Patent Publication Number: US-7909619-B2

Title: Cassette with locking feature

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,816, filed Feb. 27, 2009, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,816, filed Feb. 27, 2009, relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,912, filed Feb. 27, 2009, relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,987, filed Feb. 27, 2009, and relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/395,049, filed Feb. 27, 2009. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to cassettes, and more particularly, to locking features for securing cassettes in panel openings. 
     Known connector assemblies exist having multiple receptacle connectors in a common housing, which provide a compact arrangement of such receptacle connectors. Such a connector assembly is useful to provide multiple connection ports. Accordingly, such a connector assembly is referred to as a multiple port connector assembly. The receptacle connectors may be in the form of RJ-45 type modular jacks that establish mating connections with corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs. The receptacle connectors each have electrical terminals arranged in a terminal array, and have plug receiving cavities. 
     One application for such multi-port connector assemblies is in the field of computer networks, where desktops or other equipment are interconnected to servers or other network components by way of sophisticated cabling. Such networks may have a variety of data transmission mediums including coaxial cable, fiber optic cable and telephone cable. One such network is an Ethernet network, which is subject to various electrical standards, such as IEEE 802.3 and others. Such networks have the requirement, to provide a high number of connections, yet optimally requires little space in which to accommodate the connections. Another application for such connector assemblies is in the field of telephony, wherein the modular jacks provide ports for connection with a telephone switching network of a telephone service provider, such as a regional telephone company or national telephone company. 
     One type of known connector assembly includes a housing having receptacles one above the other, forming a plurality of arrays in stacked arrangement, so-called “stacked jack” arrangements. One example of a stacked jack type of connector assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,988, assigned to Tyco Electronics Corporation, which discloses an insulative housing having two rows of receptacles. The receptacles are arranged side-by-side in an upper row and side-by-side in a lower row in a common housing, which advantageously doubles the number of receptacles without having to increase the length of the housing. Contact modules having contacts for both upper receptacles and lower receptacles are loaded into the insulative housing. 
     The insulative housing and each of the contact modules are simultaneously mounted to a circuit board, and an outer shield surrounds the unit. An outer shield surrounds the insulative housing and the contact modules. The outer shield is mounted to the circuit board. Mounting the outer shield to the circuit board is a manufacturing step that takes time and may be difficult to accomplish. Other types of connector assemblies include outer shields that are assembled using fasteners, such as screws or rivets to assemble the components together. Assembling components using fasteners such as screws or rivets is complex and time consuming. Additionally, assembly using fasteners such as screws or rivets is difficult when the manufacturing process involves automation. 
     A need remains for a connector assembly that may be assembled in a cost effective and reliable manner. A need remains for a connector assembly that includes locking features that quickly and securely mate the outer components together. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a cassette is provided that includes a shell having a housing and a cover mated together to define an inner chamber. The housing has a plurality of plug cavities configure to receive plugs therein. A contact subassembly is received in the inner chamber. The contact subassembly has a circuit board and a plurality of contacts coupled to the circuit board. The contacts are arranged in contact sets that are received in corresponding plug cavities to mate with different corresponding plugs. A latch member couples the housing to the cover. The latch member has a latch element configured to secure the shell to a panel. 
     Optionally, the latch member may be separate from both the housing and the cover and the latch member may be coupled to both the housing and the cover. The housing may include a rib extending therefrom and the latch member may include a channel that receives the rib to secure the relative position of the latch member with respect to the housing. The cover may include a rib extending therefrom and the latch member may include a channel that receives the rib to secure the relative position of the latch member with respect to the cover. Optionally, the housing may include a trough and the latch member may be received within the trough to secure the latch member with respect to the housing. The cover may include a trough and the latch member may be received within the trough to secure the latch member with respect to the cover. The latch member may include a base spanning the housing and the cover where the base is coupled to both the housing and the cover. The latch element may extend from the base. 
     In another embodiment, a cassette is provided including a shell having a housing and a cover mated together to define an inner chamber with the housing having a plurality of plug cavities configure to receive plugs therein. At least one of the housing and the cover have a locking finger engaging the other one of the housing and the cover to secure the cover to the housing. A contact subassembly is received in the inner chamber. The contact subassembly has a circuit board and a plurality of contacts coupled to the circuit board, and the contacts are arranged in contact sets that are received in corresponding plug cavities to mate with different corresponding plugs. The cassette also includes a latch member that is separately provided from the housing and the cover. The latch member is separately coupled to both the housing and the cover to secure the cover to the housing. 
     In a further embodiment, a cassette is provided that includes a shell having a housing and a cover mated together to define an inner chamber, wherein the housing has a plurality of plug cavities configure to receive plugs therein. A contact subassembly is received in the inner chamber. The contact subassembly has a circuit board and a plurality of contacts coupled to the circuit board, with the contacts being arranged in contact sets that are received in corresponding plug cavities to mate with different corresponding plugs. A latch member couples the housing to the cover. The latch member has a latch element configured to secure the shell to a panel. The latch member extends from either the housing or the cover towards the other of the housing or the cover prior to coupling the cover to the housing. The latch member aligns the cover with the housing as the cover is coupled to the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portion of a cable interconnect system incorporating a plurality of cassettes mounted to the panel with a modular plug connected thereto. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the panel and the cassettes illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an alternative panel for the cable interconnect system with cassettes mounted thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a cassette shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a rear exploded view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a contact subassembly of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a housing of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the housing shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4  during assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective, partial cutaway view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the cassette shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the cassette shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a latch member for coupling a cover of the cassette to the housing shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette shown in  FIG. 1  during an assembly step. 
         FIG. 14  as a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette shown in  FIG. 1  in an assembled state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portion of a cable interconnect system  10  illustrating a panel  12  and a plurality of cassettes  20  mounted to the panel  12  and a modular plug  14  connected thereto. The cassette  20  comprises an array of receptacles  16  for accepting or receiving the modular plug  14 . 
     The cable interconnect system  10  is utilized to interconnect various equipment, components and/or devices to one another.  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a first device  60  connected to the cassette  20  via a cable  62 . The modular plug  14  is attached to the end of the cable  62 .  FIG. 1  also illustrates a second device  64  connected to the cassette  20  via a cable  66 . The cassette  20  interconnects the first and second devices  60 ,  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first device  60  may be a computer located remote from the cassette  20 . The second device  64  may be a network switch. The second device  64  may be located in the vicinity of the cassette  20 , such as in the same equipment room, or alternatively, may be located remote from the cassette  20 . The cable interconnect system  10  may include a support structure  68 , a portion of which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for supporting the panel  12  and the cassettes  20 . For example, the support structure  68  may be an equipment rack of a network system. The panel  12  may be a patch panel that is mounted to the equipment rack. In alternative embodiments, rather than a patch panel, the panel  12  may be another type of network component used with a network system that supports cassettes  20  and/or other connector assemblies, such as interface modules, stacked jacks, or other individual modular jacks. For example, the panel  12  may be a wall or other structural element of a component. It is noted that the cable interconnect system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative of an exemplary system/component for interconnecting communication cables using modular jacks and modular plugs or other types of connectors. Optionally, the second device  64  may be mounted to the support structure  68 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the panel  12  and the cassettes  20 . The cassettes  20  are mounted within openings  22  of the panel  12 . The openings  20  are defined by a perimeter wall  24 . In an exemplary embodiment, the panel  1   2  includes a plurality of openings  22  for receiving a plurality of cassettes  20 . The panel  12  includes a planar front surface  25 , and the cassettes  20  are mounted against the front surface  25 . The panel  12  includes mounting tabs  26  on the sides thereof for mounting to the support structure  68  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, the mounting tabs  26  may be provided at the sides of the panel.  12  for mounting to a standard equipment rack or other cabinet system. Optionally, the panel  12  and mounting tabs  26  fit into 1 U height requirements. 
     The cassette  20  includes a shell  28  defining an outer perimeter of the cassette  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the shell  28  is a two piece design having a housing  30  and a cover  32  that may be coupled to the housing  30 . The housing  30  and the cover  32  may have similar dimensions (e.g. height and width) to nest with one another to define a smooth outer surface. The housing  30  and the cover  32  may also have similar lengths, such that the housing  30  and the cover  32  mate approximately in the middle of the shell  28 . Alternatively, the housing  30  may define substantially all of the shell  28  and the cover  32  may be substantially Oat and be coupled to an end of the housing  30 . Other alternative embodiments may not include the cover  32 . 
     The housing  30  includes a front  34  and a rear  36 . The cover  32  includes a front  38  and a rear  40 . The front  34  of the housing  30  defines a front of the cassette  20  and the rear  40  of the cover  32  defines a rear of the cassette  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  such that the rear  36  of the housing  30  abuts against the front  38  of the cover  32 . 
     The housing  30  includes a plurality of plug cavities  42  open at the front  34  of the housing  30  for receiving the modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The plug cavities  42  define a portion of the receptacles  16 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plug cavities  42  are arranged in a stacked configuration in a first row  44  and a second row  46  of plug cavities  42 . A plurality of plug cavities  42  are arranged in each of the first and second rows  44 ,  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, six plug cavities  42  are arranged in each of the first and second rows  44 ,  46 , thus providing a total of twelve plug cavities  42  in each cassette  20 . Four cassettes  20  are provided that are mounted to the panel  12 , thus providing a total of forty-eight plug cavities  42 . Such an arrangement provides forty-eight plug cavities  42  that receive forty-eight modular plugs  14  within the panel  12  that fits within 1 U height requirement. It is realized that the cassettes  20  may have more or less than twelve plug cavities  42  arranged in more or less than two rows of plug cavities  42 . It is also realized that more or less than four cassettes  20  may be provided for mounting to the panel  12 . 
     The cassette  20  includes latch members  48  on one or more sides of the cassette  20  for securing the cassette  20  to the panel  12 . The latch members  48  may be held close to the sides of the cassette  20  to maintain a smaller form factor. Alternative mounting means may be utilized in alternative embodiments. The latch members  48  may be separately provided from the housing  30  and/or the cover  32 . Alternatively, the latch members  48  may be integrally formed with the housing  30  and/or the cover  32 . 
     During assembly, the cassettes  20  are loaded into the openings  22  of the panel  12  from the front of the panel  12 , such as in the loading direction illustrated in  FIG. 2  by an arrow A. The outer perimeter of the cassette  20  may be substantially similar to the size and shape of the perimeter walls  24  defining the openings  22  such that the cassette  20  fits snugly within the openings  22 . The latch members  48  are used to secure the cassettes  20  to the panel  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cassettes  20  include a front flange  50  at the front  34  of the housing  30 . The front flanges  50  have a rear engagement surface  52  that engages the front surface  25  of the panel  12  and the cassette  20  is loaded into the openings  22 . The latch members  48  include a panel engagement surface  54  that is forward facing such that, when the cassette  20  is loaded into the opening  22 , the panel engagement surface  54  engages a rear  56  of the panel  12 . The panel  12  is captured between the rear engagement surface  52  of the front flanges  50  and the panel engagement surface  54  of the latch members  48 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an alternative panel  58  for the cable interconnect system  10  with cassettes  20  mounted thereto. The panel  58  has a V-configuration such that the cassettes  20  are angled in different directions. Other panel configurations are possible in alternative embodiments. The cassettes  20  may be mounted to the panel  58  in a similar manner as the cassettes  20  are mounted to the panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The panel  58  may fit within 1U height requirements. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of one of the cassettes  20  illustrating a plurality of rear mating connectors  70 . The rear mating connectors  70  are configured to mate with cable assemblies having a mating cable connector where the cable assemblies are routed to another device or component of the cable interconnect system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, the cable connectors may be provided at ends of cables that are routed behind the panel  12  to a network switch or other network component. Optionally, a portion of the rear mating connectors  70  may extend through an opening  72  in the rear  40  of the cover  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rear mating connectors  70  are represented by board mounted MRJ-21 connectors, however, it is realized that other types of connectors may be used rather than MRJ-21 type of connectors. For example, in alternative embodiments, the rear mating connectors  70  may be another type of copper-based modular connectors, fiber optic connectors or other types of connectors, such as eSATA connectors, HDMI connectors, USB connectors, FireWire connectors, and the like. 
     As will be described in further detail below, the rear mating connectors  70  are high density connectors, that is, each rear mating connector  70  is electrically connected to more than one of the-receptacles  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to allow communication between multiple modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the cable connector that mates with the rear mating connector  70 . The rear mating connectors  70  are electrically connected to more than one receptacles  16  to reduce the number of cable assemblies that interface with the rear of the cassette  20 . It is realized that more or less than two rear mating connectors  70  may be provided in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear exploded view of the cassette  20  illustrating the cover  32  removed from the housing  30 . The cassette  20  includes a contact subassembly  100  loaded into the housing  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  includes a rear chamber  102  at the rear  36  thereof. The contact subassembly  100  is at least partially received in the rear chamber  102 . The contact subassembly  100  includes a circuit board  104  and one or more electrical connectors  106  mounted to the circuit board  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector  106  is a card edge connector. The electrical connector  106  includes at least one opening  108  and one or more contacts  110  within the opening  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  108  is an elongated slot and a-plurality of contacts  110  are arranged within the slot. The contacts  110  may be provided on one or both sides of the slot. The contacts  110  may be electrically connected to the circuit board  104 . 
     The cassette  20  includes an interface connector assembly  120  that includes the, rear mating connectors  70 . The interface connector assembly  120  is configured to be mated with the electrical connector  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the interface connector assembly  120  includes a circuit board  122 . The rear mating connectors  70  are mounted to a side surface  124  of the circuit board  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  122  includes a plurality of edge contacts  126  along an edge  128  of the circuit board  122 . The edge contacts  126  may be mated with the contacts  110  of the contact subassembly  100  by plugging the edge  128  of the circuit board  122  into the opening  108  of the electrical connector  106 . The edge contacts  126  are electrically connected to the rear mating connectors  70  via the circuit board  122 . For example, traces may be provided on or in the circuit board  122  that interconnect the edge contacts  126  with the rear mating connectors  70 . The edge contacts  126  may be provided on one or more sides of the circuit board  122 . The edge contacts  126  may be contact pads formed on the circuit board  122 . Alternatively, the edge contacts  126  may extend from at least one of the surfaces and/or the edge  128  of the circuit board  122 . In alternative embodiment, rather than using: edge contacts  126 , the interface connector assembly  120  may include an electrical connector at, or proximate to, the edge  128  for mating with the electrical connector  106  of the contact subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the contact subassembly  100  of the cassette  20  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The circuit board  104  of the contact subassembly  100  includes a front side  140  and a rear side  142 . The electrical connector  106  is mounted to the rear side  142 . A plurality of contacts  144  extend from the front side  140  of the circuit board  104 . The contacts  144  are electrically connected to the circuit board  104  and are electrically connected to the electrical connector  106  via the circuit board  104 . 
     The contacts  144  are arranged in contact sets  146  with each contact set  146  defining a portion of a different receptacle  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, eight contacts  144  are configured as a contact array defining each of the contact sets  146 . The contacts  144  may constitute a contact array that is configured to mate with plug contacts of an RJ-45 modular plug. The contacts  144  may have a different configuration for mating with a different type of plug in alternative embodiments. More or less than eight contacts  144  may be provided in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, six contact sets  146  are arranged in each of two rows in a stacked configuration, thus providing a total of twelve contact sets  146  for the contact subassembly  100 . Optionally, the contact sets  146  may be substantially aligned with one another within each of the rows and may be aligned above or below another contact set  146 . For example, an upper contact set  146  may be positioned relatively closer to a top  148  of the circuit board  104  as compared to a lower contact set  146  which may be positioned relatively closer to a bottom  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the contact subassembly  100  includes a plurality of contact supports  152  extending from the front side  140  of the circuit board  104 . The contact supports  152  are positioned in close proximity to respective contact sets  146 . Optionally, each contact support  152  supports the contacts  144  of a different contact set  146 . In the illustrated embodiment, two rows of contact supports  152  are provided. A gap  154  separates the contact supports  152 . Optionally, the gap  154  may be substantially centered between the top  148  and the bottom  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     During assembly, the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) such that the contact sets  146  and the contact supports  152  are loaded into corresponding plug cavities  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the housing  30  extends between adjacent contact supports  152  within a row, and a portion of the housing  30  extends into the gap  154  between the contact supports  152 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the housing  30  of the cassette  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The housing  30  includes a plurality of interior walls  160  that extend between adjacent plug cavities  42 . The walls  160  may extend at least partially between the front  34  and the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The walls  160  have a front surface  162  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and a rear surface  164  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Optionally, the front surface  162  may be positioned at, or proximate to, the front  34  of the housing  30 . The rear surface  164  may be positioned remote with respect to, and/or recessed from, the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The housing  30  includes a tongue  166  represented by one of the walls  160  extending between the first and second rows  44 ,  46  of plug cavities  42 . Optionally, the interior walls  160  may be formed integral with the housing  30 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  includes a rear chamber  102  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) at the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The rear chamber  102  is open to each of the plug cavities  42 . Optionally, the rear chamber  102  extends from the, rear  36  of the housing  30  to the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 . The rear chamber  102  is open at the rear  36  of the housing  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rear chamber  102  is generally box-shaped, however the rear chamber  102  may have any other shape depending on the particular application and/or the size and shape of the components filling the rear chamber  102 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the plug cavities  42  are separated from adjacent plug cavities  42  by shield elements  172 . The shield elements  172  may be defined by the interior walls  160  and/or exterior walls  174  of the housing  30 . For example, the-housing  30  may be fabricated from a metal material with the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  also fabricated from the metal material. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  30  is diecast using a metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. With the entire housing  30  being metal, the housing  30 , including the portion of the housing  30  between the plug cavities  42  (e.g. the interior walls  160 ) and the portion of the housing  30  covering the plug cavities  42  (e.g. the exterior walls  174 ), operates to provide shielding around the plug cavities  42 . In such an embodiment, the housing  30  itself defines the shield elements(s)  172 . The plug cavities  42  may be completely enclosed (e.g. circumfenentially surrounded) by the shield elements  172 . 
     With each contact set  146  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) arranged within a different plug cavity  42 , the shield elements  172  provide shielding between adjacent contact-sets  146 . The shield elements  172  thus provide isolation between the adjacent contact sets  146  to enhance the electrical performance of the contact sets  146  received in each plug cavity  42 . Having shield elements  172  between adjacent plug cavities  42  provides better shield effectiveness for the cable interconnect system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), which may enhance electrical performance in systems that utilize components that do not provide shielding between adjacent plug cavities  42 . For example, having shield elements  172  between adjacent plug cavities  42  within a given row  44 ,  46  enhances electrical performance of the contact sets  146 . Additionally, having shield elements  172  between the rows  44 ,  46  of plug cavities  42  may enhance the electrical performance of the contact sets  146 . The shield elements  172  may reduce alien crosstalk between adjacent contact sets  146  in a particular cassette and/or reduce alien crosstalk with contact sets  146  of different cassettes  20  or other electrical components in the vicinity of the cassette  20 . The shield elements may also enhance electrical performance of the cassette  20  in other ways, such as by providing EMI shielding or by affecting coupling attenuation, and the like. 
     In an alternative embodiment, rather than the housing  30  being fabricated from a metal material, the housing  30  may be fabricated, at least in part, from a dielectric material. Optionally, the housing  30  may be selectively metallized, with the metallized portions defining the shield elements  172 . For example, at least a portion of the housing  30  between the plug cavities  42  may be metallized to define the shield elements  172  between the plug cavities  42 . Portions of the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  may be metallized. The metallized surfaces define the shield elements  172 . As such, the shield elements  172  are provided on the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174 . Alternatively, the shield elements  172  may be provided on the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  in a different manner, such as by plating or by coupling separate shield elements  172  to the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174 . The shield elements  172  may be arranged along the surfaces defining the plug cavities  42  such that at least some of the shield elements  172  engage the modular plugs  14  when the modular plugs  14  are loaded into the plug cavities  42 . In other alternative embodiments, the walls  160  and/or  174  may be formed, at least in part, by metal filler materials provided within or on the walls  160  and/or  174  or metal fibers provided within or on the walls  160  and/or  174 . 
     In another alternative embodiment, rather than, or in addition to, providing the shield elements  172  on the walls of the housing  30 , the shield elements  172  may be provided within the walls of the housing  30 . For example, the interior walls  160  and/or the exterior walls  174  may include openings  176  that are open-at the rear  36  and/or the front  34  such that the shield elements  172  may be loaded into the openings  176 . The shield elements  172  may be separate metal components, such as plates, that are loaded into the openings  176 . The openings  176 , and thus the shield elements  172 , are positioned between the plug cavities  42  to provide shielding between adjacent contact sets  146 . 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective, partially assembled, view of the cassette  20 . During assembly, the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  of the housing  30  through the rear  36 . Optionally, the circuit board  104  may substantially fill the rear chamber  102 . The contact subassembly.  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  such that the electrical connector  106  faces the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The electrical connector  106  may be at least partially received in the rear chamber  102  and at least a portion of the electrical connector  106  may extend from the rear chamber  102  beyond the rear  36 . 
     During assembly, the interface connector assembly  120  is mated with the electrical connector  106 . Optionally, the interface connector assembly  120  may be mated with the electrical connector  106  after the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30 . Alternatively, both the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  may be loaded into the housing  30  as a unit. Optionally, some or all of the interface connector assembly  120  may be positioned rearward of the housing  30 . 
     The cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  after the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  are positioned with respect to the housing  30 . The cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  such that the cover  32  surrounds the interface connector assembly  120  and/or the contact subassembly  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the cover  32  and the housing  30  are coupled together, the cover  32  and the housing  30  cooperate to define an inner chamber  170  (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). The rear chamber  102  of the housing  30  defines part of the inner chamber  170 , with the hollow interior of the cover  32  defining another part of the inner chamber  170 . The interface connector assembly  120  and the contact subassembly  100  are received in the inner chamber  170  and protected from the external environment by the cover  32  and the housing  30 . Optionally, the cover  32  and the housing  30  may provide shielding for the components housed within the inner chamber  170 . The rear mating connectors  70  may extend through the cover  32  when the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30 . As such, the rear mating connectors  70  may extend at least partially out of the inner chamber  170 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side perspective, partial cutaway view of the cassette  20  and  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the cassette  20 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the contact subassembly  100  and the interface connector assembly  120  positioned within the inner chamber  170 , with the cover  32  coupled to the housing  30 . The contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102  such that the front side  140  of the circuit board  104  generally faces and/or abuts against the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 . Optionally, the front side  140  may abut against a structure of the housing  30 , such as the rear surfaces  164  of the walls  160 , or alternatively, a rib or tab that extends from the housing  30  for locating the contact subassembly  100  within the housing  30 . When the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102 , the contacts  144  and the contact supports  152  are loaded into corresponding plug cavities  42 . 
     When assembled, the plug cavities  42  and the contact sets  146  cooperate to define the receptacles  16  for mating with the modular plugs  14  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). The walls  160  of the housing  30  define the walls of the receptacles  16  and the modular plugs  14  engage the walls  160  when the modular plugs  14  are loaded into the plug cavities  42 . The contacts  144  are presented within the plug cavities  42  for mating with plug contacts of the modular plugs  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the contact subassembly  100  is loaded into the housing  30 , the contact supports  152  are exposed within the plug cavities  42  and define one side of the box-like cavities that define the plug cavities  42 . 
     Each of the contacts  144  extend between a tip  180  and a base  182  generally along a contact plane  184  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). A portion of the contact  144  between the tip  180  and the base  182  defines a mating interface  185 . The contact plane  184  extends parallel to the modular plug loading direction, shown in  FIG. 11  by the arrow B, which extends generally along a plug axis  178 . Optionally, the tip  180  may be angled out of the contact plane  184  such that the tips  180  do not interfere with the modular plug  14  during loading of modular plug  14  into the plug cavity  42 . The tips  180  may be angled towards and/or engage the contact supports  152 . Optionally, the bases  182  may be angled out of the contact plane  184  such that the bases  182  may be terminated to the circuit board  104  at a predetermined location. The contacts  144 , including the tips  180  and the bases  182 , may be oriented with respect to one another to control electrical properties therebetween, such as crosstalk. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the tips  180  within the contact set  146  are generally aligned one another. The bases  182  of adjacent contacts  144  may extend either in the same direction or in a different direction as one another. For example, at least some of the bases  182  extend towards the top  148  of the circuit board  104 , whereas some of the bases  182  extend towards the bottom of  150  of the circuit board  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  104  is generally perpendicular to the contact plane  1 . 84  and the plug axis  178 . The top  148  of the circuit board  104  is positioned near a top side  186  of the housing  30 , whereas the bottom  150  of the circuit board  104  is positioned near a bottom side  188  of the housing  30 . The circuit board  104  is positioned generally behind the contacts  144 , such as between the contacts  144  and the rear  36  of the housing  30 . The circuit board  104  substantially covers the rear of each of the plug cavities  42  when the connector subassembly  100  is loaded into the rear chamber  102 . In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board  104  is positioned essentially equidistant from the mating interface  185  of each of the contacts  144 . As such, the contact length between the mating interface  185  and the circuit board  104  is substantially similar for each of the contacts  144 . Each of the contacts  144  may thus exhibit similar electrical characteristics. Optionally, the contact length may be selected such that the distance between a mating interface  185  and the circuit board  104  is reasonably short. Additionally, the contact lengths of the contacts  144  in the upper row  44  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of plug cavities  42  are substantially similar to the contact lengths of the contacts  144  in the lower row  46  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of plug cavities  42 . 
     The electrical connector  106  is provided on the rear side  142  of the circuit board  104 . The electrical connector  106  is electrically connected to the contacts  144  of one or more of the contacts sets  146 . The interface connector assembly  120  is mated with the electrical connector  106 . For example, the circuit board  122  of the interface connector assembly  120  is loaded into the opening  108  of the electrical connector  106 . The rear mating connectors  70 , which are mounted to the circuit board  122 , are electrically connected to predetermined contacts  144  of the contacts sets  146  via the circuit board  122 , the electrical connector  106  and the circuit board  104 . Other configurations are possible to interconnect the rear mating connectors  70  with the contacts  44  of the receptacles  16 . 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the cassette  20 , illustrating the latch members  48  for coupling the housing  30  to the cover  32  to form the shell  28 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch members  48  may be substantially identically formed. However, in alternative embodiments, the latch members  48  may be different, than one another. Each latch member  48  includes a base  500  and a latch element  502  extending from the base  500 . The base  500  may be used to couple the housing  30  and the cover  32  to one another. The base  500  may be used to align the cover  32  with respect to the housing  30  during coupling of the cover  32  to the housing  30 . The latch element  502  may be used to secure the cassette  20  to the panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The base  500  and/or latch element  502  may have other functions as well. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the base  500  is a generally planar, plate-like structure extending between a front end  504  and a rear end  506 . The base  500  has an inner surface  508  that faces the shell  28 , and an outer surface  510  generally opposite the inner surface  508 . In an exemplary embodiment, the base  500  includes a plurality of channels  512  formed therein. The channels  512  are open along the inner surface  508 . Optionally, the channels  512  extend entirely through the base  500 . In the illustrated embodiment, one or more channels  512  are provided proximate to each of the front end  504  and the rear end  506 . As described in further detail below, the channels  512  engage portions of the housing  30  and/or the cover  32  to secure the housing  30  to the cover  32 . 
     The latch element  502  extends from the base  500 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch element  502  extends from the base  500  proximate to the front end  504 . The latch element  502  extends outward from the outer surface  510  generally away from the shell  28 . The latch element  502  includes a fixed end  514  and a free end  516 . The fixed end  514  is fixed to the base  500  and the free end  516  is positioned remote from the base  500 . Optionally, the latch element  502  may extend forward of the base  500 . The latch element. 502  includes a hook  518  at the free end  516 . The hook  518  has one or more of the panel engagement surfaces  54  that engage the panel  12  when the cassette  20  is mounted to panel  12 . Optionally, the panel engagement surfaces  54  may be forward facing. The panel engagement surfaces  54  are positioned behind the rear engagement surfaces  52  of the front flange  50 . When the cassette  20  is mated with the panel  12 , the panel  12  is captured between the rear engagement surfaces  52  of the front flanges  50  and the panel engagement surfaces  54  of the latch element  502 . The latch member  48  thus secures the shell  28  of the cassette  20  to the panel  12 . The latch element  502  is deflectable generally towards the housing  30  until the hook  518  clears the opening  22  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the panel  12  so that the cassette  20  may be removed from the panel  12 . 
     The cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30  to form the shell  28 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch members  48  are used to couple the cover  32  to housing  30 . The latch members  48  may be separately provided from both the housing  30  and the cover  32 . The latch members  48  may be separately coupled to the housing  30  and to the cover  32 . Optionally, the latch members  48  may be initially coupled to either the housing  30  or the cover  32  prior to being coupled to the other of the housing  30  or the cover  32 . Alternatively, the latch member may be integrally formed with either the housing  30  or the cover  32  and used to couple the other component thereto. 
     The cover  32  includes one or more ribs  520  extending from the sides of the cover  32 . The ribs  520  are received in the channels  512  in the base  500  to secure the cover  32  to the latch members  48 . The housing  30  may also include ribs  522  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) extending from the sides of the housing  30 . The ribs  522  are received in the channels  512  in the base  500  to secure the housing  30  to the latch members  48 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  32  includes one or more troughs  524  extending from the sides of the cover  32 . The troughs  524  receive the base  500  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, troughs  524  are provided on both the top and the bottom of the cover  32  to hold the base  500  next to the cover  32 . The troughs  524  have a depth measured from the side of the cover  32  that is substantially similar to the thickness of the base  500  such that the latch members  48  may be held against the cover  32 . The troughs  524  may have closed ends  526  that define a stop in limit movement of the latch members  48  with respect to the cover  32 . The housing  30  includes one or more troughs  528  extending from the sides of the housing  30 . The troughs  528  receive the base  500  in a similar manner as the troughs  524  of the cover  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch members  48  are received within the troughs  524  and/or  528  prior to the cover  32  being coupled to the housing  30 . As such, when the latch members  48  engage the troughs  524 ,  528  of both the cover  32  and the housing  30 , the latch members  48  operate to align the cover  32  with respect to the housing  30  so that the cover  32  may be coupled to the housing  30 . 
     The cover  32  includes locking fingers  530  extending from the front  38  of the cover  32 . The locking fingers  530  are configured to engage the housing  30  and/or the channels  512  of the base  500  when the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30 . The locking fingers  530  secure the cover  32  to the housing  30 . As such, the locking fingers  530  and the latch members  48  both cooperate to secure the cover  32  to the housing  30 . The locking fingers  530  operate as a backup latch to the latch members  48  to maintain the cover  32  and housing  30  in the coupled state even if the latch members  48  were to fail. Similarly, the latch members  48  operate as a backup latch to the locking fingers  530  to maintain the cover  32  and housing  30  in the coupled state even if the locking fingers  530  were to fail. In an alternative embodiment, the housing  30  may include locking fingers in addition to, or instead of the cover  32 . In other alternative embodiments, neither the housing  30  nor the cover  32  include locking fingers, but rather rely on the latch members  48  to couple the cover  32  to housing  30 . 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette  20  during an assembly step in which the cover  32  is being coupled to the housing  30 . Prior to coupling the cover  32  to the housing  30 , the latch member  48  is coupled to the housing  30 . The latch member  48  is coupled to the housing  30  by sliding the base  500  into the troughs  528  of the housing  30 . The latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  528  from the rear  36  of the housing  30 . Optionally, the latch member  48  may be slid into the troughs  528  until the front end  504  engages the closed ends of the troughs  528 . The latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  528  until the latch member  48  is coupled to the housing  30 . In an alternative embodiment, the latch member  48  may be coupled to the cover  32  prior to the cover  32  and the latch member  48  being coupled-to the housing  30 . 
     When the latch member  48  is coupled to the housing  30 , the ribs  522  of the housing  30  are received in the channels  512  of the latch member  48 . Each rib  522  includes a rearward facing ramp surface  532  and a forward facing stop surface  534 . As the latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  528 , the latch member  48  slides along the ramp surfaces  532  until the channels  512  are aligned with the ribs  522 . The ribs  522  may be forced into the channels  512  such that the stop surfaces  532  block the latch member  48  from being pulled out of the troughs  528 , such as in rearward direction. The ribs  522  capture the latch member  48  within the troughs  528 . 
     When the latch member  48  is coupled to the housing  30 , a rear portion of the base  500  extends rearward from the rear  36  of the housing  30 . When mating the cover  32  to the housing  30 , the cover  32  is generally aligned with the housing  30  such that the latch element  48  is aligned with the troughs  524  of the cover  32 . As the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30 , the base  500  is received within the troughs  524  of the cover  32 . The cover  32  is mated in a mating direction, shown by the arrow C. 
       FIG. 14  as a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette  20  in an assembled state in which the cover  32  is coupled to the housing  30 . The latch member  48  is coupled to the cover  32  by sliding the base  500  into the troughs  524  of the cover  32 . The latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  524  from the front  38  of the cover  32 . Optionally, the latch member  48  may be slid into the troughs  524  until the rear end  506  engages the closed ends  526  of the troughs  524 . The latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  524  until the latch member  48  is coupled to the cover  32 . 
     When the latch member  48  is coupled to the cover  32 , the ribs  520  of the cover  32  are received in the channels  512  of the latch member  48 . Each rib  520  includes a forward facing ramp surface  536  and a rearward facing stop surface  538 . As the latch member  48  is slid into the troughs  524 , the latch member  48  slides along the ramp surface  536  until the channels  512  are aligned with the ribs  520 . The ribs  520  may be forced into the channels  512  such that the stop surfaces  538  block the latch member  48  from being pulled out of the troughs  524 , such as in a forward direction. The ribs  520  capture the latch member  48  within the troughs  524 . 
     When assembled, the latch member  48  locks the housing  30  to the cover  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch member  48  spans across both the housing  30  and the cover  32  and separately engages both the housing  30  and the cover  32  to hold the components together. Optionally, the locking finger  530  may also lock the cover  32  to the housing  30 . When the cover  32  is mated with the housing  30 , the locking finger  530  is received within an opening  540  in the side of the housing  30 . The locking finger  530  slides along a portion of the housing  30  to a locked position. Optionally, the locking finger  530  may engage the housing  30  substantially simultaneously with the latch member  48  latching to the cover  32 . The locking finger  530  includes a locking surface  542  that engages the housing  30  to resist removal of the cover  32  from:the housing  30 . Optionally, the locking finger  530  may be biased out of the opening  540  to allow the cover  32  to be removed from housing  30 . Similarly, the ribs  520 ,  522  may be removed from the channels  512  to allow the latch member  48  to be removed from the cover  32  and housing  30 , respectively. 
     A cassette  20  is thus provided that may be mounted to a panel  12  through an opening  22  in the panel  12 . The cassette  20  includes a plurality of modular receptacles  16  that are configured to receive modular plugs  14  therein. The cassette  20  includes a contact subassembly  100  and an interface connector assembly  120 . The contact subassembly  100  is loaded into a housing  30  and the contact subassembly  100  and interface connector assembly  120  are surrounded by the housing  30  and/or a cover  32 . The cassette  20  includes latch members  48  that separately couple to both the housing  30  and the cover  32  to securely couple the cover  32  to the housing  30 . The latch members  48  include latch elements  502  that are used to secure the cassette  20  to the panel  12 . The latch elements  502  engage a rear surface of the panel  12  to hold the cassette  20  within an opening  22  in the panel  12 . The latch members  48  may also be used to align the cover  32  to the housing  30  during mating of the cover  32  to the housing  30 . The latch members  48  are slidably coupled to both the housing  30  and the cover  32 . Optionally, substantially identical latch members  48  may be provided on both sides of the cassette  20 . Separate locking lingers  530  may be used in addition to the latch members  48  to couple the cover  32  to the housing  30 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.