Patent Abstract:
A method of terminating a cable includes: a) providing an overhead cable pathway structure that defines a cable-carrying region; b) mounting adapters to the overhead cable pathway structure outside of the cable-carrying region; c) routing a cable from the cable-carrying region of the overhead cable pathway structure to the adapter mounted to the cable pathway structure; and d) terminating the cable to the adapter.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/930,951, filed Jan. 19, 2011 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/291,332, filed Nov. 7, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,899,299; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/655,757, filed Jan. 19, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,463,812; which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to methods and devices for use in the telecommunications industry. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods and devices for use in managing and organizing telecommunications cables and cable termination components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the telecommunications industry, effective management and organization of cables and associate cable termination components is necessary in light of the massive cabling schematics involved in providing telecommunication services. Telecommunication facilities, such as data centers or central offices, for example, often have rows of equipment racks and/or equipment cabinets interconnected to cables routed overhead. The cabling schematics of such facilities involve dropping cables down from overhead troughs or ladders, for example, and terminating the cables to termination panels mounted on the racks or in the cabinets. 
         [0004]    Space to accommodate the increasing demand for telecommunication services is limited. Improvements are needed in the methods and devices for managing and organizing the systems, cabling schematics, and components associated with providing telecommunication services. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to an overhead cable management system including a cable termination device that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure. The overhead cable pathway structure can include, for example, a U-shaped trough or a ladder-type structure. The overhead arrangement of the cable termination device allots more space on equipment racks or in equipment cabinets for telecommunication equipment. 
         [0006]    A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cable termination device mounted to a cable trough, in accordance with the principles disclosed; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a telecommunications system, including multiple embodiments of cable termination devices mounted to a cable trough, in accordance with the principles disclosed; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 1 , shown in isolation; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cable termination device mounted to a cable ladder, in accordance with the principles disclosed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 6 , shown in isolation; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exploded, rear perspective view of the cable termination device of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a cable termination device, in accordance with the principles disclosed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    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. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an overhead cable management system  10  in accordance with the principles disclosed. The overhead cable management system  10  is designed to manage and organize cables and related components to increase capacity in limited telecommunication facility space. The overhead cable management system  10  of the present disclosure generally includes a cable termination panel or device  12  that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure  14 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in telecommunication facilities, such as data centers or central offices, for example, overhead cable pathway structures  14  are hung above racks (e.g.  54 ), cabinets (e.g.,  56 ), and/or other equipment enclosures or framework. The overhead cable pathway structures  14  carry cables  58  that interconnect to equipment  64  mounted on the racks  54 , for example. For purposes of simplification, the remaining description refers to the structure to which the equipment  64  mounts as a “rack;” however, it is to be understood that the present disclose applies similarly to the other equipment structures (e.g., cabinets and other enclosures or framework). 
         [0020]    The “overhead” cable pathway structures are typically run “overhead,” as racks commonly have a height equivalent or greater than the height of a technician. It is to be understood that “overhead” is not intended to be limiting to the height of technician, but rather means that the cable pathway structures are located a distance from the floor  66 , typically overhead, but more commonly above the structure to which the equipment is mounted (e.g. the rack or cabinet). In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the overhead cable pathway structure is a U-shaped channel or trough  16 . In another embodiment, such as is shown in  FIG. 6 , the overhead cable pathway structure is a ladder-type structure  116 . Other types of structures that carry cables overhead to and from racks or cabinets can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed. 
         [0021]    In utilizing the space above equipment racks for the “run” of cables, it can be understood that cable pathway structure provides a generally horizontal run for the cables. That is, the cable pathway structures are constructed such that the cables run more horizontally, than vertically, when carried by the cable pathway structure. 
         [0022]    In conventional arrangements, cables carried by the overhead cable pathway structures are pulled down from the overhead structure and terminated to a termination panel mounted on the equipment racks. Termination panels are panels to which overhead cables are terminated and generally include a number of adapters or connectors. Jumper cables or patch cords are used to provide interconnections between the termination panel and the equipment mounted on the rack. The racks in conventional facility arrangements hold both the equipment and the termination panel to which the cables terminate, the termination panel occupying at least one of the limited number of unit spaces of the rack. 
         [0023]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the overhead cable management system of the present disclosure improves upon the spatial utilization of racks and facilities. That is, the overhead cable management system increases service capacity of a facility by providing cable terminations at a location other than the rack. Cable terminations are instead provided in unoccupied space located above the racks. Valuable rack space can thereby be allocated for more equipment, as opposed to being constrained by the requirement of a termination panel. 
         [0024]    In particular, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cable termination devices (e.g.  12 ,  112 ,  212 ) of the present system include a plurality of cable terminations (e.g.  18 ,  118 ,  218 ) to which the overhead cables  58  terminate. The termination devices mount to the overhead pathway structure  14 , as opposed to being mounted to a rack (e.g.  54 ). Cables carried by the overhead cable pathway structure  14  are routed to the cable terminations ( 18 ,  218 ) of the device, and terminated. Jumper cables or patch cords  59  provide interconnections between the termination panels or devices ( 12 ,  112 ,  212 ) and the equipment  64  mounted on the equipment racks  54 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in one embodiment, the cable termination device  12  generally includes the plurality of cable terminations  18  (e.g., adapters or connectors), a mounting bracket  20 , and a cable pathway exit  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of cable terminations  18  are defined by sliding adapters or sliding adapter packs  24  used for the termination of fiber optic cables. The sliding adapter packs  24  include an array of adapters, such as LC, SC, ST or FC type adapters, to which optical fibers terminate. 
         [0026]    In some applications, copper cables may be used coextensively with or exclusively from fiber optic cables; and accordingly the cable terminations can include various types of wire terminations or wire connectors. It is to be understood that the principles of the presently disclosed overhead system can be used in fiber optic applications, copper applications, applications having hybrid cabling, or applications having both types of fiber optic and copper cabling. 
         [0027]    The sliding adapters  24  of the termination device  12  are mounted to the mounting bracket  20 , which mounts the adapters  24  to the overhead cable pathway structure  14 . The sliding adapters  24  slide (see  FIG. 4 ) in a direction away from the overhead cable pathway structure  14  to provide termination access to the adapters. Further details of sliding adapters that can be used in the present system are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,444 and 6,591,051; which patents are incorporated herein by reference. Divider walls  25  are provided for organizing the separation of cables routed to sliding adapters  24 . 
         [0028]    Referring still to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mounting bracket  20  of the cable termination device  12  has a bulkhead or mounting plate  26  and bracket arms  28 . The cable terminations  18  are secured or mounted to the plate  26 . The plate  26  is vertically oriented to correspond to the particular configuration of the cable terminations  18  (i.e., the sliding adapters  24 ). 
         [0029]    The bracket arms  28  extend rearwardly from the mounting plate  26 . The bracket arms  28  partly define a mounting arrangement  68  that detachably secures or mounts the device  12  at a selected location along the overhead cable pathway structure  14 . Also, the mounting arrangement  68  is designed so that the cable termination device  12  can be selectively mounted at one of many locations along the length of the overhead cable pathway structure  14 ; and can later be moved if needed. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bracket arms  28  of the mounting bracket  20  each include a flange  30  that defines a slot  32 . The slots  32  are sized to receive threaded fasteners  34 . The threaded fasteners  34  thread into winged retaining pieces  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the winged retaining pieces  36  are sized to fit within a slot  38  formed in mounting structure  40  of the U-shaped cable trough  16 . The mounting arrangement  68  (including the winged nut  36  and the slot  38  of the U-shaped cable trough  16 ) permits the technician to mount the cable termination device  12  in any desired position along the trough  16  relative to the racks  54 , as needed (see  FIG. 2 , for example). Referring to  FIG. 5 , each of the bracket arms  28  also includes a stabilizing extension  44 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stabilizing extension  44  rests upon the sidewall of the trough  16  to stabilize the cable termination device  12  when mounted to the trough  16 . 
         [0031]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the cable pathway exit  22  of the termination device  12  generally has an inner portion  50  and an outer portion  52 . The inner portion  50  of the cable pathway exit  22  is located within a cable-carrying region  60  of the overhead cable pathway structure  14  when the device  12  is mounted to the structure  14 . The outer portion  52  of the cable pathway exit  22  is located outside of the cable-carrying region  60  when the device is mounted to the structure  14 . The cable-carrying region  60  is the region in which cables (e.g.  58 ) lie or run when carried by the overhead cable pathway structure  14 . The cable-carrying region  60  of the U-shape trough  16  ( FIG. 1 ), for example, is generally the volume of space defined by the U-shaped trough. Likewise, the cable-carrying region  160  ( FIG. 6 ) of the ladder-type structure  116  is generally the region defined above the footprint of the ladder structure. The cable terminations  18  of the presently disclosed cable termination device  12  are located outside of the cable-carrying region  60 ,  160  of the overhead cable pathway structure. 
         [0032]    Referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the inner and outer portions  50 ,  52  of the cable pathway exit  22  are interconnected by a curved surface  42 . The curved surface  42  guides cables exiting from the overhead cable pathway structure  14  toward the plurality of cable terminations  18 . Preferably, the curved surface  42  has a radius that prevents the cables from exceeding a minimum bend radius. The cable termination device  12  can further include fingers  46  to retain the cables that are exiting the overhead cable pathway structure  14 . The fingers  46  aid to retain the cables within the cable pathway exit  22 , and on the curved surface  42  to prevent the cables from exceeding a minimum bend radius. In the illustrated embodiment, the fingers  46  are located at opposite edges of the curved surface  42  of the cable pathway exit  22 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the cable termination device  12  also includes curved lead-in structures  62  that transition the run of the cables  58  from a first direction to a second perpendicular direction. That is, cables running horizontally within the structure  14  transition about the curved lead-in structures  62  to a perpendicular, vertical run leading toward the cable terminations  18  of the device  12 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the cables transition from a horizontal run to a run that goes up and over the sidewall of the U-shaped trough  16 . 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the curved lead-in structures  62  can include curved guide walls  64 . The curved guide walls  64  mount to the inner portion  50  of the cable pathway exit  22 ; although the guide walls  64  can also be formed integrally with the curved surface  42  of the cable pathway exit  22 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-9 , another embodiment of an overhead cable management system  100  is illustrated. Similar to the previous embodiment, this overhead cable management system  100  generally includes a cable termination panel or device  112  that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure  114  (e.g., the ladder-type structure  116 ). 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cable termination device  112  of the overhead cable management system  100  includes a plurality of cable terminations  118  to which cables (e.g.,  58 ) are terminated, a mounting bracket  120 , and a cable pathway exit  122 . 
         [0037]    In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of cable terminations  118  are MPO type adapters  124  to which cables having multiple optical fibers (e.g., twelve optical fibers) terminate. As previously discussed, other types of adapters or connectors can be used exclusively or in combination with the MPO adapters  124 . The adapters  124  illustrated in  FIG. 5  are mounted to the mounting bracket  120 , which mounts the adapters  124  to the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the mounting bracket  120  of the cable termination device  112  has a bulkhead or mounting plate  126  and bracket arms  128 . The cable terminations  118  are secured or mounted to the plate  126  (e.g., by fasteners threaded through holes  125  ( FIG. 9 ) formed in the plate  126 ). The plate  126  in this embodiment is horizontally oriented to corresponds to the particular type and configuration of the cable terminations  118  (i.e., MPO adapters  124 ); however such adapters could alternatively be mounted to a non-horizontal mounting plate. 
         [0039]    The bracket arms  128  of the mounting bracket  120  extend rearwardly from the mounting plate  126 . The bracket arms  128  are secured to a ladder bracket piece  170  that partly defines a mounting arrangement  168 . The bracket arms  128  in this embodiment are the same as that of the previous embodiment for purposes of manufacturing. It can be understood that other bracket arm configurations that secure to a ladder bracket piece can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed. The mounting arrangement  168  of this second embodiment detachably secures or mounts the device  112  at a selected location along the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . Also, the mounting arrangement of the device  112  is designed so that the device can be selectively mounted at one of many locations along the length of the overhead cable pathway structure  114 ; and can later be moved if needed. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the mounting bracket  120  includes the first ladder bracket piece  170  and a corresponding second bracket plate  172 . The first bracket piece  170  has a hooked flange  178  that engages, for example, a top edge  180  ( FIG. 9 ) of the ladder structure  116 . The second bracket plate  172  has an opposing hooked flange  182  that engages a bottom edge  184  of the ladder structure  116 . 
         [0041]    The second bracket plate  172  of the mounting bracket  120  is constructed to slide relative to the first bracket piece  170  to engage the overhead cable pathway structure  114  and secure the device  112  at the desired location. In particular, the first bracket piece  170  includes guides  174  located along the side of the bracket piece that receive edges  176  of the second bracket plate  172 . The edges  176  of the second bracket plate  172  vertically slide within the guides  174  of the first bracket piece  170  such that the hooked flanges  178 ,  182  capture and engage the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . The sliding mounting arrangement  168  defined by the first bracket piece  170  and the second bracket plate  172  is adjustable to accommodate or match the mounting height configuration (e.g., H,  FIG. 9 ) of more than one type of overhead cable pathway structure. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each of the first bracket piece  170  and the second sliding bracket plate  172  includes a tab  186 ,  188  that defines a hole  132 ,  190  ( FIG. 8 ). The holes  132 ,  190  are sized to receive a fastener  134  ( FIG. 9 ) that secures the bracket piece  170  and the sliding plate  172  in relation to one another, and in relation to the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the fastener  134  includes a threaded bolt secured in place by a wing nut. Other types of fastening devices can be used to secure the bracket piece  170  and sliding plate  172  in relation to one another. 
         [0043]    Referring back to  FIG. 7 , the cable pathway exit  122  of the device  112  has a curved surface  142  similar to that of the previous embodiment. The curved surface guides cables from the overhead cable pathway structure  114  ( FIG. 6 ) toward the plurality of cable terminations  118 . Preferably, the curved surface has a radius that prevents the cables from exceeding a minimum bend radius. Fingers  146  can be provided to retain cables exiting the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . 
         [0044]    Referring back to  FIG. 6 , also similar to the previous embodiment, the cable pathway exit  122  generally has an inner portion  150  located within the cable-carrying region  160  of the overhead structure  114  when the device  112  is mounted to the structure  114 , and an outer portion  152  located outside of the cable-carrying region  160 . The adapters  124  of the device  112  are located outside of the cable-carrying region  160  of the overhead cable pathway structure  114 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , yet another embodiment of a cable termination panel or device  212  is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 2 , this cable termination device  212  includes mounting structure  220  that mounts to a U-shaped cable trough  16 . 
         [0046]    Cable terminations  218  of the termination device of  FIG. 10  include both MPO type adapters  224  (shown with dust caps) and LC type adapters  225  (shown with dust plugs). The adapters  224 ,  225  of this device  212  are part of a module  248  that secures to the mounting bracket  220 . The MPO type adapters  224  are mounted to a rear wall  292  of the module  248 ; the LC type adapters  225  are mounted to a corrugated front wall  294  of the module  248 . The MPO type adapters  224  are interconnected to the LC type adapters  225  via internal circuitry and/or cables (not shown) contained within the module  248 . Further details of an example module  248  are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/655,764; which application is incorporated herein by reference. As can be understood, the types of adapters (e.g.,  24 ,  124 ,  224 ,  225 ) and the mounting bracket configuration (e.g.  20 ,  120 ) of the devices can be mixed and matched to address the particular needs of an application. 
         [0047]    In the alternative, the device  212  of  FIG. 10  can be provided with a straight pass-through arrangement wherein only the corrugated front wall  294  of the module is mounted to the mounting bracket  220 . The overhead cables  58  terminating to the LC type adapters  225  or other adapter types, as opposed to an intermediate MPO type adapter  224 . 
         [0048]    The overhead pathway devices (e.g.,  12 ,  112 ,  212 ) of the present disclosure minimize the amount of rack space needed in a data center, central office, or other telecommunications facility. Alternatively, the devices allow for expansion and/or upgrade of systems in facilities having spatial constraints, and can be added without having to add racks or cabinets. The devices also are designed to be easily incorporated into existing systems, i.e., mounted to exiting ladder structures, for example, without incurring costs associated with replacing or upgrading existing racks or existing overhead structures. 
         [0049]    In addition, the present devices do not interfere with cooling pathways of existing systems. For instance, in conventional methods, expanding the capacity of cabinets often requires the installation of additional termination panels within the cabinets. The added panels can block air flow needed to cool the electrical components inside the cabinet. Because the added panels or devices of the present system are mounted overhead, the panels or devices do not obstruct the air flow passages through the cabinet. 
         [0050]    The above specification provides a complete description of the present invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects of the invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8