Patent Publication Number: US-2022229254-A1

Title: Bladed panel system and components therefore

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is being filed on Jun. 26, 2020 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/868,468, filed on Jun. 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Chassis panel systems can hold a plurality of ports at which connections can be made. For example, one or more optical adapters can be mounted within a chassis. Of course, electrical jacks or other port modules also can be mounted within the chassis. In some cases, the port modules can be mounted to movable (e.g., slidable) trays or blades within the chassis. Cables connected to rear-facing ports of the port modules extend towards the rear of the chassis. A cable management module is typically disposed at the rear of the chassis to manage the cables during movement of the trays or blades. 
     Improvements are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a bladed chassis panel, a blade therefore, and components for inclusion thereon. 
     In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the blade includes multiple mounting stations at which port modules can be loaded onto the blade. For example, a port module may include oppositely facing mounting structure received at adjacent mounting stations. 
     In certain implementations, the blade may include different types of mounting stations. For example, a first type of mounting station may include a latch deflectable along a first axis and a second type of mounting station may include a latch deflectable along a second axis that is oriented differently from the first axis. In an example, the first and second axes are transverse to each other. In certain examples, the mounting station types alternate along a row across a width of the blade. 
     In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, various types of port modules may be installed on the blade at the mounting stations. In certain implementations, each of the port modules has a common mounting structure so that any desired combination of port modules can be installed at the blade 
     In some implementations, the port modules defines a common number of front and rear ports. In some examples, the ports are single-fiber ports. In other examples, the ports are multi-fiber ports. In other implementations, the port module defines fewer rear ports than front ports. In still other implementations, the port module defines a rear, non-port entrance and multiple front ports. 
     In certain implementations, the port modules include a protection body coupled to an adapter pack. The protection body defines the rear port(s) and/or rear non-port entrance. An optical circuit is disposed within the protection body. The optical circuit optically couples the rear port(s) or entrance to the front ports. In certain implementations, the optical circuit includes one or more optical splices. The protection body provides routing paths that inhibit over bending of the optical fibers. In certain examples, the routing paths may be multi-level. 
     A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an example chassis panel including a chassis body, a cable management arrangement, and a removable rear cover configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example blade suitable for use with the chassis panel of  FIG. 1 , the blade being configured to hold any combination of multiple types of port modules; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the blade of  FIG. 2  showing a first type of mounting station; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the blade of  FIG. 2  showing a second type of mounting station; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the second type of mounting station of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first example port module suitable for use with the blade of  FIG. 2 , the first example port module including of a multi-fiber adapter pack; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the multi-fiber adapter pack of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter pack of  FIG. 6  taken through the separator walls between adapters; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second example port module suitable for use with the blade of  FIG. 2 , the second example port module including of a single-fiber adapter pack; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the single-fiber adapter pack of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a third example port module suitable for use with the blade of  FIG. 2 , the third example port module including an adapter module having multiple front ports and a rear port; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the adapter module of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the adapter module of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fourth example port module suitable for use with the blade of  FIG. 2 , the fourth example port module including an optical cassette having multiple front ports and a rear non-port entrance; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a base of a protective body of the cassette of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a partially exploded view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 11  with the adapter pack cover exploded from the port body, which is attached to a protective body from which a corresponding cover has been removed; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of an example base of the cassette of  FIG. 16  with representative fibers shown routed therethrough; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 14  with the protective cover removed and a single-fiber splice chip loaded therein; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 14  with the protective cover removed and a splice reel loaded therein; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of the splice reel of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom perspective view of the splice reel of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a top perspective view of the optical cassette of  FIG. 20  with a channel extender; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a portion of the blade of  FIG. 2  showing an alternative second type of mounting station; and 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an example blade suitable for use with the chassis panel of  FIG. 1 , the blade being configured to hold any combination of multiple types of port modules, the blade also including a rear handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     The present disclosure is directed to a chassis panel  100  including a chassis body  110  that receives one or more blades  150  within the interior. Each blade  150  is movable relative to the chassis body  110  along a forward-rearward axis between at least a retracted position and a forwardly extended position. Each blade  150  carries one or more port modules  200  along the forward-rearward axis X ( FIG. 2 ). Each port module  200  includes at least one front port configured to receive a plug connector and at least one rear port configured to receive a plug connector. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the chassis panel  100  extends along a depth between a front  101  and a rear  102 , along a width between opposite first and second sides  103 ,  104 , and along a height between a top  105  and a bottom  106 . The chassis body  110  defines an open front  112  at the front  101  of the chassis panel  100 . The chassis body  110  also defines an open rear. The forward-rearward axis extends between the open front and the open rear. 
     A cover  119  may be mounted at the open front  112  of the chassis body  110  to selectively cover the open front  112 . The cover  119  may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The cover  119  inhibits access to an interior of the chassis body  110  through the open front  112  when the cover  119  is disposed in the closed position. The cover  119  allows access to an interior of the chassis body  110  through the open front  112  when the cover  119  is disposed in the open position. 
     In certain implementations, a cable management arrangement  120  is mounted to the chassis body  110  at the open rear. In certain examples, a rear cover  130  mounts to the cable management arrangement  120  to inhibit access to the open rear of the chassis body  110 . 
     Opposite sidewalls  116  extend between the open front  112  and the open rear of the chassis body  110 . Opposite end walls  118  extend between the open front  112  and the open rear and between the opposite sidewalls  116  of the chassis body  110 . In certain implementations, the chassis body  110  is configured to mount to a rack frame. For example, brackets may be attached to the chassis body  110 . 
     Example chassis bodies  110  and front covers  119  suitable for use with the chassis panel  100  described herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,934,252; 9,709,765; and U.S. Publication No. 2018/0224621, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Example cable management arrangements  120  and rear covers  130  suitable for use with the chassis panel  100  described herein are disclosed in co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/852,571, filed May 24, 2019, titled “Chassis Panel with Selectable Cable Management Insert and Cabling Method Therefore,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an example blade  150  includes a body  152  extending between rails  154 . In some implementations, one or both rails  154  are integral with the blade body  152  (see  FIG. 26 ). In other implementations, both rails  154  are coupled to the blade body  152  (see  FIG. 2 ). Each blade  150  is slidable relative to the chassis body  110  along the forward-rearward axis. In certain implementations, the rails  154  slide along guide members supported by the sidewalls  116  of the chassis body  110 . 
     Each blade  150  includes a releasable locking arrangement  156  by which the blade  150  is releasably held in one or more discrete positions along the forward-rearward axis X. In certain implementations, a blade  150  includes a handle  180  by which the blade body  152  can be moved along the forward-rearward axis X. In certain examples, the handle  180  is disposed at a rear of the blade body  152 . In the depicted example, the handle  180  is disposed at a rear corner of the blade body  152 . In certain examples, the handle  180  defines an aperture  182  to accommodate a finger of a user to pull the blade  150  by the handle  180 . Each blade  150  also may include cable management  158  at a rear of the blade body  152 . Example locking arrangements  156  and cable management  158  suitable for use with the blades  150  described herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,934,252; 9,709,765; and U.S. Publication No. 2018/0224621, the disclosures of which incorporated by reference above. 
     In certain implementations, one or more port modules  200  are mounted to each blade  150  to be carried with the respective blade  150 . In certain implementations, each port module  200  defines a plurality of front ports. In some implementations, each port module  200  defines a plurality of rear ports aligned with respective ones of the front ports. In other implementations, each port module  200  defines a single rear port. In some examples, the front ports of a port module  200  are laterally aligned along a plane transverse to the forward-rearward axis. In other examples, the front ports of a port module  200  are offset from each other along the forward-rearward axis X. 
     In certain implementations, the blade  150  defines a plurality of mounting stations  160 ,  165  at which mounting structures  205  of the port modules  200  are secured. In certain examples, the mounting stations  160 ,  165  are disposed in a row extending across a width of the blade  150  transverse to the forward-rearward axis X. Accordingly, multiple port modules  200  can be mounted in a row across the width of the blade  150 . In certain implementations, multiple types of port modules  200  have a common mounting structure  205 , as will be disclosed in more detail herein, so that the configuration of port modules  200  can be customized for each blade  150 . 
     In some implementations, the port modules  200  are latched to the mounting stations. For example, each of the mounting stations  160 ,  165  may include a latching arrangement including one or more latching fingers  162 ,  166  that flex to receive the mounting structure  205  of the port module  200 . Each latching finger  162 ,  166  defines a catch  164 ,  168  at the distal end. In some examples, the latching finger  162  of a first mounting station  160  is configured to flex transverse to the forward-rearward axis X (e.g., see  FIG. 3 ). In other examples, the latching finger  166  of a second example mounting station  165  is configured to flex parallel to the forward-rearward axis X (e.g., see  FIGS. 4, 5, and 25 ). In other implementations, the port modules  200  may be otherwise secured to the mounting stations  160 ,  165 . 
     In certain implementations, each port module  200  includes mounting structure  205  at a first end and mounting structure  205  at an opposite second end. The mounting structure  205  at the first end secures to a mounting station  160 ,  165  and the mounting structure  205  at the second end secures to an adjacent mounting station  160 ,  165 . The port module  200  extends between the two mounting stations. 
     In certain implementations, a blade  150  can include multiple types of mounting stations  160 ,  165 . For example, a first type of mounting station  160  may include one or more latch fingers  162  that flex transverse to the forward-rearward axis X and a second type of mounting station  165  may include one or more latch fingers  166  that flex parallel to the forward-rearward axis X. In certain examples, the first type of mounting station  160  includes two independently deflectable latch fingers  162  that face in opposite directions. In certain examples, the second type of mounting station  165  includes a single deflectable latch finger  166 . In an example, the catch  168  of the single latch finger  166  has protrusion  168 A extending laterally in opposite directions. 
     In certain implementations, the blade  150  includes an alternating sequence of types of mounting stations  160 ,  165  across the width of the blade  150 . For example, the blade  150  may include mounting stations  160  of the first type at opposite sides of the blade  150  and at a center of the blade  150 . The blade  150  also may include one mounting station  165  of the second type between a first outermost station  160  and the center station  160  and another mounting station  165  of the second type between the center station  160  and the other outermost station  160 . 
     In certain implementations, each mounting station  160 ,  165  is configured to secure mounting structures  205  of two port modules  200 . For example, each mounting station  160 ,  165  defines a first receiving section  163  and a second receiving section  167 . Each receiving section  163 ,  167  is sized and shaped so that the mounting structure  205  fits thereat. In certain examples, each receiving section  163 ,  167  defines a separate channel into which the mounting structure  205  is inserted. In some examples, the one or more latch fingers  162 ,  166  flex within the channels. In other examples, the one or more latch fingers  166  flex between the channels. 
     In certain implementations, the mounting stations  160 ,  165  are defined by mounting members  170  connected to the blade body  152  (e.g., see  FIG. 2 ). The mounting members  170  are elongate along the forward-rearward axis X. Each mounting member  170  defines one of the mounting stations  160 ,  165 . In certain implementations, a first type 172 of mounting member  170  defines the first type of mounting station  160  and a second type 174 of mounting member  174  defines the second type of mounting station  165 . In certain implementations, forward ends of the mounting members  170  define routing guides  176  to guide fibers or cables to the front ports of the port modules  170  loaded on the blade  150 . In certain examples, the different types of mounting members  170  have a common length. 
     In some implementations, the port modules  200  include optical adapters. In certain examples, the port modules  200  include adapter packs, adapter modules, or cassettes that each carry or include one or more optical adapters. In other examples, the port modules  200  include electrical jacks, hybrid adapters, or other such plug receptacles. Three different types of port modules  200  are shown in  FIG. 2 : a multi-fiber adapter pack  210 , a single-fiber adapter pack  212  and an adapter module  214 . An optical cassette  216 , which also is installable at the mounting stations  170  of the blade  150 , is shown in  FIGS. 14-23  and will be discussed in more detail herein. 
       FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a first example port module  200  in the form of a multi-fiber adapter pack  210  including a first housing piece  212  that mates with a second housing piece  214  to form a combined housing  220 . Mounting structures  205  are disposed at opposite sides of the combined housing  220 . One or more optical adapters (e.g., MPO adapters)  216  are disposed between the first and second housing pieces  212 ,  214  within the combined housing  220 . In some examples, the first housing piece  212  is identical to the second housing piece  214 . In other examples, however, the first and second housing pieces  212 ,  214  can be distinct from each other. 
     In some implementations, the first and second housing pieces  212 ,  214  cooperate to define each of the mounting structures  205 . In other implementations, each housing piece  212 ,  214  can define one of the mounting structures  205 . In still other implementations, one housing piece  212 ,  214  can define both mounting structures  205  in full. 
     Each housing piece  212 ,  214  defines one or more apertures  218  to provide access to the ports of the adapters  216  held within the combined housing  220 . In the example shown, each housing piece  212 ,  214  defines three apertures  218 . In the example shown, each aperture  216  provides access to two ports. In other examples, however, each aperture  216  can provide access to one, three, four, six, eight, or any desired number of ports. In the example shown, each aperture  218  provides access to two multi-fiber ports. In other examples, each aperture  218  may provide access to a single port or to additional ports (e.g., three ports, four ports, six ports, twelve ports, etc.). 
     In still other examples, one or more of the apertures  218  may lead to a spacer wall extending across the aperture  218  to block access to an interior of the combined housing  220 . The spacer wall is utilized in place of one or more adapter ports. In some implementations, the spacer wall is defined by a spacer structure sized and shaped similar to the adapters  216 , but having solid walls instead of front and rear ports. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the middle adapter  216  can be replaced with a spacer structure so that front and rear ports are defined only at the outer apertures  218 . Of course, the spacer structure can be placed at any aperture  218  or combination of apertures  218 . 
     Each housing piece  212 ,  214  includes a retention arrangement that mates with the retention arrangement of the other housing piece  214 ,  212  to hold the housing pieces  212 ,  214  together. In the example shown, the retention arrangement of each housing piece  212 ,  214  includes one or more deflectable arms  222  and corresponding receiving slots  224  that receive the deflectable arms  222  of the other housing piece. In certain implementations, tape (e.g., a label)  215  can be disposed over the mated arms  222  and slots  224  to inhibit separation of the housing pieces  212 ,  214 . 
     When the first and second housing pieces  212 ,  214  are held together, respective interior cavities of the housing pieces cooperate to define a combined interior in which one or more adapters  216  can be disposed. In the example shown, each housing piece  212 ,  214  includes separator walls  226  disposed between the apertures  218 . In certain examples, the separator walls  226  extend at least partially between adjacent adapters  216 . 
     In certain implementations, the separator walls  226  of the first housing piece  212  align with the separator walls  226  of the second housing piece  214  to define pockets in which the adapters  216  can be disposed. In certain examples, the separator walls  226  do not extend fully across a depth of the respective housing piece  212 ,  214 . Rather, corresponding separator walls  226  of the first and second housing pieces  212 ,  214  cooperate to define a window  228  between adjacent pockets (e.g., see  FIG. 8 ). In certain examples, one or more structural features of the adapters  216  are disposed at the window  228 . For example, each adapter  216  may include a tab  230  that can be disposed at a window  228 . 
       FIGS. 9-10  illustrate a second example port module  200  in the form of a single-fiber adapter pack  230  that defines a plurality of single-fiber ports. The single-fiber adapter pack  230  includes a port body  232  and a cover  234  that mounts to the port body  232 . The port body  232  defines front ports  236  and rear ports that align with the front ports  236 . In an example, the front and rear ports are each configured to receive an LC plug connector. In other examples, however, the front and rear ports may receive SC plug connectors or another type of single-fiber connectors. In the example shown, each adapter pack  230  defines twelve front ports. In other examples, however, each adapter pack  230  defines a greater or lesser number (e.g., one, two, four, six, eight, ten, sixteen, twenty-four, etc.) of front ports  236 . 
     In some implementations, the port body  232  defines the mounting structures  205 . In other implementations, the cover  234  defines the mounting structures  205 . In the example shown, the cover  234  includes sidewalls  246  that extend downwardly from a main cover section  248 . Each sidewall  246  defines one of the mounting structures  205 . In certain examples, a ramped tab  238  ( FIG. 10 ) or other retention member is disposed at each side of the port body  232  beneath the respective sidewall  246  as will be described in more detail herein. 
     In the example shown, the cover  234  latches to the port body  232 . For example, the port body  232  may include one or more latch fingers  240  extending upwardly from the port body  232  to catches  242  at distal ends. The cover  234  defines one or more apertures  244  sized to receive the latch fingers  240  of the port body  232 . In certain examples, the cover  234  defines recessed surfaces within the apertures  244 . The catches  242  of the latch fingers  240  snap over the recessed surfaces to hold the cover  234  to the port body  232 . In other examples, the cover  234  may otherwise secure to the port body  232  (e.g., adhesive, friction-fit, weld, fasteners, etc.). 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate a third example port module  200  in the form of an adapter module  250  having multiple single-fiber ports  236  and a multi-fiber port  254 . In certain implementations, the single-fiber ports  236  are front-facing ports and the multi-fiber port  254  is a rear-facing port. An optical circuit  260  optically couples the multi-fiber port  254  to the single-fiber ports  236 . For example, the optical circuit  260  includes multiple optical fibers  262  having first ends separately terminated at respective single-fiber plug connectors (e.g., LC plug connectors)  264  and second ends terminated together by a multi-fiber plug connector (e.g., MPO plug connectors)  266 . 
     In certain implementations, the module  250  includes an optical circuit protection body  252  that couples to the single-fiber adapter pack  230 . The protection body  252  defines the multi-fiber port  254 . The front ports  236  of the adapter pack  230  defines the single-fiber ports. The single-fiber plug connectors  264  of the optical circuit  260  are received at the rear ports of the adapter pack  230 . The multi-fiber plug connector  266  of the optical circuit  260  is received at an inner port of the protection body  252  to be optically coupled to the multi-fiber port  254 . 
     In certain implementations, the protection body  252  includes a base  256  and a corresponding cover  258  that cooperate to define an interior. In certain examples, the corresponding cover  258  latches to the base  256 . In other examples, the cover  258  may be otherwise secured to the base  256  (e.g., via fasteners, welding, friction-fit, epoxy, etc.). The optical circuit  260  is disposed within the interior. Routing guides  270  are disposed within the interior to guide the optical fibers  262  between the multi-fiber port  254  and the rear ports of the adapter pack  230  without excessive bending of the fibers. The routing guides may include bend radius limiters (e.g., full or partial spools). In certain examples, the routing guides may include retention fingers to hold the optical fibers  262  within the base  256 . 
     In certain implementations, the adapter pack  230  is non-removably coupled to the protection body  252 . For example, the protection body  252  includes deflectable arms  268  that extend forwardly of the protection body  252 . The deflectable arms  268  extend over opposite sides of the port body  232  of the adapter pack  230 . In certain examples, the deflectable arms  268  define inner recesses that receive the ramped tabs  238  of the port body  232 . The deflectable arms  268  cam over forward-facing ramp surfaces of the tabs  238  and snap over forward-facing shoulders of the tabs  238  to attach the protection body  252  to the port body  232 . 
     When the cover  234  of the adapter pack  230  mounts to the port body  232 , a retainer portion  245  of each sidewall  246  extends over one of the deflectable arms  268 . The retainer portion  245  is spaced rearwardly from the mounting structure  205 . Each retainer portion  245  extends over the respective deflectable arm  268  to hold the deflectable arm  268  stationary over the respective ramped tab  238 . The retainer portions  245  are sufficiently stiff to inhibit outward flexing of the deflectable arms  268  away from the port body  232 . Accordingly, the sidewalls  246  inhibit removal of the protection body  252  from the port body  232 . 
     In some implementations, the adapter pack cover  234  is non-removably coupled to the port body  232 . Accordingly, the sidewalls  246  cannot be removed from the deflectable arms  268  once the protection body  252  is installed at the adapter pack  230 . In certain examples, the apertures  244  defined in the adapter pack cover  234  are sufficiently small to inhibit insertion of a tool to deflect the latch fingers  240  to release the cover  234 . In other examples, the cover  234  can be welded, adhesively joined, riveted, or otherwise non-removably secured to the port body  232 . In other implementations, the adapter pack cover  234  is removable from the port body  232  (e.g., by releasing the latch fingers  240 , using fasteners, etc.). 
       FIGS. 14-24  illustrate a fourth example port module  200  in the form of an optical cassette  280  having multiple single-fiber ports  236  and a multi-fiber entrance  284  (e.g., a port, a sealed gland, an open passage, etc.). In certain examples, the single-fiber ports  236  are forward-facing and the multi-fiber entrance  284  is rearward facing. The optical cassette  280  holds excess length of optical fibers received at the multi-fiber entrance  284  and optically coupled to the single-fiber ports  236 . 
     In some implementations, pre-terminated optical fibers are routed into the cassette  280 , managed within the cassette  280 , and optically coupled to the single-fiber ports  236  (see  FIGS. 16 and 17 ). In other implementations, unterminated optical fibers are routed into the cassette  280  and spliced (e.g., one or more mass fusion splices or multiple single-fiber splices) to pre-terminated pigtails disposed within the cassette  280  (see  FIGS. 18-23 ). 
     In certain implementations, the cassette  280  includes an optical circuit protection body  282  that couples to the single-fiber adapter pack  230 . The protection body  282  defines the multi-fiber entrance  284 . The front ports  236  of the adapter pack  230  defines the single-fiber ports. The protection body  282  includes a base  286  and a corresponding cover  288  that cooperates with the base to define an interior. In certain examples, the cover  288  latches to the base  286  at one or more latching arrangements  302 . In the example shown, the base  286  defines ramped latch receivers and the cover  288  includes deflectable latches. In other examples, the base  286  may include the deflectable latches and the cover  288  may include the latch receivers. 
       FIG. 15  shows the base  286  of the cassette protection body  282 . The base  286  includes a sidewall arrangement  298  extending upwardly from a bottom surface  296 . The base  286  defines an open front at which the adapter pack  230  can be coupled. The base  286  also defines an anchor region  300  at the multi-fiber entrance  284 . The multi-fiber entrance  284  is configured to receive a plurality of bare fibers, a plurality of ribbon fibers, and/or a sheath containing a plurality of fibers. In certain examples, the anchor region  300  is structured to facilitate tying and/or taping of the fibers/sheath to the base  286  at the anchor region  300 . For example, the anchor region  300  may define one or more apertures through which cable ties may be installed. 
     In certain implementations, the sidewall arrangement  298  includes a first sidewall  298 A that extends along a first side and a rear of the body  282  and a second sidewall  298 B that extends along a second side of the body  282  opposite the first side. In certain examples, a portion of the first sidewall  298 A cooperates with the second sidewall  298 B to define the anchor region  300  at the multi-fiber entrance  284 . 
     Deflectable arms  290  extend forwardly of the open front of the base  286 . In certain examples, the deflectable arms  290  are formed by the sidewall arrangement  298 . Each deflectable arm  290  defines at least a first recess or aperture  292  sized to receive the ramped tab  238  of the port body  232  of the adapter pack  230 . The deflectable arms  290  cam over forward-facing ramp surfaces of the tabs  238  and snap over forward-facing shoulders of the tabs  238  to attach the cassette protection body  282  to the port body  232 . In certain examples, each deflectable arm  290  also defines a second recess or aperture  294  spaced rearward from the first recess or aperture  292  as will be described in more detail herein. 
     In certain implementations, the adapter pack  230  is non-removably coupled to the cassette protection body  282  (e.g., see  FIG. 16 ). When the cover  234  of the adapter pack  230  mounts to the port body  232 , a retainer portion  245  of each sidewall  246  extends over one of the deflectable arms  290 . Each retainer portion  245  extends over the respective deflectable arm  290  to hold the deflectable arm  290  stationary over the respective ramped tab  238 . The retainer portions  245  are sufficiently stiff to inhibit outward flexing of the deflectable arms  290  away from the port body  232 . Accordingly, the sidewalls  246  inhibit removal of the cassette protection body  282  from the port body  232 . In certain implementations, the adapter pack cover  234  is non-removably coupled to the port body  232  as described above with reference to the adapter module  250 . Accordingly, the sidewalls  246  cannot be removed from the deflectable arms  290  once the protection body  282  is installed at the adapter pack  230 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 15 , the cassette protection body  282  includes guide structures disposed within the interior. The guide structures bend radius limiters forming a routing path between the multi-fiber entrance  284  and the open front where the adapter pack  230  will be installed. In certain examples, the bend radius limiters include a spool  304  towards the open front. In the example shown, the spool  304  is interrupted in that a channel  312  is defined therethrough. Another series of bend radius limiters  306  are recessed inwardly from the sidewall arrangement  298  to define a routing channel that extends around an inner periphery of the base  286  towards the rear of the base  286 . Retention fingers  310  extend inwardly from the sidewall arrangement  298  and outwardly from the limiters  304 ,  306  to aid in maintaining the fibers within the routing path. 
       FIG. 17  illustrate the base  286  of the cassette  280  cabled with a pre-terminated fiber arrangement  310  in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The fiber arrangement  310  includes multiple optical fibers  312  each separately terminated with a single-fiber plug connector  314 . In  FIG. 17 , representative fibers  312  are shown disposed along the routing path between the entrance  284  and the adapter pack  230 . For ease in viewing, only three of the fibers  312  are illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
     The fibers  312  enter the base  286  at the entrance  284  and are then routed toward the open front of the base  286  to wrap around the spool  304 . From the spool  304 , the fibers  312  extend into the routing channel around the inner periphery of the base  286 . The fibers  312  are then routed forwardly again to the adapter pack  230  at which the plug connectors  314  are plugged into the rear ports. In certain implementations, the spool  304  has an interrupted spool wall so that one or more of the fibers  312  may extend through the spool  304  to reach the rear ports of the adapter pack  230 . Others of the fibers  312  may be routed to either side of the spool  304 . 
     In the example shown, the deflectable arms  290  hold the adapter pack  230  sufficiently forward of the bottom surface  296  to accommodate finger access to the plug connectors  314 . The gap between the bottom surface  296  and the adapter pack  230  also may accommodate the size of the plug connectors  314 . In other examples, however, the bottom surface  296  of the base  286  may extend to the adapter pack  230 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate the cassette  280  loaded with a splice chip  330  configured to hold multiple single-fiber splices. The cover  288  is removed from the base  286  of the protective body  282  for ease in viewing. The base  286  includes a securement arrangement  320  to which the splice chip  330  is mounted. In some examples, the securement arrangement  320  is a latching arrangement. In the example shown, the securement arrangement  320  includes two deflectable fingers  322  ( FIG. 15 ) extending upwardly from the bottom surface  296  of the base  286 . Each finger  322  defines a catch  324  facing away from the other finger  322 . The fingers  322  are deflectable towards each other. 
     As shown, the splice chip  330  includes a main body  332  and an attachment ring  334  that snaps over the latching arrangement  320 . In certain examples, the bottom surface  296  of the base  286  defines a recess in which the splice chip  330  may seat. The recess may aid in holding the splice chip  330  in a fixed position relative to the bottom surface  296  to inhibit pulling on the optical fibers routed within the cassette  280 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , an insert  340  may be mounted to the base  286  to extend the bottom surface  296  forwardly to the adapter pack  230 . The insert  340  may aid in retaining the fibers within the protection body  282 . The insert  340  may inhibit dust or other contaminants from entering the protection body  282 . The insert  340  includes a main body  342  that extends across the open end of the base  286 . Ramped tabs  344  are disposed at opposite sides of the main body  342 . The ramped tabs  344  fit within the rearward apertures  294  of the deflectable arms  290  of the base  286  to hold the insert  340  to the base  286 . In certain examples, flat tabs  346  may extend forwardly of the bottom surface  296  of the base  286  to provide support for the main body  342  of the insert  340 . 
     In use, pre-terminated pigtails have plug connectors plugged into the rear ports of the adapter pack  230 . Opposite ends of the pigtails are routed from the rear ports, through the routing channel along part of the inner periphery of the base  286 , and to a rear end of the splice chip  330 . Cable fibers to be spliced to the pre-terminated pigtails extend into the cassette  280  through the entrance  284 , wrap around the spool  304  at least once, and then route to the front of the splice chip  330 . Excess length of the pigtails and/or the cable fibers may be taken up along the routing path around the spool  304  and the inner periphery guide channel. 
       FIGS. 20-23  illustrate the cassette  280  loaded with a splice reel  350  configured to hold a mass-fusion splice between multiple pre-terminated pigtails received at the rear ports of the adapter pack  230  and multiple cable fibers received at the cassette entrance  284 . The splice reel  350  also is configured to retain excess length of the pre-terminated pigtails and/or of the cable fibers. The splice reel  350  attaches to the securement arrangement  320 . In certain examples, the splice reel  350  also mounts at least partially over the spool  304  as will be described in more detail herein. 
     An example reel  350  is shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . The reel  350  includes a body  352  on which a first spool  354  and a second spool  356  are disposed in alignment with each other. A channel  358  configured to receive a mass fusion splice is disposed between the first and second spools  354 ,  356 . In certain examples, the spools  354 ,  356  align along the forward-rearward axis X of the blade  150  when the cassette  280  is mounted to the blade  150 . In such examples, the channel  358  extends at a non-transverse angle relative to the axis X. 
     The reel  350  also includes platforms  362  that extend outwardly from the spools  354 ,  356  to define outer channels  360  along which excess length of the fibers may be wound. Walls  364  may be disposed at distal ends of one or more of the platforms  362  to hold the fibers within the channels  360 . Retention fingers  366  also may extend outwardly from the spools  354 ,  356  and/or from the body  352  of the reel  350  at locations spaced from the platforms  362 . The retention fingers  366  are positioned at a raised position relative to the platforms  362 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , the reel  350  includes a catch arrangement  368  configured to snap over the latch arrangement  320  of the base  286 . The catch feature  368  inhibits unintentional removal of the reel  350  from the base  286 . In certain implementations, the second spool  356  defines an inner mounting surface  370  that fits over the spool  304  of the base  286 . The engagement between the second spool  356  and the spool  304  inhibits rotation of the reel  350  relative to the base  286 . 
     In certain implementations, the second spool  356  is suspended above the bottom surface  296  of the base  286  when mounted over the spool  304  (e.g., see  FIG. 20 ). For example, the second spool  356  may seat on retention fingers  374  extending outwardly from the spool  304  (e.g., see  FIG. 20 ). In certain implementations, a trunk  378  may extend downwardly from the catch arrangement  368  at the first spool  354 . The trunk  374  supports the first spool  354  at a common level with the second spool  356 . Accordingly, the optical cassette  280  provides two levels of fiber routing—a first level at the bottom surface  296  of the base  286  and a second level around the reel  350 . 
     In use, pre-terminated pigtails have plug connectors plugged into the rear ports of the adapter pack  230 . Opposite ends of the pigtails are spliced to respective cable fibers using a mass fusion splice. The splice is placed within the channel  358  between the first and second spools  354 ,  356 . Excess length of the cable fibers and/or the pigtails is routed around the reel  350  (e.g., along the platform channels  360  and around the spools  354 ,  356 ). From the reel  350 , the pigtail fibers and cable fibers extend into the routing path over the bottom surface  296  along the inner periphery of the base  286  and then towards the spool  304  beneath the second spool  356  of the reel  350 . In certain examples, the pigtail fibers wrap around the spool  304  beneath the reel  350  before extending towards the rear ports of the adapter pack  230 . The cable fibers extend from the spool  304  to the cassette entrance  284 . 
       FIG. 24  illustrates another example base  286  suitable for use with the cassette  280 . The base  286  includes a channel extender  380  disposed at the rear of the base  286 . The channel extender  380  extends outwardly from the sidewall arrangement  298  to guide cable fibers to the fiber entrance  284 . In certain examples, the channel extender  380  guides the cable fibers along a curved exterior of the protection body  282  at the rear of the protection body  282 . In other examples, the base  286  may include multiple channel extenders  380  disposed at the rear of the protection body  282 . 
     In the example shown, the channel extender  380  includes a platform  382  extending outwardly from the first sidewall  298 A and two retention fingers  384  disposed at a distal end of the platform  382 . In other examples, the channel extender  380  may include a greater or lesser number of retention fingers. In still other examples, a wall may replace the retention fingers  384 . 
     In certain implementations, the base  286  may define a component station  390  sized to receive an optical power splitter, an optical wavelength splitter, or other such component. The component station  390  forms part of the routing path along the inner periphery of the base  286 . In the example shown, the component station  390  laterally aligns with the anchor station  300 . 
     Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.