Patent ID: 8249410

Claim:
A connector housing for a communications network comprising: a housing assembly having an interior defined by a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel, the interior having a plurality of berths therein, an adapter unit inserted from a front of the housing assembly and positioned in one of the berths, the adapter unit comprising: a plurality of adapters for making optical connections with optical waveguides; an adapter unit electrical connector; and an adapter chassis having a cutout spaced apart from and aligned with the adapter unit electrical connector; a housing electrical connector associated with each berth, each housing electrical connector facing the front of the housing assembly for passing through the cutout of the adapter chassis and then engaging the adapter unit electrical connector as the adapter unit is inserted into the berth, wherein the size and shape of the cutout closely conform to the exterior dimensions of the housing electrical connector, whereby the cutout facilitates alignment between the adapter unit electrical connector and the housing electrical connector; guide elements for guiding and aligning the housing electrical connectors with the respective adapter unit connectors as the adapter units are inserted into the berth, the guide elements allowing blind mating of the housing electrical connectors and the adapter unit connectors; and at least one cable connector positioned adjacent a back of the housing assembly, the cable connector in electrical communication with and consolidating electrical contacts from at least two housing electrical connectors.