Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to a device and a system for routing and managing cables coupled to communication connectors, adapters, and/or ports. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to cable routing and management systems for patch panel devices.

In communications cabinets and racks, a multitude of cables are interconnected to one another through connectors, e.g., adapters. A cable organization unit typically has a tray or a shelf or a similar platform, which supports the connectors. Examples of cable organization units include patch panels.

A patch panel houses cable connectors and in the majority of cases is rack mounted. The patch panel typically is two-sided; the front of the patch panel provides for connections to relatively short wires or cables, and the rear of the patch panel usually provides for connection to relatively long wires or cables. This setup facilitates the performance of temporary alterations to the front of the patch panel without disturbing the connections in the rear. Sometimes, the cables connected to the front of the patch panel may interconnect different patch panels and may be relatively short or may be part of longer cables. The patch panel facilitates interconnecting, monitoring, and circuit testing of equipment without necessitating costly switching equipment.

Early applications for patch panels were for telephone exchanges, where they are still used albeit in a more automated form. Patch panels are also used extensively in the entertainment industry, e.g., in recording and television studios. They are also used in concert halls to manage connections among equipment, e.g., microphones, speakers, and other electronic equipment. Patch panels are valued for such purposes not only for their convenience and relative cost effectiveness, but also because they make it easier to identify problems such as feedback, ground loops, and static.

Traditional fiber optic cable organization units include fiber optic shelves having a single patch panel or multiple modular panels on the front patching side of the shelf. It is desirable to provide patch panels having increased connector port density, i.e., the number of locations or ports per unit volume of area for providing connections. To this end, smaller sized connectors are increasingly being utilized. For example, <CIT> describes a fiber optic telecommunications device that includes a frame and a fiber optic module that includes a rack mount portion that is stationarily coupled to the frame, a center portion that is slidably coupled to the rack mount portion along a sliding direction, and a main housing portion that is slidably coupled to the center portion along the sliding direction. The main housing portion of the fiber optic module includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables, and the center portion of the fiber optic module further includes a radius limiter for guiding cables between the main housing portion and the frame. Slidable movement of the center portion with respect to the rack mount portion moves the main housing portion with respect to the frame along the sliding direction. In another, similar example, <CIT> describes a telecommunications device including a rack defining mounting locations for receiving modules defining connection locations, the rack further including front and rear cable storage areas that include cable management structures for managing and guiding cables toward and away from the connection locations.

A variety of optical fiber connectors are available, with the Subscriber Connector (SC) and the Lucent Connector (LC) being the most common. The differences among the types of connectors include dimensions and methods of mechanical coupling. For instance, SC connectors use a round <NUM> ferrule to hold a single fiber and use a push-on/pull-off mating mechanism. The ferrule of an LC connector is half the size as that of an SC connector, measuring only <NUM>. LC connectors use a retaining tab mechanism, which is similar to that found on a household phone connector.

In data communication and telecommunication applications, small connectors, e.g., LC, are increasingly replacing traditional connectors, e.g., SC. The main advantage of small connectors over larger sized connectors is the ability to provide a higher number of fibers per unit of rack space. Since the LC connector is roughly half the size as the SC connector, the placement of almost twice the number of connectors is possible within the same amount of space by using the LC connector instead of the SC connector.

However, there are disadvantages associated with using smaller connectors. As more connectors are placed within the same amount of space, accessing the connectors which is often performed by hand may present a challenge. Adult fingers typically have a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>. Some people may have larger or misshapen fingers. Therefore, the use of small connectors, such as the LC having a <NUM> diameter ferrule, may be especially problematic for technicians having larger or less dexterous hands. Commonly, LC connectors are held together in a duplex configuration with a plastic clip. While holding smaller sized connectors in a duplex configuration may make it easier for a technician to access and/or remove LC connectors, it also means that two connectors are necessarily affected by any given servicing procedure.

There is a continuing need for new devices and systems to facilitate accessing communication adapters and/or cables supported by communication patching devices and systems.

The invention provides a communication system according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are provided by the dependent claims.

By way of description only, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures and in the description that follow, in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements, the term "proximal" refers to the end of the device that is closest to the operator or user during use, while the term "distal" refers to the end of the device that is farther from the operator or user during use.

Now referring to <FIG>, a communication patching system <NUM>, not forming part of the claimed invention, may include a housing <NUM>, e.g., a rack or a cabinet. The housing <NUM> may define a length L, a height H, and a width Wi. The housing <NUM> may support one or more patch panel devices <NUM>, with each device <NUM> held in vertical alignment with a guide rail 2b (<FIG>), a plurality of which may also be disposed in vertical alignment along at least one side of the housing <NUM>. A cable trough <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the housing <NUM>, for example at a proximal corner, a distal corner, or intermediate the proximal and distal corners. The cable trough <NUM>, which may be attached to the frame of the system <NUM> (which may include, e.g., poles, walls, and other supports), may be configured to receive therein a plurality of cables C extending vertically therethrough. The cable trough <NUM> may take any suitable form to house and guide cables including, for example, a plurality of guide rings, a groove or other hollow passageway.

Each patch panel device <NUM> may include a plurality of adapters or ports <NUM>, each port <NUM> having a receptacle <NUM> for securing a cable C (<FIG>) therein. The receptacle <NUM> of the port <NUM> may be operatively coupled to one or more cables C, e.g., the receptacle <NUM> may be in a simplex or in a duplex configuration. The port <NUM> may include a mounting portion <NUM> that frames the port <NUM> and facilitates securing of the port <NUM>, or the receptacle <NUM>, to connection means, e.g., rails <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the mounting portion <NUM> of the port <NUM> may be integrally formed with the port <NUM> or may be a separate component coupled to the receptacle <NUM>, and in some embodiments the mounting portion <NUM> may form a part of a connection means to which the receptacle <NUM> is connected, as described below.

The patch panel device <NUM> may include a tab <NUM> on either end of the patch panel device <NUM> to facilitate a user grasping or handling of the patch panel device <NUM>. The density of the number of ports <NUM> supported by the housing <NUM> may be a function of the dimensions of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the ports <NUM>, each of which has a width x and a height y, may be arranged in rows and columns in which the number of rows of ports <NUM> is directly correlated to the height Hand the number of columns of ports <NUM> is directly correlated to the width Wi.

The communication patching system <NUM> may be transitionable between a first state (<FIG>) and a second state (<FIG>). In the first state, the one or more patch panel devices <NUM> may be positioned at a first location with respect to the proximal end or face P of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the patch panel devices <NUM> may be substantially flush with respect to the face P of the housing <NUM>. In the second state, one or more of the patch panel devices <NUM> may be disposed proximally in the direction of arrow Z away from the proximal end or face P of the housing <NUM>. As the patch panel device <NUM> is moved proximally, the ports <NUM> may be transitioned to be spaced apart from one another by a gap or spacing distance d (<FIG>).

The patch panel device <NUM> may be transitionable between first and second states, as shown best in <FIG> and <FIG> respectively. The patch panel device <NUM> may include bars <NUM>, which facilitate mounting of the patch panel device within the housing <NUM> by securing one of the bars <NUM> on each of opposite sides 2a of the housing <NUM>. A hinged arm member <NUM>, which includes a first arm section <NUM> and a second arm section <NUM>, may be slidably connected to the bar <NUM>. The first arm section <NUM> may include a slot <NUM> which is configured and adapted to receive a pin <NUM> therethrough. The pin <NUM> may secure the first arm section <NUM> to the bar <NUM> while permitting the first arm section <NUM> to slide relative to the bar <NUM> along the length of slot <NUM>. The first arm section <NUM> and the second arm section <NUM> of the hinged arm <NUM> may be pivotably connected to one another by a hinge <NUM>, thereby facilitating the rotation of the second arm section <NUM> relative to the first arm section <NUM>.

The ports <NUM> may be operably coupled to a connection means <NUM>. As the connection means <NUM> transitions from a first length equal to width Wi (<FIG>) to a second, expanded width W<NUM> (<FIG>), the ports <NUM> may move, or be moveable, to be positioned in a spaced apart relation. In an embodiment, the ports <NUM> are spaced apart. The ports <NUM> may be equidistantly spaced apart by equal gaps or spacing distances d. However, the spacing distances d between adjacent ports <NUM> may differ, i.e., be non-uniform, in the second state. In addition, individual ports <NUM> may be slid or moved along the length of the connection means <NUM>, thereby facilitating adjustment of the gap or spacing distances d between adjacent ports <NUM> as desired by a user.

It is contemplated that the hinged arm member <NUM> may include a lip (not shown) that interacts with a groove (not shown) defined within the bar <NUM> along a portion or substantially the entire length of the bar <NUM> to provide added stability and controlled movement of the hinged arm member <NUM> relative to the bar <NUM>.

As shown best in <FIG>, the connection means <NUM> may include one or more telescopic rails <NUM>, <NUM> that are slidable to adjust the overall length of the connection means <NUM>. Although shown in <FIG> as having two parallel rails <NUM>, <NUM>, a single rail may be used. It should be noted that the greater the overall length of the connection means <NUM>, the greater the gap or spacing distance d achievable between adjacent ports <NUM>. Each of the parallel rails <NUM>, <NUM> may include alternating sections 41a, 41b and 43a, 43b respectively. Sections 41a, 43a may be configured and adapted to slide within sections 41b, 43b respectively, where the ports <NUM> may be coupled to the sections 41b, 43b, to effect lengthening or shortening of the connections means <NUM>. A resilient or biasing member (not shown) may be placed within a hollowed out center of each of the rails <NUM>, <NUM> to bias the connection means <NUM> to one of the first or second dimensions Wi, W<NUM>, respectively.

The sections 41b, 43b may define an open circumference such that the ports <NUM> will not obstruct movement of the alternating sections 41a, 41b and 43a, 43b relative to one another such that the ports <NUM> may be moved in closer proximity to one another. In addition, the lengths of the alternating sections 41a, 41b and 43a, 43b may be selected to facilitate placement of the ports <NUM> in close proximity to one another, such that adjacent ports contact each other. Each port <NUM> may be secured to the rails <NUM>, <NUM> in a variety of ways or may be integrally formed with the rails <NUM>, <NUM>. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the rails <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted with different connection means. In an embodiment, the rails <NUM>, <NUM> may be substituted with elastic bands. A variety of other configurations may be used to effect lateral, angular, or other spacing between ports in a patch panel device to increase access to the ports, such as those described in greater detail in <CIT> <CIT>, and <CIT>.

For example, another embodiment, not forming part of the claimed invention, of a patch panel device is described with reference to <FIG>. A patch panel device <NUM> may include a plurality of attachment members <NUM> that are positioned adjacent to one another. Each attachment member <NUM> may include a movable member <NUM>, which is rotatable or pivotable relative to a movable member of another attachment member <NUM>. The movable members <NUM> of adjacent members <NUM> may be operatively coupled to one another to permit rotation of one of the movable members <NUM> relative to the other movable member. In an embodiment, the movable members <NUM> may be coupled to one another in a snap-fit connection that permits radial movement of the movable members <NUM> relative to one another. At least two securement members <NUM> may be secured to opposing ends of the plurality of attachment members <NUM> and secure the attachment members <NUM> to a tray <NUM>. In another embodiment, a securement member <NUM> may be positioned between each of the movable members <NUM>. Each of the movable members <NUM> may be operatively coupled to one or more cables C1, which are shown only in part. The movable member <NUM> may include a cable adapter or connector <NUM>, which may include a front surface 249a that may be operatively coupled to one cable C1 and a back surface 249b that may be operatively coupled to another cable C1. The movable member <NUM> may include a receptacle <NUM> in which the connector <NUM> may be releasably secured such that the connector <NUM> may be separated from the attachment member <NUM>.

The movable members <NUM> may be positioned spaced a distance from an edge 231a of the tray <NUM> to permit the movable members <NUM> to rotate relative to the tray <NUM>. In one embodiment, the tray <NUM> may include a cut-out (not shown) at the movable members <NUM> to facilitate a range of movement of the movable members <NUM> relative to the tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> may have an axis z extending along its length, an axis y extending along its height, and an axis x extending its width. The securement member <NUM> may be coaxially aligned with the axis z extending along the length of the tray <NUM>. A plurality of securement members <NUM> may be positioned in a row extending along axis x along the width of the tray <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the securement member <NUM> and a movable member <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> may be pivotably connected to one another at a pivot point <NUM> such that the movable member <NUM> may be radially moved relative to the securement member <NUM> to define an angle G therebetween. In particular, the movable member <NUM> may radially pivot between the y and z axes and the angle G may be defined therebetween. When secured to the tray <NUM>, the movable member <NUM> may pivot in a counter-clockwise direction T, but may be inhibited from pivoting in the opposite, clockwise direction by the tray <NUM>. However, as discussed above, cut-outs in the tray <NUM> may reduce the interaction between the tray <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> to facilitate a greater range of movement of the movable member <NUM> with respect to the tray <NUM>. In an embodiment, the angle G may be adjusted within a range between about <NUM> and about <NUM> degrees. In another embodiment, the angle G may be adjusted within a range between about <NUM> and about <NUM> degrees. For example, in one embodiment, the movable members <NUM> may be movable relative to one another to transition the patch panel device <NUM> between a first condition in which front surfaces <NUM> of the movable members <NUM> are substantially coplanar, and adjacent ones of the members <NUM> are spaced apart a first distance or contact each other, and a second condition in which the front surfaces <NUM> of respective adjacent members <NUM> are in different planes in accordance with the angle G that one of the adjacent members <NUM> is pivoted or rotated relative to the other adjacent members <NUM>, where the other member <NUM> may or may not be at the same position as in the first condition.

A plurality of patch panel devices <NUM> may also be supported within housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), and may be translatable into or out from the housing <NUM> in a direction along axis z. Once spaced apart from the housing <NUM>, the movable member <NUM> may be pivoted with respect to the securement member <NUM>, thereby spacing the surfaces 249a, 249b of the connector <NUM> from any adjacent connector <NUM> such that the cables C1 may be more accessible and readily grasped by a user to detach the cable C1 from the cable adapter or connector <NUM> of the movable member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

As noted above in connection with <FIG>, a number of cables C may be coupled to ports <NUM> of a particular patch panel device, with the cables C extending vertically through cable trough <NUM>. A number of systems for routing and managing cables C of patch panel systems are described below.

One embodiment of a cable management system <NUM>, according to the claimed invention, is shown in <FIG>. Cable management system <NUM>, as well as other embodiments of cable managements systems described herein, may be used with any suitable patch panel device, including suitable devices described herein and suitable devices described in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. Cable management system <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as being used with a patch panel device <NUM> similar to patch panel device <NUM>, with certain differences described in greater detail below. The cable management system <NUM> includes one or more cable guides <NUM> having a fixed position in relation to housing <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, cable management system <NUM> includes cable guides <NUM> mounted to each side of housing <NUM>, although any configuration in which one or more cable guides <NUM> have a fixed position relative to housing <NUM> may be suitable. Cables C may be routed from ports <NUM>, through or via cable guide <NUM>, and to cable trough <NUM> (or any other suitable cable destination) so that as a tray <NUM> to which ports <NUM> are attached is pulled out of housing <NUM>, a suitable amount of slack is maintained in cables C at different positions of tray <NUM>. Prior to describing the function of cable guides <NUM> in more detail, the structure of an exemplary cable guide <NUM> is described in connection with <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an enlarged partial view of a lateral side of cable management system <NUM>. In particular, three trays <NUM> carrying ports <NUM> within housing <NUM> are shown adjacent cable guide <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, cable guide <NUM> includes a mounting arm <NUM> fixedly mounted to housing <NUM>. In addition, the cable guide may include a shelving unit having a plurality of shelves <NUM> positioned at a front end portion of cable guide <NUM>. Shelves <NUM> may include substantially flat top and bottom surfaces, although other configurations which allow cables C to rest upon the shelves <NUM> may be suitable. In one embodiment, cable guide <NUM> may include a pair of adjacent shelves <NUM> for each tray <NUM> connected to cables C, each adjacent pair of shelves <NUM> being spaced apart by a vertical distance substantially similar to the vertical distance between adjacent trays <NUM>. Each adjacent pair of shelves <NUM> may be substantially open at a front portion and side portions, and connected, or otherwise bounded by, a rear or distal surface <NUM>. Each distal surface <NUM> may be rounded, preferably with a convex curvature, so that a cable C extending along the surface <NUM> has a desired minimum bending radius along the surface.

As shown in <FIG>, mounting arm <NUM> may include a bracket <NUM> with a plurality of apertures <NUM> for coupling to a device such as cable trough <NUM>, or for mounting to a chassis assembly or other components that may be used in conjunction with cable management system <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> may also include fasteners <NUM>, such as bolts or pins, extending proximally from the bracket <NUM> to facilitate coupling the shelving unit to mounting arm <NUM>. For example, one or more of surfaces <NUM> between adjacent shelves <NUM> may include apertures <NUM>, best shown in <FIG>, shaped to mate with fasteners <NUM> so that the shelving unit may be quickly and securely coupled to bracket <NUM>. One or more of the shelves <NUM> may include an aperture <NUM> (see <FIG>) extending therethrough for coupling accessories, such as hook and loop fasteners, to the shelf <NUM>. Examples of these accessories are described in greater detail below in connection with <FIG>. It should be noted that although mounting arm <NUM> and shelves <NUM> are illustrated as separate components, the components may be provided as an integral unit. Similarly, although three pairs of adjacent shelves <NUM> in connection with mounting arm <NUM>, larger or smaller mounting arms may be provided to support a greater or fewer number of pairs of shelves <NUM>. Still further, depending on the number of trays <NUM> in cable management system <NUM>, as many cable guides <NUM> as desired may be stacked vertically to provide suitable guidance for sets of cables C connected to each tray <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the use of cable guide <NUM> in combination with cable management system <NUM> is described in greater detail. <FIG> illustrates a top cutaway view of cable management system <NUM>, including a housing <NUM> having a first plurality of trays <NUM> stacked vertically adjacent a second plurality of trays <NUM> stacked vertically (only one tray <NUM> from each group visible in <FIG>). The trays <NUM> are shown in <FIG> in an installed or stored position in which the trays <NUM> are fully or substantially fully positioned within housing <NUM>. The trays <NUM> are slidable with respect to housing <NUM> so that, when in a pulled out condition, as shown in the right tray <NUM> in <FIG>, the ports <NUM> are more easily accessible to a user. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the ports <NUM> are pivotally connected to tray <NUM> at a rear portion of the port <NUM> so that the ports <NUM> may swing side-to-side with respect to one another (see <FIG>) to create additional space when the tray is in the pulled out position. One set of cables C is connected to front or proximal ends of ports <NUM> and routed through cable guide <NUM> into cable trough <NUM>. Patch panel systems having pivoting ports are described in greater detail in <CIT>.

Each port <NUM> may include a front cable C coupled to the front end and a rear cable C coupled to the rear end. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a front set of cables is coupled to the proximal end of ports <NUM> and passed through cable guide <NUM> and into cable trough <NUM>. A rear set of cables C is coupled to the distal end of ports <NUM> and passed into a rear portion of housing <NUM>. These rear cables C may be connected to electronic components in a module in the rear of housing <NUM>, to a connector in the rear wall of housing <NUM> that provides a connection to other cables outside the housing, or they may be passed through an opening in the back of housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the rear cables C may pass through the front of housing <NUM>, through cable guide <NUM> and into cable trough <NUM> (or other suitable destination), similar to the front cables C.

Generally, when cables are attached to ports on a sliding tray in a patch panel communication type system, cable management may become difficult. For example, for cables coupled to a front of a set of ports, as the tray is moved from the stored position to a pulled out position, slack in the front cables increases from a minimum to a maximum. When the tray is at a position in which the cables have a maximum slack, if there is too much slack, the likelihood that the cables get caught on or otherwise interfere with components of the system may be increased. Further, too much slack may make it more difficult to manipulate the cables when the tray is in the pulled out position. Too little slack may also complicate the ability to manipulate the cables, for example by limiting the ability of ports to move away from one another, and may otherwise increase the risk of detrimental stresses being placed on the cables. As is described in greater detail below, cable management system <NUM>, in combination with cable guide <NUM>, may provide cable management, including slack management, in a simple and effective fashion.

As shown in <FIG>, ports <NUM> have a maximum slidable distance in the Z direction of D1, representing the distance between the stored position, represented by the left tray <NUM> in <FIG>, and the pulled out position, represented by the right tray <NUM> in <FIG>. The shelves <NUM> of cable guide <NUM> are positioned lateral to the lateral-most port <NUM>. In addition, shelves <NUM> may be positioned a distance D2 in the Z direction from the proximal end of ports <NUM> when tray <NUM> is in the stored position, and a distance D3 in the Z direction from the proximal end of ports <NUM> when tray <NUM> is in the pulled out position. In the illustrated system <NUM>, the distance D2 is greater than the distance D3, with the sum of distances D2 and D3 being equal to the distance D1. With this configuration, front cables C may be managed in the system <NUM> where the front cables C are connected at one end C1 to a front of the ports <NUM>, and each of the front cables is supported by the cable guide at the shelves <NUM> at a portion of the front cable a predetermined length of the front cable from the one end C1. In such cable connection arrangement, the slack in front cables C increases as tray <NUM> is pulled out until the tray <NUM> travels the distance D2, where the proximal ends of ports <NUM> are transversely aligned with shelves <NUM>. At this point, the slack in the cables is at a maximum, as the cables remain supported at the cable guide at the portions that are respectively predetermined lengths from the ends C1. As a user continues to pull tray <NUM> further proximally to the completely retracted position represented by the right tray <NUM> in <FIG>, the slack begins to decrease as the cables become tauter, the cables again remain supported at the cable guide at the portions that are respectively predetermined lengths from the ends C1. It should be understood that in other examples, the cable guide <NUM> may be positioned a different distance in the Z direction. For example, the shelves <NUM> of the cable guide <NUM> may be positioned proximal to the front face of ports <NUM> when the tray <NUM> is in the stored position as well as in the pulled out position.

In the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, there is more slack in front cables C when the tray <NUM> is in the pulled out position than when the tray <NUM> is in the stored position. When tray <NUM> is in the stored position, front cables C are generally not manipulated since the ports <NUM> are within, or flush with the front of, housing <NUM>. Because the front cables C are generally not manipulated when the tray <NUM> is in the stored position, the front cables C can be relatively taut to help maintain the cables C in an organized fashion. On the other hand, if a user intends to manipulate front cables C, he or she may generally transition tray <NUM> into the pulled out position. Further, when in the pulled out position, the ports <NUM> are capable of moving laterally apart (or vertically apart in a system similar to the patch panel device <NUM> of <FIG>) with respect to one another to provide the user better access to the ports <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For these reasons, it is desirable for at least some slack to remain in the front cables C when the tray <NUM> is in the pulled out condition. However, the slack is desirably the minimum amount to allow for the motion of ports <NUM> and manipulation of front cables C. Thus, it is desirable that the slack in the front cables C is not at a maximum when in the tray <NUM> is in the pulled out position. It is noted that in the pulled out position of the tray, when one of the ports <NUM> is manipulated from a normal position such as shown on the left tray of <FIG>, the one front cable C connected thereto may move such that the portion of the one front cable C is not positioned at, and therefore not supported by, the cable guide. However, when the port <NUM> is returned to a normal position, the portion of the one front cable C connected thereto may return to a state at which the portion of the one front cable C is positioned at, and supported by, the cable guide. Each of the conditions described above is met with the cable management system <NUM> and cable guides <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. It should further be understood that effective cable management may still be provided when the cable guide <NUM> is positioned differently. For example, even if the shelves <NUM> of cable guide <NUM> are positioned proximal to the front face of ports <NUM> in all positions of tray <NUM>, slack management and cable organization may be provided in an effective and relatively simple fashion. With that configuration, cables C may have maximum slack when tray <NUM> is in the pulled out position, which maximum slack is desirably enough to manipulate cables C at ports <NUM>, with the slack reducing as tray <NUM> is pushed into the stored position. The configuration described in connection with <FIG> may also help limit or eliminate movement of the cables C within the cable trough <NUM>, and also between cable guide <NUM> and the cable trough <NUM>, during movement of the tray <NUM>.

In order to achieve the benefits described above, it is desirable that cables C passing over a surface of a shelf <NUM> of cable guide <NUM> remain positioned on or at the shelf <NUM> and/or within the boundaries of adjacent shelves <NUM>, when the position of the tray is switched among the completely retracted, pulled out and stored positions and there is no user manipulation of the ports or the front cables. One way to help achieve this result is by adding one or more features to cable guide <NUM> to provide vertical limits on the movement of cables C and/or constraints on the ability of the cables C to otherwise move. The features described below may also help to further limit or eliminate movement of the cables C within the cable guide <NUM>, as well as to limit or eliminate movement of the cables C in the cable trough <NUM> or at positions between the cable guide <NUM> and the cable trough <NUM>.

One structure that may aid in maintaining the cables C within adjacent shelves are the fins <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more fins <NUM> are positioned on a free end of each shelf <NUM>. In particular, a first shelf <NUM> may include a fin <NUM> on a free end extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first shelf toward a second adjacent shelf. Similarly, the second adjacent shelf <NUM> may include a fin <NUM> on a free end extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second shelf toward the first shelf. In this embodiment, fins <NUM> are substantially rigid, although using deflectable fins may be suitable, as described in greater detail below. The fins <NUM> may not extend completely toward the adjacent shelf <NUM>, and the fins that extend toward one another are offset so that an opening <NUM> is defined between the fins <NUM>. With this configuration, cables C may be relatively easily inserted into, or removed through, the space between adjacent shelves <NUM> through the opening <NUM> if a user desires to install or remove a cable C from the system. However, the opening <NUM> is preferably small enough and oriented with respect to cables C so that, during normal operation of the cable management system <NUM>, the cables C are unlikely to pass through opening <NUM> unintentionally.

Although two fins <NUM> are shown in each space between adjacent shelves <NUM>, other configurations may be suitable. For example, a single fin may extend nearly all the way to the adjacent shelf <NUM>, with a small opening or slot being defined between the end of the fin and the adjacent shelf <NUM>. Still further, a single fin <NUM> could extend to touch the adjacent shelf <NUM> with the fin being deflectable so that a user could push a cable C toward the fin, causing the fin to deflect inward until the cable C passes into the space between adjacent shelves <NUM>. Once the cable C is positioned between the adjacent shelves <NUM>, the fin would return to its original position extending from a first shelf and touching the adjacent shelf, isolating the cable C between the adjacent shelves <NUM>. The deflectable fin may have enough stiffness such that cables C would be unlikely to apply enough force to the fin during normal operation of the cable management system <NUM> to cause significant deflection of the fin. Still other variations may be suitable, such as two fins <NUM> extending toward one another from adjacent shelves <NUM> so that the fins touch, but the fins being deflectable so that a cable C may be pushed toward the fins causing them to deflect to allow the cable C to pass beyond the fins.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the shelves <NUM> of the shelving unit of cable guide <NUM> with additional components to help secure cables C between adjacent shelves <NUM>. Shelves <NUM> may be the same as those described above, with or without fins <NUM>. A fastening device, such as a hook and loop strap <NUM>, may be provided for each shelf <NUM> that is to support cables C. Hook and loop strap <NUM> may be, for example, a device provided under the trade name VELCRO, but other type of fastening straps may be suitable, for example straps having snap closures, hook closures, adhesive closures, etc. A first free end of fastener <NUM> may include an aperture that may align with aperture <NUM> in a shelf <NUM>, with a fastener such as a rivet or bolt <NUM> coupling the first free end of fastener <NUM> to shelf <NUM>. Cables C may be inserted between adjacent shelves <NUM>, with free ends of fastener <NUM> wrapping around the cables C. With the cables C in a desired position, the second free end of fastener <NUM> may be coupled to the first free end, for example via a hook and loop mating system. With this configuration, rivet or bolt <NUM> keeps the fastener <NUM> in a desired position, with the fastener <NUM> keeping cables C secure between adjacent shelves <NUM>. It should be noted that, in <FIG>, two groups of cables C are shown, each group of cables C positioned within a sleeve to help further organize the cables. Two groups of cables C may pass through a single pair of adjacent shelves when, for example, the sets of front cables C and rear cables C both are routed through the front of the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> show views of a modified cable guide <NUM>' that is identical to cable guide <NUM> with the exception of the features noted below. Cable guide <NUM>' may include an identical mounting arm <NUM> for mounting to housing <NUM>. In addition, cable guide <NUM>' may include a shelving unit having a plurality of shelves <NUM>' arranged in a stack configuration. Shelves <NUM>' may include substantially flat top and bottom surfaces of a generally similar shape to shelves <NUM>, and be connected by rounded surface <NUM>. However, unlike shelves <NUM>, a recess <NUM>' may be formed in the proximal end of each shelf <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, each recess <NUM>' is generally "U"-shaped, although other shapes including rectangular may be suitable. For each unit of shelves <NUM>', shelf 420e' at one end of the stack may include an aperture <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> may be configured to receive a bolt or other device to couple a first element of a fastening device to the shelf 420e', and a second element of a fastening device may be coupled to the top surface of 420f, which is at the other end of the stack. With this configuration, as explained in greater detail below in connection with <FIG>, a single fastening device may be used to secure cables C between each pair of shelves <NUM>' in the unit, rather than having a separate fastener dedicated to each pair of adjacent shelves <NUM>'.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the unit of shelves <NUM>'. In the illustrated embodiment, the first element of the fastening device may take the form of a first strap 434a' that is bolted or otherwise fixed to a top surface of the shelf 420f. An end portion of the first strap 434a' may include a closure mechanism, such as hooks or loops of the type provided under the trade name VELCRO. The first strap 434a' may be long enough to extend at least a length of the shelving unit from the shelf 420e' to the shelf 420f, preferably may be positioned in the space formed by the recess <NUM>' in each shelf <NUM>', and desirably has enough additional length so that the closure mechanism may extend at least some distance over the top surface of the shelf 420e'. The second element of the fastening device may take the form of a second strap 434b'. In the illustrated example, the second strap 434b' may have a relatively short length and may be fixed to the top surface of the shelf 420e' so that the second strap 434b' does not have any significant freedom of movement. The second strap 434b' may include a closure mechanism that corresponds to the closure mechanism at the end of the first strap 434a', which may be hooks (if first strap 434a' includes loops) or loops (if first strap 434a' includes hooks). It should be understood that the corresponding closure mechanisms of the first strap 434a' and the second strap 434b' may take other forms, such as snaps, hooks, adhesives, buckles, etc. With the above-described configuration, a user is able to secure all of the cables C housed within a shelving unit with a single motion. In other words, with the cables C positioned between the desired pairs of adjacent shelves <NUM>', the user may grasp the first strap 434a' and couple the closure mechanism at the end of the first strap 434a' to the second strap, making sure to guide the intermediate portion of the first strap 434a' into the recess <NUM>' of each shelf <NUM>'. It should be noted that the number of shelves <NUM>' within a given shelving unit may be altered as desired, with the length of the first strap 434a' depending mainly on the total end to end length of the shelving unit. It should further be understood that one of the end shelves in the shelving unit does not necessarily need to include a recess <NUM>', and may rather take a shape similar to other shelves <NUM>' in the shelving unit without such a recess. In addition to providing a simple and fast mechanism for securing cables C within the shelving unit, the configuration described in connection with <FIG> may maximize the amount of space available for cables C between each pair of shelves 420a'. One additional benefit of this configuration is that, if cables C are positioned anywhere along the length of the recess <NUM>', first strap 434a' may be able to make contact with those cables C to secure those cables C in place. So, even if a volume of cables C is positioned so that the cables C extend to a portion of recess <NUM>', additional cables C may be added within the space between the two adjacent shelves <NUM>' with the first strap 434a' being able to secure the cables C between the shelves <NUM>'.

<FIG> illustrates additional features which may help organize cables C of cable management system <NUM>. In <FIG>, one tray <NUM> on the right side is shown in the pulled out position, with one set of front cables C passing through cable guide <NUM>, and a set of rear cables C passing rearward into the housing <NUM>. Generally, it is desirable for the front cables C to pass laterally along a path prior to passing through the cable guide <NUM>. In order to facilitate such routing, a handle member <NUM> may be provided on tray <NUM>, the handle member extending proximally of the housing <NUM>. The handle member <NUM> may take any suitable form that acts as a guide for cables C. For example, as illustrated, handle member <NUM> may include a substantially flat bottom surface which curves upward at the front end to provide surfaces against which cables C may be positioned. Additional surfaces may be provided on handle member <NUM>, and desirably the surfaces include at least a bottom surface and front surface. Handle member <NUM> may provide the additional function of providing a user a convenient gripping member for pulling tray <NUM> out of the housing <NUM> or pushing tray <NUM> back into the housing. A lateral guide member <NUM> may also be provided at a lateral-most end of tray <NUM> to provide additional guidance to the cables C as they extend laterally away from tray <NUM>. As illustrated, lateral guide member <NUM> has a convex cable contacting surface, although other shaped surfaces may be suitable. Additional guide members, such as rear guide member <NUM>, may be provided on tray <NUM> to facilitate maintaining the rear cables in a desired position. The handle member <NUM> and/or guide members <NUM>, <NUM> may also provide locking functionality. For example, when tray <NUM> is in the stored position, it may be desirable to maintain the tray <NUM> in a locked or semi-locked state so that intentional pulling force must be applied to tray <NUM> in order to begin transitioning the tray <NUM> into the pulled out position. This locking functionality may be provided, for example, by including detents or other cooperating structures in the housing <NUM> or adjacent trays <NUM> so that, when the tray <NUM> is in the stored position, one or more of the handle member <NUM> and guide members <NUM>, <NUM>, have a friction fit with the corresponding structure.

The patch panel devices <NUM> described above may take the form of sliding trays <NUM> mounted within, and slidable with respect to, a housing <NUM> or chassis. In other embodiments, substantially self-contained cassettes may be utilized, the cassettes being capable of being swapped into or out of a chassis, with the cassettes providing the sliding function entirely. For example, a cassette <NUM> is shown in an exploded view in <FIG>. The cassette <NUM> generally includes a cassette housing <NUM>, which may be a substantially rectangular box with an open front, and a cassette head portion <NUM> slidable into and out of the housing <NUM>. The sides of cassette housing <NUM> may include rail slots <NUM> to facilitate sliding of the cassette head <NUM>, as described in greater detail below.

A front of cassette head <NUM> includes a plurality of ports <NUM> arranged in a similar or identical fashion as described in relation to patch panel <NUM>, for example with laterally pivotable ports <NUM>. Extending from each side of the rear of cassette head is a rail <NUM> for sliding into or out of the rail slots <NUM> of cassette housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates cassette <NUM> with cassette head <NUM> in the pulled out position in which ports <NUM> may be easily accessed and may move in relation to one another in the same fashion as described above in connection with patch panel <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates cassette <NUM> with cassette head <NUM> in the stored condition, the cassette head <NUM> being completely or substantially completely contained within cassette housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross section of one side of cassette housing <NUM> with rails <NUM> of cassette head <NUM> positioned therein, to illustrate the mechanism that provides sliding motion between cassette housing <NUM> and cassette head <NUM>. In particular, a portion of top housing 510a, bottom housing 510b, and a sidewall 510c of housing <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. An extension <NUM> extends from top housing 510a toward bottom housing 510b, although not the entire distance therebetween. The extension <NUM>, sidewall 510c, and portions of top housing 510a and bottom housing 510b define rail slot <NUM>, in which a rail <NUM> of cassette housing is secured. As cassette head <NUM> is pulled out of or pushed into cassette housing <NUM>, the interaction of the rails <NUM> in rail slots <NUM> help keep the cassette head <NUM> in a desired orientation and facilitate the sliding motion. Stops may be included, if desired, so that rails <NUM> are unable to unintentionally completely exit cassette housing <NUM>, so that a user does not unintentionally decouple the cassette head <NUM> from the cassette housing <NUM> as it is transitioned to the pulled out position. Although on example of rails <NUM> and rail slots <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>, other similar structures of rails and rail slots may be used to achieve the same result. As shown in <FIG>, an insert <NUM> may be positioned within rail slot <NUM>. The insert <NUM> may be any desirable material and extend along substantially the entire length of the rail slot. The insert <NUM> may have a first stop to prevent the insert <NUM> from sliding out of the rail slot <NUM>, and a second stop so that the rail <NUM> of the cassette head <NUM> is stopped from sliding out of the insert. With this configuration, the insert <NUM> may extend the length which cassette head <NUM> may slide with respect to cassette housing <NUM>. In addition, the material and dimensions of insert <NUM> may be chosen to provide for smoother sliding between cassette head <NUM> and cassette housing <NUM>. For example, if rail <NUM> and rail slot <NUM> are both metal, a plastic insert <NUM> may provide for smoother sliding. To provide for extending the length which cassette head <NUM> may slide with respect to cassette housing <NUM>, it may be preferable for insert <NUM> to be formed of a hard metal.

Cassette <NUM> may be modular in the sense that it may be inserted into a chassis and, if for example a cassette is damaged, it may be easily removed from the housing and replaced with another. For example, <FIG> shows a chassis <NUM> that may be used to hold a plurality of cassettes <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, chassis <NUM> includes two vertical channels for accepting cassettes <NUM>, each channel having a plurality of supports <NUM> to support cassettes <NUM>. <FIG> shows chassis <NUM> with three cassettes <NUM> installed and one cassette <NUM> in the process of being installed. Any of the cable guides <NUM> described above, or modifications thereof, may provide cable slack management functionality for the cassette version of the system as the patch panel versions described above. For example, one or more mounting arms <NUM> of cable guides <NUM> may be coupled to the chassis <NUM> so that cables connected to ports in a cassette <NUM> may be managed as the cassette head <NUM> slides relative to the cassette housing <NUM>. In addition, because the cassette housing <NUM> is stationary with respect to the chassis <NUM>, the mounting arm <NUM> of a cable guide <NUM> may be coupled directly to the cassette housing <NUM>. Since the cassette housing <NUM> remains stationary with respect to the cassette head <NUM>, as the cassette head <NUM> slides into or out of the cassette housing <NUM>, the cable guide <NUM> remains stationary despite being fixed to the cassette housing.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a patch panel system <NUM> according to another embodiment, not forming part of the claimed invention. Patch panel system <NUM> may include an outer housing <NUM> with side walls, top and bottom walls, a distal or rear wall, and an open front or proximal face. However, a proximal cover, such as a door or other cover that allows access inside the outer housing <NUM>, may be used in conjunction with the outer housing although such a cover is not shown in the figures. <FIG> shows a top view of patch panel system <NUM> with the top wall of outer housing <NUM> omitted for clarity of illustration. An inner housing <NUM> may be positioned within outer housing <NUM>, preferably completely within the boundaries of the outer housing <NUM>. The inner housing <NUM> may include side walls, and top, bottom and rear walls that may be integral with corresponding walls of the outer housing <NUM>, or which may be separate and distinct from the walls of the outer housing. Inner housing <NUM> may include a plurality of slots stacked in a vertical arrangement, similar to the supports <NUM> of the chassis <NUM> of <FIG>. Each slot is adapted to hold a tray or cassette <NUM> in sliding engagement with the slot, although in practice every slot may not necessarily have a cassette <NUM> received therein. Each cassette <NUM> may be generally similar to patch panel devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or cassettes <NUM> described above, the cassettes <NUM> including ports or other connectors to connect to cables. Each cassette <NUM> may include a handle <NUM> extending from a proximal end to provide a grip for a user to pull the cassette <NUM> out of the inner housing <NUM>, for example into the position shown in <FIG>, for easy access to the cassette(s) <NUM> of interest. Outer housing <NUM> may include one or more access ports <NUM> to allow for cables or other items to pass between the inside and the outside of the outer housing. As shown in <FIG>, access ports <NUM> may take the form of cylindrical members that may be integral with the bottom wall of outer housing <NUM>, although any opening that allows cables to pass from outside to inside the outer housing <NUM> (or vice versa), may be suitable.

In one example, patch panel system <NUM> may be used to patch connections from a vendor, such as a cable provider, to a customer, such as an apartment complex or individual units thereof. The outer housing <NUM> may be particularly suited to be used outside, with the outer housing <NUM> providing protection from the elements to the components within the outer housing <NUM>, including the inner housing <NUM>. For such a use, cables from the vendor may enter through access ports <NUM> on one side of outer housing <NUM>, for example the right side, and connect to ports in the rear of one or more cassettes <NUM>. Other cables may extend from the rear of one or more cassettes <NUM>, through corresponding access ports <NUM> for example on the left side of the outer housing <NUM>, to individual units within the apartment complex to provide connection between the individual customer and the vendor. Patch panel system <NUM> may provide a convenient system for operating and maintaining the connections between the vendor and the individual customers, for example, with one or more cables C2 extending from and connecting a front or proximal side of one cassette <NUM> in inner housing <NUM> to the front of another cassette in the inner housing.

Although <FIG> show a single cable C2 connected between the front ends of two cassettes <NUM>, in practice many cables C2 could be connected between the fronts of pairs of cassettes <NUM>. In such a situation, management of these cables C2 may become difficult, particularly when a user needs to access a particular cable or cables C2. To assist in the management of cables connected to patch panel system <NUM>, the patch panel system <NUM> may include a pivotable hanger plate assembly <NUM>. Hanger plate assembly <NUM> may include a hanger plate <NUM> which may, for example, be a rigid rectangular plate coupled to a side wall of inner housing by one or more hinges <NUM>. Hanger plate <NUM> preferably has a height that is less than the distance between the bottom and top walls of the outer housing <NUM>, and a width that is smaller than the distance between the side walls of the outer and inner housing between which the hanger plate <NUM> is positioned. With this configuration, hanger plate <NUM> may swing with a range of motion about hinge(s) <NUM> from being positioned inside the outer housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, through a transition position shown in <FIG>, to a position outside the outer housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Enlarged top and isolated perspective views of the hanger plate assembly <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. A plurality of hangers <NUM> may be coupled to proximal face of hanger plate <NUM>. Each hanger <NUM> may include a substantially flat surface on which a cable C2 may rest. A guide surface <NUM> may be positioned on one end of the hanger <NUM>. Guide surface <NUM> is illustrated as having a circular cross-section. Although guide surface <NUM> does not need to have a circular cross-section, it preferably includes a curvature that provides a minimum bending radius which restricts cable C2 from bending so much that cable C2 becomes damaged. As best seen in <FIG>, guide surface <NUM> may be a formed by a single cylindrical member extending substantially the entire height of the hanger plate <NUM>. However, it should be understood that a separate guide surface <NUM> may be provided for each individual hanger <NUM> if desired.

Each hanger <NUM> may also be associated with one or more retaining members to help keep cable C2 positioned within hanger <NUM>. For example, each hanger <NUM> may include an upwardly extending retaining member <NUM> extending upwardly from the flat surface of the hanger <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, upwardly extending retaining member <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical and extend upwards toward a vertically adjacent hanger <NUM>, without contacting the vertically adjacent hanger <NUM>. Similarly, each hanger <NUM> may also include a downwardly extending retaining member <NUM> extending downwardly from the flat surface of the hanger <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, downwardly extending retaining member <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical and extend downwards toward a vertically adjacent hanger <NUM>, without contacting the vertically adjacent hanger <NUM>. With this configuration, the space between two vertically adjacent hangers <NUM> includes two retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> that may keep a cable C2 from unintentionally exiting the space between the two vertically adjacent hangers <NUM>. However, like the fins <NUM> described in connection with <FIG>, space is provided between the ends of the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> and the flat surfaces of the hangers <NUM> so that a user may remove (or insert) cable C2 from the space between vertically adjacent hangers <NUM> by manually removing (or inserting) the cable C2 through the space between the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> and the surfaces of the hangers <NUM>. It should be understood that in a set of vertically stacked hangers <NUM>, the bottom-most hanger <NUM> need not include a downwardly extending retaining member, and the topmost hanger <NUM> need not include an upwardly extending retaining member.

Hanger plate assembly <NUM> may also include a rear hanger <NUM> coupled to and extending from the rear of hanger plate <NUM>, extending in an opposite direction than hangers <NUM>. Preferably, only a single rear hanger <NUM> is coupled to the rear of hanger plate <NUM> at a top of the hanger near the top surface of the outer housing <NUM>. However, more rear hangers <NUM> may be included if desired, including for example a second rear hanger <NUM> at the bottom of hanger plate <NUM>, or in any other number and position as desired. Rear hanger <NUM> may include a flat bottom surface between two upwardly extending surfaces that create a generally "U"-shaped channel. Cables that connect to the rear of the cassettes <NUM> and exit through an access port <NUM> may be bundled together and be partially routed along the "U"-shaped channel of rear hanger <NUM> to help maintain those cables in an organized condition, reducing the likelihood those cables will interfere with cables C2 in the front portion of outer housing <NUM> or with the swinging movement of hanger plate assembly <NUM>. It should be understood that cables entering the outer housing <NUM> through an access port <NUM> and coupled to the rear of one or more cassettes <NUM> may also be routed along the "U"-shaped channel of rear hanger <NUM> for similar reasons. One or more apertures (not illustrated) may be provided in the hanger plate <NUM> between the rear hanger <NUM> and a hinge <NUM> so that a bundle of cables positioned within the rear hanger <NUM> may pass through the hanger plate <NUM> and enter the inner housing <NUM> so they may connect to corresponding ports, such as those in the rear of particular cassettes <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rear of the cassettes <NUM> may be accessible by an opening, provided by a door or other mechanism, so that cables entering through access ports <NUM> may connect directly to the rear of cassettes <NUM> where desired, without passing those cables through hanger plate <NUM>.

Operation of the patch panel system <NUM> with respect to the organization of cables is described briefly. In a stored state, cables entering or exit outer housing <NUM> through access ports <NUM> on the left side of the outer housing and connecting to the rear of cassette may be secured within the "U"-shaped channel of rear hanger <NUM>. Cables C2 extending from the front of cassettes <NUM> to the front of other cassettes <NUM> may each extend through a first hanger <NUM> positioned adjacent the corresponding cassette <NUM>, guided along guide surface <NUM> to maintain a minimum bend, resting on the flat surface of hanger <NUM>, and being maintained between vertically adjacent hangers <NUM> by retaining members <NUM>, <NUM>. The particular cable C2 may exit the space between vertically adjacent hangers <NUM> between the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> and the hanger plate <NUM>. After exiting, the cable C2 may extend up or down generally along the hanger plate <NUM>, and enter the space between a different pair of vertically adjacent hangers <NUM>, where the cable C2 may then couple to the front of a separate cassette <NUM>. In the stored position, as shown in <FIG>, the hanger assembly <NUM> may be rotated about hinge <NUM> so that the hanger plate <NUM> extends toward the rear wall of outer housing <NUM>. In this position, the cables C2 may have little to no slack. If a user desires to access one or more cassettes <NUM> and cables C2 to, for example, perform maintenance, the user can open a door on the front of outer housing <NUM>, if such a door is included. Before pulling out a cassette <NUM>, the slack in cables C2 may be increased. The user may begin to increase the slack in cables C2 by grasping a portion of the hanger plate assembly <NUM>, for example the hanger plate <NUM> or any of the hangers <NUM>, and beginning to pull the hanger assembly proximally as shown in <FIG>. As the hanger plate assembly <NUM> continues to rotate about hinge <NUM>, the hanger plate <NUM> and the associated hangers <NUM> continue to rotate until the hanger plate <NUM> exits the front of outer housing <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. With the hanger plate assembly <NUM> rotated at least partially out of outer housing <NUM>, the slack in cables C2 is further increased. The user may then pull one or more cassettes <NUM> proximally out of the outer housing <NUM>, which may be facilitated by use of handle(s) <NUM>. As the cassette <NUM> is pulled out, slack in the cables C2 may begin to increase as the proximal face of the cassette <NUM> is aligned with the retainer members <NUM>, <NUM>. As the cassette <NUM> is pulled out further to a proximal distance from the housing <NUM> greater than the retainer members <NUM>, <NUM>, the slack in the cables C2 may begin to decrease again. Preferably, when the cassette <NUM> is pulled out to the maximum extent, enough slack remains so that a user can easily manipulate the cables C2 at the corresponding ports, but not there is not so much slack that the cables C2 are difficult to manage. As shown in <FIG>, the cables C2 and cassettes <NUM> are easily accessible with both cables C2, and the cables resting on rear hanger <NUM>, maintained in an organized state. It should be understood that the patch panel system <NUM> is not shown to scale in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the positions of retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> and guide surface <NUM> may be selected in order to attain a desired slack management of cables C2 at all positions of hanger plate assembly <NUM> and cassettes <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned a distance D4 from the proximal face of inner housing <NUM> when the hanger plate assembly <NUM> is rotated out of the outer housing <NUM>. As the user pulls out cassette <NUM>, slack in the cables C2 may initially increase compared to that shown in <FIG>. Once the proximal face of cassette <NUM> moves in the proximal direction past the position of the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM>, slack may begin to decrease again. As shown in <FIG>, the proximal face of each cassette <NUM> has a maximum distance D5 from the proximal face of inner housing <NUM> when the cassette <NUM> is in the fully pulled out position. Preferably, the distance D5 is about twice the distance D4. With this configuration, when the hanger plate assembly <NUM> is rotated out of the outer housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, cables C2 may have about the same slack when the cassette <NUM> is in the stored position shown in <FIG> and when the cassette <NUM> is in the pulled out position shown in <FIG>. However, in other embodiments, distance D5 may be less than twice D4, so that there is a net increase in the slack of cables C2 when the cassette <NUM> is transitioned from the stored condition to the pulled out condition. Such an increase in slack may make it easier for a user to manipulate the connection of cables C2 with corresponding ports in cassette <NUM>. This feature is similar to the related feature described above in connection with <FIG>.

Although patch panel system <NUM> is shown with a single hanger plate assembly <NUM>, it should be understood that patch panel system <NUM> may include a second hanger plate assembly on the opposite side of inner housing <NUM> of the first hanger plate assembly <NUM>. If a second hanger plate assembly is used, it may be identical to the first hanger plate assembly <NUM> in structure and function, albeit the components would be in a mirrored position compared to the first hanger plate assembly <NUM>. Also, although the hanger plate assembly <NUM> is shown with one hanger <NUM> for each cassette <NUM>, more or fewer individual hangers <NUM> may be provided. Still further, although hanger plate <NUM> is shown as a single rigid member so that all of the hangers <NUM> attached to the hanger plate <NUM> move in unison, in other embodiments a plurality of individually rotatable hanger plates may be provided. For example, a hanger plate may be provided in two portions, so that a top group of hangers is separately rotatable with respect to a bottom group of hangers. Still further, any number of hanger plates, up to the total number of hangers so that each hanger may be individually rotatable, may be used. However, a single hanger plate <NUM> may be preferable for ease of use.

As noted above, patch panel system <NUM> may be suited for outdoor use. When being used outdoors, it may be important that when the patch panel system <NUM> is not being actively used or maintained, the components are all capable of being situated within the bounds of the outer housing <NUM>, so that the components are protected from the elements. Thus, as noted above, the width of the hanger plate <NUM> should be less than the distance between a side wall of the inner housing <NUM> and the corresponding side wall of the outer housing <NUM>, so that it may swing from outside the outer housing <NUM> to inside the outer housing <NUM> where it is protected from the elements. However, it may be beneficial to provide a hanger plate that is wider than hanger plate <NUM>, so that cables C2 may be guided with fewer sharp turns, such as where a cable exits one hanger <NUM> and moves down or up the hanger plate <NUM> towards another hanger <NUM>. This may beneficial because certain cables used with patch panel system <NUM> may be quite stiff, making tight turns difficult to maintain.

The patch panel system <NUM>' shown in <FIG> addresses the potential limitations described immediately above. Patch panel system <NUM>' may be identical to patch panel system <NUM> in most or all respects other than the hanger plate assembly <NUM>'. For example, patch panel system <NUM>' may include outer housing <NUM>, inner housing <NUM>, access ports <NUM>, and cassettes <NUM> identical to those described in connection with <FIG>. As such, these components will not be described in detail again.

Similar to the hanger plate assembly <NUM> of patch panel system <NUM>, the hanger plate assembly <NUM>' of patch panel system <NUM>' has a stored condition, shown in <FIG>, a pulled out condition for access as shown in <FIG>, with an intermediate position shown in <FIG>. A top view of the hanger plate assembly <NUM>' in the stored condition is shown in <FIG>, with inner and outer housings <NUM>, <NUM> omitted for clarity of illustration. Similar to hanger plater assembly <NUM>, hanger plate assembly <NUM>' may include a substantially rigid rectangular first hanger plate 1021a' coupled to inner housing <NUM> by one or more hinges <NUM>. A plurality of hangers <NUM>, identical to those described above, may be coupled to the first hanger plate 1021a' in a vertically stacked configuration. First hanger plate 1021a' may include one or more rear hanger plates <NUM> similar or identical to those described above.

First hanger plate 1021a' may have a height similar to the height of hanger plate <NUM>, but may be narrower. In addition to first hanger plate 1021a', hanger plate assembly <NUM>' may include a plurality of additional hanger plates hingedly coupled to one another and to first hanger plate 1021a'. In the particular embodiment of hanger plate assembly <NUM>' shown, five additional hanger plates 1021b'-1021f are hingedly coupled to one another in series, with hanger plate 1021b' hingedly coupled to first hanger plate 1021a'. Each hanger plate 1021a'-1021f may have a substantially similar height, and the widths of the plates may be similar or different from one another. Although hanger plates 1021a'-f are shown as separate members that are coupled to one another by hinges, one or more of the hanger plates 1021a'-'f may be integrally formed with a living hinge between adjacent plates to provide similar functionality.

Hanger plate assembly <NUM>' is shown in <FIG> in an extended or pulled out condition with outer housing <NUM> and inner housing <NUM> omitted for clarity of illustration. Select ones of the hanger plates 1021a'-1021f may include cable retainers <NUM>'. Each cable retainer <NUM>' may include two extensions, such as a top extension <NUM>' and a bottom extension <NUM>'. Top extension <NUM>' may include a first portion extending away from and substantially orthogonally to the corresponding hanger plate, and a second "L"-shaped portion extending down from and orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the corresponding hanger plate. The bottom extension <NUM>' may include a first portion extending away from and substantially orthogonally to the corresponding hanger plate, and a second "L"-shaped portion extending up from and orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the corresponding hanger plate. With this configuration, each extension may form a generally "U"-shaped channel. The two "L"-shaped portions of the top extension <NUM>' and the bottom extension <NUM>' may be positioned with respect to one another so that they form a rectangular shape with a gap between the "L"-shaped portions adapted to receive cable C2 therethrough and into one or both of the "U"-shaped channels. As shown in <FIG>, two cable retainers <NUM>' may be positioned toward the top of an intermediate hanger plate 1021d' and an end hanger plate 1021f, with two cable retainers <NUM>' positioned toward the bottom of hanger plates 1021d' and 1021f. It should be understood that more or fewer cable retainers <NUM>' than shown may be used with hanger plate assembly <NUM>'.

Cables C2 coupled to the front of a cassette <NUM> may first pass through a corresponding hanger <NUM> in the same fashion as described in connection with <FIG>. Cables C2 may then extend along the sequence of hanger plates and into one or both of the "U"-shaped channels formed by a cable retainer <NUM>' on one of the intermediate hanger plates, such as hanger plate 1021d'. The cables C2 may continue to extend to the cable retainer <NUM>' on the end hanger plate 1021f, at which point the cables C2 may extend up or down to the cable retainers <NUM>' on the opposite end of the hanger plates. The end hanger plate 1021f may include an end portion <NUM>' that forms a "U"-shape channel along substantially the entire height of the hanger plate 1021f. End portion <NUM>' may receive cables C2 that pass from the top cable retainer <NUM>' on hanger plate 1021f and to the bottom cable retainer <NUM>' on hanger plate 1021f. End portion <NUM>' may ensure that cables C2 stay in place as they switch directions and provide additional protection. End portion <NUM>' may also be used as a handle for a user to grasp to pull the hanger plate assembly <NUM>' out of outer housing <NUM>.

In the completely stored position, as shown in <FIG>, the hanger plates 1021a'-1021f may collapse with respect to one another to form a "U"-shape that fits completely within outer housing <NUM> between one side wall of inner housing <NUM> and the corresponding side wall of outer housing <NUM>. If a user needs to access cassettes <NUM> and cables C2 for maintenance, the user may pull hanger plate assembly <NUM>' out of outer housing <NUM>. As the user pulls hanger plate assembly <NUM>' proximally, the hinges between adjacent hanger plates 1021a'-1021f allow the hanger plate assembly <NUM>' to begin to straighten and extend out of the outer housing <NUM>. As the user continues to pull hanger plate assembly <NUM>', it transitions into a fully extended configuration as shown in <FIG>, where all of the hanger plates 1021a'-1021f are substantially straight with respect to one another. In this configuration, the user may then pull out one or more cassettes <NUM> as desired to perform maintenance on cables C2 as desired. The position of the retaining members <NUM>, <NUM> and the guide surface <NUM> with respect to the maximum distance that the cassettes <NUM> may slide may be based on the same or similar considerations as described above in connection with <FIG>.

Compared to hanger plate assembly <NUM>, hanger plate assembly <NUM>' may provide an increased effective length along which cable C2 may extend, despite the same amount of space being available between the walls of inner housing <NUM> and outer housing <NUM>. As noted above, if cables C2 are stiff, the additional length provided by hanger plate assembly <NUM>' may make the cables C2 more easily and safely stored and maintained. Although cable retainers <NUM>' are shown as having particular structure, number, and relative positioning, it should be understood that other forms of cable retainers may be suitable. For example, any structure that provides support for the cables C2 as they run along the hanger plates 1021a'-1021f', particularly those that allow for the cables C2 to be inserted into or removed from the retainers with intentional effort, but to keep the cables from exiting unintentionally, may be suitable alternates to the disclosed embodiment.

Although patch panel system <NUM>' is shown with a single hanger plate assembly <NUM>', it should be understood that two hanger plate assemblies may be used. An example of this is shown in <FIG>, where patch panel system <NUM>" is identical to patch panel system <NUM>' in all respects with the exception of the number of hanger plate assemblies. Hanger plate assembly 1020a" may be identical to hanger plate assembly <NUM>' in structure and function. A second hanger plate assembly 1020b", which may be an identical but mirror configuration of hanger plate assembly 1020a", may be coupled to right wall of inner housing <NUM>. The additional hanger plate assembly 1020b" may provide for additional management of cables C2, particularly those coupled to near the right side of the front of cassettes <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A communication system, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a tray (<NUM>) having a plurality of ports (<NUM>) each having a front face connectable to a cable, the tray (<NUM>) movably engaged with the housing (<NUM>) so that the tray (<NUM>) may slide along a proximal-to-distal axis, (Z), with respect to the housing (<NUM>), the tray (<NUM>) being slideable a maximum slidable distance (D1) between a stored position in which the tray (<NUM>) is fully or substantially within the housing (<NUM>) and a pulled-out position; and
a cable guide (<NUM>) for supporting at least one of the plurality of cables (C), the cable guide (<NUM>) having a fixed position with respect to the housing (<NUM>),
wherein, in the stored position, the front faces of the ports (<NUM>) are positioned distal to the fixed position of the cable guide (<NUM>) a first distance (D2) from the cable guide (<NUM>) in the direction of the proximal-to-distal axis, (Z), and, in the pulled-out position, the front faces of the ports (<NUM>) are positioned proximal to the fixed position of the cable guide (<NUM>) a second distance (D3) from the cable guide (<NUM>) in the direction of the proximal-to-distal axis, (Z), the second distance (D3) being less than the first distance (D2).