Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to data center management, and in particular enclosures for high speed data transport fiber cabling systems. Optical fibers allow for transmission of communications over longer distances and at higher bandwidths than wire cables. Optical fibers are also advantageous for communication systems because signals suffer less loss than wire cables and are immune to electromagnetic interference. Optical fibers are therefore often used for high bandwidth, long distance applications. One of the primary functions of a data center is to provide connections between incoming and outgoing optical fiber connections.

A user may desire to use different sized fiber optic modules housing optical fiber connections. At present, such a user installs and removes entire banks of patch panels or trays in order to accommodate different sized fiber optic modules because trays are currently designed to only support one size of fiber optic module. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a tray that allows different sized fiber optic modules to be installed within the tray without replacing or removing the tray itself.

<CIT> discloses, according to its abstract, "Fiber optic equipment that supports <NUM>-fiber MPO configurations that enable migration between duplex transmission and <NUM>-fiber parallel transmission is disclosed. The fiber optic equipment comprises a fiber optic module having a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides, wherein the front end, the rear end, and the opposing sides defining an area there within. The fiber optic module comprises a linear array of single fiber optical connector adapters arranged in a width direction at the front end, each of the single fiber optical adapters having a front side and a rear side. The fiber optic module also comprises a rear multi-fiber adapter at the rear end of the module, the rear multi-fiber adapter having a front side and a rear side. The fiber optic module further comprises a release lever disposed along one of the opposing sides and configured to actuate a latch release for removing the fiber optic module from a fiber optic equipment tray, wherein at least a portion of the release lever laterally deflects inwardly toward a center of the area defined by the front end, the rear end, and the opposing sides".

<CIT> discloses, according to its abstract, that "An optical module is provided. The optical module includes a base module and a cable management bracket removably attached to the base module. The base module includes a first adapter configured to interface with a first cable. The base module further includes a plurality of second adapters configured to interface with a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of second cables. The cable management bracket includes a plurality of cable routing slots for routing the plurality of second cables. A fiber optic panel is also provided. The fiber optic panel includes a base, a plurality of module guides removably attached to the base, and a plurality of the optical modules slid between the module guides. A fiber management system is further provided. The fiber management system includes a rack and the fiber optic panel mounted on the rack". <CIT> further discloses in an embodiment of the fiber optic panel, a single tray formed from a double-width optical module and two single-width optical modules.

<CIT> discloses, according to its abstract, that "Fiber optic housings configured to accommodate fiber optic modules/cassettes and fiber optic panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic apparatus is provided and comprised of a fiber optic housing and one or more removable panel clips. Each of the one or more removable panel clips includes at least one receptacle configured to receive an insert of a fiber optic panel to support the fiber optic panel in the fiber optic housing. In another embodiment, a fiber optic shelf configured to be supported in a fiber optic housing is provided. The fiber optic shelf comprises a mounting surface and one or more removable panel clips attached to the mounting surface that each includes at least one receptacle configured to receive an insert of a fiber optic panel to support the fiber optic panel in the mounting surface. Related components and methods are also disclosed".

<CIT> discloses, according to its abstract, "A high density fiber enclosure system includes a chassis, cassette trays, an optional unification clip, cassettes, and an optional trunk cable management system. The chassis, cassette trays, and cassettes are configured such that individual cassettes may be installed, removed, and otherwise positioned for easy access by a user. The unification clip allows two adjacent cassette trays to be connected to one other such that cassette trays move as one unit. The trunk cable management system is designed to organize trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs as well as relieve strain on the trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs".

In a first aspect there is provided a tray to support fiber optic equipment, the tray as defined in claim <NUM> of the appended claims. In a second aspect there is provided a system to support fiber optic equipment, the system as defined in appended claim <NUM>. In a third aspect there is provided a method of supporting a plurality of sizes of fiber optic modules, the method as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

A first described example is directed to a tray to support fiber optic equipment. The tray includes a tray body having a first side edge portion, a second side edge portion, a front side edge portion, a rear side edge portion and a middle portion. The middle portion of the tray body has a plurality of cutout features. The first side edge portion is configured to be secured to a first rail. The second side edge portion is configured to be secured to a second rail. The cutout features are configured to engage with a mounting feature of a third rail such that the third rail may be removably secured to the tray body in a plurality of positions.

Another example is directed to a system to support fiber optic equipment. The system includes a tray body having a first side edge portion, a second side edge portion, a front side edge portion, a rear side edge portion and a middle portion. The middle portion of the tray body has a first set of cutout features and a second set of cutout features. The system also includes a first rail secured to the first side edge portion, a second rail secured to the second side edge portion, and a third rail having a mounting feature configured to be removably secured to the first set of cutout features or the second set of cutout features.

Another example is directed to a method of supporting a plurality of sizes of fiber optic modules. The method includes inserting a mounting feature of a rail into a first set of cutout features in a tray body. The method further includes removing the mounting feature of the rail from the first set of cutout features in the tray body. The method further includes inserting the mounting feature of the rail into a second set of cutout features in the tray body.

As shown in <FIG> and IB, a patch panel <NUM> consists of a frame <NUM>, modular tray <NUM>, and center support brackets <NUM>. A plurality of removable rails <NUM> as shown in <FIG> may be added to or removed from the modular tray <NUM> in order to support differently-sized fiber optic modules <NUM> that support a different number of optical fibers. Referring to <FIG>, in an example, the removable rails may be added or removed in order to support one <NUM>-optical fiber module <NUM>, two <NUM>- optical fiber modules <NUM>, or three <NUM>-optical fiber modules <NUM>. The fiber optic modules shown in all of the Figures (for example, <FIG>) of this application include duplex LC adapters at the front of the module that lead to <NUM> MPO adapter at the rear of the module. The <NUM>-optical fiber module <NUM> shown in the Figures includes <NUM> LC adapters; the <NUM>-optical fiber module <NUM> as shown in the Figures includes <NUM> LC adapters; and the <NUM>-optical fiber module <NUM> as shown in the Figures includes <NUM> LC adapters. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that different numbers of optical fibers and different numbers and types of adapters may be used in a fiber optic module that may be installed within the disclosed examples.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the frame <NUM> includes a top cover <NUM>, right side <NUM>, left side <NUM>, and a bottom flange <NUM>. The bottom flange <NUM><NUM> is configured to support a modular tray <NUM>. The right side <NUM> and left side <NUM> of the frame each include two bridge lance features <NUM> disposed above the bottom flange <NUM><NUM>. The bridge lance features <NUM><NUM> are slots formed in the right side <NUM> and left side <NUM> of the frame <NUM> to support additional modular trays <NUM> in the frame <NUM>. In an example, two bridge lance features <NUM><NUM> are disposed in each side so that the frame <NUM> can support two additional modular trays <NUM> above the modular tray <NUM> supported by the bottom flange <NUM>. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the bridge lance features <NUM> and center support brackets <NUM> (described below) may have more or fewer slots that support modular trays <NUM>. The frame may also include holes <NUM> for mounting the frame <NUM> to fiber optic enclosure rail <NUM> within a fiber optic enclosure <NUM> and mounts <NUM> for cable slack management trays <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the center support brackets <NUM> are comprised of a bracket body <NUM>, holes <NUM> to attach the bracket to the frame <NUM> and lowermost tray <NUM>, and notches <NUM> to support the additional modular trays <NUM> disposed in the frame <NUM>. In an example, the center support brackets <NUM> include two notches <NUM> to support two additional modular trays <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a modular tray <NUM> includes at least one tray body <NUM>, at least one set of cutout features <NUM> disposed in the tray body <NUM>, an alignment slot <NUM> located on the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM> of the tray body <NUM>, a left rail <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), and a right rail <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, two tray bodies <NUM> may make up one modular tray <NUM>. The alignment slots <NUM> are each configured to receive an alignment feature <NUM>, <NUM> located on the bottom portion <NUM> of the left rail <NUM> and bottom portion <NUM> of right rail <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in addition to the alignment feature <NUM>, the left rail <NUM> also includes a rear latch retention feature <NUM> and a fiber optic module contact protrusion <NUM>. The rear latch retention feature <NUM> is configured to receive a rear fiber optic module retention latch <NUM> of a fiber optic module <NUM>. The fiber optic module contact protrusion <NUM> is configured to abut against a fiber optic module <NUM> during installation of a fiber optic module <NUM> as well as once the fiber optic module <NUM> is installed. As shown in <FIG>, in addition to the alignment feature <NUM>, the right rail also includes a rear latch retention feature <NUM> and a front stop latch <NUM>. The front stop latch <NUM> is configured to retain a fiber optic module retention feature <NUM> when a fiber optic module <NUM> is fully installed in the modular tray <NUM>. Both the left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM> are riveted, secured with screws, or otherwise permanently installed onto the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM>, respectively, of the modular tray body <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the cutout features <NUM> of the modular tray <NUM> are configured to receive a removable rail <NUM> in such a way that the removable rail <NUM> may be secured to and removed from the modular tray <NUM>. In an example, one cutout feature <NUM> is a set of two or more cutouts in the body of the tray <NUM> each shaped to receive a portion of the removable rail <NUM>. The cutout features <NUM> are preferably shaped as a larger rectangle at the portion of the cutout closest to the front of the modular tray <NUM> with a rear portion of the cutout that forms a slit. One set of cutout features <NUM> are disposed in a line parallel to the left and right rails <NUM>, <NUM>. Preferably, three sets of cutout features <NUM> are disposed on the modular tray. One middle set of cutout features <NUM> is disposed along the midline between the left and right rails <NUM>, <NUM>, so that, when a removable rail <NUM> is installed within the middle set of cutout features <NUM>, two <NUM>-optical fiber modules <NUM> may be installed on either side of the removable rail <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Two additional sets of cutout features, left set of cutout features <NUM> and right set of cutout features <NUM>, are disposed on either side of the middle set of cutout features <NUM> so that, when removable rails <NUM> are installed in both the left set of cutout features <NUM> and right set of cut out features <NUM>, three <NUM>-optical fiber modules <NUM> may be installed into the modular tray <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Finally, when no removable rails <NUM> are installed in the modular tray <NUM>, one <NUM>-optical fiber module may be installed between the left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the removable rails <NUM> include two rear latch retention features <NUM>, a module contact protrusion <NUM>, a front stop latch <NUM>, a front retention boss <NUM>, and at least one T-shaped mounting feature <NUM>. One rear latch retention feature <NUM> is disposed on the left side <NUM> and right side <NUM> of the removable rail <NUM>. The rear latch retention features <NUM>, module contact protrusion <NUM>, and front stop latch <NUM> are the same as on the left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM>. The front retention boss <NUM> is disposed within the front-most portion of the front-most cutout feature 140a when the removable rail <NUM> is fully installed in a modular tray <NUM>. The T-shaped mounting feature <NUM> is located on the bottom of the removable rail <NUM> and includes a tapered front portion <NUM>. The T-shaped mounting feature is shaped so that it can be inserted into the larger rectangle portion of the cutout features <NUM> closest to the front of the modular tray <NUM> and then slid toward the back of modular tray <NUM> so that the T-shaped mounting feature <NUM> securely engages with the rear portion of the cutout features <NUM> that forms a slit.

As shown in <FIG>, if different sets of cutout features <NUM> are disposed on the tray <NUM>, one or more of the sets may be slightly different-i.e. as shown in <FIG>, the cutout features may be of different sizes or shapes, or may be closer or further away from the front of the tray <NUM> than cutout features in other sets of cutout features. If this is the case, the removable rails <NUM> configured to be disposed in the cutout features would also be slightly different so that only a removable rail <NUM> designed to be installed in a particular set of cutout features <NUM> could be installed in that set of cutout features <NUM>. Such different sizes or shapes may allow for different rails to be used in different positions. Additionally, these rails of different sizes or shapes may be color coded or otherwise identified to match up the appropriate removable rail <NUM> to a set of cutout features <NUM>.

<FIG> provide cross-sectional views of the removable rails <NUM> installed in the modular tray <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the tapered front of the T-shaped mounting feature <NUM> at the rear of the center removable rail <NUM> is larger than the outside removable rails <NUM>. Similarly, as shown in <FIG>, the cross-section of the center removable rail <NUM> is larger than the cross-section of the outside removable rails <NUM>. Thus, the center removable rail <NUM> would only fit within the middle set of cutout features <NUM>, and the outside removable rails <NUM> would only fit within the left and right sets of cutout features <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> show that the second T-shaped features of the removable rails <NUM> have similarly-sized cross sections-i.e. the tapered front <NUM> and cross section of the T-shaped mounting features <NUM> of the center removable rail <NUM> are larger than the tapered front <NUM> and cross section of the T-shaped mounting features <NUM> of the outside removable rails <NUM>. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that this feature may be accomplished in many other ways-for example, the middle set of cutouts <NUM> and T-shaped mounting feature <NUM> of the middle removable rail <NUM> may be disposed slightly closer to the front if the modular tray <NUM> than the left and right sets of cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> and the T-shaped mounting features <NUM> of the left and right removable rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in which the removable rail <NUM> is fully installed in <FIG>, in order to install a removable rail <NUM> into a modular tray <NUM>, the T-shaped mounting feature(s) <NUM> of the removable rail <NUM> are inserted through the larger portion of the cutout features <NUM> in one set of cutout features. The removable rail <NUM> is then slid toward the back of the modular tray <NUM> until the T-shaped mounting feature <NUM> is secured within the narrower portion of the cutout features <NUM>. When the T-shaped mounting features <NUM> reach the rear-most portion of the cutout features <NUM>, the front retention boss <NUM> slides into and abuts the front of the front-most cutout 140a. Thus, the front retention boss <NUM> secures the removable rail <NUM> in the modular tray <NUM>. In order to remove the removable rail <NUM>, a user first uses his hand or other tool to press the front retention boss <NUM> upward past the front of the front-most cutout 140a Once the front retention boss <NUM> clears the front-most cutout 140a, the removable rail <NUM> may be slid toward the front of the modular tray <NUM> until the T-shaped features <NUM> of the removable rail <NUM> are located in the larger portion of the cutout features <NUM>. The removable rail <NUM> is then no longer secured to the modular tray <NUM> and may be removed.

As shown in <FIG>, once the removable rail <NUM> is installed, fiber optic modules <NUM> may be installed onto the tray <NUM> in a conventional manner. In particular, to install a fiber optic module <NUM> from the front of the fiber optic enclosure <NUM>, a user pushes the fiber optic module <NUM> from the front of the enclosure into a space on the tray formed by two of the rails installed on the modular tray <NUM>. The user continues pushing the fiber optic module <NUM> into the space until the front retention feature <NUM> of the fiber optic module <NUM> seats within a front stop latch <NUM> or <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, to uninstall a fiber optic module <NUM> from the front of the enclosure <NUM> a user pushes the front stop latch <NUM> or <NUM> to the right to release the fiber optic module <NUM>. The user then pulls the fiber optic module <NUM> toward the front of the fiber optic enclosure <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, to install a fiber optic module <NUM> from the rear of the fiber optic enclosure <NUM>, the user pushes the fiber optic module <NUM> from the rear of the enclosure <NUM> into a space on the tray <NUM> formed by two of the rails installed on the modular tray <NUM>. The user continues pushing until the rear module retention latches <NUM> of the fiber optic module <NUM> seat in the rear latch retention features <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the rails. As shown in <FIG>, to uninstall a fiber optic module <NUM>, a user squeezes the rear module retention latches <NUM> of the module toward each other until the fiber optic module <NUM> is released from the rear latch retention features <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The user then continues to pull the fiber optic module <NUM> toward the rear of the fiber optic enclosure <NUM>.

Another example of the present disclosure, a High Density Fiber Enclosure (HDFE) <NUM> that includes a modular tray and removable rail design is described below. As shown in <FIG>, the High Density Fiber Enclosure <NUM> includes a top cover <NUM>, bottom portion <NUM>, and mounting for cable slack management <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the HDFE <NUM> also includes a HDFE modular tray <NUM> that includes at least one tray body <NUM>, HDFE cut out features <NUM>, alignment pins <NUM>, alignment holes <NUM>, metal tabs <NUM>, a HDFE left rail <NUM>, a HDFE right rail <NUM>, and two labels <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). One alignment pin <NUM> each is located on the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM> of the HDFE modular tray <NUM> and passes through an alignment hole <NUM>. The alignment pins <NUM> are self-clinching and are configured to engage with a hole in a HDFE left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM>, respectively, to align the HDFE left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM> with the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM> of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The alignment pins <NUM> may be self-tapping screws or another suitable fastener known in the art. A metal tab <NUM> is located at the front-most portion of the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM> of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The metal tab <NUM> extends upward at a <NUM> degree angle to the HDFE modular tray <NUM> and secures the front portion of the HDFE left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM>. The labels <NUM> are disposed on the front <NUM> of the HDFE tray <NUM>.

The HDFE left rail <NUM> and HDFE right rail <NUM> are both permanently secured to the left edge <NUM> and right edge <NUM> respectively of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The HDFE left rail <NUM> and HDFE right rail <NUM> also both include a metal spring clip <NUM>, <NUM> for retaining a fiber optic module <NUM>. The metal spring clip <NUM> is disposed on the right side <NUM> of the HDFE left rail <NUM>, and the metal spring clip <NUM> is disposed on the left side <NUM> of the HDFE right rail <NUM> so that the metal spring clips <NUM>, <NUM> face one another.

The HDFE cutout features <NUM> are formed to removably receive HDFE removable rails <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a HDFE cutout feature <NUM> is a set of two or more cutouts in the body of the tray <NUM> each shaped to receive a portion of the HDFE removable rail <NUM>. The set of cutout features <NUM> are disposed in a line parallel to the left and right rails <NUM>, <NUM>. In an example four cutouts comprise one set of cutout features <NUM>. The rear-most cutout 240a is triangularly-shaped so that the triangle points toward the rear <NUM> of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The middle cutout 240b is formed of an overlapping larger and smaller rectangle, where the smaller rectangle is configured to securely hold a portion of the HDFE removable rail <NUM>. The final two cutouts are disposed proximate to one another near the front <NUM> of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The forward-most cutout 240d is formed of two ovals cut out of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. One of the ovals is larger than the other, and the ovals overlap so that a self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> of a removable rail <NUM> may be inserted into the larger oval portion of the forward-most cutout 240d and then slid over to be secured in the smaller oval portion of the forward-most cutout 240d. The final cutout, the latch-receiving cutout 240c, is located just to the rear of the forward-most cutout 240d and is configured to receive a latch 290c located on the HDFE removable rail <NUM>. One example of the latch-receiving cutout 240c is a rectangular-shaped cutout.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the HDFE removable rail <NUM> includes a metal bracket <NUM>, two metal spring clips <NUM>, a cassette guide <NUM>, and protrusions for engaging with the cutout features on the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The metal bracket <NUM> extends along the bottom portion <NUM> of the cassette guide <NUM> and includes a self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> for engaging with the forward-most cutout 240d of the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The two metal spring clips <NUM> are disposed on either side of the HDFE removable rail <NUM>. The cassette guide <NUM> is disposed on top of the metal bracket <NUM> and includes several protrusions for engaging with the cutout features on the HDFE modular tray <NUM> as described below. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand, and it is contemplated by this disclosure, that the HDFE removable rail <NUM> could also be formed of just one piece and/or could be made of one material. Moreover, HDFE removable rail <NUM> could be color- coded for easy identification by a user.

As shown in <FIG>, the protrusions for engaging with the cutout features on the HDFE modular tray <NUM> include a front latch 290c, a middle protrusion 290b, and a rear protrusion 290a. The front latch 290c includes a latching portion which extends in the direction of the HDFE modular tray <NUM> when the HDFE removable rail <NUM> is installed in the HDFE tray <NUM> so that the HDFE removable rail <NUM> may not be moved side to side upon the HDFE removable tray <NUM>. The front latch 290c is disposed on the front portion <NUM> of the cassette guide <NUM>. The latching portion of the front latch 290c extends into the latch-receiving cutout 240c to lock the HDFE removable rail <NUM> to the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The middle protrusion 290b is formed to engage with the middle cutout 240b and disposed between the front <NUM> and rear <NUM> portions of the cassette guide <NUM>. The middle protrusion 290b is preferably T- or I-shaped so that the top of the T or I of the middle protrusion 290b is disposed through the middle cutout 240b when the HDFE removable rail <NUM> is installed in the HDFE modular tray <NUM>. The rear protrusion 290a is formed to engage with the rear-most cutout 240a and disposed on the rear <NUM> of the cassette guide <NUM>. The rear protrusion 290a is formed so that the rear portion of rear protrusion 290a engages with the triangularly-shaped rear-most cutout 240a so that the HDFE removable rail <NUM> can pivot in a plane parallel to the HDFE modular tray <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, portions of the bottom portion <NUM> of the HDFE enclosure <NUM> may be raised. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that these raised or beaded portions are typically included in an enclosure to strengthen the enclosure. However, the beads 212a that run parallel to the rails <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> also provide clearance between the HDFE tray <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM> of the HDFE enclosure <NUM>. This provides a space for the protrusions 290a, 290b, and 290c of the HDFE removable rail <NUM> to move within when a HDFE removable rail <NUM> is installed within an HDFE tray <NUM>. Other shapes and types of beads 212a are contemplated by this disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the top cover <NUM> of the HDFE enclosure <NUM> is cut away above the mounting for cable slack management <NUM>. In one example of the disclosure, this cut away portion may be covered by a removable top cover 202a as shown in <FIG>.

The sets of cutouts features <NUM> in the HDFE modular tray <NUM> and protrusions on the HDFE removable rail <NUM> may be slightly different so that only a particular HDFE removable rail <NUM> may be secured within a set of cutout features <NUM> as previously described with respect to the patch panel example. For example, the middle set of cutouts <NUM> may be disposed slightly closer to the front of the HDFE modular tray <NUM> than the left and right sets of cutouts <NUM>, <NUM>, and the protrusions on the HDFE removable rail <NUM> may be disposed closer to the front of the HDFE removable rail <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in order to insert the HDFE removable rail <NUM> into the HDFE modular tray <NUM>, a user first positions the HDFE removable rail <NUM> so that all of the protrusions 290a, 290b, 290c and the self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> are disposed within one set of cutout features <NUM>. The user then pushes the removable rail <NUM> toward the rear of the HDFE tray <NUM> to seat the rear-most protrusion 290a into rear of the rear-most cutout 240a. Maintaining the protrusions 290a, 290b, 290c and self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> in corresponding cutouts 240a, 240b, 240c, and 240d, the user then rotates the HDFE removable rail <NUM> so that the middle protrusion 290b is moved into the smaller portion of the middle cutout 240b. As this occurs, the front latch 290c seats within the latch-receiving cutout 240c to secure the HDFE removable rail <NUM> in the HDFE modular tray. The self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> seats in cutout 240d at this time as well. In order to remove the HDFE removable rail, the user depresses and releases the front latch 290c, rotates the HDFE removable rail <NUM> slightly so that the front latch 290c, middle protrusion 290b, and self-clinching keyhole fastener <NUM> are no longer seated in the latch-receiving cutout 240c, the smaller portion of the middle cutout 240b, and the smaller portion of forward most cutout feature 240d. The user then pulls HDFE removable rail <NUM> slightly forward, lifts, and removes the HDFE removable rail <NUM> from the HDFE modular tray <NUM>.

Preferably, three sets of cutout features <NUM> are disposed on the HDFE tray. One middle set of cutout features <NUM> is disposed along the midline between the left and right rails <NUM>, <NUM>, so that, when a removable rail <NUM> is installed within the middle set of cutout features <NUM>, two <NUM>-optical fiber modules <NUM> may be installed on either side of the removable rail <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Two additional sets of cutout features, left set of cutout features <NUM> and right set of cutout features <NUM>, are disposed on either side of the middle set of cutout features <NUM> so that, when removable rails <NUM> are installed in both the left set of cutout features <NUM> and right set of cut out features <NUM>, three <NUM>-optical fiber modules <NUM> may be installed into the HDFE tray <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Finally, when no removable rails <NUM> are installed in the HDFE tray <NUM>, one <NUM>-optical fiber module <NUM> may be installed between the left rail <NUM> and right rail <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the cutout features <NUM> and removable rails <NUM> described with respect to the patch panel <NUM> could be used within the High Density Fiber Enclosure <NUM>, and that the HDFE cutout features <NUM> and HDFE removable rail <NUM> could be used with the patch panel <NUM>. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that differently shaped cutouts and removable rail mount shapes could be used in either the patch panel <NUM> or High Density Fiber Enclosure <NUM>. These additional modular tray and removable rail designs are contemplated and included within this description.

Finally, a modular patch panel that may include removable rails described above is also disclosed. Referring now to <FIG>, the modular patch panel <NUM> includes at least one unit <NUM> that can be attached to a fiber optic enclosure equipment rail <NUM> or another unit <NUM>, a post mounting bracket <NUM>, and a mounting plate <NUM>. A unit <NUM> includes four hooks <NUM>, four openings <NUM>, a cantilever latch <NUM>, a mating hole <NUM>, and a cutout <NUM>. The four hooks <NUM> are disposed on the top portion <NUM> of the unit <NUM>. Two of the hooks <NUM> are disposed on the left edge <NUM> of the unit <NUM> so that the hooks face the same direction. Two of the hooks <NUM> are disposed on the right edge <NUM> of the unit <NUM> so that the hooks <NUM> face the same direction as the hooks <NUM> disposed on the left edge <NUM> of the unit <NUM>. The four holes <NUM> are disposed through the bottom portion <NUM> of the unit <NUM>. The holes <NUM> are configured to slidably receive the four hooks <NUM> of a different unit <NUM> to secure the units <NUM> together. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand, and it is contemplated in this invention, that hooks <NUM> of different shapes, or even posts or other protrusions, could be used to engage with holes <NUM>.

The cantilever latch <NUM> is disposed between two of the hooks <NUM> on the right edge <NUM> of the unit <NUM> and includes a cantilevered portion <NUM>. The cantilevered portion <NUM> faces the opposite direction of the hooks <NUM> and is configured to lock the units <NUM> to one another when the hooks <NUM> are fully installed in the holes <NUM> by engaging with the mating hole <NUM> of another unit <NUM>. The mating hole <NUM> is disposed on the bottom portion <NUM> of each unit <NUM>, and the cantilever latch <NUM> is disposed on the top portion <NUM> of each unit <NUM>. A cutout <NUM> in each unit <NUM> allows a user to reach between the units <NUM> to depress and release the cantilever latch <NUM>. The units <NUM> may be stacked and secured to one another as discussed below to add additional mounting for fiber optic trays and modules outside a fiber optic enclosure <NUM>.

The bottom-most unit <NUM> can be attached to a fiber optic equipment enclosure rail <NUM> by using a post mounting bracket <NUM> and a mounting plate <NUM>. The post mounting bracket <NUM> is designed to be secured to the fiber optic equipment enclosure rail <NUM> using the mounting holes already existing in the enclosure rail <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> is secured to the post mounting bracket <NUM> and includes four hooks <NUM> and a cantilever latch <NUM>. The hooks <NUM> and cantilever latch <NUM> are all configured to be the same as the hooks <NUM> and cantilever latch <NUM>. A unit <NUM> may also include a label card <NUM> and label card holder <NUM> for identifying the particular unit <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, to install a set of units <NUM> on the front or rear face of an equipment rail <NUM> of a fiber optic enclosure <NUM>, the user first installs the post mounting bracket <NUM> using the pre-existing mounting holes on the fiber optic equipment enclosure rail <NUM>, corresponding holes on the post mounting bracket <NUM>, and bolts or screws to secure the post mounting bracket <NUM> to the rail <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. A user then installs the mounting plate <NUM> onto the post mounting bracket <NUM> using bolts or screws. Once the post mounting bracket <NUM> and mounting plate <NUM> are secure, the user can attach a first unit <NUM> to the mounting plate <NUM> by positioning the mounting holes <NUM> of the unit <NUM> over the hooks <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM>. The user then slides the unit <NUM> with respect to the mounting plate <NUM> so that the edge of each the mounting holes <NUM> is positioned within the crook of each of the hooks <NUM>. When the edge of the mounting holes <NUM> touches the back of the hooks <NUM>, the cantilever latch <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM> is positioned within the mating hole <NUM> of the unit <NUM> and the cantilevered portion <NUM> abuts the edge of the mating hole <NUM> to secure the unit <NUM> to the mounting plate <NUM>. The first unit <NUM> may be pre-installed by a manufacturer on the post mounting bracket <NUM> and mounting plate <NUM>, such that a user may simultaneously install the first unit <NUM>, mounting bracket <NUM>, and mounting plate <NUM>. A second unit <NUM> may be installed on the first unit <NUM> by positioning the hooks <NUM> of the first unit within the mounting holes <NUM> of the second unit <NUM>, and sliding the second unit <NUM> relative to the first unit <NUM> until the hooks <NUM> and cantilever latch <NUM> are positioned in their corresponding holes as discussed above.

To remove a unit <NUM> from a stack of units <NUM> installed together, the user uses his hand or a tool to depress the cantilever latch <NUM> and release the top-most unit <NUM>. The user then slides the unit <NUM> until the hooks <NUM> no longer engage the mounting holes <NUM>. The unit <NUM> may then be removed from the stack of units <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A tray (<NUM>) to support fiber optic equipment, said tray (<NUM>) comprising:
a tray body (<NUM>) having a first side edge portion (<NUM>), a second side edge portion (<NUM>), a front side edge portion, a rear side edge portion and a middle portion, wherein said middle portion of said tray body has at least one set of cutout features (<NUM>);
wherein said first side edge portion (<NUM>) is configured to be secured to a first rail (<NUM>);
wherein said second side edge portion (<NUM>) is configured to be secured to a second rail (<NUM>); and
wherein said at least one set of cutout features (<NUM>) is configured to engage with a mounting feature of a third rail (<NUM>) such that the third rail may be removably secured to the tray body, wherein said at least one set of cutout features (<NUM>) includes at least a first set of cutout features (<NUM>) in the middle portion of said tray body, a second set of cutout features (<NUM>) disposed between the first side edge portion and the first set of cutout features, and a third set of cutout features (<NUM>) disposed between the second side edge portion and the first set of cutout features, wherein when the third rail (<NUM>) engages the first set of cutout features (<NUM>) the tray body (<NUM>) is enabled to support two fiber optic modules of a first size, and wherein when the third rail (<NUM>) engages the second set of cutout features (<NUM>) and a fourth rail engages the third set of cutout features (<NUM>) the tray body (<NUM>) is enabled to support three fiber optic modules of a second size.