Patent Description:
The present invention relates to tray assemblies for telecommunications panels, patch cable holders, and telecommunications cabinets.

Numerous telecommunications panels exist today and are used in various equipment applications. Conventional telecommunications panels include hinges that are designed to allow a tray to be rotated out of the telecommunications panel. By rotating the tray out of the telecommunications panel, access is provided to rear portions of a termination field. Such trays may include cable management structures that aid in organizing and managing telecommunications cables routed to and away from the telecommunications panel. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose related art.

The invention is defined in any independent claims. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a multi-positionable tray assembly for mounting within a chassis of a telecommunications panel. In one aspect, the multi-positionable tray assembly includes a tray and a support arm. The tray is configured to support at least one cable management structure while the support arm is connected to and supports the tray at a pivot joint. This structure allows the tray to be rotatable about the pivot joint at a pivot axis between a folded position and an access position. In one aspect, the support arm is configured for removable attachment to the chassis such that the multi-positionable tray assembly can be placed in a removed position away from the chassis and an installed position within the chassis.

In one aspect, the tray and the support arm cooperatively define a cable routing pathway that extends through the pivot axis of the pivot joint defined by the tray and the support arm. In contrast to pivoting trays relying upon a structural element extending along the pivot axis, the disclosed configuration has an open configuration that allows for cabling to be routed through the pivot axis without having to be routed around a structural element.

In yet another aspect, the cable management structure in the tray includes a patch panel having a plurality of adapters arranged along a transverse axis, wherein each of the adapters has a longitudinal connection axis. In one configuration, some of the adapters are positioned with their longitudinal connection axes disposed at an oblique angle relative to the transverse axis. In one configuration, the patch panel transverse axis is non-parallel or oblique to the front face and rear side of the tray. By placing the adapters at an angle relative to the tray and the transverse axis, less depth is required of the tray to accommodate cabled fiber optic connecters that are connected on either or both sides of the adapters. By placing the patch panel transverse axis at an angle with respect to the front face of the tray, the areas within the tray that have the largest accumulated bundles of patch cables are increased in size to better accommodate the cords.

In yet another aspect, the patch panel is provided with one or more rotatable patch cable holders for improving access to adjacent connectors and adapters. The patch cable holder is provided with a base portion, a cable support portion configured to support a plurality of patch cables, and a hinge portion. The hinge portion can rotatably connect the base portion to the cable support portion such that the cable support portion can rotate generally about an axis with respect to the base portion. In one example, the hinge portion is formed as a living hinge. In the invention, the base portion, the cable portion, and the hinge portion are integrally formed as a single component.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, a telecommunications panel <NUM> (e.g., an enclosure, an optical distribution frame, etc.) is illustrated according to the principles of the present disclosure. As further illustrated at <FIG>, the telecommunications panel <NUM> may be included in a cabinet <NUM>. The telecommunications panel <NUM> and/or the cabinet <NUM> may be used for various purposes in telecommunications systems. For example, housing a cable management structure <NUM> including, for example, stacked splice trays <NUM> and a patch panel <NUM>. In one aspect, patch cables <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., patch cables, connectorized fiber optic cables, etc.) may enter the telecommunications panel <NUM> and/or the cabinet <NUM> and be interconnected at a patch panel <NUM>. The patch panel <NUM> may include a plurality of fiber optic adapters <NUM>. Fiber optic connectors <NUM>, <NUM> that terminate ends of the patch cables <NUM>, <NUM> may connect with the fiber optic adapters <NUM> of the patch panel <NUM>. The interconnections at the patch panel <NUM> may be rearranged from time-to-time, as desired, for changing configurations of the telecommunications system. The telecommunications panel <NUM> may further hold splitters, filters, and various other telecommunications components.

The telecommunications panel <NUM> may include a chassis <NUM> to which a plurality of stacked multi-positionable tray assemblies <NUM> may be removably attached. In one aspect, the multi-positionable tray assembly <NUM> includes a tray <NUM> (e.g., a sub-rack) and a support arm <NUM> that are pivotally connected to each other via a pivot joint <NUM> that allows the tray assembly <NUM> to be moved between a folded position <NUM> and an access position <NUM>. The pivot joint <NUM> is formed by the interface between an upper joint arm <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> and an upper joint extension <NUM> of the tray <NUM> and by the interface between a lower joint arm <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> and a lower joint extension <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. The interfaces can be secured together by a variety of structures, for example, a snap-fit type connection via protrusions and corresponding recesses or by a connection utilizing fasteners. As depicted, the pivot joint <NUM> represents the connection between the tray <NUM> and the support arm <NUM> to the chassis <NUM> and defines a vertical hinge with an axis A1 for the multi-positionable tray assembly <NUM>.

As most easily seen at <FIG>, the chassis <NUM> includes a rear side 10a extending between a first side 10c and a second side 10d. The chassis <NUM> also includes an open front side 10b for slidably receiving the tray assembly <NUM>. The chassis may include a number of features to facilitate the mounting of the tray assembly <NUM> to the chassis <NUM> from a removed position <NUM> to an installed position <NUM>. For example, the chassis <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of attachment slots <NUM> at the first and second sides 10c, 10d that are configured to engage with corresponding attachment guide members <NUM> located on the support arm <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the attachment slots <NUM> and the guide members <NUM> extend in a direction D1 that is parallel to the first and second sides 10c, 10d of the chassis <NUM>. This configuration allows the guide members <NUM> to engage with the attachment slots <NUM> when the tray assembly <NUM> is inserted into the chassis <NUM> into an installed position <NUM>. In one example, the guide members <NUM> have a T-shape cross-section to more securely engage the attachment slots <NUM> by preventing rotation of the support arm <NUM> with respect to the side 10c or 10d of the chassis <NUM> to which the support arm <NUM> is attached.

The chassis <NUM> can also be provided with features to secure the tray assembly <NUM> within the chassis <NUM> so that the tray assembly <NUM> is retained in the installed position <NUM>. For example, the chassis <NUM> can be provided with a first latch recess <NUM> configured to receive a first latch member <NUM> of the tray assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the support arm <NUM> is provided with a depressible first latch member <NUM> that initially deflects as the tray assembly <NUM> is being pushed into the installed position <NUM> and then snaps into the latch recess <NUM> once the tray assembly <NUM> is fully installed to form a snap-fit type of connection. The tray assembly <NUM> can be released from the chassis <NUM> by depressing the latch member <NUM> and pulling the tray assembly out of the chassis <NUM>.

The chassis <NUM> can also be provided with features to secure the tray <NUM> of the tray assembly <NUM> to the chassis <NUM> so that the tray assembly <NUM> is retained in the folded position <NUM>. For example, the chassis <NUM> can be provided with a second latch recess <NUM> configured to receive a second latch member <NUM> of the tray assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the support arm <NUM> is provided with a second depressible latch member <NUM> that initially deflects as the tray assembly <NUM> is being rotated into the folded position <NUM> and then snaps into the latch recess <NUM> once the tray assembly <NUM> is fully rotated to form a snap-fit type of connection. The tray <NUM> can be released from the chassis <NUM> by depressing the latch member <NUM> and rotating the tray <NUM> away from the chassis <NUM> towards the access position <NUM>.

The chassis <NUM> can also be configured to support other components of the telecommunications panel <NUM>, as desired. For example, the chassis <NUM> can be configured to support cable management features <NUM> and <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, cable management features <NUM> and <NUM> guide patch cables <NUM> extending from the tray assembly <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> may also be provided with one or more features for allowing cable to enter the chassis <NUM>, for example cable routing slot <NUM> and cable routing aperture <NUM>.

In addition to the previously described aspects of the support arm <NUM>, the support arm <NUM> further includes a first end 24a and a second end 24b having an exterior side 24d, a top wall 24e, and a bottom wall 24f. In the embodiment presented, the walls 24e, 24f and the side 24d together form a channel-like structure having an open interior side 24c within which a portion of a cable pathway <NUM> is formed. Adjacent the first end 24a are the upper and lower joint arms <NUM>, <NUM> that form a part of the pivot joint <NUM>. In one aspect, the support arm <NUM> is provided with a plurality of cable guides <NUM> to ensure that cables <NUM> routed within the support arm <NUM> are adequately retained.

In addition to the previously described aspects of the tray <NUM>, the tray <NUM> further includes a rear side 22a and a front side 22b that extend between opposite first and seconds sides 22c, 22d. The tray <NUM> may also be provided with a cover <NUM> for protecting the components and fiber supported within the tray <NUM>. In one aspect, the tray <NUM> includes a pair of hinges <NUM> for rotatably supporting an access door or cover. The location of the door and hinges <NUM> can define a front plane A4 of the tray <NUM> which is shown as being parallel to the rear side 22a and orthogonal to the first and second sides 22c, 22d.

The tray <NUM> further defines the cable routing pathway <NUM> via the walls forming the first side 22c and the rear side 22a of the tray <NUM>, along with a bottom portion <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. An interior wall structure 22e also functions to define the cable routing pathway <NUM>, as do radius guides 22f which prevent the cables <NUM> from kinking or bending too severely. The cables <NUM> can be further retained within the cable routing pathway <NUM> via a plurality of cable guides <NUM> located at the top of the tray <NUM>.

As discussed previously, the cable routing pathway <NUM> passes between the space defined between the upper and lower joint extensions <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. Because the upper joint extension <NUM> engages with the upper joint arm <NUM> and the lower joint extension <NUM> engages with the lower joint arm <NUM>, the pivot joint <NUM> is formed without the need for any structure between the upper and lower joint extensions <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, this space can be utilized to define the cable routing pathway <NUM> as it extends from the support arm <NUM> and the tray <NUM>. The upper and lower joint extensions <NUM>, <NUM> also serve to constrain the cables <NUM> as the cables traverse between the support arm <NUM> and the tray <NUM>. Accordingly, the cables <NUM> within the cable routing pathway <NUM> enter the tray <NUM> through the pivot joint <NUM> in an orientation that is perpendicular to the rotation axis A1. <FIG> and <FIG> show an example of a number of cables <NUM> passing through the pivot joint <NUM>. A key benefit to allowing the cables <NUM> to be routed through the pivot joint <NUM> rotational axis A1 is that the routing length of the cables <NUM> can remain relatively unchanged as the tray <NUM> is rotated between the folded and access positions <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the rotation of the tray <NUM> does not cause undue tension on the cables <NUM> as the tray <NUM> is being rotated about the pivot axis A1.

Referring to <FIG>, it can be seen that above described configuration results in the cable routing pathway <NUM> extending from the second end 24b of the support arm <NUM> to the first end 24a of the support arm <NUM>, across the pivot joint <NUM>, and along the first side 22c and rear side 22a of the tray <NUM>. The cables <NUM> can further extend from the second end 24b of the support arm along the rear side 10a of the chassis <NUM> towards the second end 10d, and through the cable routing aperture <NUM>.

In the embodiment presented, the tray <NUM> is configured to hold a plurality of splice trays <NUM> or other components to which the cables <NUM> can be routed along the rear side 22a of the tray <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the cables <NUM> extend to the splice trays <NUM> from which patch cables <NUM> extend as cabled ends 110a of fiber optic connectors <NUM>. The fiber optic connectors <NUM> are shown as being connected to the first sides 108a of adapters <NUM>. As shown, the adapters <NUM> are arranged along a transverse axis A2 which generally extends between the sides 22c and 22d of the tray <NUM>. In one embodiment, the adapters <NUM> in the patch panel <NUM> are supported by a patch panel frame <NUM> extending along transverse axis A2 from a first end 106a proximate first side 22c to a second end 106b proximate second side 22d. Fiber optic connectors <NUM> are shown as being connected to the second sides 108b of the adapters <NUM>. The fiber optic connectors <NUM> are shown as having cabled ends 114a which form patch cables <NUM> which can be routed through cable management features <NUM> and <NUM> to the outside of the telecommunications panel <NUM>. As shown, cable management feature <NUM> is a patch cable holder rigidly attached to the patch panel frame <NUM>.

As shown, the adapters <NUM> and connectors <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned along an axis A3 which is shown as forming an oblique angle with the transverse axis A2. This configuration is advantageous over configurations in which the axes A2 and A3 are generally orthogonal in that less overall depth (i.e. the distance between the rear side 22a and the front side 22b) is required of the tray <NUM> in order to accommodate the cable management structures. Additionally, by disposing the cabled ends 114a of the connectors <NUM> at an angle towards the end of the telecommunications panel <NUM> at which the patch cables <NUM> exit via cable management feature <NUM>, less turning is required of the cords and thus bend radius protection is enhanced. Likewise, by disposing the cabled ends 110a of the connectors <NUM> at an angle towards the splice trays <NUM>, less turning is required of the cords and thus bend radius protection is enhanced in this manner as well. Space allocation can be further enhanced by arranging the patch panel frame <NUM> such that axis A3 is not parallel to the front plane A4 or rear side 22a. For example, the patch panel <NUM> and frame <NUM> can be oriented such that axis A3 is at an angle from about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, and preferably about <NUM> degrees, with respect to the axis A4 and the rear side 22a of the panel <NUM>. This configuration allows for there to be a greater distance D1 provided between the patch panel <NUM> and the front face plane A4 of the tray <NUM> at the first side 22c, as compared to the corresponding distance D2 at the second side 22d of the tray <NUM>. Likewise, this configuration also allows for there to be a greater distance D3 provided between the patch panel <NUM> and the splice tray <NUM> of the tray <NUM> at the second side 22d, as compared to the corresponding distance D4 at the first side 22c of the tray <NUM>. As the patch cables <NUM> are greater towards the second end 22d of the tray <NUM> and the patch cables <NUM> are greater in number towards the first end 22c of the tray <NUM>, the increased distances D1 and D3, respectively, provide for additional cable routing space where it is most needed and allows for a more compact construction of the tray <NUM>.

It is noted that the drawings show a configuration in which the support arm <NUM> and pivot joint <NUM> are proximate the first side 22c of the tray <NUM>. This configuration results in the tray <NUM> being pivotable from the first side 22c of the tray <NUM>. However, the support arm <NUM> and tray <NUM> can be produced as mirror images of the embodiment shown in the drawings, such that the support arm <NUM> and pivot joint <NUM> are located proximate the second side 22d of the tray <NUM> which would allow for the tray <NUM> to be rotated about the second side 22d of the tray <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> an embodiment of the telecommunications panel <NUM> is shown which utilizes an alternative patch cable holder <NUM> rather than the previously shown patch cable holder <NUM>. It is noted that the embodiments shown in <FIG> may be provided with patch cable holder <NUM> without departing from the concepts presented herein. As shown in <FIG>, three stacked tray assemblies <NUM> are provided in which each tray assembly <NUM> is provided with two patch cable holders <NUM> for a total of six patch cable holders <NUM> in the panel <NUM>. When the tray assemblies <NUM> are in the folded position, the patch cable holders <NUM> are vertically aligned into two columns of three patch cable holders <NUM>. It is noted that each tray assembly may be provided with only one patch cable holder <NUM> or more than two patch cable holder <NUM>, such as three, four or five patch cable holders <NUM>.

In one aspect, patch cable holder <NUM> is configured to be rotatable with respect to the patch panel <NUM> to increase the amount of space between the patch cable holder <NUM> and an adjacent connector <NUM> connected to an adapter <NUM>. This configuration allows for easier manual access to the adjacent adapters <NUM> and connectors <NUM> and also allows the connectors <NUM> to be installed and removed with a person's fingers without the use of tooling. As most easily seen at <FIG>, the patch cable holder <NUM> can be rotated in a first direction R1 away from an adjacent adapter <NUM> and/or connector <NUM> to maximize the distance D5 between the patch cable holder <NUM> and the adjacent adapter <NUM> and/or connector <NUM>. Similarly, the patch cable holder <NUM> can be rotated in a second direction R2 away from an adjacent adapter <NUM> and/or connector <NUM> to maximize the distance D6 between the patch cable holder <NUM> and the adjacent adapter <NUM> and/or connector <NUM>. This configuration allows for all of the connectors <NUM> to be installed and removed from the front side of the patch panel <NUM> without requiring the tray <NUM> to be opened into the access position. Because the tray <NUM> can remain in the closed or folded position, the disclosed configuration minimizes the risk of back side fiber movement and reduced optical performance that would be associated with having to open the tray <NUM> to install and/or remove connectors <NUM>.

As shown, the patch cable holder <NUM> is provided with a base portion <NUM>, a cable support portion <NUM>, and a hinge portion <NUM> rotatably connecting the base portion <NUM> to the cable support portion <NUM>. This configuration allows the cable support portion <NUM> to rotate generally about an axis A5 in the first and second directions R1, R2 with respect to the base portion. Where axis A5 is generally vertical, the first and second directions R1, R2 are in a generally horizontal plane. In one aspect, the base portion <NUM> is provided with a first side 402a that engages with the patch panel <NUM> and a second opposite side that interfaces with the hinge portion <NUM>. To facilitate attachment to the patch panel <NUM>, the first side 402a of the base portion <NUM> is provided with attachment features <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base portion <NUM> is provided with two attachment features <NUM> in an upper attachment feature 408a and a lower attachment feature 408b.

As most easily seen at <FIG>, the patch panel <NUM> can be provided with cooperating connecting features <NUM> for engaging with the attachment features <NUM> of the patch cable holder base portion <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the patch panel <NUM> is provided with two connecting features <NUM> with an upper connecting feature 105a configured to engage with the attachment feature 408a and a lower connecting feature 105b configured to engage with the attachment feature 408b. In the invention, the attachment features <NUM> are configured as protrusions and the connecting features <NUM> are configured as recesses. In other example not forming part of the invention, the attachment features <NUM> can be configured as recesses with the connecting features <NUM> being configured as protrusions as well. Any other connecting structure that holds the base portion <NUM> in a non-rotatable state with respect to the patch panel may also be utilized, for example, channels, pins, latches, and fasteners. In the particular embodiment shown, the attachment features <NUM> and connecting features <NUM> are provided with a dovetail profile shape to form a dovetail joint between the patch panel <NUM> and the base portion <NUM>.

As shown, the patch cable holder <NUM> is installed onto the patch panel <NUM> by orienting the patch cable holder <NUM> adjacent to the patch panel <NUM> such that the attachment features <NUM> are aligned with and above the connecting features <NUM>, and then moving the patch cable holder <NUM> downwardly such that the attachment features <NUM> engage with the connecting features <NUM>. To secure the patch cable holder <NUM> to the patch panel <NUM>, the patch panel <NUM> may be provided with a retaining feature 105c. As shown, the retaining feature 105c is formed as a tab above the lower connecting feature 105b and is initially deflected inwards by the lower attachment feature 408b. Once the patch cable holder <NUM> is moved downwardly, such that the lower attachment feature 408b is engaged with the lower connecting feature 105b, the retaining feature 105c snaps over the top of the lower attachment feature 408b to lock the patch cable holder <NUM> to the patch panel <NUM>. Once installed, the first side 402a of the base portion <NUM> is adjacent the retaining feature 105c such that the retaining feature 105c cannot be accessed from the front side of the patch panel <NUM>, thereby preventing removal of the patch cable holder <NUM>. However, the securing feature 105c and/or the patch cable holder <NUM> can be configured to allow access for unlocking the securing feature 105c from the front side and/or back side of the patch panel <NUM> for removal of a previously installed patch cable holder <NUM>.

As described previously, a hinge portion <NUM> is provided to rotatably connect the base portion <NUM> to the cable support portion <NUM>. In the invention, the patch cable holder <NUM> is an integrally formed, one-piece component. In one example, the patch cable holder <NUM> is manufactured from a plastic or polymeric material. In such a configuration, the hinge portion <NUM> can be formed as an area of reduced material thickness to form a living hinge to allow the cable support portion <NUM> to rotate with respect to the base portion <NUM> about axis A5 or about an axis generally parallel to axis A5. However, other types of hinge interfaces are possible such that the base portion <NUM> and the cable support portion <NUM> are joined together at a hinge joint. For example, the base portion <NUM> and cable support portion <NUM> could be configured as separate parts with cooperating knuckles (i.e. loops, joints, nodes, curls, etc.) through which a pin extends to rotatably join the parts together to form a hinge assembly. Other configurations are possible. As shown, the hinge portion <NUM> runs continuously from a top portion 400a to a bottom portion 400b of the patch cable holder <NUM>. However, the hinge portion <NUM> need not be formed continuously and may instead be formed by two or more intermittently spaced segments of material.

As referenced in <FIG>, the cable support portion <NUM> of the patch cable holder <NUM> may be formed as a frame having a first vertical portion <NUM> extending along and adjacent to the hinge portion <NUM> from which a lower arm <NUM> and an upper arm <NUM> extend. To provide additional support, a second vertical portion <NUM> extending between the upper and lower arms <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided. As shown, the lower arm <NUM> extends along the bottom portion 400b of the patch cable holder <NUM> and the upper arm <NUM> extends along the top portion 400a of the patch cable holder <NUM>. The lower arm <NUM> functions to support the plurality of telecommunications patch cables <NUM> being held by the patch cable holder <NUM> while the upper arm <NUM> cooperatively functions with the lower arm <NUM> and the second vertical portion <NUM> to define an interior perimeter <NUM> within which the cables <NUM> are retained. Where the second vertical portion <NUM> is not used, the interior perimeter can be formed by the arms <NUM>, <NUM> and the first vertical portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, the lower arm <NUM> includes a generally horizontal portion 412a extending from the first vertical portion <NUM> and an upwardly extending vertical portion 412b at the opposite end 412c. Similarly, the upper arm <NUM> includes a generally horizontal portion 414a extending from the first vertical portion <NUM> and a downwardly extending vertical portion 414b at the opposite end 414c.

In one example, the ends 412c, 414c of the respective upwardly extending portion 412b and the downwardly extending portion 414b can be aligned such that they are adjacent and facing each other, but spaced apart to form a gap or passageway <NUM> into the interior perimeter <NUM>. In one aspect, the gap or passageway <NUM> is for allowing cables <NUM> to be installed and removed from the interior perimeter <NUM>. The gap or passageway <NUM> can be provided with a dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the cables <NUM> for which the patch cable holder <NUM> is configured to support and retain to prevent cables <NUM> from migrating out of the interior perimeter <NUM> via the gap or passageway <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the patch cable holder <NUM> is configured such that the upper arm <NUM> is deflectable with respect to the lower arm <NUM> such that the size of the gap or passageway <NUM> can be momentarily increased to a dimension greater than the cables <NUM> by an operator such that the cables <NUM> can be installed and removed from the interior perimeter. This deflection can be achieved, for example, by rotating the upper arm <NUM> in the second direction R2 about an axis parallel to axis A5 and by either by holding the lower arm <NUM> stationary or by rotating the lower arm <NUM> in the first direction R1, or vice versa. For example, the end 412c of the upwardly extending portion 412b of the lower arm <NUM> can be adapted to deflect outwardly away from vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> to increase the size of the gap or passageway <NUM>.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and other modifications within the scope. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative.

Claim 1:
A patch cable holder (<NUM>) comprising:
a. a base portion (<NUM>) configured for attachment to a telecommunications component (<NUM>), wherein the base portion (<NUM>) is provided with a vertical portion upon which an upper attachment feature (408a) and a lower attachment feature (408b) are provided, the upper and lower attachment features (408a, 408b) being configured as protrusions for interlocking the base portion (<NUM>) with the telecommunications component (<NUM>);
b. a deflectable cable support portion (<NUM>) configured with a first horizontal portion to support a plurality of patch cables (<NUM>) and a first vertical portion (412b) extending from the first horizontal portion, the cable support portion (<NUM>) defining an interior perimeter (<NUM>), the deflectable cable support portion being deflectable about a vertical axis (A5); and
c. wherein the base portion, including the upper and lower attachment features, and the deflectable cable support portion are integrally formed as a single one-piece, polymeric component.