Abstract:
A wall mount chassis includes circuitry for telecommunications signals. The chassis includes a rear wall mountable to a vertical wall, and first and second sides. Each side includes a hinged cover. Each cover includes an access window for viewing an opposite side of the cover. On one side of the chassis is positioned at least one signal converter card for converting between optical and electrical signals. On an opposite side of the chassis are positioned one or more electrical power cards providing an access location for power to the circuitry. A CPU card can also be provided on the same side as the power card. An interior of the chassis includes a back plane positioned between the converter cards and the power and CPU cards wherein the back plane is perpendicular to the converter cards and power and CPU cards. A cable spool or a cable lance is positioned adjacent one of the sides for cable management. Cable clips are provided for securably retaining one or more cables adjacent each of the first and second sides.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application is directed to telecommunications chassis and associated modules. More specifically, the present invention is directed to chassis and module structures that facilitate conversion between electrical and optical signals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Chassis for housing telecommunications modules provide a structure for protecting the modules from externalities while providing heat dissipation for circuitry contained on the modules. The modules are also shielded from electromagnetic interference. Furthermore, the chassis provides control of flame spread should a fire ever be imposed within the chassis. 
     Cable management to and from the chassis is often a concern. The electrical signal cables and the optical signal cables lead to the converter modules. A power cable supplies power for converting the signals, and for powering other system components. Organizing the cables, and protecting the cables from damage is a significant concern. 
     Thus, there is a need for chassis and module structures that facilitate protection of telecommunications cables and circuits, including those performing electrical to optical and optical to electrical conversions. 
     SUMMARY 
     A wall mount chassis is provided including a main housing defining an interior for receipt of telecommunications circuitry. The main housing defines a rear wall, an opposed front wall, and first and second sides extending between the front and rear walls. The rear wall is mountable to a vertical wall. The first side defines a cable access location. The second side also defines a cable access location. 
     Preferably, first and second hinged covers are provided, each cover hinged at a hinge adjacent to one of the first and second sides, respectively. Each hinged cover includes an access window for viewing an interior of the cover. Preferably, the access window is positioned on an angled surface of the cover, angled with respect to the side and the front wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of cable clips are positioned adjacent to each of the first and second sides for retaining cables positioned adjacent to the first and second, sides. 
     Preferably, a back plane including circuit traces is provided, the back plane extending parallel to the first and second sides. The first and second sides each define an opening for receipt of at least one circuit card extending perpendicularly to the back plane, each circuit card defining at least one of the cable access locations. 
     The main housing also preferably includes extensions extending generally parallel to the rear wall from adjacent to the first and second sides, the extensions defining cable openings to receive cables extending toward the cable access locations. 
     A method of managing telecommunications cables is provided comprising the steps of providing a chassis mounted to a wall and having left and right sides, extending an electrical signal cable to a selected side selected from the left and right sides, and extending an optical signal cable to the selected side. The extended electrical signal cable and the extended optical signal cable are connected to a signal converter circuitry within the chassis. The method further includes extending a power supply cable to the other side opposite the selected side, and connecting the extended power supply cable to the signal converter circuitry within the chassis. 
     The method preferably includes providing hinged covers, one cover at each of the left and right sides, and further comprising the step of hinging the covers closed to cover each of the left and right sides of the chassis. 
     The method preferably includes providing cable clips, and further comprising the step of clipping each cable to one of the cable clips before hinging the covers to the closed positions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front, left side perspective view of a first embodiment of a wall mount chassis. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an alternative wall mount chassis to the chassis of  FIG. 1 , with a different cover retention mechanism, and no front visual indicators. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the chassis of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the chassis of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the chassis of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top, front, left side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , show with the left side cover lifted off of the main housing. 
         FIG. 7  is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , with the right side cover lifted off of the main housing. 
         FIG. 8  is a top, front, left side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2  without the left and right side covers. 
         FIG. 9  is a top, front, right side view of the chassis of FIG.  8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a left side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , showing two signal converter cards removed from the chassis. 
         FIG. 11  is a left side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2  showing two power cards and one CPU card removed from the chassis. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side perspective view of the chassis showing left side cable management structures exploded from a remainder of the chassis. 
         FIG. 13  is a right side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 12 , showing right side cable management structures exploded from a remainder of the chassis. 
         FIG. 14  is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the chassis of  FIG. 2 , without the covers, cable management structures, and the cards. 
         FIG. 15  is a left side view of the chassis of FIG.  14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a right side view of the chassis of FIG.  14 . 
         FIG. 17  shows the chassis of  FIG. 14  with an inner chassis assembly removed from a main chassis assembly. 
         FIG. 18  is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the inner chassis assembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the two converter cards. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom, front, right side perspective view of the inner chassis assembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the two converter cards. 
         FIG. 20  is a top, front, left side perspective view of the inner chassis assembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the two converter cards, and shown with the top and front removed. 
         FIG. 21  shows the front, top, left side view of the inner chassis assembly receiving the back plane during assembly. 
         FIG. 22  is a top, back, right side perspective view of the inner chassis receiving the back plane during assembly. 
         FIG. 23  is a right side view of the inner chassis assembly including the back plane. 
         FIG. 24  is a left side view of the inner chassis assembly including the back plane. 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded view of the inner chassis assembly, showing the top exploded and the back plane removed. 
         FIG. 26  is a further exploded view of the inner chassis assembly of  FIG. 25 , showing the front and rear exploded. 
         FIG. 27  is a further exploded view of a bottom of the inner chassis assembly of  FIG. 26 , showing the card guides exploded. 
         FIG. 28  is a further exploded view of the top of the inner chassis assembly of  FIG. 26 , showing the card guides exploded. 
         FIG. 29  shows the chassis of  FIG. 2  with optical fiber cables and UTP cables connected to the signal converter cards, and with the left side cover removed. 
         FIG. 30  shows the chassis of  FIG. 2  with power cables and UTP cables connected to the power cards and CPU card, respectively, and with the right side cover removed. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic drawing showing the various cards connected to the back plane. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first preferred embodiment of a wall mount chassis  10  is shown. Along a rear wall  12 , chassis  10  is mounted to a wall of a building. Chassis  10  includes conversion capability for converting electrical signals to optical signals, and optical signals to electrical signals. Specifically, chassis  10  receives cabling containing the optical signals, and cabling containing the electrical signals. Circuitry within chassis  10  converts between electrical and optical signals. Chassis  10  also includes a power supply cable for powering the circuitry necessary to convert between electrical and optical signals. Preferably, chassis  10  also includes CPU cabling for communicating with other system equipment, such as through SNMP. 
     Chassis  10  includes a main housing  14  and first and second hinged covers  16 ,  18 . Cover  16  defines a left side cover or left cover  16 , and second cover  18  defines a right side cover or right cover  18 . Covers  16 ,  18  pivot about hinges  20 ,  22 , respectively. Hinges  20 ,  22  define vertical axes of rotation. Cables enter chassis  10  through one or more openings  24  on each end of chassis  10 . Viewing windows  26  are provided for viewing internal structures behind covers  16 ,  18  when the covers are in the closed positions shown in FIG.  1 . Only one window  26  is visible in FIG.  1 . Covers  16 ,  18  can be retained in the positions shown in FIG.  1  through the use of a retention member  28 . Preferably, retention member  28  is a keyed lock, or another device for holding the covers in the closed positions. Main housing  14 , and covers  16 ,  18  of chassis  10  are made from convenient materials, such as sheet metal. 
     Windows  26  can be used to view cabling and connection conditions behind covers  16 ,  18 . Windows  26  can also be used to view visual indictors associated with chassis  10 , such as power, and alarm status. Windows  26  lessen the need to open covers  16 ,  18  to check status. A further visual indicator  30  can be provided along a front  32  of chassis  10 . The front visual indicator  30  can also be used if solid covers  16 ,  18  are desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-30 , a similar wall mount chassis  110  is provided. One difference over chassis  10  includes chassis  110  not having any front visual indicators along a front  32 . Chassis  110  also utilizes a fastener retainer  29  instead of keyed lock  28  for holding the covers  16 ,  18  in the closed position. For the purposes of the further description below, chassis  10 ,  110  will be referred to as chassis  10 . 
     Main housing  14  includes front  32 , sides  34 ,  36 , a top  38 , and a bottom  40 . First and second extensions  42 ,  44  are provided, one each end of main housing  14 . Extensions  42 ,  44  provide support for cable management devices for chassis  10 . Extensions  42 ,  44  each include fastener holes  46  useful for attaching cable management structure, as will be described below. 
     Extensions  42 ,  44  each include a keyhole  48  for receipt of a mounting fastener for mounting chassis  10  to a wall. Preferably, the spacing between keyholes  48  is set at any convenient distance, such as  16  inches, to correspond with standard building convention, such as where wood wall studs are spaced every  16  inches. Both top  38  and bottom  40  are provided with ventilation holes  50  for dissipating heat contained within main housing  14 , such as through convection. 
     Each cover  16 ,  18  includes a top  52 , a bottom  54 , a front  56 , and a side  58 . Between front  56  and side  58  is an angled side  60  containing window  26 . Typically, window  26  is covered by a sheet  61  of clear planar material, such as Plexiglas or polycarbonate. Fasteners  62  can be used to mount the sheet  61  of material in window  26 . 
     Each cover  16 ,  18  includes a hinge post or pin  64  for receipt in a hinge socket  66  mounted adjacent to front  32  of main housing. By utilizing a pin and socket type hinge, covers  16 ,  18  can be lifted off, such as during installation of chassis  10 , or when cabling management is conducted where the covers might otherwise interfere with access to chassis  10 . 
     Each of covers  16 ,  18  include top and side cutouts  68 ,  70  to permit receipt of cables entering chassis  10  when covers  16 ,  18  are in the closed positions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , further details of the cable management structure for the cables on the left side of chassis  10  are shown. An area  86  behind cover  16  is used to manage the cables carrying the optical and the electrical signals. Top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  of main housing  14  extend from extension  42 . Cable openings  84  are provided in flanges  80 ,  82  to allow for cables to enter area  86 . A cable management assembly  90  is mounted with fasteners  92  to extension  42 . Cable management assembly  90  includes a spool  94  and a plurality of cable clips  96 . Flanges  98  of assembly  90  hold each of cable clips  96 . Cable clips  96  provide bend radius control due to their curved surfaces. Cable clips  96  include a pivotally movable door  100  to access an interior  102  of clip  96  for holding one or more cables in a secure manner. Any of a variety of cable clip or retention devices can be used for clips  96 . One example clip is shown and described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/233,018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Assembly  90  includes a main plate portion  104  which supports flanges  98 . Plate portion  104  also includes holes  106  for receiving fasteners for mounting spool portions  108  to plate portion  104  to form spool  94 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a similar cable management assembly  91  is shown with respect to a right side of chassis  10 . Assembly  91  is used to manage cables in an area  87  behind cover  18 , such as the power cables and the CPU cables. Assembly  91  is similar to assembly  90 , however, no spool is provided. Instead, assembly  91  utilizes a lance  111  for tying cables, as necessary, for strain relief. Assemblies  90 ,  91  can be separately assembled and added to main housing  14 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, many of the parts of cable management assemblies  90 ,  91  are identical, so as to permit convenient manufacture. One difference is that spool  94  is not provided with respect to assembly  91 . Both assemblies  90 ,  91  include a cover retention tab  112  for cooperating with either keyed lock  28  or fastener retainer  29  of covers  16 ,  18 . Keyed lock  28  includes a rotatable tab  115  ( FIG. 1 ) for catching tab  112  to prevent opening of covers  16 ,  18 . Fastener retainer  29  engages threaded hole  113  of tab  112  to prevent opening of covers  16 ,  18 . 
     Chassis  10  is utilized with a plurality of circuit cards received by main housing  14 . Preferably, main housing  14  includes card openings  120 ,  122  at each of sides  34 ,  36 , respectively, for receiving the desired circuit cards. Openings  120 ,  122  can be shaped as desired to mate with the various cards of the shapes shown, or other shapes. Openings  120  are each shaped to receive one card. Opening  122  is shaped to receive three cards. 
     In the preferred embodiment, two converter cards  124  are received one in each card opening  120  at side  34 . At side  36 , two power cards  126 , and one CPU card  128  are received in card opening  122 . Fastener holes  130  allow for retention of each of cards  124 ,  126 ,  128  through fasteners  132 . Notches  134  receive the edges of the card as each is inserted into the opening. Such notches  134  encourage ease of use whereby the cards cannot be inserted upside down. 
     Each of the cards  124 ,  126 ,  128  has a similar structure with respect to a front  136 , and a rearward extending circuit board  138  extending perpendicularly to front  136 . Fasteners  132  are retained on front flanges  140  for engaging fastener holes  130  to secure each card to main housing  14 . At a rear  142  of each card is structure for interfacing with an internal back plane  144 . Converter cards  124  include rear connectors  146  for interfacing with back plane connectors  156 , such as  26  pin connectors. Power cards  126  and CPU card  128  include rear connectors  148  for interfacing with back plane connectors  158 , such as  96  pin connectors. Other connectors  156 ,  158  can be used to link the cards to back plane  144 . Back plane  144  provides an electrical link through circuit tracings between the various cards disposed within main housing  14 . Connectors  156 ,  158  are staggered to prevent interference from projecting pins (compare  FIGS. 21 and 24  with FIGS.  22  and  23 ). 
     Fronts  136  include front connection locations  139  for connecting to the cables, for example, optical cables, electrical cables (such as twisted pair), and power cables (DC or AC). Fronts  136  may also include one or more indicators  151 , such as LEDs, which are visible through windows  26  when covers  16 ,  18  are closed. Fronts  136  are metallic structures and include a rear extension  143  for mounting to circuit board  138 . Circuit boards  138  include various circuit tracings and circuit elements to connect the front connection locations  139 , the rear connectors  146 ,  148 , and the back plane  144 , as needed. 
     Main housing  14  includes a main chassis assembly  141  and an inner chassis assembly  160  including back plane  144 . Back plane  144  is loaded into inner chassis assembly  160  through an opening  164  in a front wall  162 . Back plane  144  includes a rear notch  152  which interfaces with a rear tab  166  of rear wall  168  of inner housing  160 , so as to provide a one way fit for back plane  144 . Both the top and bottom walls  170 ,  172  of inner chassis assembly  160  include a plurality of slotted openings  174 , such as for ventilation. Further, each of top and bottom walls  170 ,  172  include a plurality of slotted plastic card guides  176  for slidably receiving the edges of back plane  144 , and cards  124 ,  126 ,  128 . Each of guides  176  includes a slot  178  extending in a longitudinal direction relative to guide  176 . Preferably, guides  176  snap mount to one of top and bottom walls  170 ,  172 . Card guides  176   a  are aligned with notches  134  to receive each of cards  124 ,  126 ,  128 . Back plane guide  176   b  allows back plane  144  to float slightly until the various cards are mated through side opening  120 ,  122 . 
     Preferably, inner chassis assembly  160  can be assembled first including back plane  144 , and then received in an opening  145  of main chassis assembly  141 , such as shown in FIG.  17 . 
     Cards  124 ,  126 ,  128  are provided with mating structures to prevent improper cards from being inserted into openings  120 ,  122 . For example, cards  124  include intermediate slots  180 , and back plane  144  includes posts  182 . Cards  126  include lower notches  184 , and bottom  172  of inner chassis assembly  160  includes a tab  186 . Similarly, card  128  includes an upper notch  188 , and top  170  includes a tab  190 . 
     If one or more cards  124 ,  126 ,  128  are not used with chassis  10 , a blank plate can be used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , various example cables are shown in position for converting electrical to optical, and optical to electrical. One cover  16 ,  18  has been removed in each of FIG.  29 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , the fiber optic cables  200  enter through one of cable clips  96  and are positioned around spool  94  to take up slack and connect at front adapters  202  of converter cards  124 . Cables  200  are terminated with optical connectors, such as SC type. Electrical cables  204  enter through a different cable clip  96  and are received in jacks  206  of converter cards  124 . Cables  204  are terminated with plugs, such as twisted pair RJ45 plugs. 
     Now with reference to  FIG. 30 , UTP cables  208  extend through one of cable clips  96  for connection at jacks  210  of CPU card  128 . Three ports are shown, such as for IN, OUT, and Ethernet connections. Power cables  212  enter through another cable clip  96  and connect to power cards  126  at connection locations  214 . If desired, lance  111  can be used to tie down cables  208 , or cables  212 . 
     Because each of cable clips  96  in openings  24  includes a movable and securable hinged door, the cables can be conveniently positioned in their desired locations, and then covers  16 ,  18  can be added and pivoted to the closed position, without pinching off or otherwise damaging the cables. Openings  24  are positioned along the top, bottom and side of each extension  42 ,  44  to provide for flexibility when cables are extended toward chassis  10 . Side openings  24   a  are particularly useful for situations when more than one chassis  10  is provided in a stacked arrangement. Vertical cable guides can be added as desired to vertically manage the cables to and from each chassis  10 . 
     Each end of main housing  14  includes an electrostatic discharge grounding port  230 , such as for receiving a banana clip of a technician&#39;s grounding cable. Adjacent to power cards  126 , main housing  14  also includes a grounding contact  232  for connecting to the chassis ground. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 31 , a schematic of the various elements of the internal circuitry is shown.  FIG. 31  shows two converter cards  124 , main and auxiliary power supply cards  126 , and a CPU card  128 .  FIG. 31  also illustrates visual indicators  30  connected to back plane  144  for providing a visual indicator associated with the front of chassis  10 , such as shown in FIG.  1 . The individual LED&#39;s  330  can extend through openings in front  32 , to provide front visual indication of status. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.