Patent Publication Number: US-2013228368-A1

Title: Wall box and wall mounted plate with integrated ducts

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for mounting wall boxes and other telecommunications equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wall boxes are known for managing telecommunications cables and connectivity equipment, including splices, splitters, wave division multiplexers and terminations. Typically the wall boxes are mounted directly to the wall. For cables running to and from the wall boxes, or cables running between wall boxes, care must be taken to organize and protect the cables. Additional brackets and protective tubing may be used. There is a need for improvements in the area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a wall mounted plate for holding telecommunications equipment, such as wall boxes. The plate includes integrated ducts. The ducts provide passageways for cabling extending between the wall boxes. The ducts can also receive input and/or output cables. 
     The wall plate holds telecommunications boxes. The wall plate can be integral or made from separate elements that interlock with each other. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of wall boxes are mounted to the wall plate, wherein each wall box includes a cable entry area, and cable terminations disposed within the wall box. The wall box further includes at least one rear opening for accessing the duct or ducts of the wall plate. 
     In one embodiment, the wall plate holds at least two wall boxes in vertical alignment. 
     In a further embodiment, the wall plate holds at least two wall boxes which are connected by jumper cables. 
     In a further embodiment, a jumper cable storage box is provided in vertical alignment with at least one wall box. 
     In a further embodiment, the wall plate includes a cable storage box positioned on the wall plate. Riser cables entering the storage box can be communicated to one or more wall boxes positioned on the wall plate through the ducts for connection to one or more feeder cables. 
     In one embodiment, the wall box includes at least one rear opening in the form of a knockout which can be removed for accessing a duct of the wall plate. 
     In a further embodiment, the wall plate is longer in the longitudinal direction relative to a height of each wall box mounted thereon. 
     In another embodiment, the wall plate is assembled from separate wall plate elements positioned in vertical alignment to align the one or more ducts associated with each wall plate element. 
     In one embodiment, each wall plate is generally the same height as the wall box or cable storage box mounted thereon. 
     In one embodiment, the wall plate includes projecting flanges for receipt of fasteners for mounting the wall plate to the wall. 
     In one embodiment, the wall plate is made from separate wall plate elements which include an interface arrangement for aligning the wall plates in vertical alignment. 
     In one embodiment, an interface arrangement between the wall plates in the vertical direction includes a pin and hole. 
     In a further embodiment, an interface arrangement between the wall plates in the vertical direction includes two holes for receipt of a locking pin for positioning and holding the wall plates in vertical alignment. 
     In one embodiment, the wall plate is the same width as the wall box or boxes mounted to the wall plate. 
     A single wall box can be utilized to interconnect a riser cable and a feeder cable which are provided to wall box. 
     Additional wall boxes can be cross-connected with jumper cables as desired. The additional wall boxes can be used to interconnect additional riser cables to additional feeder cables. 
     Each wall box can also be used to store unused cables. 
     Cables passing between wall boxes can be positioned in the ducts during initial system layout, or as additional wall boxes are added. Riser cables can also be positioned in the ducts for entry into a wall box, or a cable storage box. Additional wall boxes can be added to add feeder cables, such as for additional operators adding service to the system. 
     In some embodiments, the wall boxes include openings or removable top and/or bottom panels to allow for cable passage, such as for jumper cables. 
     The present invention also concerns a method of using a wall plate including at least one duct. A wall box is mounted to the wall plate. A riser cable is routed to the wall box. The wall plate with the wall box and the riser cable is mounted to a wall. 
     The wall plate can be larger than the wall box or boxes initially installed, and the method further comprises adding an additional wall box or jumper storage box to the wall plate. 
     A further method relates to adding a second wall plate and a wall box mounted to the second wall plate in vertical alignment with the initially installed wall plate. 
     The wall plate can be made in separate wall plate elements that are pre-assembled together initially and mounted together as a single unit to the wall. 
     The wall plate can be constructed to include one or more DIN rails for use in mounting the wall boxes to the wall plate or for mounting other equipment. 
     The body of the wall plate can be made from a flat sheet, such as sheet metal, bent into the final shape including the ducts. Alternatively, the main body of the wall plate can be made from an extrusion process, such as from extruded aluminum. The extruded body can be made to include integral DIN rails, if desired. 
     The various methods of the present invention allow the riser cables to be pre-installed in the wall boxes and/or storage boxes mounted to the wall plate or plates initially installed on the wall. The splices, splitters, and jumper cables can be pre-assembled before installation of the wall plate or plates to the wall. 
     Wall boxes are disclosed which include side openings for accessing an interior of the wall boxes with cables. The cable mounts are accessible from a front of the wall boxes. Cable management elements can be mounted to a portion of the cable wall box which is removable from a remainder of the cable wall box. 
     A wall box is disclosed including a chassis having a top, a bottom and first and second sides. A front is provided with access structure for accessing an interior of the wall box. A first cover pivots with a bottom hinge to provide access to the front. Additional covers or doors may be provided to cover a remainder of each wall box, and to provide access. A side opening in the wall box allows for receipt of incoming and outgoing cables. Feeder cables enter the wall box, and riser or distribution cables exit the wall box. Side ports are mounted in the side opening. The side opening can include openings of a variety of configurations depending on desired functions. In one embodiment, a cable management plate can be attached to the side opening structure. In some implementations, mounting of the side opening structure and the cable management plate to the box can be through the side, or alternatively from the front. 
     The various methods of the present invention allow riser cables to be added to the wall boxes and/or storage boxes after installation of the wall plate or plates with the wall boxes mounted thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall plate in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is further perspective view of the wall plate of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the wall plate of  FIG. 1 , including four wall boxes mounted to the wall plate. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wall plate and wall boxes of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a further perspective view of the wall plate and wall boxes of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the wall boxes with the covers in the open positions; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the wall box of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows the wall plate and wall boxes of  FIG. 3 , with one of the wall boxes removed; 
         FIG. 9  shows the wall plate and the wall boxes of  FIG. 8 , and further including a jumper storage box; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the wall plate, wall boxes and jumper storage box of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the jumper storage box; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the jumper storage box of  FIG. 11 , with the front doors in the open positions; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a wall plate including separate wall plate elements; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the wall plate of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of one of the wall plate elements of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of the wall plate element of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  shows two wall plate elements being mounted together; 
         FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view showing three wall plate elements mounted together; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of the interface region between two wall plate elements; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing a wall box mounted to a wall plate element, with portions of the wall box removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged view of a portion of the wall box and the wall plate element mounted together; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view showing a wall box mounted to the second embodiment of the wall plate of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 23  shows a cable storage box mounted to the first embodiment of the wall plate; 
         FIG. 24  shows the cable storage box mounted to the second embodiment of the wall plate; 
         FIG. 25  shows the second embodiment of the wall plate including one cable storage box and two wall boxes; 
         FIG. 26  shows the various boxes of  FIG. 25 , with the front covers in the open positions; 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of the system shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  shows the second embodiment of the wall plate including the storage box, two wall boxes, and the jumper storage box; 
         FIG. 29  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the storage box with the front cover in the open position; 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the storage box; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a storage tray from the storage box  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a view of a cable tie down mechanism of the storage box of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 34  shows a prior art fiber optic adapter; 
         FIG. 35  shows a prior art connector storage device; 
         FIG. 36  shows a schematic representation of a wall box with cables connected in an interconnect arrangement; 
         FIG. 37  shows a schematic representation of two wall boxes with cables connected in a cross-connect arrangement; 
         FIG. 38  shows a schematic representation of the storage box with three cables being stored within the storage box; 
         FIG. 39  shows a schematic representation of the cabling in an example arrangement with one storage box, and two wall boxes; 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall plate made with an extrusion process, and including DIN rails; 
         FIG. 41  is a top view of the wall plate of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a wall plate including an alternatively shaped duct, and two DIN rails mounted to the wall plate; 
         FIG. 43  is a rear perspective view of the wall plate shown in  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a top view of the wall plate shown in  FIGS. 42 and 43 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of a wall plate including an alternative channel, and two DIN rails mounted to the wall plate; 
         FIG. 46  is a rear perspective view of the wall plate shown in  FIG. 45 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a top view of the wall plate shown in  FIGS. 45 and 46 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wall box in the closed position; 
         FIG. 49  is an exploded perspective view of the wall box of  FIG. 48 ; 
         FIG. 50  is an exploded view of the cable management plate and the sidewall insert plate of the wall box of  FIGS. 48 and 49 ; 
         FIG. 51  is a further view of the cable management plate and the sidewall insert plate of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view showing the cable management plate, the sidewall insert plate, and a portion of the wall box; 
         FIG. 53  is an enlarged view of the view of  FIG. 52 ; 
         FIG. 54  is another embodiment of a wall box including a cable management plate and a sidewall insert plate similar to the wall box of  FIGS. 48-53 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view showing the cable management plate, the side wall insert plate, and a portion of the wall box of  FIG. 54 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wall plate  10  includes first and second opposite sides  12 ,  14 , a top  16 , and a bottom  18 . Wall plate  10  includes mounting holes  24  for mounting the wall plate to a wall. Further mounting holes  26  are provided for mounting the wall boxes or other equipment to the wall plate. Wall plate  10  includes at least one duct  30  extending in a longitudinal direction from top  16  to bottom  18 . In the example wall plate  10 , three ducts  30  are provided. Wall plate  10  includes a front surface  20 , and a rear surface  22  spaced from the front surface  20 . In the preferred embodiment, front surface  20  and rear surface  22  are generally planar and/or define planar surface portions. Wall plate  10  can be made of metal or plastic or other material as desired. Ducts  30  provide protective cable passages extending in the space between front surface  20  and rear surface  22 . Ducts  30  extend vertically in the illustrated embodiment. Ducts  30  define recesses in wall plate  10  for the cabling. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , a plurality of wall boxes  40  are shown mounted to wall plate  10 . Front surface  20  of wall plate  10  presents a mounting surface for the wall boxes  40 . As shown, a first wall box  42 , a second wall box  44 , a third wall box  46 , and a fourth wall box  48  are shown vertically arranged. The wall boxes  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are shown mounted in a vertical stack on wall plate  10  to allow cable in ducts  30  to pass to and from the wall boxes. An area  50  on wall plate  10  can receive a further wall box  40 , or other equipment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , each wall box  40  includes a chassis  52  having a top  54 , a bottom  56  and first and second sides  58 ,  60 . A front  62  is provided with access structure for accessing an interior  64  of wall box  40 . A first cover  66  pivots with a bottom hinge  68 . A side cover  72  with a side hinge  74  covers a portion of front  62  and side  60 . Disposed in interior  64  is a termination panel  78  for holding adapters in adapter mounting holes  88 . Mounting holes  80  on wall box  40  are used to mount the wall box  40  to wall plate  10  with fasteners. 
     A side opening  90  in wall box  40  allows for receipt of incoming and outgoing cables. For example, feeder cables enter wall box  40 , and riser or distribution cables exit wall box  40 . Side ports  92  are mounted in side opening  90 . Opening  90  can be simply a hole, with an optional brush or other device to prevent dust from entering the interior of wall box. 
     A plurality of rear holes  100  are provided in a rear  70  of chassis  52 . Rear holes  100  are in alignment with ducts  30  when wall boxes  40  are mounted to wall plate  10 . Rear holes can be constructed as knockout areas, such as weakened profiles to be removed when needed to pass cables into or out of wall box  40 . Rear holes  100  can have a variety of shapes including round or rectangular, depending on the size and amount of cables to be passed through them. Riser cables and/or feeder cables can also be placed in ducts  30 , as desired. 
     Interior  64  of each wall box  40  can hold a variety of cable management devices and structures, including splices, wave division multiplexers, fanouts, splitters, radius limiters, and cable storage areas. Termination panel  78  provides a location for holding fiber optic adapters to connect the input and output cables. An example adapter  98  is shown in  FIG. 34 . U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,663, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, also shows an example adapter  98 . Termination panel  78  can be hinged or fixed. The hinged panel  78  allows for easier access to adapters  98  and the fiber connectors. Sliding adapter packs can also be used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,051, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, shows example sliding adapter packs. 
     Cables that need to pass between wall boxes  40  can exit through one of the rear holes  100  and enter one of the ducts  30  and pass to a different wall box  40  and enter through its respective rear hole  100 . In this manner, the cables extending between the wall boxes are protected. The cables are also hidden from view, and not easily accessible by someone wanting to tamper with or destroy the cables. 
     The cables can be preinstalled extending between the wall boxes, or they can be routed after the wall boxes  40  are mounted, such as when a new wall box is added. Prior to the new box being added, the extra cables can be stored in one of the wall boxes preexisting on wall plate  10 . Riser cables can also enter wall boxes  40  from one or more ducts  30  and rear holes  100 . 
     Wall boxes  40  include top and bottom removable cover portions  112 . Such removable portions allow for cables to extend between the wall boxes  40 , such as for jumper cables extending between termination panels  78  of different wall boxes  40 . Alternatively, wall boxes  40  can be provided with preexisting holes to allow passage of cables between different wall boxes. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show wall plate  10  with second wall box  44  removed. In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a jumper storage box  160  is shown. In  FIG. 9 , rear reinforcing plates  150  for wall plate  10  are shown extending transversely to ducts  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , jumper storage box  160  includes a chassis  161  with a first front door  162 , and second front door  164 . Both front doors  162 ,  164  are hingedly attached to open and close to expose the interior. Top and bottom plates  168  can be removed if desired, or holes can be provided, to allow communication between jumper storage box  160  and the wall boxes  40 . Disposed within jumper storage box  160  are a plurality of radius limiters  166  for cable slack storage. Jumper storage box  160  is useful for storing excess lengths of cross-connect cables extending between different wall boxes  40  in order to cross-connect the desired wall boxes  40  together. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-19 , an alternative wall plate  200  is constructed from smaller separate wall plate elements  202  which can be mounted together initially, or subsequently, as the need arises. The wall plates interlock to one another. In one example, there is a guide pin  212  and opening  214  interface. A locking pin  220  can be added through holes  218  to secure the separate plates together. Side ears or flanges with  228  mounting holes  224  can be used to mount each plate  202  to the wall. Once mounted to the wall and to each other, each duct  30  is in vertical alignment. As shown in  FIG. 20 , a wall box  40  can be pre-mounted to a wall plate  202 . Such arrangement can be mounted to the wall as an initial wall box, or as secondary wall box mounted adjacent to a pre-existing wall box and plate. Wall plate  202  can be made of molded plastic or other material. Flanges  228  and tabs  230  define the rear-most surface of wall plate  202 . Wall box  40  is the same height as wall plate  202 . As shown, wall box  40  is the same width as wall plate  202 . 
       FIG. 21  shows mounting hole  80  for receipt of a fastener  240  pre-mounted to the wall plate. Once the wall box is positioned over the fastener head  242  through wide opening area  82 , the wall box  40  is slid horizontally to the narrow opening area  84 , and the fastener  240  is tightened to secure the wall box  40  to the wall plate  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , first wall box  42  is shown mounted to an upper wall plate  202 . Additional wall plates  202  are mounted below with the ducts  30  in a vertical alignment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , a storage box  300  is shown for use on the previously disclosed wall plates. Storage box  300  can be used to hold cables prior to use with a disclosed wall box  40 . Fiber trays including a connector storage feature can be included to manage the cables. Storage box  300  is the same height as wall plate  202 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 25-27 , storage box  300  is mounted to upper plate  202 , and two wall boxes  42 ,  44  are mounted vertically below storage box  300 . Storage box  300  can be used to store fibers for wall boxes that are not yet installed. The extra fibers can be fibers for premises not yet occupied. The extra fibers can also be redundant fibers for each premises, such as one fiber for each operator who may provide service to the building. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , a similar arrangement to the arrangement of  FIGS. 25-27  is shown and includes a jumper storage box  160  for use in cross-connecting boxes  42  and  44 .  FIG. 29  shows a top view of the system of  FIG. 28  including the ducts  30  extending from top to bottom. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 30-33 , storage box  300  includes rear openings  302  in chassis  310 . Additional side openings  304 ,  306  can be provided. Multiple openings  304  and/or  306  can be provided if desired. Front cover  312  pivots open with a horizontal hinge  314 . Disposed within storage box  300  are fiber storage trays  340  for storing lengths of cable  346 . Cable  346  is terminated with connectors  350 . Connectors  350  are stored in a connector storage device  360  including connector storage ports  362 . Connector storage ports  362  allow for storage of connectors  350 , such as SC type, which include dust caps over the ends of the ferrules. An example connector storage device  360  is shown in  FIG. 35 . U.S. Pat. No. 7,218,827, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, also shows an example connector storage device  360 .  FIG. 33  shows a cable tie device  370  including cable tie off portions  372 ,  374 . Rear openings  302 , and side openings  304 ,  306  can be in the form of knockouts. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, boxes  40 ,  160 ,  300  are the same width as wall plates  10 ,  200  in the horizontal directions. 
       FIG. 36  shows a schematic representation of a wall box  40  with cables connected in an interconnect arrangement. The wall plate is present but not shown in the illustrated view. A riser cable  400  is fanned out at fan out  402  into single fibers or groups of fibers  404 . A feeder cable  420  is spliced at splice  422  to a splitter input  426  for a splitter  428 . Splitter outputs  430  and riser cables  404  are connectorized with fiber connectors  350 , such as SC type connectors. Some splitter outputs  430  are stored at connector storage device  360 . Adapters  98  at termination panel  78  connect selected riser cables  404  to feeder cables from splitter  428 . 
       FIG. 37  shows a schematic representation of two wall boxes  42 ,  44  with cables connected in a cross-connect arrangement. The wall plate is present but not shown in the illustrated view. The feeder cable  420  and some splitter outputs  430  of wall box  42  are not used. Two splitter outputs  430  are used to interconnect to riser cables  404 . Also, a second feeder cable  520  is spliced at splice  522  to a splitter input  526  for a splitter  528 . Splitter outputs  530  are connectorized with fiber connectors  436 , such as SC type connectors. Some splitter outputs  530  are stored at connector storage device  360 . Adapters  98  at termination panels  78  connect selected riser cables  404  to splitter outputs  530  from splitter  528  with jumper cables  540  in a cross-connect arrangement. 
       FIG. 38  shows a schematic representation of the storage box  300  with three riser cables  604 ,  606 ,  608  of main riser cable  600  being stored within the storage box. The wall plate is present but not shown in the illustrated view. Riser cable  602  of main riser cable  600  passes behind storage box  300  in a duct, such as to a wall box  42 . Fanout  610  resides outside of storage box  300 . Fanout  610  can be mounted to the wall plate  10 ,  200 ,  202 , such during factory installation. 
       FIG. 38  shows a second main riser cable  620  with a fanout  630  fanning the cable out into riser cables  622 ,  624 ,  626 ,  628 . Riser cable  622  passes behind storage box  300  in a duct. The remaining riser cables  624 ,  626 ,  628  are stored in fiber storage trays  340 . Riser cables  602 ,  622  can be pre-connected to termination panels  78  in wall boxes  40  mounted to a wall plate  10 ,  200 ,  202 , such as at the factory. The cables  602 ,  622  can be connected in the field as each wall box is added. 
     A third fanout  640  is shown for an additional riser cable, if desired. As shown each opening  302  is used with a different riser cable  600 ,  620  in the illustrated embodiment. 
       FIG. 39  shows a schematic representation of the cabling in an example arrangement with one storage box  300 , and two wall boxes  42 ,  44 . The wall plate is present but not shown in the illustrated view. Main riser cable  700  goes to a fanout  710 . First riser cable  702  can be interconnected with first feeder cable  712 , as noted above. Second riser cable  704  can be interconnected with second feed cable  714 , as noted above. Wall boxes  42 ,  44  can be cross-connected with each other, or with other wall boxes as desired. Third and fourth riser cables  706 ,  708  can be stored for later use in storage box  300 . All of the riser cables  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708  are in the same duct of the wall plate. 
     In one arrangement, a wall plate  10 ,  200  includes an upper cable storage box  300 , a first wall box  42  where a first operator can interconnect its feeder cable to the riser cable. 
     A second wall box  44  is provided where a second operator can cross-connect its feeder cable to the riser cable with jumper cables. A jumper storage box  160  can be added as desired. The second operator can also connect to a second riser cable stored in the cable storage box and passed to second wall box  44  in one of the ducts. 
     In another arrangement, a wall plate  10 ,  200  includes an upper wall box  42  where the first operator interconnects the riser cable to its feeder cable. A second wall box  44  can cross-connect its feeder cable to the riser cable with jumper cables. A jumper storage box can be added as desired. 
     In either of the above arrangements, the splices and splitters can be pre-installed in wall boxes  42 ,  44 . Wall box  44  can be initially installed on wall plate  10 ,  200 , or added later. The riser cable can be pre-installed to wall boxes  42 ,  44 , or added later. More wall boxes  46 ,  48  can be pre-assembled to wall plate  10 ,  200 , or added later. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 40 and 41 , an alternative embodiment of a wall plate  800  is shown. Wall plate  800  includes two ducts  802  for receiving cables. Wall plate  800  includes two DIN rails  804  for mounting of the wall boxes to the wall plate  800 , or for mounting other equipment. Wall plate  800  includes end channels  806  including wall mounting holes  810 . 
     Wall plate  800  is made integrally as shown, such as from an extrusion process. One type of material for the extrusion process could be aluminum. As shown, the various ducts  802 , DIN rails  804 , and end channels  806  are integrally formed during the extrusion process. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 42-44 , an alternative embodiment of a wall plate  900  is shown. Wall plate  900  includes a single duct  902  and a recess  906 . One DIN rail  908  is positioned in duct  902 . As shown, DIN rail  908  creates two portions or channels for duct  902 . DIN rail  910  is mounted within recess  906 . Wall mounting holes  912  are provided in wall plate  900 . 
     As shown, wall plate  900  can be made from a flat sheet of material, such as sheet metal and bent into the configuration as shown. The two DIN rails  908 ,  910  can be affixed to wall plate  900  as desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 44 , DIN rails  908 ,  910  are dimensioned differently so as to present a common planar face for wall plate  900 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 45-47 , an alternative embodiment of a wall plate  1000  is shown. Wall plate  1000  includes two ducts  1002  and a recess  1006 . Wall plate  1000  includes a platform surface  108  between ducts  1002 . Platform surface  108  supports one DIN rail  1010 . A second DIN rail  1010  is mounted in recess  1006 . Wall mounting holes  1012  are provided for mounting of wall plate  1000 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 42-44 , wall plate  1000  can be made from bent material and DIN rails  1010  added as desired. 
       FIGS. 48-55  show example constructions of a wall box including a side opening construction mounted to a cable management plate which mounts to the wall box from a front of the wall box. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 48-53 , a wall box  1100  is shown including one or more side openings  1102  for cables to enter wall box  1100 . Side openings  1102  are mounted on a removable sidewall insert plate  1104  which forms a portion of a first side  1106  of chassis  1108 . Plate  1104  fits into wall opening  1107 . Sidewall insert plate  1104  is removable for ease of operator handling of the cables entering and exiting wall box  1100 . 
     Wall box  1100  includes a chassis  1108  with a top  1110 , a bottom  1112  and a second side  1114  opposite to first side  1106 . Chassis  1108  defines a front  1120  and an interior  1122 . A cover  1124  closes open front  1120 . Cover  1124  is hingedly mounted to chassis  1108  with a bottom hinge  1128 . Individual openings  1130  allow for cables to enter and exit side opening  1102  of wall box  1100 . Openings  1130  are formed in sidewall insert plate  1104  which is removably mounted from a remainder of first side  1106 . A tongue and groove mounting arrangement can be used. Sidewall insert plate  1104  includes plate portion  1136  and an insert member  1140 . A tongue and groove mounting arrangement can be used. 
     A cable management plate  1146  is used by the operator to manage the cables entering and exiting wall box  1100 . Cable management plate  1146  can include a plurality of cable management elements  1150 , including cable clamps  1152 , a cable strength member fixation device  1153  and a cable loop area  1154 . 
     A mounting arrangement  1160  connects cable management plate  1146  to sidewall insert plate  1104  for handling as a unit. Snap mounting tabs  1164 ,  1166  snap together in a convenient manner. A fastener tab  1170  allows for securement of sidewall insert plate  1104  with cable management plate  1146  attached thereto to bottom  1112  of chassis  1108  of wall box  1100 . 
     In this manner, an operator can mount cables to wall box  1100  away from chassis  1108  by first mounting the cables through a side opening  1130 , and managing the cables on the cable management plate  1146 , such as on a table surface nearby to wall box  1100 . Once the cables are secured and managed on cable management plate  1146 , the unit is positioned in interior  1122  of wall box  1100 , and secured with a fastener  1172 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 54 and 55 , a similar arrangement is provided for wall box  1200  including a sidewall insert plate  1204  and a cable management  1246 . Sidewall insert plate  1204  is shown as being solid. However, knock-outs, drilled holes, or other arrangements for cable openings can be provided through sidewall insert plate  1204 , as desired. 
     In both of wall boxes  1100 ,  1200 , the operator can mount or remove cables as desired through the sidewall of wall box  1100 ,  1200 , and also manage the cables on cable management plates  1146 ,  1246 , away from the rest of the wall box  1100 ,  1200 . Then, the operator can mount the cable management plate and the side wall insert plate unit as a single unit to a rest of wall box  1100 ,  1200  for ease of cable handling. 
     Disposed in interior  1122  of boxes  1100 ,  1200  is a termination panel for holding adapters in adapter mounting holes or other equipment. The side openings  1102  in wall box  1100 ,  1200  allows for receipt of incoming and outgoing cables. For example, feeder cables enter wall box  1100 , 1200  and riser or distribution cables exit wall box  1100 ,  1200 . Side ports can be mounted inside opening  1102 . Side opening  1102  can be simply a hole, with an optional brush, a rubber gasket, or other device to prevent dust from entering the interior of the wall box. 
     With the noted construction of box  1100 ,  1200  including an integral side port  1102  and cable management device  1146 , a combined port end plate  1300  is provided. The combined port end plate  1300  provides a frontal wrap around functionality wherein the cable management features can be changed as desired, as well as the port features can be changed desired. In general, the combined port and plate  1300  is handled as a single unit for closing the side wall opening  1107  of the box  1100 . Various additional seals and support structures of box  1100  can be provided to close up side wall opening  1107  around the combined port end plate  1300 . 
     The combined port end plate  1300  can be front mounted to wall boxes  1100 ,  1200  reducing the amount of space needed along the side wall of the wall box if the combined port end plate  1300  were to be inserted from the side. Side removal is also anticipated, if desired. 
     The above systems and methods provide flexibility for customers who initially order an assembled system or who want to add operators and additional feeder cables. With such a flexible and modular system, other configurations different from the above described configurations are possible. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           10  Wall plate 
           12  First side 
           14  Second side 
           16  Top 
           18  Bottom 
           20  Front surface 
           22  Rear surface 
           24  Wall mounting holes 
           26  Equipment mounting holes 
           30  Ducts 
           40  Wall box 
           42  First wall box 
           44  Second wall box 
           46  Third wall box 
           40  Fourth wall box 
           50  Area 
           52  Chassis 
           54  Top 
           56  Bottom 
           58  First side 
           60  Second side 
           62  Front 
           64  Interior 
           66  First cover 
           68  Bottom hinge 
           70  Rear 
           72  Side cover 
           74  Side hinge 
           78  Termination panel 
           80  Mounting holes on wall box 
           82  Wide opening area 
           84  Narrow opening area 
           88  Adapter mounting holes 
           90  Side opening 
           92  Side ports 
           98  Adapter 
           100  Rear holes 
           112  Top/bottom removable cover portions 
           150  Reinforcing plates 
           160  Jumper storage box 
           161  Chassis 
           162  First front door 
           164  Second front door 
           166  Radius limiters 
           168  Top/bottom plates 
           200  Wall plate 
           202  Smaller wall plates 
           204  Top surface 
           206  Bottom surface 
           212  Guide pin 
           214  Opening 
           218  Locking pin holes 
           220  Locking pin 
           224  Mounting holes 
           228  Flanges 
           240  Fastener 
           242  Head 
           300  Cable storage box 
           302  Rear openings 
           304  Additional side openings 
           306  Additional side openings 
           310  Chassis 
           312  Front cover 
           314  Hinge 
           340  Fiber storage trays 
           346  Cable 
           350  Connectors 
           360  Connector storage device 
           362  Connector storage ports 
           370  Cable tie device 
           372  Cable tie off portion 
           374  Cable tie off portion 
           400  Riser cable 
           404  Riser cables 
           420  Feeder cable 
           422  Splice 
           426  Splitter input 
           428  Splitter 
           430  Splitter outputs 
           436  Fiber connectors 
           520  Second feeder cable 
           522  Splice 
           526  Splitter input 
           528  Splitter 
           530  Splitter outputs 
           540  Jumper cables 
           600  Main riser cable 
           602  Riser cable 
           604  Riser cable 
           606  Riser cable 
           608  Riser cable 
           610  Fanout 
           620  Second main riser cable 
           622  Riser cable 
           624  Riser cable 
           626  Riser cable 
           628  Riser cable 
           630  Fanout 
           640  Fanout 
           700  Main riser cable 
           702  First riser cable 
           704  Second riser cable 
           706  Third riser cable 
           708  Fourth riser cable 
           710  Fanout 
           712  First feeder cable 
           714  Second feeder cable 
           800  Wall plate 
           802  Ducts 
           804  DIN rail 
           806  End channels 
           810  Wall mounting holes 
           900  Wall plate 
           902  Duct 
           906  Recess 
           908  DIN rail 
           910  DIN rail 
           912  Wall mounting holes 
           1000  Wall plate 
           1002  Ducts 
           1006  Recess 
           1008  Platform surface 
           1010  DIN rail 
           1012  Wall mounting holes 
           1100  Wall box 
           1102  Side opening 
           1104  Sidewall insert plate 
           1106  First side 
           1107  Wall opening 
           1108  Chassis 
           1110  Top 
           1112  Bottom 
           1114  Second side 
           1120  Front 
           1122  Interior 
           1124  Cover 
           1128  Bottom hinge 
           1130  Openings 
           1136  Plate portion 
           1140  Insert member 
           1146  Cable management plate 
           1150  Cable management elements 
           1152  Clamps 
           1153  Cable strength member fixation device 
           1154  Loop area 
           1160  Mounting arrangement 
           1164  First tabs 
           1166  Second tabs 
           1170  Mounting tab 
           1172  Fastener 
           1200  Wall box 
           1204  Sidewall insert plate 
           1246  Cable management plate 
           1300  Combined port end plate