Patent ID: 7689089

Claim:
A patch panel for receiving a pre-terminated cassette, the patch panel comprising: a frame, wherein the frame comprises a top flange and a bottom flange; a plurality of top panel tabs extending downwardly from the top flange; a plurality of bottom panel tabs extending upwardly from the bottom flange; a plurality of side guides each having a top slot adapted to receive a top panel tab and a bottom slot adapted to receive a bottom panel tab; and a pair of guide latch tabs for retaining a pre-terminated cassette; and a pre-terminated cassette for installation between adjacent side guides, the cassette having a release latch to allow removal of the cassette from the patch panel, the release latch comprising a cantilever beam located on a sidewall of the pre-terminated cassette, wherein the cantilever beam has a hinge point that allows the beam to deflect with respect to the sidewall; a depressing tab provided at a distal end of the cantilever beam; and a latch tab protruding from a surface of the cantilever beam between the hinge point and the depressing tab, the latch tab capable of engagement with one of the guide latch tabs of the patch panel when the cassette is received between adjacent side guides to retain the cassette in the patch panel.