Patent Publication Number: US-8538226-B2

Title: Fiber optic equipment guides and rails configured with stopping position(s), and related equipment and methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/180,331, filed May 21, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic Equipment Guides and Rails Configured With Stopping Position(s), and Related Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/219,233, filed Jun. 22, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic Equipment Guides and Rails Configured With Stopping Position(s), and Related Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/180,334, filed May 21, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic Equipment Supporting Moveable Fiber Optic Equipment Tray(s) and Module(s), and Related Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/219,241, filed Jun. 22, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic Equipment Supporting Moveable Fiber Optic Equipment Tray(s) and Module(s), and Related Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/323,423, filed Nov. 25, 2008, entitled “Rear-Installable Fiber Optic Modules and Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/323,415, filed Nov. 25, 2008, entitled “Independently Translatable Modules and Fiber Optic Equipment Trays In Fiber Optic Equipment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,483, filed Feb. 27, 2009, entitled “Rear-Slidable Extension in a Fiber Optic Equipment Tray,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The technology of the disclosure relates to fiber optic modules provided in fiber optic equipment to support fiber optic connections. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Benefits of optical fiber include extremely wide bandwidth and low noise operation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission. Fiber optic networks employing optical fiber are being developed and used to deliver voice, video, and data transmissions to subscribers over both private and public networks. These fiber optic networks often include separated connection points linking optical fibers to provide “live fiber” from one connection point to another connection point. In this regard, fiber optic equipment is located in data distribution centers or central offices to support interconnections. 
     The fiber optic equipment is customized based on the application need. The fiber optic equipment is typically included in housings that are mounted in equipment racks to optimize use of space. One example of such fiber optic equipment is a fiber optic module. A fiber optic module is designed to provide cable-to-cable fiber optic connections and manage the polarity of fiber optic cable connections. A fiber optic module is typically mounted to a chassis or housing which is then mounted inside an equipment rack or cabinet. A technician establishes fiber optic connections to fiber optic equipment mounted in the equipment rack. A need still exists to improve access to optical components in a fiber optic equipment tray as well as provide neat routing and organization of jumper connections. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails and related equipment and methods. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails have at least one stopping member disposed therein to provide at least one stopping position during movement. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails can be included in fiber optic equipment to support movement or translation of the fiber optic equipment for access. Such fiber optic equipment can include, but is not limited to, fiber optic equipment chassis, drawers, equipment trays, and fiber optic modules. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or rails include at least one stopping member configured to provide at least one stopping position during movement of the fiber optic guides and/or rails. Stopping positions allow fiber optic equipment to be retained in a given position during access to the fiber optic equipment. The stopping positions are configured to be overcome with additional force to allow further movement of the fiber optic equipment. 
     In one embodiment, a fiber optic equipment guide is provided. The fiber optic equipment guide comprises a guide panel. At least one guide member is disposed in the guide panel and configured to receive at least one fiber optic equipment rail. At least one stopping member is disposed in the at least one guide member. The stopping member(s) is configured to provide at least one stopping position for the at least one fiber optic equipment rail during movement in the at least one guide member. 
     In another embodiment, a fiber optic equipment rail is provided. The fiber optic equipment rail comprises an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to be attached to fiber optic equipment. The elongated member is further configured to be received in a fiber optic equipment guide to move the fiber optic equipment about the fiber optic equipment guide. At least one stopping member is disposed in the elongated member. The stopping member(s) is configured to provide at least one stopping position for the fiber optic equipment during movement in the fiber optic equipment guide. 
     The fiber optic equipment guides and rails disclosed herein can be attached or disposed in any type of fiber optic equipment for movement and to provide stopping positions along the movement path. The fiber optic equipment guides can be attached or disposed, without limitation, in chassis, fiber optic equipment drawers, fiber optic equipment trays, and/or fiber optic modules. The fiber optic equipment rails can be attached or disposed, without limitation, in fiber optic equipment drawers, fiber optic equipment trays, and/or fiber optic modules. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description that follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic equipment drawer installed in a chassis and supporting independently moveable fiber optic equipment trays and modules, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  pulled fully open from the chassis and tilted downward, with one of the fiber optic equipment trays pulled out from the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the fiber optic equipment drawer in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 1  with a chassis cover removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the drawer door of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 1  with the drawer door lowered according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 1  with the fiber optic equipment drawer extended out from the chassis and the drawer door lowered; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  without installed fiber optic equipment trays and modules; 
         FIG. 8A  is a left side, cross-section view of an exemplary drawer retention member in the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  retained in the chassis; 
         FIG. 8B  is a top perspective, cross-section view of the drawer retention member illustrated in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top perspective, close-up view of the drawer retention member of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  pulled out from the chassis; 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom perspective, close-up view of the drawer retention member illustrated in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of a rear panel of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary drawer pull-out limiting member just prior to the fiber optic equipment drawer being fully pulled out from the chassis; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view of a rear panel of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  illustrating the fiber optic equipment drawer pull-out limiting member of  FIG. 10A  when the fiber optic equipment drawer is fully pulled out from the chassis; 
         FIG. 11A  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  fully pulled out from the chassis and tilted downward; 
         FIG. 11B  is a side view of the fiber optic equipment drawer in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  without installed fiber optic equipment trays and modules and tilted downward; 
         FIG. 13A  is a top perspective close-up view of an exemplary tilt limiting member of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  when the fiber optic equipment drawer is pulled out from the chassis and not tilted; 
         FIG. 13B  is a top perspective close-up view of the tilt limiting member of  FIG. 13A  when the fiber optic equipment drawer is fully pulled out from the chassis and tilted downward; 
         FIG. 13C  is a bottom perspective close-up view of  FIG. 13B ; 
         FIG. 13D  is a close-up bottom perspective view of the tilt limiting member of  FIG. 13A  including a slot to further limit the tilt angle of the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 13E  is a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 13D  with the fiber optic equipment drawer tilted downward; 
         FIG. 13F  is a front, right perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 7  including the tilt limiting members of  FIGS. 13D and 13E  disposed between a flange of the fiber optic equipment drawer and a control plate configured to provide splay control for the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 13G  is a rear, right perspective view of  FIG. 13F ; 
         FIGS. 13H and 13I  are close-up, left and right perspective views, respectively, of the fiber optic equipment drawer and the tilt limiting member in  FIGS. 13F and 13G  illustrating an example of how a control plate can be attached to the flanges of the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 13J  is a close-up side view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and the tilt limiting member in  FIGS. 13F and 13G  illustrating an exemplary alignment of the control plate to the tilt limiting member and a flange of the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 13K  is a close-up, right perspective view of the control plate attached to the flange of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIGS. 13E and 13F ; 
         FIG. 13L  is a close-up, left perspective view of the control plate attached to the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIGS. 13E and 13F  with the fiber optic equipment drawer tilted downward; 
         FIG. 14A  is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic equipment tray supported by the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  and pulled out from the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIG. 14B  is a close-up view of the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the exemplary fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 14A  removed from the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16A  is a front, right perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic module that can be supported by the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16B  is a front, left perspective view of the fiber optic module of  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of fiber optic modules according to the fiber optic modules of  FIG. 16A  installed in the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 3  illustrating rear-installable fiber optic modules installed in the fiber optic equipment trays installed in the fiber optic equipment drawer; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are left and right perspective views of an exemplary tray guide disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 1  configured to receive the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIGS. 19C and 19D  are left and right perspective views of another exemplary tray guide configured to receive tray rail(s) of the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective, left-side cross-sectional view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 1  illustrating the tray guide of  FIGS. 19A and 19B  receiving tray rails of the fiber optic equipment trays of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  are perspective and top views, respectively, of an exemplary tray rail for the fiber optic equipment tray of  FIG. 15  configured to be received by the tray guide of  FIGS. 19A and 19B ; 
         FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 1  with the rear chassis cover illustrated and removed; 
         FIG. 23  is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 22  with the rear chassis cover installed; 
         FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber optic equipment drawer installed in a chassis and supporting independently moveable fiber optic equipment trays and modules; 
         FIG. 25A  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24  pulled fully open from the chassis and tilted downward; 
         FIG. 25B  is a side view of the fiber optic equipment drawer in  FIG. 25A ; 
         FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 24  with the drawer door lowered according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 27A  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 24  with the fiber optic equipment drawer extended out from the chassis and the drawer door lowered; 
         FIG. 27B  is a top view of the fiber optic equipment drawer and chassis of  FIG. 27A ; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom perspective, close-up view of a left end drawer retention member of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 29A  is a perspective, right-side, isolated view of a right end drawer retention member of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 29B  is a perspective, left-side, isolated view of the drawer retention member of  FIG. 29A ; 
         FIG. 30A  is a perspective, close-up view of the front panel and rear panel of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24  with the front panel tilted downward; 
         FIG. 30B  is a perspective, close-up view of a drawer pull-out limiting member of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 31A  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24  fully pulled out from the chassis and tilted downward; 
         FIG. 31B  is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer in  FIG. 31A ; 
         FIG. 32A  is a perspective, close-up view of a drawer guide fully extended out from a drawer rail disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 32B  is a perspective, close-up view of the drawer guide of  FIG. 32A  retracted fully into the drawer rail in the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 33A  is a front perspective view of alternative exemplary fiber optic equipment including independently moveable fiber optic equipment trays and fiber optic modules installed therein, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 33B  is a side view of the fiber optic equipment drawer of  FIG. 33A ; 
         FIG. 34  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment of  FIG. 33A  with the chassis cover removed; and 
         FIG. 35  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment of  FIG. 33A  with a fiber optic equipment tray pulled out from the chassis. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts. 
     Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails and related equipment and methods. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails have at least one stopping member disposed therein to provide at least one stopping position during movement. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or fiber optic equipment rails can be included in fiber optic equipment to support movement or translation of the fiber optic equipment for access. Such fiber optic equipment can include, but is not limited to, fiber optic equipment chassis, drawers, equipment trays, and fiber optic modules. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or rails include at least one stopping member configured to provide at least one stopping position during movement of the fiber optic guides and/or rails. Stopping positions allow fiber optic equipment to be retained in a given position during access to the fiber optic equipment. The stopping positions are configured to be overcome with additional force to allow further movement of the fiber optic equipment. 
     Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description also include fiber optic apparatuses that support fiber optic equipment. In one embodiment, the fiber optic apparatus comprises a fiber optic equipment drawer. The fiber optic equipment drawer is installed in and movable about a chassis. At least one fiber optic equipment tray is received in at least one tray guide disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer. The fiber optic equipment tray(s) is moveable about the tray guide(s) to be movable about the fiber optic equipment drawer. At least one fiber optic module is received in at least one module guide disposed in a fiber optic equipment tray. The fiber optic module(s) is movable about the module guide(s) to be movable about a fiber optic equipment tray. In this manner, enhanced access can be provided to the fiber optic module(s) disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer and its fiber optic connections. The fiber optic equipment drawer can be moved out from the chassis to provide access to the fiber optic equipment tray(s) and fiber optic module(s) supported therein. The fiber optic equipment tray(s) can be moved out from the fiber optic equipment drawer to provide enhanced access to the fiber optic module(s) supported therein. The fiber optic module(s) can be moved out from the fiber optic equipment tray(s) to provide further enhanced access to the fiber optic module(s). Enhanced access may be useful for installing or re-installing, re-configuring, and/or removing fiber optic modules and accessing fiber optic connections made therein. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 1  illustrates exemplary fiber optic equipment  10 . The exemplary fiber optic equipment  10  may be provided at a data distribution center or central office to support cable-to-cable fiber optic connections and to manage a plurality of fiber optic cable connections. The fiber optic equipment  10  includes a fiber optic equipment chassis  12  (“chassis  12 ”). The chassis  12  is shown as being installed in a fiber optic equipment rack  14 . The fiber optic equipment rack  14  contains two vertical rails  16 A,  16 B that extend vertically and include a series of apertures  18 . The apertures  18  facilitate attachment of the fiber optic equipment  10  inside the fiber optic equipment rack  14 . The fiber optic equipment  10  is attached and supported by the fiber optic equipment rack  14  in the form of shelves that are stacked on top of each other within the vertical rails  16 A,  16 B. As illustrated, the fiber optic equipment  10  is attached to the vertical rails  16 A,  16 B. The fiber optic equipment rack  14  may support 1U-sized shelves, any other U-size, with “U” equaling a standard 1.75 inches in height, or any other height desired. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and discussed in greater detail below in this description, the chassis  12  includes a fiber optic equipment drawer  20  supporting one or more extendable fiber optic equipment trays  22 . The fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be moved and extended from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and retracted back into the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . Any number of fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be provided. Each fiber optic equipment tray  22  supports one or more fiber optic modules (illustrated in  FIG. 2A  as element  26 ) that each support one or more fiber optic connections. The view of the fiber optic modules in  FIG. 1  is obstructed by a front chassis cover  24  placed in front of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  as part of the chassis  12 . The front chassis cover  24  is attached to a rear chassis cover  25  to form a cover over the chassis  12 . The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is extendable out from the chassis  12  to access the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and the fiber optic modules  26  supported therein. 
     In the example of the fiber optic equipment  10  in  FIG. 1 , two fiber optic equipment trays  22  are supported by the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  with each fiber optic equipment tray  22  supporting four (4) fiber optic modules  26 . Each fiber optic module  26  supports twelve (12) optical fiber connections. Thus, a total of up to ninety-six (96) optical fiber connections can be provided by the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , although the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is not limited to this density. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are provided to summarize certain capabilities and features of the fiber optic equipment  10  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20  of  FIG. 1 . Embodiments of these capabilities and features will be described in more detail in this description.  FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the chassis  12  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20 .  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the chassis  12  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out from the chassis  12 . The fiber optic modules  26  supported by the fiber optic equipment trays  22  inside the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  can be seen. The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  can be extended out from the chassis  12  to provide access to the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . The fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be extended out from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to provide access to fiber optic modules  26  supported in the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic connections supported therein. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled or extended fully from the chassis  12  and tilted downward. The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  can be tilted downward to tilt the fiber optic modules  26  installed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  downward if desired, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Tilting the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  downward for access may be particularly useful if the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is located higher in a fiber optic equipment rack. The fiber optic modules  26  can be accessed by pulling out the fiber optic equipment tray  22  supporting the fiber optic module  26  from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Further, the fiber optic modules  26  can be removed from the fiber optic equipment trays  22 , if desired. 
     As will be described in more detail below, each fiber optic equipment tray  22  is also independently translatable from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , whether or not the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is extended out from the chassis  12  or tilted downward. This is illustrated by example in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As illustrated therein, one of the fiber optic equipment trays  22 ′ is pulled out from the extended fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . In this manner, enhanced access can be provided to the fiber optic modules  26 . Access may be used for installing, configuring, re-configuring, re-installing, and removing the fiber optic modules  26  and the fiber optic connections provided therein as an example. As will be also described in more detail below, each particular fiber optic module  26  in this embodiment can be translated or removed independent from other fiber optic modules  26  in a given fiber optic equipment tray  22  for further access, if desired. 
       FIGS. 3-23  will now be referenced to describe the various capabilities and features of the fiber optic equipment  10  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20  of  FIG. 1  by example in more detail. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  10  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20  of  FIG. 1  with the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  fully retracted into the chassis  12 . The front chassis cover  24  and the rear chassis cover  25  are removed to facilitate discussion of the components of and inside the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  includes a drawer door  28  in this embodiment. When the fiber optic equipment trays  22  are fully retracted into the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the drawer door  28  can be closed and locked to the chassis  12  to close off access to the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . In this embodiment, the drawer door  28  is hingedly attached to the front end  30  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 .  FIG. 4  is a close-up view of  FIG. 3  illustrating a portion of the drawer door  28  and a hinge  32  attaching a bottom portion  34  of the drawer door  28  to the front end  30  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in this embodiment. In this manner, the drawer door  28  is retained with the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  when the drawer door  28  is opened, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     To retain the drawer door  28  closed to the chassis  12  in this embodiment, a drawer door locking mechanism  40  is provided. The drawer door locking mechanism  40  is configured to releasably retain the drawer door  28  closed to the chassis  12 , and more particularly to the front chassis cover  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , two drawer door locking mechanisms  40  are provided; one for a left side end  42  and one for a right side end  44  of the drawer door  28 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up view of the drawer door locking mechanism  40 . In this embodiment, the drawer door locking mechanism  40  is comprised of a push button latch  46 . The push button latch  46  is configured to engage a latch  48  with a latch orifice  51  disposed in the front chassis cover  24  to retain the drawer door  28  closed. Push button latches  46  are each disposed in the drawer door  28 , one on the left side end  42  and one on the right side end  44 , in this embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Two latch orifices  51  are disposed in the front chassis cover  24  and configured to receive the latches  48  to lock the drawer door  28 , as also illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The push button latches  46  in this embodiment are spring-loaded such that when a force is not applied to push buttons  50 , the latches  48  are biased upward to retain the latches  48  engaged with the latch orifices  51  when the drawer door  28  is closed. 
     When it is desired to pull out one or more of the fiber optic equipment trays  22 , the drawer door  28  can be unlocked from the front chassis cover  24  and opened. The push buttons  50  are configured to move the latches  48  downward to overcome the spring-loaded force in the push button latches  46  when a downward force is applied to the push buttons  50 . When the push buttons  50  are pushed downward, the latches  48  are disengaged from the latch orifices  51  in the front chassis cover  24  to unlock the drawer door  28 . The drawer door  28  can then be opened from the front chassis cover  24 . When opened, the drawer door  28  can swing downward about the hinges  32 . 
     As previously discussed, the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in the fiber optic equipment  10  of  FIG. 1  is configured to be pulled out from the chassis  12  for enhanced access to the fiber optic equipments trays  22  and/or to the fiber optic modules  26  contained therein. In this regard,  FIG. 6  provides a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  10  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20  of  FIG. 1  with the drawer door  28  opened and lowered and the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  extended out from the chassis  12 . 
     To further illustrate the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and its various features and components, a perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  which has been removed from the chassis  12  and does not include fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is configured to provide several features, some or all which can be provided. In this embodiment, the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  includes a front panel  58  attached to a rear panel  60 . The front panel  58  and rear panel  60  may be formed from sheet metal or any other form or type of material desired. The front panel  58  is configured to support one or more fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays  22 , as previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 7 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  includes two drawer retention members  62  disposed in the front panel  58 . The drawer retention members  62  are configured to releasably retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in the chassis  12  until a sufficient and purposeful force is applied to release the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . In this embodiment, the drawer retention members  62  are provided in the form of embosses or dimples  64  disposed in the front panel  58  adjacent the front end  30  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The embosses  64  are configured to align with and interfere with protrusions provided in the form of protruding lances (illustrated in  FIG. 8A  as element  88 ) disposed in the chassis  12  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is retracted into the chassis  12 . To release the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to be extended from the chassis  12 , a force is applied to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The embosses  64  will abut against the lances  88 . To clear the interference between the embosses  64  and the lances  88 , a force is applied to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  sufficient to allow the embosses  64  to be pulled up across and over the lances  88  in the chassis  12  to release the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  from the chassis  12 . A force is likewise applied to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to push the embosses  64  across and back over the lances  88  to retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  retracted into the chassis  12 . The embosses  64  in this embodiment are disposed in raised sections  65  in the front panel  58  extending from the front end  30  to a rear end  67  of the front panel  58 . One or more than two drawer retention members  62  may also be provided. More detail regarding the drawer retention members  62  in this embodiment is described below with regard to  FIGS. 8A-9B . 
     Also in this embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , two drawer pull-out limiting members  66  are disposed in the rear panel  60  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The drawer pull-out limiting members  66  limit the pull out distance of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  from the chassis  12 . Flanges  69  are provided as part of the rear panel  60  to ride along the inside of the chassis  12  as the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out from the chassis  12 . The drawer pull-out limiting members  66  each include tabs  68  that are configured to also engage with lances  88  disposed in the chassis  12 . Once the tabs  68  engage with the lances  88 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is prevented from further extending out from the chassis  12 . One or more than two drawer pull-out limiting members  66  may also be provided. More detail regarding the drawer pull-out limiting members  66  in this embodiment is described below with regard to  FIGS. 10A-10B . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 7 , the front panel  58  and rear panel  60  in this embodiment allow the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to be tilted downward when pulled out from the chassis  12 . The front panel  58  is configured to tilt about the rear panel  60  and the chassis  12  via a hinge  70  formed and disposed between the front panel  58  and the rear panel  60 . Any fiber optic equipment, including fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  disposed in the front panel  58 , will also tilt downward as a result of the front panel  58  being tilted downward. The flanges  69  provided as part of the rear panel  60  each contain a tilt limiting member  72  to limit the downward tilting of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  about the rear panel  60  and the chassis  12 . One or more than two tilt drawer limiting members  72  may also be provided. More detail regarding the tilting ability of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and the drawer tilt limiting members  72  to limit the tilt angle of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is described below with regard to  FIGS. 11A-14 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 7 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in this embodiment also includes two tray guides  74  each disposed on a left side end  76  and a right side end  78  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The tray guides  74  are disposed on left and right side members  79 ,  80  disposed generally orthogonally to a base  82  of the front panel  58 . The tray guides  74  are configured to receive one or more fiber optic equipment trays  22  each supporting one or more fiber optic modules  22 , as previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The tray guides  74  in this embodiment are comprised of a plurality of tray rail guides  84  each configured to receive a tray rail of a fiber optic equipment tray  22 . In this manner, the fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be moved in and out of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  by moving the tray rails about the tray rail guides  84 . More detail regarding the tray guides  74  included in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to support fiber optic equipment trays  22  is described below with regard to  FIGS. 15-20 . 
       FIGS. 8A-9B  illustrate more detail regarding the drawer retention members  62  disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The drawer retention members  62  retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in the chassis  12  when retracted in the chassis  12 .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate side and perspective cross-section views, respectively, of one drawer retention member  62  and the surrounding front panel  58  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and chassis  12  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is refracted and retained in the chassis  12 . As illustrated, the emboss  64  is disposed on the raised section  65  of the front panel  58  on the left side end  76  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . Note that another emboss  64  not illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  is also disposed on the right side end  78  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the emboss  64  is located on a rearward side  86  of a lance  88  retaining the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in the chassis  12 . The lance  88  is disposed in the chassis  12  to protrude above the chassis  12  adjacent to a bottom side  89  of the front panel  58 . When it is desired to pull the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  out from the chassis  12 , a pulling force can be applied such that the emboss  64  will be pulled into the lance  88 . With enough pulling force, the emboss  64  will drag across the lance  88  raising the front panel  58  over the lance  88  until the emboss  64  is pulled on a frontward side  90  of the lance  88 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9B . The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  will thereafter be released from the chassis  12 . In this embodiment, optional keys  92  are cut into the emboss  64  to reduce the pulling force necessary for the emboss  64  to clear the interference with the lances  88 . The keys  92  can also serve to interfere with the lances  88  to retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in a closed position. Also note in this embodiment, the embosses  64  are disposed in the raised sections  65  of the front panel  58  so the front panel  58  is clear of interference with the lances  88  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out from the chassis  12 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate top and bottom perspective, close-up views of the drawer retention member  62  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  has been pulled outward from the chassis  12 . After the emboss  64  is located on the frontward side  90  of the lance  88 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is free to be pulled out from the chassis  12 . In this embodiment, the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is limited to a certain pull out distance. In this regard,  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate one of two drawer pull-out limiting members  66  provided in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The illustrated drawer pull-out limiting member  66  is disposed on the left side end  76  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . Note that another pull out drawer pull-out limiting member  66  not illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  is also disposed on the right side end  78  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of the drawer pull-out limiting member  66  disposed in the rear panel  60  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  just prior to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  being fully extended from the chassis  12 . As illustrated, the tab  68  disposed in the rear panel  60  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is aligned with the lance  88  disposed in the chassis  12 . The front and rear panels  58 ,  60  sit above the chassis  12  and are free to move about the chassis  12  once the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is released from the drawer retention member  62 . However, the lance  88  is disposed about the chassis  12  in the travel plane TP of the tab  68 . When the rear panel  60  is almost fully extended as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the tab  68  is configured to enter an opening  94  disposed in the lance  88 . The rear panel  60  and thus the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is prevented from extending out further from the chassis  12  once the tab  68  is fully engaged with the opening  94  in the lance  88 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10B . In this manner, the tab  68  and lance  88  provide the drawer pull-out limiting member  66  to limit the pull out distance of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
       FIGS. 11A-14  illustrate tilt and tilt limiting features of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  according to one embodiment.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  pulled out from the chassis  12  and tilted downward about the chassis  12 . As previously discussed, tilting the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  downward can provide enhanced access to the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and the fiber optic modules  26  disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and/or their fiber optic connections.  FIG. 11A  illustrates a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  pulled out from the chassis  12  and tilted downward.  FIG. 11B  is a side view of the orientation of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  illustrated in  FIG. 11A . In this embodiment, the front panel  58  can tilt downward about the rear panel  60 . The rear panel  60  remains oriented in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  12 . Because the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  contained therein are disposed in the front panel  58 , tilting of the front panel  58  also tilts the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  for access. 
     The fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is configured to tilt downward via the hinge  70  disposed between the front panel  58  and the rear panel  60  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in this embodiment. The hinge  70  is formed by rolled portions  98  on a front end  100  of the rear panel  60  interleaved with rolled portions  102  on a rear end  104  of the front panel  58 . When interleaved, the rolled portions  98 ,  102  form a passage (not shown) therebetween extending from the left side end  76  to the right side end  78  of the front and rear panels  58 ,  60 . A rod (not shown) is extended through a passage  106  ( FIG. 11B ) to maintain the rolled portions  98 ,  102  interleaved together to provide the hinge  70 . When the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out such that the front panel  58  is pulled out beyond the chassis  12 , the front panel  58  is free to tilt downward about the hinge  70 . The tilt angle is controlled by drawer tilt limiting members  72  as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14  and described below. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  tilted downward without installed fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26 . As illustrated therein, the tilt angle of the front panel  58  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is limited by the drawer tilt limiting members  72  and the flanges  69 .  FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate the drawer tilting limiting members  72  in more detail. As illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13C , the illustrated drawer tilt limiting member  72  is provided on the left side end  76  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . Note that another drawer tilt limiting member  72  not illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13C  is also disposed on the right side end  78  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a top perspective close-up view of the drawer tilt limiting member  72  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is fully pulled out from the chassis  12 , but the front panel  58  is not yet tilted. The drawer tilt limiting member  72  includes a limiting member  110  fixedly attached or provided as a part of the front panel  58  as a single part and arranged orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the base  82  ( FIG. 7 ) of the front panel  58 . The limiting member  110  contains an angle  112  disposed in a top surface  114  of the limiting member  110 . A key  116  is disposed on an end section  118  of the limiting member  110  adjacent the angle  112 . When the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out fully such that the tab  68  is engaged with the lance  88  ( FIG. 11A ), the front panel  58  can tilt downward about the hinge  70 . When the front panel  58  is tilted downward, the hinge  70  provides a fulcrum such that the limiting member  110  moves upward towards the flange  69 . The tilt angle of the front panel  58  is limited by the angle  112  in the limiting member  110  and flange  69 . The angle  112  in the limiting member  110  will eventually come into planar or substantially planar contact with a bottom side  120  of the flange  69 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13B and 13C , to prevent further tilting of the front panel  58 .  FIG. 13C  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the drawer tilt limiting member  72  of  FIG. 13B . 
     To prevent the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  from inadvertently being pushed back into the chassis  12  when tilted, a notch  122  is disposed in the flange  69  as part of the drawer tilt limiting member  72 . The notch  122  is configured to receive the key  116  disposed in the limiting member  110 . When the key  116  is received in the notch  122 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  cannot be pushed back into the chassis  12 . When it is desired to retract the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  back into the chassis  12 , a force is applied to pull up the front panel  58  to reduce the tilt angle thereby pushing the key  116  downward and out of the notch  122 . While continuing to pull or hold up the front panel  58 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is free to be pushed back into the chassis  12 . In this embodiment, the drawer tilt limiting members  72  are not provided as part of the chassis  12 . The drawer tilt limiting members  72  are provided as part of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in both the front panel  58  and the rear panel  60 . In this manner, the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is not required to provide a fixed connection or linkage to the chassis  12 . This may be advantageous to provide flexibility and reduced complexity, including in the installation of the fiber optic equipment drawers  20  in the chassis  12 . The drawer tilt limiting members  72  are not required to be limited to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
     As discussed above, the key  116  and the angle  112  disposed in the tilt limiting member  72  limits the tilting of the front panel  58  about the rear panel  60  in the embodiments of  FIG. 13A-13C . It may also be desired to provide an additional tilt limiting member to provide supplemental tilt limiting of the front panel  58  about the rear panel  60 . In this regard,  FIGS. 13D and 13E  are close-up, bottom perspective views of the tilt limiting member  72  of  FIGS. 13A-13C , but further including an optional slot  91  disposed in the limiting member  110 . The slot  91  is configured to further limit the tilt angle of the front panel  58 . The front panel  58  illustrated in  FIG. 13D  is not tilted. The front panel  58  illustrated in  FIG. 13E  is tilted. In this regard, a pin  93  is attached to and extends outward from the flange  69  in this embodiment. The pin  93  is configured to engage with the slot  91  disposed in the limiting member  110  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is assembled. The slot  91  confines the boundary of movement of the pin  93 , and thus also limits tilting of the front panel  58  about the rear panel  60  since the pin  93  is attached to the flange  69 , which is part of the rear panel  60 . 
     The slot  91  is radial in shape such that the pin  93  moves along the radius of the slot thus allowing the front panel  58  to tilt. The radial length R 1  of the slot  91 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13D and 13E , controls the maximum tilt angle of the front panel  58  in addition to the angle  112  disposed in the limiting member  110 . Note that the limiting member  110  does not require the slot  91  and pin  93  arrangement discussed herein to limit the tilt angle of the front panel  58 . Further, the slot  91  and pin  93  arrangement could be provided in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in lieu of the key  116  and angle  112  disposed in the limiting member  110  arrangement. 
     As previously discussed above, the flanges  69  are provided as part of the rear panel  60  to ride along the inside of the chassis  12  as the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out from the chassis  12 . The flanges  69  provided as part of the rear panel  60  each contain the tilt limiting members  72  to limit the downward tilting of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  about the rear panel  60  and the chassis  12 . As the flanges  69  ride inside the chassis  12 , the flanges  69  may move inward or outward from the rear panel  60 , and splay with regard to the front panel  58 . In this regard, optional control plate  95  may be provided as illustrated in  FIGS. 13G-13L  and discussed in more detail below. 
       FIGS. 13F and 13G  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  of  FIG. 7 . The limiting members  110  of  FIGS. 13D and 13E  are disposed between the flange  69  and the control plate  95 . The control plate  95  is configured to provide splay control for the flanges  69  as they move about the chassis  12 . Thus, the control plates  95  provide splay control to prevent or reduce splaying of the rear panel  60  with regard to the front panel  58 . Providing splay control may provide further stability between the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and the chassis  12 .  FIGS. 13H-13L  illustrate more detail regarding embodiments of the controls plates  95  and will be described below. 
       FIGS. 13H and 13I  are close-up, left and right perspective views, respectively, of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and the tilt limiting member  72  in  FIGS. 13F and 13G .  FIGS. 13H and 13I  illustrate an example of how the control plate  95  can be attached to the flanges  69  attached to the rear panel  60 .  FIG. 13H  illustrates the control plate  95  in outline form so that the relationship of the control plate  95  to the limiting member  110  and the flange  69  can be easily viewed.  FIG. 13I  illustrates how the control plate  95  can be attached to the flange  69  in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the control plate  95  is attached to the flange  69  such that the limiting member  110  is disposed between the control plate  95  and the flange  69 . If the limiting member  110  moves outward from the flange  69 , such as when the front and rear panels  58 ,  60  are moving about the chassis  12 , the control plate  95  will limit movement of the flange  69  in this direction. In this regard, the control plate  95  controls splaying of the rear panel  60  and thus the front panel  58 . The flange  69  will limit the movement of the limiting member  110  in the inward direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 13H and 13I , the control plate  95  contains a plurality of standoff receptacles  97  in this embodiment. The standoff receptacles  97  are configured to provide a gap G 1  between the control plate  95  and the flange  69 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13J  illustrating the control plate  95 , limiting member  110 , and flange  69  in a side view. The control plate  95  is secured to the flange  69  via fasteners  99  disposed through orifices  101  in the flange  69  in this embodiment. This is further illustrated in the close-up, right and left perspective views of  FIGS. 13K and 13J , respectively. As illustrated therein, the control plate  95  is attached to the flange  69  such that the limiting member  110  is disposed therebetween. With reference back to  FIG. 13I , the standoff provided by the standoff receptacles  97  maintains the gap G 1  between the control plate  95  and the flange  69  so that the limiting member  110 , and thus the front panel  58 , is free to tilt downward and be returned in a non-tilting configuration. The gap G 1  can be controlled to provide the desired splay control. For example, in one embodiment, the gap G 1  may be 0.065 inches. As illustrated in  FIG. 13J , the width W 1  of the limiting member  110 , may be desired to be less than the gap G 1  so the limiting member  110  is free to rotate when the front panel  58  is tilted. For example, the width W 1  of the limiting member  110  may be 0.060 inches. Note that the control plate  95  is not required to be provided in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The control plate  95  can also be provided regardless of whether the slots  91  are provided in the limiting members  110 . 
     Another feature of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is support of one or more fiber optic equipment trays  22  which are each configured to support one or more fiber optic modules  26 . In this embodiment, the front panel  58  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  supports the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is configured so that each fiber optic equipment tray  22  can be independently moved about the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to provide enhanced access to the fiber optic modules  26  supported therein.  FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  with one fiber optic equipment tray  22  pulled out from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to provide access to the fiber optic modules  26  contained therein.  FIG. 14B  illustrates a close-up view of  FIG. 14A . More detail regarding the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and their retention in and pull out features from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  are described below and illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 15-20 . 
       FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment tray  22  removed from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and without installed fiber optic modules  26 . As illustrated therein, the fiber optic equipment tray  22  contains a plurality of module guides  124  in the form of module rail guides  126  that support fiber optic modules  26  (not shown). As illustrated in right and left side perspective views in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the fiber optic modules  26  contain module rails  128 A,  128 B on each side  129 A,  129 B in this embodiment. The module rails  128 A,  128 B are configured to be inserted into tray channels  130  ( FIG. 15 ) disposed within the module rail guides  126 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the module rail guides  126  are disposed in a row arrangement if at least one intermediate module rail guide  126 ′ is disposed in the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . Fiber optic modules  26  can be independently moved within the module rail guides  126 ,  126 ′ in the fiber optic equipment tray  22  either towards a front end  132  or a rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . Support members  135  may also be disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to support the weight of fiber optic modules  26  disposed in and between the module rail guides  126 ,  126 ′. The module rail guides  126 ,  126 ′ will be referred to collectively hereinafter as element  126 . 
     Note that in the fiber optic equipment tray  22  of  FIG. 15 , five (5) module rail guides  126  are provided to support up to four (4) fiber optic modules  26  therebetween. The module rail guides  126  are configured such that the tray channels  130  are open on both the front end  132  and the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment trays  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . This allows the fiber optic modules  26  to be either front-installable from the front end  132  or rear-installable from the rear end  134  into the fiber optic equipment trays  22 , and thus installable from either the front or the rear of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and the chassis  12 . Providing the capability of either front-installable or rear-installable fiber optic modules  26  may be advantageous in allowing a technician to more easily install fiber optic modules  26  in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and establish fiber optic connections therewith more efficiently and conveniently. For example, fiber optic modules  26  can be inserted into the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22  in the module rail guides  126  and pushed forward within the module rail guides  126  until the fiber optic modules  26  reach a front end  132  of each fiber optic equipment tray  22 . A locking feature can be provided to prevent the fiber optic module  26  from extending beyond the front end  132  of the fiber optic equipment trays  22  unless a release is engaged. In this manner, the fiber optic modules  26  can be installed from the rear of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  and chassis  12 , but can also be extended and removed from the front end  132  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the fiber optic equipment tray  22  also contains tray rails  136 . The tray rails  136  are configured to be received in the tray guides  74  disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  ( FIG. 6 ) to retain and allow the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to move about the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be moved in and out of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  by their tray rails  136  moving within the tray guides  74 . In this manner, the fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be independently movable about the tray guides  74  in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . More detail regarding the tray rails  136  and their coupling to the tray guides  74  in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is discussed below with regard to  FIGS. 19A-21 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the fiber optic equipment tray  22  may also contain extension members  138 . Routing guides  150  may be conveniently disposed on the extension members  138  to provide routing for optical fibers or fiber optic cables connected to fiber optic adapters  152  in the fiber optic modules  26  ( FIG. 17 ). The routing guides  150 ′ on the ends of the fiber optic equipment tray  22  may be angled with respect to the tray rails  136  to route optical fibers or fiber optic cables at an angle to the sides of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . Pull tabs  154  may also be connected to the extension members  138  to provide a means to allow the fiber optic equipment tray  22  to easily be pulled out from and pushed into the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate an example of a fiber optic module  26  that can supported in the fiber optic equipment tray  22  to provide fiber optic connections in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 .  FIG. 16A  illustrates a right perspective view of the fiber optic module  26 .  FIG. 16B  illustrates a left perspective view of the fiber optic module  26 . As illustrated therein, the fiber optic module  26  is comprised of a number of fiber optic adapters  152  disposed on a front end  156  of the fiber optic module  26 . In this example, the fiber optic adapters  152  accept duplex LC fiber optic connectors. However, any fiber optic connection type desired can be provided in the fiber optic modules  26 . Another fiber optic adapter  158  is disposed on a rear end  160  of the fiber optic module  26 . In this example, the fiber optic adapter  158  is a multi-fiber MTP fiber optic adapter equipped to establish connections to multiple optical fibers (e.g., twelve (12) optical fibers). The fiber optic module  26  may also manage polarity between the fiber optic adapters  152  disposed on the front end  156  of the fiber optic module  26  and the fiber optic adapter  158  disposed on the rear end  160  of the fiber optic module  26 . 
     Module rails  128 A,  128 B are disposed on each side  129 A,  129 B of the fiber optic module  26 . The module rails  128 A,  128 B are configured to be inserted within the module rail guides  126  in the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , as previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 17 . In this manner, when it is desired to install a fiber optic module  26  in the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , the front end  156  of the fiber optic module  26  can be inserted from either the front end  132  or the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . For example, the front end  156  of module rails  128 A,  128 B of the fiber optic module  26  can be inserted into module rail guides  126  starting from the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . In this manner, the fiber optic module  26  can be rear-installed in the fiber optic equipment tray  22  and the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The fiber optic module  26  can then be pushed forward within the module rail guides  126  until the fiber optic module  26  reaches the front end  132  of the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . In this manner, a technician can install a fiber optic connection to the fiber optic adapter  158  disposed on the rear end  160  of the fiber optic module  26  and can then install the fiber optic module  26  from the rear of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  into the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a rear perspective view of the fiber optic modules  26  installed in fiber optic equipment trays  22  and the module rail guides  126  disposed therein. As illustrated therein, when the fiber optic module  26  is installed in the tray channel  130  of the module rail guides  126  from the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , the module rails  128 A,  128 B of the fiber optic module  26  can then be moved towards the front end  132  until the fiber optic module  26  reaches a stop or locking feature disposed in the front end  132 . A locking feature in the form of a latch  166  ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ) engages a complementary detent disposed in the tray channel  130  of the module rail guides  126 . The latch  166  is inwardly biased such that the fiber optic module  26  can be installed in the module rail guides  126 , but cannot be pulled back towards the rear section  134  until the latch  166  is disengaged. 
     If it is desired to remove the fiber optic module  26  from the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , the fiber optic module  26  can be removed from either the front end  132  or the rear end  134  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . To remove the fiber optic module  26  from the rear end  132  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , the latch  166  is disengaged by pushing a lever  168  ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ) inward towards the fiber optic module  26  to release the latch  166  from the module rail guide  126 . To facilitate pushing the lever  168  inward towards the fiber optic module  26 , a finger hook  170  is provided adjacent to the lever  168  so the lever  168  can easily be squeezed into the finger hook  170 . 
     The fiber optic module  26  can be locked into place in the fiber optic equipment tray  22  by pushing the fiber optic module  26  forward to the front end  132  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , a locking feature in the form of a front stop  171  disposed in the module rail guides  126 . The front stop  171  prevents the fiber optic module  26  from extending beyond the front end  132 . When it is desired to remove a fiber optic module  26  from the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , a front module tab  173  also disposed in the module rail guides  126  and coupled to the front stop  171  can be pushed downward to engage the front stop  171 . As a result, the front stop  171  will move outward away from the fiber optic module  26  such that the fiber optic modules  22  are not obstructed from being pulled forward. The fiber optic module  26 , and in particular its module rails  128 A,  128 B ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ), can be pulled forward along the module rail guides  126  to remove the fiber optic module  26  from the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . 
     As previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the tray guides  74  are disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to allow fiber optic equipment trays  22  to be supported in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the tray rails  136  attached or provided as part of the fiber optic equipment tray  22  are configured to be received by the tray guides  74  to allow the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to support fiber optic equipment trays  22 . The tray guides  74  allow the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to be moved in and out of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  for enhanced access to fiber optic modules  26  supported by the fiber optic equipment trays  22 .  FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate more detail regarding the exemplary tray guides  74  disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
       FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate left and right perspective views of the tray guide  74  disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  to support up to two (2) tray rails  136  in a 1-U space.  FIGS. 19C and 19D  illustrate left and right perspective views of another embodiment of a tray guide  74 ′ that may be employed to support up to three (3) tray rails  136  per 1-U space, as will be later described and illustrated with regard to  FIGS. 33A-35 . The tray guides  74 ,  74 ′ contain like features and thus the description below with regard to tray guide  74  in  FIGS. 19A and 19B  is equally applicable to the tray guide  74 ′ of  FIGS. 19C and 19D . Like features or elements between tray guides  74 ,  74 ′ are illustrated with common element numbers, except that such features in tray guide  74 ′ will be appended with an apostrophe (&#39;). 
     As discussed above, the tray guides  74  are configured to receive fiber optic equipment trays  22  supporting one or more fiber optic modules  26  in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The tray guides  74  allow the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to be pulled out from the chassis  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14B . With continuing reference to  FIGS. 19A and 19B , the tray guide  74  in this embodiment is comprised of a guide panel  180 . The guide panel  180  is comprised of an elongated member  181 . The guide panel  180  may be constructed out of any material desired, including but not limited to a polymer or metal. The guide panel  180  contains a series of apertures  182  to facilitate attachment of the guide panel  180  to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Guide members  184  are disposed in the guide panel  180  and configured to receive the tray rail  136  of the fiber optic equipment tray  22 , as illustrated in the cross-section diagram in  FIG. 20 . Three (3) guide members  184  are disposed in the guide panel  180  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 19A and 19B  to be capable of receiving up to three (3) tray rails  136  of three (3) fiber optic equipment trays  22 . However, any number of guide members  184  desired may be provided. In this embodiment, the guide members  184  each include guide channels  186  configured to receive and allow tray rails  136  to move along the guide channels  186  for translation of the fiber optic equipment trays  22  about the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
     Leaf springs  188  are disposed in each of the guide members  184  of the tray guide  74  and are each configured to provide stopping positions for the tray rails  136  during movement of the fiber optic equipment tray  22  in the guide members  184 . The leaf springs  188  are disposed between ends  189  disposed in the guide member  184  to give the leaf springs  188  spring action. The leaf springs  188  each contain protrusions  190  that are configured to be received in detents  192  ( FIGS. 21A and 21B ) disposed in the tray rails  136  to provide stopping or resting positions. The tray rails  136  contain mounting platforms  194  that are used to attach the tray rails  136  to the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . It may be desirable to provide stopping positions in the tray guide  74  to allow the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to have stopping positions when moved in and out of the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . Stopping positions allow the requirement of a technician to impart a certain force to pull or push the fiber optic equipment tray  22  about the guide panel  180  so that the fiber optic equipment tray  22  is retained in place when not pulled or pushed. However, the force can also be designed to allow a technician to easily push in or pull out the fiber optic equipment tray  22  into and from the guide panel  180  when desired, especially when the fiber optic equipment tray  22  is located above the technician. In this regard and by example, two (2) detents  192  in the tray rail  136  receive two (2) protrusions  190  in the tray guide  74  at any given time. When the fiber optic equipment tray  22  is fully retracted into the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  in a first stopping position, the two (2) detents  192  of the tray rail  136  are received in the one protrusion  190  adjacent a rear end  196  of the guide channel  186  and the middle protrusion  190  disposed between the rear end  196  and a front end  198  of the guide channel  186 . When the fiber optic equipment tray  22  is pulled out from the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , the two (2) detents  192  of the tray rail  136  are received in the one protrusion  190  adjacent the front end  198  of the guide channel  186  and the middle protrusion  190  disposed between the rear end  196  and the front end  198  of the guide channel  186 . Thus, the stopping or resting positions provided by the engagement of the protrusions  190  of the leaf springs  188  with the detents  192  of the tray rail  136  in this embodiment are provided to require force on the guide panel  180  to overcome the stopping position to translate the tray rail  136  of a fiber optic equipment tray  22  disposed within the guide member  184 . 
     In this embodiment, each leaf spring  188  is designed to require approximately two (2) pounds (lbs.) of pulling force to allow the protrusion  190  in the leaf spring  188  to overcome the detent  192  disposed in the tray rail  136  for a total of four (4) lbs. pulling force (i.e., two (2) detents  192  in the tray rail  136  are engaged with two (2) protrusions  190  disposed in two (2) leaf springs  188 ). The pulling force required to overcome the engagement of the protrusion  190  in the detents  192  could be designed to be any pulling force desired. For example, the pulling force required to overcome the engagement of the protrusion  190  in the detents  192  could be designed to be greater than the pulling force required to engage or disengage a fiber optic connector from a fiber optic module  26  supported by the fiber optic equipment tray  22 . However, the pulling force required to overcome the engagement of the protrusion  190  in the detents  192  could be designed to be less than the pulling force required to clear interference with the lances  88  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is pulled out from the chassis  12  ( FIGS. 8A and 8B ). The leaf springs  188  in this embodiment are designed to each provide the same force, but such does not have to be the case. Further, the guide panel  180  and tray rail  136  could be designed to provide fewer stopping positions or only provide that one protrusion  190  is engaged with one detent  192  in each stopping or resting position. 
     When the tray rail  136  is in a stopped position, two (2) protrusions  190  disposed in two (2) leaf springs  188  are engaged with two (2) protrusions in the tray rail  136 , as previously discussed. In this embodiment, when the tray rail  136  is in a stopping position, the leaf springs  188  and their protrusions  190  and the complimentary detents  192  in the tray rail  136  are designed cooperatively such that the detents  192  do not impart a force on the protrusions  190 . Thus, the leaf springs  188  are in an unstressed state when the tray rail  136  is in a stopped position. This may be advantageous if the leaf springs  188  are made out of a material, such as a polymer material for example, where creep can occur over time, thus reducing the effectiveness of the leaf spring  188  over time. However, this feature is not a requirement for the design. 
     As the tray rail  136  is pulled within the guide channel  186 , a protrusion  200  disposed in the tray rail  136  and illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B  is biased to pass over transition members  202  disposed between the leaf springs  188 , as illustrated in  FIG. 19A . The protrusion  200  is provided in a leaf spring  204  disposed in the tray rail  136 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B . The transition members  202  have inclined surfaces  205  that allow the protrusion  200  to pass over the transition members  202  as the fiber optic equipment tray  22  is being translated within the guide channel  186 . As the protrusion  200  contains the transition members  202 , the force imparted onto the protrusion  200  causes the leaf spring  204  to bend inward to allow the protrusion  200  to pass over the transition member  202 . To prevent the tray rail  136  and thus the fiber optic equipment tray  22  from being extended beyond the front end  198  and rear end  196  of the guide channel  186 , stopping members  206  are disposed at the front end  198  and rear end  196  of the guide channel  186 . The stopping members  206  do not have an inclined surface; thus, the protrusion  200  in the tray rail  136  abuts against the stopping member  206  and is prevented from extending over the stopping member  206  and outside of the front end  198  of the guide channel  186 . 
     Now that the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 , fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  have been described, other features that may be included in the fiber optic equipment  10  are now described. For example,  FIG. 22  illustrates a rear perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  10  and chassis  12  of  FIG. 1  configured to receive an optional rear cover  220 . The rear cover  220  can be employed to protect furcated cables (not shown) disposed in a rear area  222  of the chassis  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , a number of apertures  224  may be disposed in a raised area  226  in the rear area  222  of the chassis  12  to support securing furcations of trunk cables (not shown) coming into the chassis  12 . Trunk cables are run to the chassis  12  to establish fiber optic connection with fiber optic modules  26  disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . The rear cover  220  contains overlapping members  228  that are configured to be received into a rear end  230  of the front chassis cover  24  to be secured to the chassis  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 23 . The rear cover  220  can protect furcations connected to the raised area  226 . To secure the rear cover  230  to the front chassis cover  24 , the rear cover  230  may also include plungers  232  or other fastener devices in a rear panel  234  of the rear cover  230 . The plungers  232  engage with plunger receivers  236  disposed in flaps  238  in the rear area  222  of the chassis  12  to secure the rear cover  220  to the front chassis cover  24  and chassis  12 . 
     The embodiments described herein are not limited to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  described above. Some or all of the features in the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  may be provided in other drawers, chassis, or other fiber optic equipment to support fiber optic modules and access thereto. For example,  FIGS. 24-32B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of fiber optic equipment that includes a fiber optic equipment drawer configured to support one or more fiber optic equipment trays each configured to support one or more fiber optic modules. In this regard,  FIG. 24  illustrates alternative exemplary fiber optic equipment  310  in this regard. The exemplary fiber optic equipment  310  may be provided at a data distribution center or central office to support cable-to-cable fiber optic connections and to manage a plurality of fiber optic cable connections. The fiber optic equipment  310  includes a fiber optic equipment chassis  312  (“chassis  312 ”). The chassis  312  is configured to be installed in a fiber optic equipment rack if desired, such as the fiber optic equipment rack  14  previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The chassis  312  illustrated in  FIG. 24  is 1U-size, but could be designed to be any other U-size desired, with “U” equaling a standard 1.75 inches in height, or any other height desired. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 24  and discussed in greater detail below in this description, the chassis  312  includes a fiber optic equipment drawer  320  supporting one or more extendable fiber optic equipment trays  322 . The fiber optic equipment trays  322  are configured to support one or more fiber optic modules (not shown). The fiber optic equipment trays  322  in this embodiment are the same or essentially the same as the fiber optic equipment trays  22  previously discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-15  and  17 . The fiber optic modules supported by the fiber optic equipment trays  322  can be the same or essentially the same as the fiber optic modules  26  previously discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . The fiber optic equipment trays  322  can be moved and extended from the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  and retracted back into the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . Any number of fiber optic equipment trays  322  can be provided. Any number of fiber optic modules can be supported by the fiber optic equipment trays  322 . The view of the fiber optic equipment trays  322  in  FIG. 24  is obstructed by a front chassis cover  324  placed in front of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  as part of the chassis  312 . The front chassis cover  324  is attached to a rear chassis cover  325  to form a cover over the chassis  312 . Latch orifices  351  are disposed in the front chassis cover  324  to support a drawer door locking mechanism employing push buttons  350  in this embodiment to lock a drawer door  328  to the front chassis cover  324 , as will be described in more detail below. The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is extendable out from the chassis  312  to access the fiber optic equipment trays  322  and the fiber optic modules supported therein. 
     In the example of the fiber optic equipment  310  in  FIG. 24 , two fiber optic equipment trays  322  are supported by the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  with each fiber optic equipment tray  322  supporting four (4) fiber optic modules. Each fiber optic module can support any number of optical fiber connections. If the fiber optic modules included in the fiber optic equipment trays  322  support twelve (12) optical fiber connections, a total of up to ninety-six (96) optical fiber connections can be provided by the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 , although the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is not limited to this density. 
       FIGS. 25A and 25B  are provided to summarize certain capabilities and features of the fiber optic equipment  310  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320  of  FIG. 24 . Embodiments of these capabilities and features will be described in more detail in this description.  FIG. 25A  is a front perspective view of the chassis  312  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320 .  FIG. 25B  is a side view of the chassis  312  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25A , the front chassis cover  324  and the rear chassis cover  325  ( FIG. 24 ) are removed from the chassis  312  so that fiber optic modules supported by the fiber optic equipment trays  322  inside the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  can be seen. The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  can be extended out from the chassis  312  to extend fiber optic modules installed in the fiber optic equipment trays  322  out from the chassis  312  to gain access to the fiber optic modules and the fiber optic connections therein. As illustrated in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is pulled or extended fully from the chassis  312  and tilted downward. The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  can be tilted downward to tilt the fiber optic modules installed in the fiber optic equipment trays  322  downward if desired, as illustrated in  FIGS. 25A and 25B . Tilting the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  downward may be particularly useful if the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is located at taller heights in a fiber optic equipment rack. The desired fiber optic module to be accessed can be further separated for enhanced access, if desired, by pulling out the fiber optic equipment tray  322  supporting the fiber optic module from the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . 
     As will be described in more detail below, each fiber optic equipment tray  322  is also independently translatable from the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 , whether or not the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is extended out from the chassis  312  or tilted downward, similar to that provided in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  as an example. In this manner, enhanced access can be provided to the fiber optic modules provided in the fiber optic equipment trays  322 . Access includes installing, configuring, re-configuring, re-installing, and removing the fiber optic modules and the fiber optic connections provided therein as an example. Further, each fiber optic module installed in a fiber optic equipment tray  322  in this embodiment can be translated or removed independent from other fiber optic modules in a given fiber optic equipment tray  322  for further access, if desired. 
       FIGS. 26-32B  will now be referenced to describe the various capabilities and features of the fiber optic equipment  310  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320  of  FIG. 24  by example in more detail. 
       FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  310  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320  of  FIG. 24  with the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  fully retracted into the chassis  312 . The front chassis cover  324  and rear chassis cover  325  are removed to facilitate discussion of the components of and inside the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  includes a drawer door  328  in this embodiment. The drawer door  328  controls access to the fiber optic equipment trays  322 . The drawer door  328  may also contain labeling that, for example, can be provided in a label holder  329  to identify optical fiber connections made in the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . The drawer door  328  is illustrated as being opened in  FIG. 26 . When the fiber optic equipment trays  322  are fully retracted into the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 , as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the drawer door  328  can be closed and locked to the chassis  312  to close off access to the fiber optic equipment trays  322 . In this embodiment, the drawer door  328  is hingedly attached to a front end  330  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . In this manner, the drawer door  328  is retained with the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  when the drawer door  328  is opened, as illustrated in  FIG. 26 . 
     To retain the drawer door  328  closed to the chassis  312  in this embodiment, a drawer door locking mechanism  340  is provided. The drawer door locking mechanism  340  is similar to the drawer door locking mechanism  40  previously discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . The drawer door locking mechanism  340  is configured to releasably retain the drawer door  328  closed to the chassis  312 , and more particularly to the front chassis cover  324 . As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , two drawer door locking mechanisms  340  are provided; one for a left side end  342  and one for a right side end  344  of the drawer door  328 . In this embodiment, the drawer door locking mechanism  340  is comprised of a push button latch  346  like or similar to the push button latch  46  previously discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The push button latch  346  is configured to engage a latch  348  with the latch orifice  351  ( FIG. 24 ) disposed in the front chassis cover  324  to retain the drawer door  328  closed. Push button latches  346  are each disposed in the drawer door  328 , one on the left side end  342  and one on the right side end  344 , in this embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 26 . Two latch orifices  351  ( FIG. 24 ) are disposed in the front chassis cover  324  and configured to receive the latches  348  to lock the drawer door  328 . The push button latches  346  in this embodiment are spring-loaded such that when a force is not applied to the push buttons  350 , the latches  348  are biased upward to retain the latches  348  engaged with the latch orifices  351  when the drawer door  328  is closed. 
     When it is desired to pull out one or more of the fiber optic equipment trays  322 , the drawer door  328  can be unlocked from the front chassis cover  324  and opened. The push buttons  350  are configured to move the latches  348  downward to overcome the spring-loaded force in the push button latch  346  when a downward force is applied to the push buttons  350 , like the push buttons  50  previously described and illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . When the push buttons  350  are pushed downward, the latches  348  are disengaged from the latch orifices  351  in the front chassis cover  324  to unlock the drawer door  328 . The drawer door  328  can then be opened from the front chassis cover  324 . When opened, the drawer door  328  can swing downward about hinges  332 . 
     As previously discussed, the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in the fiber optic equipment  310  is configured to be pulled out from the chassis  312  for enhanced access to the fiber optic equipments trays  322  and/or to the fiber optic modules contained therein. In this regard,  FIG. 27A  provides a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  310  and fiber optic equipment drawer  320  of  FIG. 24  with the drawer door  328  opened and lowered and the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  extended out from the chassis  312 . To further illustrate the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  and its various features and components, a top view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is illustrated in  FIG. 27B . The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is configured to provide several features, some or all which can be provided. In this embodiment, the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  includes a front panel  358  attached to a rear panel  360 . The front panel  358  and rear panel  360  may be formed from sheet metal or any other form or type of material desired. The front panel  358  is configured to support one or more fiber optic equipment trays  322  and fiber optic modules disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays  322 , as previously discussed and also illustrated in  FIG. 27A . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 27B , the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  includes two drawer retention members  362  disposed in the front panel  358 . The two drawer retention members  362  are disposed on a bottom side  363  of the front panel  358  as illustrated in  FIG. 28 . The drawer retention members  362  are configured to releasably retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in the chassis  312  until released to release the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  from the chassis  312 . The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  can be pulled out from the chassis  312  when the drawer retention members  362  are released. 
     In this embodiment, the drawer retention members  362  are provided in the form of elbow latches  364 . The elbow latch  364  contains two elbow sections  364 A,  364 B in this embodiment. One elbow latch  364  is illustrated in  FIG. 28 , because only the left side end  342  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is illustrated. However, note that another drawer retention member  362  and elbow latch  364  are also disposed on the bottom side  363  of the front panel  358  on the right side end  344  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . The elbow latches  364  are configured to align with and interfere with rearward biased latch engagement members  368  ( FIG. 27B ) disposed in the chassis  312  to retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  when retracted into the chassis  312 . In this regard, the elbow sections  364 A on each elbow latch  364  will be disposed on rearward sides  386  of the latch engagement members  368  ( FIG. 27A ) and configured to interfere with the latch engagement members  368  to retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in the chassis  312 . When the drawer retention members  362  are released, the elbow latches  364  are pulled inward to clear interference of the latch engagement members  368  with the elbow sections  364 A to allow the elbow sections  364 A on each elbow latch  364  to pass unimpeded past the latch engagement members  368  and into a forward side  390  of the latch engagement members  368  ( FIG. 27A ) to allow the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  to be pulled out from the chassis  312 . 
       FIGS. 28-29B  illustrate more detail regarding the drawer retention members  362 .  FIG. 28  illustrates a drawer retention member  362  disposed on the left side end  342  on the bottom side  363  of the front panel  358  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 .  FIGS. 29A and 29B  are perspective, isolated views of a drawer retention member  362  designed to be disposed on the right side end  344  of the bottom side  363  of the front panel  358  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . As illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the drawer retention member  362  includes a drawer pull release  369 . The drawer pull release  369  is mechanically coupled to the elbow latch  364 . When the drawer pull release  369  is pulled, the elbow sections  364 A,  364 B collapse inward toward outside edges  371  of two parallel or substantially parallel plate members  373  of the drawer retention members  362 . A pin  375  connected to the elbow latch  364  and disposed in a slot  377  in a plate member  373  limits the pulling distance of the drawer pull release  369  and thus the distance of collapse to the elbow latch  364 . The elbow latch  364  in this embodiment is disposed between the plate members  373  so that the elbow latch  364  is free to expand and retract outside and inside, respectively, from the plate members  373 . When the elbow latch  364  is collapsed, the elbow sections  364 A of each elbow latch  364  will be able to clear the interference with the latch engagement member  362  thereby allowing the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  to be released from the chassis  312 . In this embodiment, because two drawer retention members  362  are included in the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 , both drawer pull releases  369  of the drawer retention members  362  are pulled to release the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . However, one drawer retention member  362  could be provided so only one drawer pull release  369  would need to be pulled to release the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  from the chassis  312 . 
     A spring  379  can also be included in the elbow latch  364 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 28-29B . Providing the spring  379  in the elbow latch  364  causes the elbow latch  364  to be biased outward in an expanded position. In this embodiment, the spring  379  is coupled inline to the elbow section  364 B, but could also be coupled inline to the elbow section  364 A, if desired. In this embodiment, the spring  379  is coupled between the elbow section  364 B and an orifice  381  disposed in a plate member  373 . Another spring  383  may also be coupled between the drawer pull release  369  and the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  as illustrated in  FIG. 28 . The spring  383  biases the drawer pull release  369  inward so the drawer pull release  369  retracts back towards the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  when a pulling force applied to the drawer pull release  369  is released. 
     After the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is released from the chassis  312  via release of the drawer retention member  362 , the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is free to be pulled out from the chassis  312 . The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  can be retracted in the chassis  312  to lock the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in the chassis  312 . When the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is retracted, the elbow sections  364 A of each elbow latch  364  will eventually come into contact with the latch engagement members  368  ( FIG. 27B ). Because the latch engagement members  368  are rearward biased, the contact between the latch engagement members  368  with the elbow sections  364 A as the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is pushed into the chassis  312  will cause the elbow latch  364  to collapse inward. The elbow section  364 A will thereafter be disposed on the rearward side  386  of the latch engagement members  368  to retain the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in the chassis  312 . 
     Another feature that may be provided in the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is a drawer pull-out limiting member to limiting the pull out distance of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 .  FIGS. 30A and 30B  illustrate this feature.  FIG. 30A  is a close-up perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  and the front panel  358  and rear panel  360  in particular. The rear panel  360  is configured to travel back into the chassis  312  along travel path TP′ when the front panel  358  is brought planar to the rear panel  360  and pushed back along travel path TP′ via linkage members  359  as will be described in more detail below. The front panel  358  is obscuring the view of a drawer pull-out limiting member  366 .  FIG. 30B  illustrates the perspective view of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  of  FIG. 30A , but with the rear panel  360  removed for illustration purposes. As illustrated in  FIG. 30B , the drawer pull-out limiting member  366  is provided in the form of a plate member  367  attached to a base  391  of the chassis  312 . A tab member  361 , which is fixedly attached to the bottom side of the rear panel  360 , travels along the travel path TP′ as the rear panel  360  moves along the travel path TP′. When the rear panel  360  is pulled out such that the tab member  361  enters a keyed section  365  of the plate member  367 , the tab member  361  will abut the plate member  367  and prevent the rear panel  360  from extending beyond the keyed section  365 , thus preventing the front panel  358  from further extending out from the chassis  312 . 
       FIG. 30B  and  FIGS. 31A-32B  illustrate the movement and tilt mechanism of fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . Thus, the tilt mechanism of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIGS.  30 B and  31 A- 32 B, the fiber optic equipment tray  320  is configured to move in and out of the chassis  312  to provide enhanced access to the fiber optic equipment trays  322  and any fiber optic modules (not shown) supported therein.  FIGS. 31A and 31B  illustrate front and rear perspective views of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  extended out from the chassis  312  with the front panel  358  tilted. In this embodiment, the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  moves in and out of the chassis  312  about outer guide members  389  disposed in two drawer rail guides  398  disposed in the base  391  of the chassis  312  as illustrated in  FIGS. 31A and 31B . Two complimentary drawer rails  392  are fixedly connected to hinges  393  which are connected to linkage members  394 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 32A and 32B . The linkage members  394  are fixedly attached to a bottom side  395  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320 . Movement of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  applies force to the linkage members  394  which in turn apply force on the drawer rails  392  causing them to move inside the drawer rail guides  398 , as illustrated in  FIG. 30B . The linkage members  394  includes a lower inner section  396  that travels along an inner section  397  of the drawer rail guide  398 , as illustrated in  FIG. 32A , when the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is retracted. 
     The linkage members  394  also contain outer raised portions  399  so that the linkage members  394  do not interfere with the outer guide members  389  of the drawer rail guides  398  when the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is retracted into the chassis  312 . The drawer rail guides  398  may be made of sheet metal or other material, such as plastic, or may be a hybrid between a metal and a plastic. For example, the outer guide members  389  may be made of plastic with the other portions of the drawer rail guides  398  made of sheet metal. 
       FIGS. 31A-31B  also illustrate tilt and tilt limiting features of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  according to one embodiment. As previously discussed, tilting the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  downward can provide enhanced access to the fiber optic modules disposed in the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  and/or their fiber optic connections. As illustrated in  FIG. 31A , the front panel  358  can tilt downward about the rear panel  360 . The rear panel  360  remains oriented in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  312 . Because the fiber optic equipment trays  322  are disposed in the front panel  358 , tilting of the front panel  358  also tilts the fiber optic equipment trays  322  for access. 
     The fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is configured to tilt downward via the hinges  393  and a hinge  400  disposed between the front panel  358  and the rear panel  360  of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  in this embodiment. The hinge  400  is formed by rolled portions  401  on a front end  402  of the rear panel  360  interleaved with rolled portions  403  on a rear end  404  of the front panel  358 . When interleaved, the rolled portions  401 ,  403  form the hinge  400  extending from a left side end  376  to a right side end  378  of the front and rear panels  358 ,  360 . When the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is pulled out such that the front panel  358  is pulled out beyond the chassis  312 , the front panel  358  is free to tilt downward about the hinge  400 . The tilt angle of the fiber optic equipment drawer  320  is controlled by the interference between the rear end  404  of the front panel  358  with a front end  405  of the chassis  312 , as illustrated in  FIG. 30A . 
       FIGS. 33A-35  illustrate another embodiment of fiber optic equipment  410  that can include the same or essentially the same fiber optic equipment trays  22  previously described above and illustrated to support fiber optic modules  26 . The fiber optic equipment  410  in this embodiment includes a 4-U sized chassis  412  configured to hold fiber optic equipment trays  22  each supporting one or more fiber optic modules  26 . The fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules  26  supported by the chassis  412  are the same or essentially the same as those previously described above. Thus, the fiber optic equipment trays  22  disposed in the chassis  412  and fiber optic modules  26  disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays  22  do not need to be described again.  FIG. 34A  illustrates a front perspective view of the fiber optic equipment  410  with a front cover  414  lowered to show the fiber optic equipment trays  22  disposed inside the chassis  412 . A chassis cover  416  ( FIGS. 33A and 33B ) is attached to the chassis  412  to secure the fiber optic equipment trays  22  and fiber optic modules contained therein (not illustrated).  FIG. 33B  illustrates a side view of the fiber optic equipment  410  illustrated in  FIG. 33A .  FIG. 34  illustrates the fiber optic equipment  410  as illustrated in  FIG. 33A , but with the chassis cover  416  removed to show the fiber optic equipment trays  22  disposed inside the chassis  412 . 
     The fiber optic modules  26  can be supported in the fiber optic equipment trays  22  previously described and illustrated in  FIG. 15-18  as an example. The fiber optic equipment trays  22  can support one or more fiber optic modules like or similar to the fiber optic modules  26  previously described and illustrated in  FIGS. 16A and 16B  as an example. The fiber optic equipment  410  in this embodiment does not include a fiber optic equipment drawer. The fiber optic equipment trays  22  in this embodiment are supported directly by the chassis  412  as opposed to an intermediate fiber optic equipment drawer. The tray guides  74 ,  74 ′ and tray rails  136  previously described in  FIGS. 19A-21B  can be used in the chassis  412  to support the fiber optic equipment trays  22  therein and to allow each fiber optic equipment tray  22  to be independently extended out from and retracted back into the chassis  412 . However, in the chassis  412 , up to twelve (12) fiber optic equipment trays  22  can be provided for a total of up to five hundred seventy-six (576) fiber optic connections (i.e., twelve (12) fiber optic equipment trays  22 ×four (4) fiber optic modules  26  per fiber optic equipment tray  22 ×twelve (12) fiber optic connections per fiber optic module  26 ). Thus, tray guides  418  disposed in the chassis  412 , as illustrated in  FIG. 34 , can support up to twelve (12) fiber optic equipment trays  22 . Otherwise, the tray guides  418  contain the same guide members and other features to support the fiber optic equipment trays  22  disposed therein as the tray guides  74  illustrated in  FIGS. 19A and 19B  and previously discussed. 
       FIG. 35  illustrates the fiber optic equipment  410  with one fiber optic equipment tray  22 ′ extended out from the chassis  412 . The fiber optic equipment tray  22 ′ contains tray rails  136  just as illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B  and previously described above to move about tray guides  74 , just as illustrated in  FIGS. 19A and 19B  and previously described above. The fiber optic equipment tray  22 ′ can be extended from the chassis  412  to provide enhanced access to fiber optic modules  26  contained therein and their fiber optic connections. When access is complete, the retracted fiber optic equipment tray  22 ′ can be pushed back into the chassis  412  about the tray guides  418  just as previously described and illustrated for the fiber optic equipment trays  22  with regard to the chassis  12  and fiber optic equipment drawer  20 . 
     Note that although the fiber optic equipment  410  illustrated in  FIGS. 33A-35  does not include a fiber optic equipment drawer to allow the fiber optic equipment trays  22  to be pulled in and out of the chassis  412  collectively, a fiber optic equipment drawer could be provided. The fiber optic equipment drawer could be provided like or similar to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  previously described and illustrated. The fiber optic equipment drawer could be designed to be retained and move in and out of the chassis  412 , like the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  is retained and moved in and out of the chassis  12  previously described and illustrated. The fiber optic equipment tray  22  supported in the fiber optic equipment  410  would be inserted and supported in tray guides, like or similar to the tray guides  74  installed inside a fiber optic equipment drawer previously described and illustrated. Movement of the fiber optic equipment drawer would collectively move each of the fiber optic equipment trays  22 . Providing a fiber optic equipment drawer, including like or similar to the fiber optic equipment drawer  20  previously described and illustrated, is not limited to any particular size, arrangement, or number of fiber optic equipment trays or fiber optic modules. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. These modifications include, but are not limited to, number or type of fiber optic equipment, fiber optic equipment drawer, features included in the fiber optic equipment drawer, including but not limited to retention features, pull out distance features, tilt features, and/or tilt limiting features. Any size equipment, including but not limited to 1-U, 2-U and 4-U sizes may include some or all of the aforementioned features, including but not limited to fiber optic equipment drawer(s), both tiltable and non-tiltable, fiber optic equipment tray(s), and fiber optic modules disclosed herein and some or all of their features. Further, the modifications are not limited to the type of fiber optic equipment tray or the means or device to support fiber optic modules installed in the fiber optic equipment trays. The fiber optic modules can include any fiber optic connection type, including but not limited to fiber optic connectors and adapters, and number of fiber optic connections, density, etc. 
     The terms “fiber optic cables” and/or “optical fibers” include all types of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more optical fibers that may be upcoated, colored, buffered, ribbonized and/or have other organizing or protective structure in a cable such as one or more tubes, strength members, jackets or the like. Likewise, other types of suitable optical fibers include bend-insensitive optical fibers, or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting light signals. An example of a bend-insensitive optical fiber is ClearCurve® Multimode fiber commercially available from Corning Incorporated. 
     Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.