pair of panels is pivotable away from the other panel of the any given pair of panels about a pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the chassis. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of using a telecommunications device comprising providing a telecommunications chassis configured for receiving telecommunications equipment, wherein the telecommunications chassis defines a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the telecommunications chassis defining a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom, providing a first plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment at the front side, a second plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment at the rear side, a third plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment at the right side, and a fourth plurality of receptacles for receiving telecommunications equipment at the left side, and rotating the telecommunications chassis relative to a fixed surface on which the telecommunications chassis has been mounted about the central longitudinal axis to access a plurality of receptacles located on at least one of the right side and the left side of the chassis from either the front side or the rear side of the chassis. 
         [0009]    According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of using a telecommunications device comprising providing a telecommunications chassis configured for receiving telecommunications equipment, wherein the telecommunications chassis defines a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the telecommunications chassis defining a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom, providing a first pair of panels located at the front side, a second pair of panels located at the rear side, a third pair of panels located at the right side, and a fourth pair of panels located at the left side of the telecommunications chassis, each panel of the pairs of panels defining a plurality of receptacles for receiving the telecommunications equipment, and pivoting a panel of a given pair of panels away from the other panel of the given pair of panels about a pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the chassis. 
         [0010]    A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top, front, right side perspective view of a first embodiment of a telecommunications chassis having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom, front, right side perspective view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  diagrammatically illustrates the pivotability of the individual panels that make up the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6D  diagrammatically illustrate the rotatability of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 1  illustrated with one example layout of cable management structures around the chassis; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top, front, right side perspective view of a second embodiment of a telecommunications chassis having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a bottom, front, right side perspective view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the telecommunications chassis of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates in isolation one of the cable management structures of  FIG. 7  in the form of a cable management ring that is suitable for use with the chassis of  FIGS. 1-7  and chassis of  FIGS. 8-11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to examples of inventive aspects of the present disclosure which 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. 
         [0024]    According to the present disclosure, a telecommunications chassis configured to house telecommunications equipment in a high density arrangement is provided. As will be discussed in further detail below, the telecommunications chassis is configured with cable management features for managing cables extending to and/or from the telecommunications equipment. In addition, the telecommunications chassis is configured to allow access to all major components of the equipment. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a first embodiment of a telecommunications chassis  10  having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. Another embodiment of a telecommunications chassis  100  including features similar to the first embodiment  10  is shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the telecommunications chassis  10  defines a top  12 , a bottom  14 , a front side  16 , a rear side  18 , a right side  20 , and a left side  22 . The chassis  10  is configured to removably receive and house telecommunications equipment in a stacked arrangement, wherein the telecommunications equipment are generally stacked in a direction from top  12  to bottom  14 . 
         [0027]    The depicted chassis  10  includes eight panels  24 , each including receptacles  26  for receiving the telecommunications equipment. In the depicted embodiment, each panel  24  includes two columns of receptacles  26  extending in a direction from top  12  to bottom  14 . Two of the panels  24  define front faces  28  that are exposed toward the right side  20 , two of the panels  24  define front faces  28  that are exposed toward the left side  22 , two of the panels  24  define front faces  28  that are exposed toward to the front side  16 , and two of the panels  24  define front faces  28  that are exposed toward the rear side  18 . 
         [0028]    According to example embodiments, the types of telecommunications equipment that may be mounted to the chassis  10  may be removable, modular type equipment. Such equipment may include electrical equipment such as digital cross-connect jack modules or cassettes. Such modules may include jacks having RJ-45 profiles, including Cat-5e jacks, or 10-Gig jacks as known in the art. The jack modules may define connection locations (e.g., ports) at the fronts of the modules and connection locations at the rears of the modules. 
         [0029]    In the depicted embodiment, each panel  24  of the chassis  10  is configured with twenty receptacles  26  (two columns of ten receptacles  26 ) for holding twenty modules or cassettes. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the chassis  10  has the capacity to hold one hundred sixty modules or cassettes, forty at each side (or quadrant)  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the chassis  10 . Other numbers are possible. 
         [0030]    As shown in the diagrammatic view in  FIG. 5 , each of the panels  24  that make up the pair of panels  24  of a given side or quadrant  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  is configured to pivotably move away from the other panel  24  of the pair. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the panels  24  are configured to pivot about pivot axes  30 . By pivoting a desired panel  24 , a technician is able to gain access to components such as connection locations of telecommunications equipment that are located at the rears of the equipment (and at the rear faces  32  of the panels  24 ) and that otherwise would not be accessible from a peripheral exterior of the chassis  10 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the chassis  10  defines a central opening  34  extending therethrough in a direction from the top  12  of the chassis  10  toward the bottom  14  of the chassis  10 . The central opening  34  is configured to accommodate cables that extend to and/or from the components at the rears of the equipment. As noted above, by pivoting a desired panel  24  about a pivot axis  30 , components or connection locations of telecommunications equipment that are otherwise only accessible from the rear face  32  of a panel  24 , the central opening  34 , and any cabling therewithin may be accessed. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the chassis  10  is configured such that it can be rotated about a longitudinal axis  36  extending through the center of the opening  34 . According to one example embodiment, the chassis  10  is rotatable 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. In such an embodiment, a technician standing at the front side  16  of the chassis  10  (facing the front faces  28  of the panels  24  at the front side  16 ) can rotate the chassis 90 degrees in a clockwise direction to access the front faces  28  of panels  24  that are normally positioned on the right side  20  of the chassis  10 . Similarly, a technician standing at the rear side  18  of the chassis  10  (facing the front faces  28  of the panels  24  at the rear side  18 ) can rotate the chassis 90 degrees in a clockwise direction to access the front faces  28  of panels  24  that are normally positioned on the left side  22  of the chassis  10 . In this manner, if multiple chassis, similar to chassis  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 , are located in a telecommunications environment such as a data center, aisles only at the front  16  and the back  18  of the chassis  10  need to be provided and full access to all sides  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  of the chassis  10  are provided by the rotational arrangement of the chassis  10 . The rotational arrangement also keeps any cables extending to and/or from the mounted telecommunications equipment generally close to the center of the chassis  10 , limiting the need for extensive cable slack. 
         [0033]    It should be noted that the rotational arrangement discussed above, including the angle of rotation and the direction of rotation, is simply one example and the chassis  10  can be configured for different angles and different freedoms of movement, depending upon the desired connectivity and cabling arrangement. 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the chassis  10  also provides for cable management features around the outer periphery of the chassis  10 . Each pair of panels  24  defines a cable channel or trough  38  with an adjacent pair of panels  24  that is located generally 90 degrees therefrom. As shown, each cable trough  38  is defined by a first sidewall  40 , a second sidewall  42 , and an intermediate wall  44  that connects the first sidewall  40  to the second sidewall  42 . As shown, hinges  46  that allow the panels  24  to pivot generally about the pivot axes  30  extend along the centerline  48  of the intermediate wall  44 . When the panels  24  pivot, the first and second sidewalls  40 ,  42  move toward each other. The spacing provided by the cable trough  38  accommodates the moving panels  24 . 
         [0035]    The first and second sidewalls  40 ,  42  defining the cable troughs  38  are defined by panels  24  that are located at sides (i.e., quadrants) that are generally 90 degrees apart. For example, if the first sidewall  40  defining a cable trough  38  is of a panel  24  at the front side  16  of the chassis  10 , the second sidewall  42  defining the cable trough  38  is of a panel  24  that may be located at the right side  20  of the chassis  10 . In contrast, the intermediate wall  44  defining the trough  38  that extends between the first sidewall  40  and the second sidewall  42  is a shared wall. A first half  50  of the intermediate wall  44  is formed by a first panel  24 , and the second half  52  of the intermediate wall  44  is formed by another panel  24  that is located at a side (quadrant) that is generally  90  degrees therefrom. 
         [0036]    Cables extending from and/or to the front faces  28  of the panels  24  may be guided through the cable troughs  38 . According to one example embodiment, cable management structures  54  in the form of cable management rings  56  may be used at locations adjacent the troughs  38  for keeping cables organized within the troughs  38 .  FIG. 7  is a top view of the chassis  10  illustrating one possible positional layout for the cable management rings  56 . The cable management rings  56  may be attached to the first sidewall  40  defining the trough  38 , to the second sidewall  42  defining the trough  38 , to the intermediate wall  44  defining the trough  38 , or to the front faces  28  of the panels  24  adjacent the troughs  38 . Other locations are certainly possible. In a preferred embodiment, each row of receptacles  26  is provided with a corresponding row of cable management rings  56 . 
         [0037]    An example cable management ring  56  that may be suitable for use with the chassis  10 ,  100  of the present disclosure is shown in isolation in  FIG. 12 . According to one embodiment, the cable management ring  56  shown in  FIG. 12  may be manufactured out of various types of polymers. The cable management ring  56  includes an upper half  58  that is attached at a first end  60  to a lower half  62 . Each of the upper half  58  and the lower half  62  defines a transverse extension  64  (e.g. a flexible flap) at a second end  66 . The extensions  64  overlap or intermate to capture a cable passing through the ring  56  between the upper half  58  and the lower half  62 . If a cable needs to be inserted into or removed from the cable management ring  56 , it is passed through the flexible extensions from the second end  66  thereof. When the cable management rings  56  are mounted to telecommunications structures such as the chassis  10 ,  100  of the present disclosure, the rings  56  are generally mounted adjacent their first ends  60 . 
         [0038]    It should be noted that the cable management ring  56  illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 12  and described above is only one example of a variety of different cable management structures  54  that may be used with the chassis  10 ,  100  of the present disclosure and other structures are possible. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 8-11  illustrate the second embodiment of a chassis  100  having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure. The chassis  100  is similar in construction and operation to the chassis  10  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . The chassis  100  defines a slightly different overall shape than the chassis  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 . The chassis  100  of  FIGS. 8-12  defines a larger central opening  134  and larger troughs  138  between the panels  124 , defined by deeper first and second sidewalls  140 ,  142 . 
         [0040]    It should be noted that, although the chassis  10 ,  100  of the present disclosure have been described and depicted herein as defining a certain height or including a certain number of receptacles  26 ,  126  for receiving equipment, the chassis  10 ,  100  may be configured to a variety of equipment sizes and numbers. According to certain embodiments, the chassis  10 ,  100  may be manufactured in a certain height or size depending upon the desired connectivity application. According to other embodiments, the chassis  10 ,  100  may be provided in modular form, wherein similar chassis  10 ,  100  may be stacked on top of each other to increase the density of the connections. When stacked on top of each other, each chassis  10 ,  100  may still be configured to rotate individually or the stacked chassis may be provided with a locking arrangement to have the chassis  10 ,  100  rotate in unison. The same principles could be applied to the pivoting of the panels  24 ,  124 . 
         [0041]    Examples of various inventive aspects of the present disclosure have been described herein. It will be appreciated that modifications and equivalents of the disclosed inventive aspects are intended to be included within the broad scope of the present disclosure. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES 
       [0042]      10 —First embodiment of a telecommunications chassis 
         [0043]      12 —Top of chassis 
         [0044]      14 —Bottom of chassis 
         [0045]      16 —Front side/quadrant of chassis 
         [0046]      18 —Rear side/quadrant of chassis 
         [0047]      20 —Right side/quadrant of chassis 
         [0048]      22 —Left side/quadrant of chassis 
         [0049]      24 —Panel 
         [0050]      26 —Receptacle 
         [0051]      28 —Front face of panel 
         [0052]      30 —Pivot axis 
         [0053]      32 —Rear face of panel 
         [0054]      34 —Central opening 
         [0055]      36 —Longitudinal axis 
         [0056]      38 —Trough 
         [0057]      40 —First sidewall 
         [0058]      42 —Second sidewall 
         [0059]      44 —Intermediate wall 
         [0060]      46 —Hinge 
         [0061]      48 —Centerline of intermediate wall 
         [0062]      50 —First half of intermediate wall 
         [0063]      52 —Second half of intermediate wall 
         [0064]      54 —Cable management structure 
         [0065]      56 —Cable management ring 
         [0066]      58 —Upper half of cable management ring 
         [0067]      60 —First end of cable management ring 
         [0068]      62 —Lower half of cable management ring 
         [0069]      64 —Transverse extension 
         [0070]      66 —Second end of cable management ring 
         [0071]      100 —Second embodiment of a telecommunications chassis 
         [0072]      124 —Panel of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis 
         [0073]      126 —Receptacle of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis 
         [0074]      134 —Central opening of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis 
         [0075]      138 —Trough of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis 
         [0076]      140 —First sidewall defining trough of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis 
         [0077]      142 —Second sidewall defining trough of second embodiment of telecommunications chassis