Patent Description:
Large data centers frequently deploy rows of racks and/or cabinets for cross-connect applications. The installation of high density fiber optic patch panels has been simplified and made more reliable by utilizing pre-terminated cassette modules installed in rack-mount enclosures. Although these pre-terminated cassettes have addressed many installation issues in terms of eliminating the need for field termination and polishing, they ve introduced others. In particular, there are certain applications that require installation/maintenance from the rear side of the enclosure and others that lend to front-side installation/maintenance. Many enclosures in the market only allow either front side or rear side installation/maintenance; and, while there are a few solutions in the market that do allow for front and rear side access, the removal of the cassette module can be cumbersome in tight quarters.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first example embodiment, a patch panel includes a cabinet and a cassette. A pair of cassette guides is positioned within the cabinet. The pair of cassette guides are spaced along a lateral direction such that the cassette is receivable between the pair of cassette guides. The cassette is slidable along a transverse direction on the pair of cassette guides. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction. At least one of the pair of cassette guides includes a first rail and a second rail that are spaced apart along a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateral and transverse directions. The cassette is slidable along the transverse direction between the first and second rails. Each end of the first rail is cantilevered such that each end of the first rail is moveable along the vertical direction.

In a second example embodiment, a patch panel includes a cabinet and a cassette. A pair of cassette guides is positioned within the cabinet. The pair of cassette guides are spaced along a lateral direction such that the cassette is receivable between the pair of cassette guides. The cassette is slidable along a transverse direction on the pair of cassette guides. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction. At least one of the pair of cassette guides includes a first rail and a second rail that are spaced apart along a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateral and transverse directions. The cassette is slidable along the transverse direction between the first and second rails. Each end of the first rail is cantilevered such that each end of the first rail is moveable along the vertical direction. Each end of the second rail is not cantilevered such that each end of the second rail is fixed along the vertical direction. The first rail is elastically deformable such that each end of the first rail is moveable along the vertical direction by no less than three millimeters. An example of such a patch panel is disclosed by the document <CIT>.

<FIG> are perspective views of a patch panel <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. As may be seen in <FIG>, patch panel <NUM> includes a cabinet or enclosure <NUM>. Enclosure <NUM> may include a top panel <NUM> and a front panel <NUM>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, top panel <NUM> is removable to facilitate access to components within enclosure <NUM>, e.g., at the rear of enclosure <NUM>. Similarly, front panel <NUM> is rotatable and may open and close. Thus, front panel <NUM> may facilitate access to components within enclosure <NUM>, e.g., at the front of enclosure <NUM>.

As may be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, patch panel <NUM> includes a plurality of cassette guides <NUM> and a plurality of cassettes <NUM>. Thus, e.g., one of ordinary skill in the art may refer to patch panel <NUM> as a "rackmount high density connectivity platform. " Cassettes <NUM> may be modular and suitable for patch, patch & splice, wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM), and splitter applications. Thus, e.g., each cassette <NUM> may include connectors (such as LC connectors, MPO connecters, etc.) at a front and a rear of the cassette <NUM>, and fibers within the cassette <NUM> may extend between the various connectors at the front and rear of the cassette <NUM>.

As discussed in greater detail below, patch panel <NUM> includes features for regulating movement of cassettes <NUM> on cassette guides <NUM>. Such features may facilitate access to cassettes <NUM> and thereby assist a user with connecting optical fiber cables to cassettes <NUM>. In particular, patch panel <NUM> defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions V, L, T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Cassettes <NUM> may be mounted on cassette guides <NUM> within enclosure <NUM> such that cassettes <NUM> are slidable relative to cassette guides <NUM> along the transverse direction T. In particular, all of cassettes <NUM> are shown in a retracted position on cassette guides <NUM> in <FIG>. Conversely, one of cassettes <NUM> is shown in an extend position on cassette guides <NUM> with the rest of cassettes <NUM> shown in the retracted position in <FIG>. The extended position may facilitate access to perform moves, adds, and/or changes with front side patch cords.

Cassette guides <NUM> are positioned within enclosure <NUM>. In certain example embodiments, cassette guides <NUM> are mounted within enclosure <NUM> such that cassette guides <NUM> are fixed relative to enclosure <NUM>. For example, cassette guides <NUM> may be mounted to enclosure <NUM> with thermal staking, ultrasonically welding, adhesive, tape and/or fasteners. Thus, e.g., patch panel <NUM> may not include a tray or drawer for slidably mounting cassette guides <NUM> within enclosure <NUM>. However, in alternative example embodiments, patch panel <NUM> may include a tray or drawer, and cassette guides <NUM> may be mounted on the tray or drawer such that cassette guides <NUM> are movable relative to enclosure <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, on the tray or drawer.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, patch panel <NUM> is shown with four cassette guides <NUM> and six cassettes <NUM>. The four cassette guides <NUM> support the six cassettes <NUM> in two columns within enclosure <NUM>. It will be understood that, while shown in <FIG> and <FIG> with four cassette guides <NUM> and six cassettes <NUM>, the particular number of cassette guides <NUM> and cassettes <NUM> is provided by way of example only. In alternative example embodiments, patch panel <NUM> may include any suitable number of cassette guides <NUM> and cassettes <NUM> depending upon the particular application.

Each cassette <NUM> is slidable between two cassette guides <NUM>. Thus, e.g., cassette guides <NUM> are spaced along the lateral direction L within enclosure <NUM>, and cassettes <NUM> is receivable between cassette guides <NUM>, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Cassette guides <NUM> and cassettes <NUM> are described in greater detail below in the context of <FIG>. In <FIG>, a single cassette guide <NUM> and cassette <NUM> are shown and described for the sake of brevity. However, as noted above, patch panel <NUM> may include multiple cassette guides <NUM> and cassettes <NUM>. Each cassette guide <NUM> and/or cassette <NUM> of patch panel <NUM> may be configured and/or constructed in the same or similar manner to that described below.

<FIG> is a side elevation view of a cassette guide <NUM>; <FIG> is a side elevation view of a cassette <NUM>; and <FIG> is a partial, side elevation view of the cassette <NUM> arranged in a retracted position within the cassette guide <NUM>. As may be seen in <FIG>, each cassette guide <NUM> may define three mounting bays <NUM> that are stacked along the vertical direction V. Each mounting bay <NUM> may support a respective cassette <NUM>. Thus, as noted above, three cassettes <NUM> may be stacked along the vertical direction V within mounting bays <NUM> on each cassette guide <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, cassette guide <NUM> includes a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM>. First and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> define a respective one of mounting bays <NUM>. While only two rails <NUM>, <NUM> are described herein, it will be understood that cassette guide <NUM> may include other rails (not labeled) that define the other two mounting bays <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Such other rails may be formed in the same or similar manner to that described below for first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> but are not described in greater detail below for the sake of brevity.

First rail <NUM> and second rail <NUM> are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Thus, cassette <NUM> is receivable between first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In particular, cassette <NUM> is slidable along the transverse direction T between first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, first rail <NUM> and second rail <NUM> are spaced apart along the vertical direction V such that a side of cassette <NUM> is positioned between first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> and cassette <NUM> slides along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM>. Cassette guides <NUM> may be, e.g., molded, plastic cassette guides in certain example embodiments. Thus, each cassette guide <NUM> may be a separate, discrete piece of plastic.

With reference to <FIG>, cassette guide <NUM> and cassette <NUM> include features for locking cassette <NUM> in a retracted or installed position (shown in <FIG>) on cassette guide <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> is cantilevered. By being cantilevered, each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> may be moveable along the vertical direction V. The ends <NUM> of first rail <NUM> moves along the vertical direction V to unlock cassette <NUM> from the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM> and allows cassette <NUM> to slide along the transverse direction T into an extended position (shown in <FIG>) and/or allow cassette <NUM> to be removed from cassette guide <NUM> along the transverse direction T, as described in greater detail below. Each end of second rail <NUM> is not cantilevered, e.g., such that each end of second rail <NUM> is fixed along the vertical direction V.

First rail <NUM> is elastically deformable to allow the ends <NUM> of first rail <NUM> to move along the vertical direction V to a suitable degree. For example, first rail <NUM> is be elastically deformable such that each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> is moveable along the vertical direction V by no less than three millimeters (<NUM>). Thus, cassette guide <NUM> (e.g., first rail <NUM>) may be constructed of a material with a suitable modulus of elasticity, such as a plastic, and/or a length of the portion of first rail <NUM> that is cantilevered may be no less than twelve millimeters (<NUM>). Such features may advantageously allow selective locking of cassette <NUM> in the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, cassette <NUM> may include a slide rail <NUM>. Slide rail <NUM> is positioned on a side of cassette <NUM> and is receivable between first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> of cassette guide <NUM>. In particular, slide rail <NUM> of cassette <NUM> may cooperate with first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> of cassette guide <NUM> to allow cassette <NUM> to slide along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM>. Cassette <NUM> may include another slide rail on the opposite side of cassette <NUM> that is constructed in the same or similar manner to that described below for slide rail <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, second rail <NUM> may include a first projection <NUM> and a second projection <NUM>. First and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may be spaced apart, e.g., along the transverse direction T, on second rail <NUM>. Turning back to <FIG>, slide rail <NUM> may include a first projection <NUM> and a second projection <NUM>. First and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be spaced apart, e.g., along the transverse direction T, on slide rail <NUM>.

The projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may cooperate to lock cassette <NUM> in the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM>. In particular, first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned against first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>. Similarly, second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned against second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>. Interference between first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> and first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> as well as interference between second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> and second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may block movement of cassette <NUM> along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>, e.g., and the cantilevered ends <NUM> of first rail <NUM> limit upward movement of slide rail <NUM>.

First projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be spaced from second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> by a first distance D1, e.g., along the transverse direction T, as shown in <FIG>. Conversely, first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may be spaced from second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> by a second distance D2, e.g., along the transverse direction T, as shown in <FIG>. The first distance D1 may be less than the second distance D2. Thus, first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned between first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>. Such positioning may advantageously facilitate selective locking of cassette <NUM> in the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM>, e.g., by allowing cassette <NUM> to be lifted upwardly along the vertical direction V to permit cassette <NUM> to slide along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> may be cantilevered such that each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> extends over a respective one of first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T. In addition, first rail <NUM> may define a length H, e.g., along the transverse direction T between the ends <NUM> of first rail <NUM>. First projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may also be spaced from second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> by a gap G (i.e., the first distance D1 shown in <FIG>), e.g., along the transverse direction T. The length H of first rail <NUM> may be no less than five millimeters (<NUM>) greater than the gap G between first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>. Such sizing may advantageously allow the cantilevered ends <NUM> of first rail <NUM> to assist with locking cassette <NUM> in the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial, side elevation view of cassette <NUM> and cassette guide <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> includes a planar locking surface <NUM>. Similarly, second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> includes a planar locking surface <NUM>. Planar locking surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be oriented perpendicular to the transverse direction T. Planar locking surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may also face away from planar locking surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

As shown in <FIG>, first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may also include a planar locking surface <NUM>, and second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may also include a planar locking surface <NUM>. Planar locking surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may be oriented perpendicular to the transverse direction T. Planar locking surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may face towards planar locking surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

Planar locking surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned on or against planar locking surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>. Similarly, planar locking surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned on or against planar locking surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>. In such a manner, planar locking surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may cooperate with planar locking surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of second rail <NUM> to lock cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>, e.g., due to interference at the interfaces.

As shown in <FIG>, first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> also includes a sloped surface <NUM>. Similarly, second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> includes a sloped surface <NUM>. Sloped surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned opposite planar locking surface <NUM> of first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Similarly, sloped surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be positioned opposite planar locking surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

Turning back to <FIG>, slide rail <NUM> may further include a stop tab <NUM>. Stop tab <NUM> may be positioned between first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Stop tab <NUM> may have planar locking surfaces (not labeled) formed in the same or similar manner to planar locking surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM>. Stop tab <NUM> may engage first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> to limit translation of cassette <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, as discussed in greater detail below.

Each end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> may be moveable along the vertical direction V to permit cassette <NUM> to be inserted into or removed from between first and second rails <NUM>, <NUM> on cassette guide <NUM>. <FIG> are side elevation views of cassette <NUM> and cassette guide <NUM> in various stages of shifting from the retracted position (<FIG>) to the extended positon (<FIG>) to fully removed (<FIG>). Example steps for moving cassette <NUM> along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM> will now be described in greater detail below in the context of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, cassette <NUM> is shown in the retracted position on cassette guide <NUM>. The retracted position may correspond to the position of cassette <NUM> on cassette guide <NUM> in which cassette <NUM> is locked within a mounting bay <NUM> (<FIG>). Thus, e.g., interference between first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> and first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> as well as interference between second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> and second projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may block movement of cassette <NUM> along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM> when cassette <NUM> is in the retracted positon on cassette guide <NUM>.

A user of patch panel <NUM> may desire to shift cassette <NUM> to the extended positon (<FIG>) and/or to fully remove cassette <NUM> from cassette guide <NUM> (<FIG>). To allow movement of cassette <NUM> along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM>, i.e., out of the retracted position shown in <FIG>, the user may move a handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM>, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. By lifting handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, one end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> may elastically deform and move, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Such movement of first rail <NUM> may assist with disengaging first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> from first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>. In particular, planar locking surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may be spaced from planar locking surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> along the vertical direction V by lifting upwardly on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> and elastically deforming first rail <NUM>. Thus, elastic deformation of first rail <NUM> may allow first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> to disengage from first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> by moving upwardly along the vertical direction V.

From the arrangement shown in <FIG>, the user may pull on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> to move cassette <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, relative to cassette guide <NUM>. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, first projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may move to the opposite side of first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> relative to the arrangement shown in <FIG>. The user may continue to pull on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> to move cassette <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, relative to cassette guide <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, stop tab <NUM> may impact first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> as the user continues to pull on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM>. Interference between stop tab <NUM> and first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may block further movement of cassette <NUM> along the transverse direction T relative to cassette guide <NUM>. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, the user may again move handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM>, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. By lifting handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the one end <NUM> of first rail <NUM> may elastically deform and move, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Such movement of first rail <NUM> may assist with disengaging stop tab <NUM> from first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>.

From the arrangement shown in <FIG>, the user may pull on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> to move cassette <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, relative to cassette guide <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, stop tab <NUM> may move to the opposite side of first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> relative to the arrangement shown in <FIG>. When second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> impacts against first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, sloped surface <NUM> of second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> may automatically allow second projection <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> to slide over first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, e.g., without requiring the user to lift upwardly on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM>. The user may continue to pull on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM> to fully remove cassette <NUM> from cassette guide <NUM>.

It will be understood that the steps described above may be reversed to insert cassette <NUM> into cassette guide <NUM>. However, the sloped surface (not labeled) on first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM> may automatically allow first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of slide rail <NUM> to slide over first projection <NUM> of second rail <NUM>, e.g., without requiring the user to lift upwardly on handle <NUM> of cassette <NUM>. In addition, while described above in the context of removing cassette <NUM> from a front of cassette guide <NUM>, the same or similar process may be used to remove cassette <NUM> from a rear of cassette guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of cassette <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, cassette <NUM> may include front adapters <NUM> and rear adapters <NUM> positioned at opposite ends of cassette <NUM>. Cassette <NUM> may also include a transparent cover <NUM> that protects optical fibers (not shown) within cassette <NUM> while also allowing viewing of the optical fibers through the transparent cover <NUM>. Fiber management slots <NUM> may be formed at the front and rear of cassette <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pair of cassettes <NUM> and a bridging connector <NUM>. Bridging connector <NUM> may extend between and connect two adjacent cassettes <NUM>, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Bridging connector <NUM> may couple the two cassettes <NUM> such that movement of cassettes <NUM>, e.g., along the transverse direction T, is transferred between the two cassettes <NUM> via bridging connector <NUM>.

The present subject matter has numerous advantages over known high density fiber optic patch panels for pre-terminated cassette modules. For example, cassettes <NUM> may be installed and removed by single-hand manipulation for both front and rear install/release scenarios.

Claim 1:
A patch panel (<NUM>), comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a cassette (<NUM>);
a pair of cassette guides (<NUM>) positioned within the cabinet (<NUM>), the pair of cassette guides (<NUM>) spaced along a lateral direction (L) such that the cassette (<NUM>) is receivable between the pair of cassette guides (<NUM>), the cassette (<NUM>) slidable along a transverse direction (T) on the pair of cassette guides (<NUM>), the transverse direction (T) being perpendicular to the lateral direction (L),
wherein at least one of the pair of cassette guides (<NUM>) comprises a first rail (<NUM>) and a second rail (<NUM>) that are spaced apart along a vertical direction (V) that is perpendicular to the lateral and transverse directions (L, T), the cassette (<NUM>) slidable along the transverse direction (T) between the first and second rails (<NUM>, <NUM>), the patch panel characterized in that each end (<NUM>) of the first rail (<NUM>) is cantilevered such that each end (<NUM>) of the first rail (<NUM>) is moveable along the vertical direction (V), each end of the second rail (<NUM>) is not cantilevered such that each end of the second rail (<NUM>) is fixed along the vertical direction (V), and the first rail (<NUM>) is elastically deformable such that each end (<NUM>) of the first rail (<NUM>) is moveable along the vertical direction (V) by no less than three millimeters.