EP3167323A1

EP3167323A1 - Modular telecommunications mounting system with cable management

Info

Publication number: EP3167323A1
Application number: EP15734157.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan Geens; Kristof Vastmans; Bartolomej Krupansky
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA; ADC Czech Republic sro
Current assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA; Commscope Czech Republic sro
Priority date: 2014-07-07
Filing date: 2015-07-03
Publication date: 2017-05-17
Also published as: WO2016005291A1

Abstract

A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/100/300/400) includes a frame (16/116/316) configured to be mounted to a telecommunications rack and at least one holder (14/114/214/314/414) configured to be mounted to the frame (16/116/316). The holder (14/114/214/314/414) is configured to receive a fiber optic device (12) in the form of a fiber optic splitter, wherein the at least one holder (14/114/214/314/414) includes an attachment structure (44/144) for receiving the fiber optic device (12). The attachment structure (44/144/244) defines at least a part of a slide lock (64/164) for slidably receiving the fiber optic device (12), the slide lock (64/164) defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 68/168) formed by the fiber optic device (12) and the attachment structure (44/144/244) of the holder (14/114/214/314/414). The at least one holder (14/114/214/314/414) is removably mounted to the frame (16/116/316).

Description

MODULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS MOUNTING SYSTEM WITH CABLE

MANAGEMENT

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/021,521 filed on July 7, 2014 and to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/084,337 filed on November 25, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Background

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks are being extended in more and more areas. Ease of installation of the telecommunications devices, management of the cables extending therefrom, and ease of accessibility for later management are important concerns. As a result, there is a need for fiber optic devices which address these and other concerns.

Summary

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a modular mounting system for mounting telecommunications devices in the form of fiber optic devices and mounting cable managers for managing cables being input and output from the fiber optic devices. According to one example embodiment, the modular mounting system is used for mounting the fiber optic devices to telecommunications racks. And, according to an example embodiment, the fiber optic devices are fiber optic splitters with input and output locations from which cables extend.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications modular mounting system including a frame configured to be mounted to a

telecommunications rack, at least one holder configured to be removably mounted to the frame, the holder configured to receive a fiber optic device and a cable manager for managing cables extending to or from the fiber optic device, wherein the holder is configured such that the cable manager can be mounted to the holder in one of at least two different orientations.

According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a modular holder that is configured to mount a fiber optic device to a telecommunications fixture. The modular holder includes an attachment structure for receiving the fiber optic device and a cable manager mounted to the modular holder, the cable manager configured to manage cables extending to or from the fiber optic device attached to the holder, wherein the holder is configured such that the cable manager can be mounted to the holder in one of at least two different orientations.

According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a telecommunications modular mounting system comprising a frame configured to be mounted to a

telecommunications rack, at least one first holder configured to be mounted to the frame, the first holder configured to receive a fiber optic device and including a cable manager for managing cables extending to or from the fiber optic device, wherein the first holder is configured such that the first holder can be mounted to the frame in one of at least two different orientations.

According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a modular holder configured to removably mount a fiber optic device to a telecommunications fixture, the modular holder comprising an attachment structure for receiving the fiber optic device and a cable manager configured to manage cables extending to or from the fiber optic device attached to the holder, wherein the holder is configured to be mounted to the

telecommunications fixture in one of at least two different orientations.

telecommunications rack, at least one holder configured to be mounted to the frame, the holder configured to receive a fiber optic device in the form of a fiber optic splitter, wherein the at least one holder includes an attachment structure for receiving the fiber optic device, the attachment structure defining at least a part of a slide lock for slidably receiving the fiber optic device, the slide lock defined at least in part by dovetail structures formed by the fiber optic device and the attachment structure of the holder, wherein the at least one holder is removably mounted to the frame. In certain embodiments, the at least one holder is mounted with a snap-fit interlock defined at least in part by a ramped tab.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a telecommunications modular mounting system having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure in both an exploded configuration and an assembled configuration, the modular mounting system including a rack mount frame, a base plate to be mounted thereto, and a holder to be mounted to the baseplate, the holder configured for housing fiber optic devices and including cable managers for managing cables that extend to and from such devices;

FIG. 2 illustrates the modular mounting system of FIG. 1 in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates the modular mounting system of FIG. 2 with the cable managers of the system mounted so as to direct cables in a rightward direction, wherein the modular mounting system in FIG. 2 is shown with the cable managers mounted so as to direct cables in a leftward direction;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the modular mounting system of

FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates the base plate mounted to the rack mount frame of the modular mounting system of FIGS. 1-4 with a single holder mounted to the base plate;

FIG. 6 illustrates the holder of the modular mounting system of FIGS. 1-5 in an exploded configuration with a pair of cable managers exploded off the holder to show the cable management possibilities for the system;

FIG. 7 illustrates the holder of FIG. 6 with a left cable manager mounted thereto and populated with a pair of fiber optic devices in the form of fiber optic splitters;

FIG. 8 illustrates the holder of FIG. 7 from a rear perspective view;

FIG. 9 illustrates the holder of the modular mounting system in isolation without any fiber optic devices or cable managers mounted thereon;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a second embodiment of a telecommunications modular mounting system having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure in both an exploded configuration and an assembled configuration;

FIG. 11 illustrates the modular mounting system of FIG. 10 in a fully assembled configuration;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the modular mounting system of

FIG. 11; FIG. 13 illustrates the modular mounting system of FIG. 11 with the label tray in an extended, access configuration;

FIG. 14 illustrates the modular mounting system of FIGS. 1-13 with a pair of holders populated with optical devices mounted to the frame of the modular mounting system;

FIG. 15 illustrates the holders of FIG. 14 in isolation;

FIG. 16 illustrates a first embodiment of a holder populated with an optical device that is configured to be mounted to the frame of the modular mounting system of FIGS. 1-14;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the holder of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a holder populated with an optical device that is configured to be mounted to the frame of the modular mounting system of FIGS. 1-14;

FIG. 19 is a right, top, front perspective view of a third embodiment of a telecommunications modular mounting system having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure in an assembled configuration, with the cable managers of the system mounted so as to direct cables in a rightward direction;

FIG. 20 is a left, top, front perspective view of the system of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a left, top, front perspective view of the systems of FIGS. 19-20 with the cable managers of the system mounted so as to direct cables in a leftward direction;

FIG. 22 is a right, top, front perspective view of the system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is perspective view of a rack mount frame of the system of FIGS. 19-22;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the rack mount frame of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a front view of the rack mount frame of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the rack mount frame of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a base plate of the system of FIGS. 19-22;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the base plate of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a front view of the base plate of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the base plate of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 illustrates a right, top, front perspective view of a holder of the system of FIGS. 19-22, with the cable manager of the holder in a fully locked position; FIG. 32 is a left, top, front perspective view of the holder of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the holder of FIGS. 31-32;

FIG. 34 is a right, top, front perspective view of the holder of FIGS. 31-33 with the cable manager of the holder in an installed but unlocked position;

FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view of the holder of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 illustrates a right, top, front perspective view of the holder of FIGS. 31-35 with the cable manager removed from the holder;

FIG. 37 is a left, top, front perspective view of the holder of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is another right, top, front perspective view of the holder of FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 of FIG. 40;

FIG. 40 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 illustrates a top perspective view of a cable manager that is configured for mounting on the holder of FIGS. 36-40;

FIG. 42 is a bottom perspective view of the cable manager of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is another top perspective view of the cable manager of FIG. 41; FIG. 44 is yet another top perspective view of the cable manager of

FIG. 41;

FIG. 45 is a side view of the cable manager of FIG. 41;

FIG. 46 is a top view of the cable manager of FIG. 41;

FIG. 47 is a bottom view of the cable manager of FIG. 41;

FIG. 48 is a right, top, front perspective view of another embodiment of a telecommunications modular mounting system having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure in an assembled configuration, with the cable managers of the system mounted so as to direct cables in a leftward direction;

FIG. 49 diagrammatically illustrates the system of FIG. 48 with cabling; FIG. 50 illustrates a right, top, front perspective view of a holder of the system of FIGS. 48-49, with the cable managers of the holder in an exploded

configuration;

FIG. 51 illustrates the holder of FIG. 50 in an assembled configuration; and FIG. 52 illustrates the holder of FIGS. 50-51 populated with a pair of fiber optic devices in the form of fiber optic splitters. Detailed Description

The present disclosure is directed generally to telecommunications devices. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a modular mounting system 10 for removably mounting telecommunications devices 12 to a telecommunications rack.

According to one example embodiment, the telecommunications devices 12 are fiber optic devices, wherein such devices can include fiber optic splitters.

The modular mounting system 10 may be used to mount (and provide access to) the fiber optic devices 12 on a standard 19-inch telecommunications rack. The modular mounting system 10 may be modified to fit other sized racks.

According to the depicted example, the modular mounting system 10 is configured to occupy a height of one standard unit of rack space (1RU) in a standard 19- inch rack. Other configurations of the modular mounting system 10 are possible depending upon the desired or allowed density.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the modular mounting system 10 is illustrated in various configurations. As noted above, even though the modular system 10 is illustrated as being provided to mount fiber optic devices 12 (e.g., in the form of fiber optic splitters), the modular mounting system 10 may be used to mount other types of telecommunications devices 12 such as electrical or hybrid equipment. And, even though the fiber optic devices 12 depicted are fiber optic splitters, the holders 14 of the mounting system 10 may be modified to house a variety of different fiber optic equipment such as couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, filters, or other types of equipment.

As shown in the exploded configuration in FIG. 1 and as noted above, the modular mounting system 10 includes a rack mount frame 16, a base plate 18 that is to be attached to the rack mount frame 16, and a plurality of holders 14 that are removably mounted to the base plate 18 that is held by the rack mount frame 16. The holders 14 are configured to hold the fiber optic equipment noted above in the form of fiber optic splitters.

Each of the holders 14, as will be described in further detail below, are also provided with cable managers 20 that can be mounted in a variety of different orientations on the holders 14 for directing cables toward a desired direction. For example, in the depicted embodiment of the holders 14, cable managers 20 can be mounted to direct cables extending to or from the fiber optic devices 12 toward a right side 22 of the rack (FIG. 3) or a left side 24 of the rack (FIG. 2) without violating minimum bend radius requirements. Referring to the exploded view in FIG. 1, the rack mount frame 16 defines a bottom wall 26 and a mounting wall 28 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 26. Mounting flanges 30 are provided at the right and left sides of the mounting wall 28 for receiving fasteners to fasten the frame 16 to a rack.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the base plate 18 of the mounting system 10 is attached with fasteners to the rack mount frame 16. Even though the depicted example shows a fastener-based attachment, other types of attachment methods may be used between the rack mount frame 16 and base plate 18.

The base plate 18 includes features that can mate with the individual holders 14 of the mounting system 10. By having the base plate 18 as a removable structure, the mounting system 10 provides flexibility as to different types of base plates 18 that can be used on the frame 16 and the different types of holders 14 that can be attached thereto.

The base plate 18, in the depicted embodiment, defines pairs of openings 32 at the front end 34. As will be discussed, each pair of openings 32 is configured for receiving one of the holders 14 with a snap-fit interlock. The base plate 18 also defines a plurality of rear extensions 36 (each one corresponding to a holder 14) and side extensions/guides 38. A pair of notches 40 is defined at each rear extension 36. The notches 40 cooperate with the openings 32 at the front end 34 for receiving the holders 14.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate one of the holders 14 of the mounting system 10 in various configurations. In FIG. 6, the holder 14 of the modular mounting system 10 is shown in an exploded configuration with a pair of cable managers 20 exploded off the holder 14. The cable managers 20 are normally used one at a time, and the pair is shown to illustrate the different cable management possibilities for the system 10. The same cable manager 20 can be used for both directions. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the holder 14 with a left cable manager 20 mounted thereto and populated with a pair of fiber optic devices 12 in the form of fiber optic splitters, and FIG. 9 illustrates the holder 14 of the modular mounting system 10 in isolation without any fiber optic devices 12 or cable managers 20 mounted thereon.

Referring back to FIG. 6, each holder 14 defines a bottom wall 42, a side attachment wall 44, and a front wall 46. The front wall 46 may be used for mounting a label and/or may be used as a handle in mounting/removing the holder 14 from the base plate 18. Each cable manager 20 is attached to the bottom wall 42 of the holder 14 with a snap-fit interlock. Each cable manager 20 defines a bend radius portion 48 that extends between a lower tongue portion 50 and an upper cable retention portion 52. The tongue 50 defines an opening 54 that is used to receive a tab 56 located on the holder 14 for interlocking the cable manager 20 to the holder 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom wall 42 of the holder 14 defines a pair of slide openings 58 adjacent the front wall 46. The slide openings 58 are angled and oriented to position the cable managers 20 in either the rightward orientation (wherein cables can be lead to the right side 22 of the rack) or the leftward orientation (wherein cables can be lead to the left side 24 of the rack). Each slide opening 58 is configured to slidably receive the tongue portion 50 of the cable manager 20. A bridge structure 60 that extends across the slide opening 58 defines the tab 56 thereunder for intermating with the opening 54 of the tongue 50. As the tongue 50 is slid within the slide opening 58, the tab 56 is snap-fit into the opening 54 to lock the cable manager 20 with respect to the holder 14.

In FIG. 2, the modular mounting system 10 is shown with the cable managers 20 mounted so as to direct cables in a leftward direction (i.e., left side 24 of the rack), and in FIG. 3, the modular mounting system 10 is shown with the cable managers 20 mounted so as to direct cables in a rightward direction (i.e., right side 22 of the rack).

Referring back to FIG. 6, the attachment wall 44 of each holder 14 defines locking features 62 for mounting fiber optic devices or equipment 12 to the attachment wall 44. In the depicted embodiment, the locking features are provided in the form of a slide lock 64 that is defined by intermating dovetail structures between the attachment wall 44 and the optical device 12 itself. It should be noted that the slide lock 64 can be configured in a variety of different configurations, as long as it allows the optical equipment 12 to be slidably and removably coupled to the attachment wall 44. In the depicted example, the dovetail structures are defined by dovetails 66 that are provided on the optical equipment 12 and dovetail receivers 68 that are provided on the attachment wall 44. The two intermating features can also be reversed.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, each dovetail receiver 68 defines a receiving portion 67 and a retention portion 69. When an optical device 12 is mounted to the attachment wall 44 of a holder, each dovetail 66 is inserted into and through the receiving portion 67 in a transverse direction, and the device 12 is slid forwardly along a longitudinal direction until the dovetail 66 thereof is moved into the retention portion 69 of the dovetail receiver 68. The movement is reversed for removal of the optical device 12 from the attachment wall 44, wherein the device 12 is first slid rearwardly and then moved transversely to clear the dovetail receivers 68.

In the depicted example, the attachment wall 44 of each holder 14 is configured to hold two fiber optic devices 12 in a stacked arrangement. In mounting systems that are allowed to occupy more than 1 (RU) of rack space, the attachment wall may be configured to hold a greater number of devices.

For mounting each holder 14 to the base plate 18 that is located on the rack mount frame 16, the holder 14 defines a pair of ramped tabs 70 at a front end 72 and a pair of straight tabs 74 at a rear end 76. As noted previously, the ramped tabs 70 are configured to be inserted into the openings 32 at the front end 34 of the base plate 18. And, the straight tabs 74 are configured to be inserted into the notches 40 defined by the rear extension 36 of the base plate 18.

In mounting each holder 14, after the holder 14 is positioned between the side extensions or guides 38 defined on the base plate 18, the straight tabs 74 are initially inserted into the notches 40 at the rear of the base plate 18, and the front end 72 of the holder 14 is moved downwardly with a pivoting motion to snap the ramped tabs 70 through and under the openings 32 at the front end 34 of the base plate 18.

In removing the holders 14, the holders 14 may be pushed rearwardly to flex the rear extensions 36 until the ramped tabs 70 clear the front openings 32 of the base plate 18, and the holders 14 may be lifted upwardly with a pivoting motion similar to that used in mounting the holders 14.

The front wall 46 that is configured for receiving a label may be used to manually manipulate the holder 14 during mounting and/or removal thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-18, another embodiment of a modular mounting system 100 having features that are similar to the modular mounting system 10 of FIGS. 1-9 is illustrated. Similar to the modular mounting system 10, the mounting system 100 is configured for removably mounting telecommunications devices 12 to a

telecommunications rack. The telecommunications devices 12 can be fiber optic devices, wherein such devices can include fiber optic splitters.

The modular mounting system 100 may also be used to mount (and provide access to) the fiber optic devices 12 on a standard 19-inch telecommunications rack. The modular mounting system 100 may be modified to fit other sized racks.

According to the depicted example, the modular mounting system 100 is configured to occupy a height of two standard units of rack space (2RU) in a standard 19- inch rack. Other configurations of the modular mounting system 100 are possible depending upon the desired or allowed density.

Still referring now to FIGS. 10-18, the modular mounting system 100 is illustrated in various configurations. Similar to that noted above, even though the modular system 100 is illustrated as being provided to mount fiber optic devices 12 (e.g., in the form of fiber optic splitters), the modular mounting system 100 may be used to mount other types of telecommunications devices 12 such as electrical or hybrid equipment. And, even though the fiber optic devices 12 depicted are fiber optic splitters, the mounting system 10 may be modified to house a variety of different fiber optic equipment such as couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, filters, or other types of equipment.

As shown in the exploded configuration in FIG. 10, the modular mounting system 100 includes a rack mount frame 116, a base plate 118 that is to be attached to the rack mount frame 116, and a plurality of first holders 114 and a plurality of second holders 214 that are removably mounted to the base plate 118 that is held by the rack mount frame 116. Both the first holders 114 and the second holders 214 are configured to hold the fiber optic equipment noted above in the form of fiber optic splitters.

In the depicted embodiment, the first holders 114 and the second holders 214 are provided in a stacked arrangement in an alternating configuration. It should be noted that the frame 116 may be populated with either type of the first and second holders.

As shown in FIGS. 10-18, the first holders 114, as will be described in further detail below, are provided with cable managers 120 for directing cables toward or away from the optical devices 12 mounted on the holders. The first holders 114, as will be explained in further detail below, are configured to be mounted to the frame 116 in one of at least two different orientations. According to one embodiment, the two orientations are 180 degrees apart, wherein the first holders 114 may be mounted to orient the cable managers 120 to direct cables extending to or from the fiber optic devices 12 toward a right side 122 of the rack or a left side 124 of the rack without violating minimum bend radius requirements.

Referring to the exploded view in FIG. 10, the rack mount frame 116 defines a bottom wall 126 and a mounting wall 128 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 126. Mounting flanges 130 are provided at the right and left sides of the mounting wall 128 for receiving fasteners to fasten the frame 116 to a rack.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the base plate 118 of the mounting system 100 is attached with fasteners to the rack mount frame 116. Even though the depicted example shows a fastener-based attachment, other types of attachment methods may be used between the rack mount frame 116 and base plate 118.

The base plate 118 includes features that can mate with the individual holders 114 and 214 of the mounting system 100. By having the base plate 118 as a removable structure, the mounting system 100, similar to mounting system 10 described above, provides flexibility as to different types of base plates 118 that can be used on the frame 116 and the different types of holders that can be attached thereto.

The base plate 118, in the depicted embodiment, defines rows of openings 132. As will be discussed, each row of openings 132 is configured for receiving one of the holders 114/214 with a snap-fit interlock. Each row of openings defines a rear opening 132a, an intermediate opening 132b, and a front opening 132c. As will be described in further detail below, the openings 132 cooperate with mounting structures of the holders 114/214 for mounting the holders 114/214 to the base plate 118 with a snap-fit interlock.

Still referring to the exploded view of FIG. 10, the mounting system 100 further includes a label tray 136. The label tray 136 is configured to be slidably captured between the bottom wall 126 of the frame 116 and the base plate 118 and is configured for slidable movement between a retracted position and an extended, access position. As shown, the label tray 136 defines elongate slots 138 that cooperate with studs 140 formed on the bottom wall 126 of the frame 116 to provide the slidable connection.

FIG. 11 illustrates the modular mounting system 100 in a fully assembled configuration, and FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the modular mounting system 100. FIG. 13 illustrates the modular mounting system 100 with the label tray 136 in an extended, access position. FIG. 14 illustrates the modular mounting system 100 with a pair of holders (both a first holder 114 and a second holder 214) populated with optical devices mounted to the frame 116 of the modular mounting system 100. FIG. 15 illustrates the holders 114 and 214 in isolation next to each other

FIGS. 16-17 illustrate one of the first holders 114 in isolation, wherein the first holder 1 14 is shown as populated with an optical device 12. As noted above, the first holder 114 is configured to be mounted to the frame 116 in one of at least two different orientations so as to change the direction of the cable manager 120 of the holder 114, and, thus, the direction of the cables that are being led to or away from the optical devices 12. FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the first holder 114 with the cable manager 120 oriented to direct cables to the left side of the frame 116. Each first holder 114 defines a top wall 142, a bottom wall 144, and a side wall 146. As shown, the cable manager 120 is defined as an extension of the side wall 146. Each cable manager 120 defines a bend radius portion 148 that extends between lower and upper cable retention portions 150, 152.

In the depicted embodiment, the bottom wall 144 may be defined as the attachment wall and may provide locking features 162 for mounting fiber optic devices or equipment 12 to the bottom wall 144 (FIG. 17). In the depicted embodiment, the locking features are provided in the form of a slide lock 164 that is defined by intermating dovetail structures between the bottom attachment wall 144 and the optical device 12 itself. It should be noted that the slide lock 164 can be configured in a variety of different configurations as long as it allows the optical equipment 12 to be slidably and removably coupled to the bottom attachment wall 144. In the depicted example, the dovetail structures are defined by dovetails 66 that are provided on the optical equipment 12 and dovetail receivers 168 that are provided on the bottom wall 144. The two intermating features can also be reversed.

As shown in FIG. 17, each dovetail receiver 168 defines a receiving portion 167 and a retention portion 169. When an optical device 12 is mounted to the bottom attachment wall 144 of a holder 114, each dovetail 66 is inserted into and through the receiving portion 167 in a transverse direction, and the device 12 is slid forwardly along a longitudinal direction until the dovetail 66 thereof is moved into the retention portion 169 of the dovetail receiver 168. The movement is reversed for removal of the optical device 12 from the bottom attachment wall 144, wherein the device 12 is first slid rearwardly and then moved transversely to clear the dovetail receivers 168. Similar structures for mounting the optical devices 12 may be provided on the second holders 214.

In the depicted example, both the first and second holders 114, 214 are configured to receive the optical devices 12 in an upright orientation (as opposed to the sideway orientation of the mounting system 10 of FIGS. 1-9) with the narrow sides of the devices 12 oriented in a top-to-bottom orientation. In this type of a mounting

arrangement, the system 100 occupies 2RU of rack space.

For mounting each first holder 114 to the base plate 118 that is located on the rack mount frame 116, the first holder 114 defines a ramped tab 170 at a front end and a pair of hooks 174 at the center and the rear end of the holder 114. The ramped tab 170 and the hooks 174 are provided at both the top wall 142 and the bottom wall 144 of the holder 114. This arrangement allows 180-degree reversible mounting of the holder 114 to the base plate.

As shown, the ramped tabs 170 are provided on a flexible extension 176 of the top wall 142 and a flexible extension 178 of the bottom wall 144. In this manner, the ramped tabs 170 can be snap-fit to the base plate 118.

As noted previously, the hooks 174 are configured to be inserted into the intermediate and the rear openings 132b, 132a of the base plate 118 and the ramped tabs 170 can snap into the front openings 132c.

In mounting each first holder 114, after the holder 114 is positioned on the base plate 118, the hooks 174 are initially inserted into the intermediate and rear openings 132b, 132a of the base plate 118, and the holder 114 is moved rearwardly downwardly with a pivoting motion until the ramped tab 170 snaps into the front opening 132c.

In removing the holders 114, the flexible extensions 176 (or 178) may be elastically lifted until the ramped tabs 170 clear the front openings 132c of the base plate 118, and the holders 114 may be pulled upwardly and forwardly until the hooks 174 clear the intermediate and rear openings 132b, 132a.

Referring now to FIG. 18, wherein a second holder is shown in isolation, it should be noted that the second holders 214 include features similar to those of first holders 114 and are mounted and removed from the base plate 118 in a similar fashion. Unlike the first holders 114, second holders 214 include the hooks 274 and the ramped tabs 270 only on the bottom wall 244 thereof. As shown in FIG. 18, the flexible extension 278 of the bottom wall 244 of the second holder defines a front wall 246 that extends upwardly therefrom. The front wall 246 may be used for mounting a label and/or may be used as a handle in mounting/removing the holder 214 from the base plate 1 18.

FIGS. 19-47 illustrate a third embodiment of a modular mounting system

300 having features that are similar to the modular mounting system 10 of FIGS. 1-9. The modular mounting system 300 includes features similar to that of the system 10 of FIGS. 1-9 except for a number of differences that will be described in detail below.

Similar to the system 10, the modular mounting system 300 includes a rack mount frame 316, a base plate 318 that is to be attached to the rack mount frame 316, and a plurality of holders 314 that are removably mounted to the base plate 318 that is held by the rack mount frame 316. As in the previous embodiments, the holders 314 are configured to hold the fiber optic equipment 12 noted above in the form of fiber optic splitters. Similar to system 10 of FIGS. 1-9, each of the holders 314, as will be described in further detail below, are also provided with cable managers 320 that can be mounted in a variety of different orientations on the holders 314 for directing cables toward a desired direction. For example, in the depicted embodiment of the holders 314, cable managers 320 can be mounted to direct cables extending to or from the fiber optic devices 12 toward a right side of the rack (FIGS. 19-20) or a left side of the rack (FIGS. 21-22) without violating minimum bend radius requirements.

The rack mount frame 316 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 23-26, and the base plate 318 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 27-30. One of the holders 314 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 31-40 (with the cable manager 320 removed therefrom in FIGS. 36-40). And, the cable manager 320 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 41-47.

Similar to base plate 18 of system 10, the base plate 318 of the mounting system 300 is attached to the rack mount frame 316. The base plate 318 includes features that can mate with the individual holders 314 of the mounting system 300. By having the base plate 318 as a removable structure, the mounting system 300 provides flexibility as to different types of base plates 318 that can be used on the frame 316 and the different types of holders 314 that can be attached thereto.

The base plate 318, in the depicted embodiment, defines a portion of a slide lock 336 that is used to removably mount the holders 314 to the mounting system 300. The slide lock 336 is defined by a pair of dovetail receivers 332 (for each mounting slot) of the base plate 318 that are configured to receive dovetail structures 370 of the holders 314. The holders 314 also define tabs 374 at the rear ends 376 thereof that are configured to be inserted into openings 340 at the rear of the base plate 318 when the holders 314 are being mounted to the base plate 318.

In mounting the holders 314, the dovetails 370 of the holders 314 are inserted into the dovetail receivers 332 of the base plate 318, and the holders are slid rearwardly until the tabs 374 are inserted into the openings 340 at the rear of the base plate 318.

As shown in FIGS. 19-22 and 27-30, the base plate may also include radius limiter brackets 324 defined at right and left walls 326, 328 of the base plate 318 for mounting radius limiters 334 thereto. Radius limiters 334 are provided for leading cables extending to or from the fiber optic equipment 12 to right or left sides of a rack. In the depicted embodiment, each radius limiter 334 is shown as including a split-ring configuration and has snap-fit features 330 for cooperation with the radius limiter brackets 324 in removably mounting the radius limiters 334.

One of the main differences between the system 10 of FIGS. 1-9 and the system 300 of FIGS. 19-47 is the way the cable managers 320 are mounted to the holders 314. In the system 10, the cable managers 20 are slidably locked onto the holders 20 via the slide opening 58, the bridge structure 60, and the tab 56 of the holder 14 and the tongue portion 50 and the opening 54 defined on the tongue portion 50 of the cable manager 20. In the system 300 of FIGS. 19-47, the cable managers 320 are snap-fit onto the holders 314 via a twist-lock. As in the system 10, in the system 300, the same cable manager 320 can be used to direct cables either toward the right side or the left side of the rack depending upon how the cable manager 320 is mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 42, 45, and 47, each cable manager 320 includes a pivot post 350, a retention flange 354 defined at the end of the pivot post 350, and a locking knob 353 spaced apart from the pivot post 350, together which form a portion of a twist lock structure 362. Another portion of the twist lock structure 362 is formed by the holder 314. Each holder 314 defines a post receiver 358 that is positioned at the center of a pair of knob receivers 360 that are provided adjacent the sides of the holder 314. Each knob receiver 360 is defined by a receiving portion 356 and a locking portion 355. The receiving portion 356 defines a ramp 357 that leads toward the locking portion 355.

In the depicted embodiment, the retention flange 354 of the cable manager 320 is configured with a square configuration. The cable managers 320, the holders 314, and the twist-lock structures 362 are configured such that when the retention flange 354 is inserted into the post receiver 358 of the holder 314 (which defines a similar square- shaped opening in the depicted embodiment), the locking knob 353 is positioned within the receiving portion 356 of the knob receiver 360 of the holder 314. The cable manager 320 is illustrated in an inserted but un-locked position in FIGS. 34-35. After placing the retention flange 354 through the post receiver 358 and depending upon whether the cable manager 320 is positioned to lead cables to the right side of the rack of the left side of the rack, the cable manager 320 (and, thus, the pivot post 350) is twisted either clockwise or counterclockwise. The twisting motion moves the locking knob 353 from the receiving portion 356 of the knob receiver 360 up the ramp 357 into the locking portion 355 of the knob receiver 360. The twisting motion also moves the square retention flange 354 out of alignment from the square shaped post receiver 358 of the holder 314. As such, the cable manager 320 cannot be separated from the holder 314 in a direction transverse to the twisting direction. Only by twisting the cable manager 320 in the opposite direction can the retention flange 354 be re-aligned with the post receiver 358 (moving the locking knob 353 out of the locking portion 355 of the knob receiver) and the cable manager 320 be removed from the ho lder 314.

By positioning the post receiver 358 in the center of the holder 314, the cable manager 320 can use the same post receiver 358 whether it is being mounted to lead cables toward the right side or toward the left side of the rack. By placing the cable manager 320 closer to the center of the holder 314, cables coming from all of the ports (including rightmost and leftmost) of the optical devices 12 do not experience large bends when they are being guided around the bend radius portions 348 of the cable managers 320.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-39, each holder 314 also includes indicia 364 adjacent the knob receivers 360. The indicia 364, which are provided in the form of double-ended "arrows" in the depicted embodiment, are positioned such that they can be seen through openings 366 that are provided on the cable managers 320. When the cable managers 320 are twist-locked into place, the visible portion of the arrows 364, when viewed through the openings 366, indicate to a user which direction the cable managers 320 have to be rotated for a given operation (e.g., whether the cable manager 320 has to be rotated to a locked positioned or rotated in the opposite direction to an unlocked position).

For example, in FIG. 31, the visible portion of the indicia 364 on the holder 314 that can be seen through an opening 366 of the cable manager 320 indicates to a user that the cable manager 320 in the depicted embodiment has to be rotated clockwise to be brought from the locked position to an unlocked position.

Another example of the use of the indicia 364 can be seen in FIG. 34, where the cable manager 320 is provided in an installed but unlocked position. As shown, when the cable manager 320 is in this position, the visible portion of the indicia 364 through the opening 366 indicates to the user that the cable manager 320 has to be rotated counterclockwise to lock the cable manager 320 in place. And, once locked, the cable manager 320 will be in the position shown in FIG. 31 , with the indicia 364 indicating the direction for unlocking the cable manager 320.

Referring now to FIGS. 48-52, another embodiment of a

telecommunications modular mounting system 400 having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. The system 400 is shown in FIGS. 48-49 in an assembled configuration with the cable managers of the system 400 mounted so as to direct cables in a leftward direction. The system 400 of FIGS. 48-52 has features similar to those of the system 300 of FIGS. 19-47 except for a number of differences. For example, as shown, the holders 414 of the system 400 each include a first cable manager 420 as well as a second cable manager 422 for keeping separate the input and output cables leading to and from the fiber optic splitters 12.

The input cabling 424 (e.g., IFC multi-fiber cable) is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 49. The output cabling 426 in the form of pigtails is also illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 49. As shown, the first cable managers 420 may be used to direct the output pigtails 426 coming from the splitters 12, and the second cable managers 422 may be used to direct the input cables 424 into the splitters 12. When directing cabling either rightward or leftward, the first and second cable managers 420, 422 keep the input and output cables 424, 426 in separate but parallel paths, as illustrated in FIG. 49.

The first cable managers 420 are similar in form and function to the cable managers 320 discussed above, including in the manner in which they are twist-locked to the holders 414.

The second cable managers 422, in the depicted example, are snap-fit into holes 428 provided on the holders 414 (e.g., via rivets). Other forms of coupling can be used. The holes 428 are configured and positioned such that they can accommodate second cable managers 422 that are configured for leading cables toward the right side of a rack or second cable managers 422 that are configured for leading cables toward the left side of a rack.

FIG. 50 illustrates a perspective view of the holder 414 with the cable managers 420, 422 of the holder 414 in an exploded configuration. FIG. 51 illustrates the holder 414 in an assembled configuration, and FIG. 52 illustrates the holder 414 populated with a pair of fiber optic devices in the form of fiber optic splitters 12.

The system of FIGS. 48-52 is also shown with another example of a radius limiter 434 that performs the same function as the radius limiter 334 of leading cables extending to or from the fiber optic equipment 12 to right or left sides of a rack. As shown, the radius limiter 434 also includes a split-ring configuration.

Although in the foregoing description, terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "right," "left," "upper," and "lower" were used for ease of description and illustration, no restriction is intended by such use of the terms. The telecommunications devices described herein can be used in any orientation, depending upon the desired application.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES: - Modular mounting system

- Fiber optic devices

- Holder

- Rack mount frame

- Base plate

- Cable manager

- Right side of rack

- Left side of rack

- Bottom wall

- Mounting wall

- Mounting flange

- Opening

- Front end of base plate

- Rear extension

- S ide extensio n/ guide

- Notch

- Bottom wall of holder

- Attachment wall of holder

- Front wall of holder

- Bend radius portion of cable manager

- Lower tongue portion of cable manager

- Upper cable retention portion of cable manager

- Opening

- Tab - Slide opening

- Bridge structure

- Locking feature

- Slide lock

- Dovetail

- Receiving portion of dovetail receiver - Dovetail receiver

- Retention portion of dovetail receiver- Ramped tab

- Front end of holder

- Straight tab

- Rear end of holder

0 - Modular mounting system

- First holder

6 - Rack mount frame

8 - Base plate

0 - Cable manager

2 - Right side of rack

4 - Left side of rack

6 - Bottom wall

8 - Mounting wall

0 - Mounting flange

2 - Opening

2a - ■ Rear opening

2b - - Intermediate opening 132c - Front opening

136 - Label tray

138 - Slot

140 - Stud

142 - Top wall of first holder

144 - Bottom attachment wall of first holder

146 - Side wall of first holder

148 - Bend radius portion of cable manager

150 - Lower cable retention portion of cable manager

152 - Upper cable retention portion of cable manager

162 - Locking feature

164 - Slide lock

167 - Receiving portion of dovetail receiver

168 - Dovetail receiver

169 - Retention portion of dovetail receiver

170 - Ramped tab

174 - Hook

176 - Flexible extension of the top wall

178 - Flexible extension of the bottom wall

214 - Second holder

244 - Bottom attachment wall of second holder

246 - Front wall of second holder

270 - Ramped tab

274 - Hook

278 - Flexible extension of bottom wall 300 - Modular mounting system

314 - Holder

316 - Rack mount frame

318 - Base plate

320 - Cable manager

324 - Radius limiter bracket

326 - Right wall of base plate

328 - Left wall of base plate

330 - Snap-fit feature

332 - Dovetail receiver

334 - Radius limiter

336 - Slide lock

340 - Opening

348 - Bend radius portion of cable manager

350 - Pivot post

353 - Locking knob

354 - Retention flange

355 - Locking portion of knob receiver

356 - Receiving portion of knob receiver

357 - Ramp

358 - Post receiver

360 - Knob receiver

362 - Twist-lock structure

364 - Indicia

366 - Opening 370 - Dovetail structure

374 - Tab

376 - Rear end of holder

400 - Modular mounting system

414 - Holder

420 - First cable manager

422 - Second cable manager

424 - Input cable

426 - Output cable

428 - Holes

434 - Radius limiter

Claims

Claims:

1. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) comprising:

a frame (16/316) configured to be mounted to a telecommunications rack;

at least one holder (14/314/414) configured to be mounted to the frame (16/316), the holder (14/314/414) configured to receive a fiber optic device (12) and a cable manager (20/320/420) for managing cables extending to or from the fiber optic device

(12);

wherein the holder (14/314/414) is configured such that the cable manager (20/320/420) can be mounted to the holder (14/314/414) in one of at least two different orientations.

2. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the holders (14/314/414) mounted to the frame (16/316), each holder (14/314/414) housing at least one of the fiber optic devices (12).

3. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim 1, wherein the frame (16/316) is configured to occupy 1RU of rack space within a standard 19-inch telecommunications rack.

4. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim 1, further comprising a base plate (18/318) mounted to the frame (16/316), the base plate (18/318) configured to receive the at least one holder (14/314/414).

5. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holder (14) is mounted to the frame (16) with a snap-fit interlock.

6. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim

5, wherein the cable manager (20/320/420/422) is mounted to the at least one holder (14/314/414) with a snap-fit interlock.

7. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim

6, wherein the snap-fit interlock is defined by a twist-lock.

8. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one holder (14) is mounted to the base plate (18) with a snap-fit interlock defined at least in part by a ramped tab (70), and the fiber optic device (12) is mounted to the holder (14) with a slide lock (64) defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 68).

9. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic device (12) to be mounted to the at least one holder (14/314/414) is a fiber optic splitter.

10. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/300/400) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two different orientations include a first orientation wherein cables lead toward a right side of the frame (16/316) and a second orientation that is 180 degrees from the first orientation wherein cables lead toward a left side of the frame (16/316).

11. A modular holder (14/314/414) configured to removably mount a fiber optic device (12) to a telecommunications fixture (16/316), the modular holder (14/314/414) comprising:

an attachment structure (44) for receiving the fiber optic device (12);

a cable manager (20/320/420/422) mounted to the modular holder (14/314/414), the cable manager (20/320/420/422) configured to manage cables extending to or from the fiber optic device (12) attached to the holder (14/314/414);

wherein the holder (14/314/414) is configured such that the cable manager (20/320/420/422) can be mounted to the holder (14/314/414) in one of at least two different orientations.

12. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 11, wherein the attachment structure (44) defines at least a part of a slide lock (64) for slidably receiving the fiber optic device (12).

13. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 12, wherein the slide lock (64) is defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 68) formed by the fiber optic device (12) and the attachment structure (44) of the holder (14/314/414).

14. A modular holder (14) according to claim 11, wherein the holder (14) is configured to be mounted to the telecommunications fixture (16) with a snap-fit interlock.

15. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 11, wherein the cable manager (20/320/420/422) is mounted to the holder (14/314/414) with a snap-fit interlock.

16. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 15, wherein the snap-fit interlock is defined by a twist-lock.

17. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 11, wherein the fiber optic device (12) is a fiber optic splitter.

18. A modular holder (14/314/414) according to claim 11, wherein the at least two different orientations include a first orientation wherein cables lead toward a right side of the telecommunications fixture (16/316) and a second orientation that is 180 degrees from the first orientation wherein cables lead toward a left side of the telecommunications fixture (16/316).

19. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) comprising:

a frame (116) configured to be mounted to a telecommunications rack;

at least one first holder (114) configured to be mounted to the frame (116), the first holder (114) configured to receive a fiber optic device (12) and including a cable manager (120) for managing cables extending to or from the fiber optic device (12);

wherein the first holder (114) is configured such that the first holder (114) can be mounted to the frame (116) in one of at least two different orientations.

20. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, further comprising a plurality of the first holders (114) mounted to the frame (116).

21. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the frame (116) is configured to occupy 2RU of rack space within a standard 19- inch telecommunications rack.

22. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, further comprising a base plate (118) mounted to the frame (116), the base plate (118) configured to receive the at least one first holder (114).

23. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the at least one first holder (114) is mounted to the frame (116) with a snap-fit interlock.

24. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 22, wherein the at least one first holder (114) is mounted to the base plate (118) with a snap-fit interlock defined at least in part by a ramped tab (170) and the fiber optic device (12) is mounted to the at least one first holder (114) with a slide lock (164) defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 168).

25. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the fiber optic device (12) to be mounted to the at least one first holder (114) is a fiber optic splitter.

26. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the at least two different orientations include a first orientation wherein cables lead toward a right side of the frame (116) and a second orientation that is 180 degrees from the first orientation wherein cables lead toward a left side of the frame (116).

27. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 19, further comprising at least one second holder (214) configured to be mounted to the frame (116), the second holder (214) having a different configuration than the first holder (114), the second holder (214) also configured to receive a fiber optic device (12), wherein the first holder (114) and the second holder (214) are mounted to the frame (116) in a stacked arrangement.

28. A telecommunications modular mounting system (100) according to claim 27, further comprising a plurality of the first holders (114) and a plurality of the second holders (214) mounted to the frame (116), wherein the first holders (114) and the second holders (214) are mounted in an alternating arrangement.

29. A modular holder (114) configured to removably mount a fiber optic device (12) to a telecommunications fixture (116), the modular holder (114) comprising:

an attachment structure (144) for receiving the fiber optic device (12);

a cable manager (120) configured to manage cables extending to or from the fiber optic device (12) attached to the holder (114);

wherein the holder (114) is configured to be mounted to the telecommunications fixture (116) in one of at least two different orientations.

30. A modular holder (114) according to claim 29, wherein the attachment structure (144) defines at least a part of a slide lock (164) for slidably receiving the fiber optic device (12).

31. A modular holder (114) according to claim 30, wherein the slide lock (164) is defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 168) formed by the fiber optic device (12) and the attachment structure (144) of the holder (114).

32. A modular holder (114) according to claim 29, wherein the holder (114) is configured to be mounted to the telecommunications fixture (116) with a snap-fit interlock.

33. A modular holder (114) according to claim 29, wherein the fiber optic device (12) is a fiber optic splitter.

34. A modular holder (114) according to claim 29, wherein the at least two different orientations include a first orientation wherein cables lead to a right side of the

telecommunications fixture (116) and a second orientation that is 180 degrees from the first orientation wherein cables lead to a left side of the telecommunications fixture (1 16).

35. A telecommunications modular mounting system (10/100/300/400) comprising: a frame (16/116/316) configured to be mounted to a telecommunications rack; at least one holder (14/114/214/314/414) configured to be mounted to the frame

(16/116/316), the holder (14/114/214/314/414) configured to receive a fiber optic device (12) in the form of a fiber optic splitter, wherein the at least one holder

(14/114/214/314/414) includes an attachment structure (44/144/244) for receiving the fiber optic device (12), the attachment structure (44/144/244) defining at least a part of a slide lock (64/164) for slidably receiving the fiber optic device (12), the slide lock (64/164) defined at least in part by dovetail structures (66, 68/168) formed by the fiber optic device (12) and the attachment structure (44/144/244) of the holder (14/114/214/314/414);

wherein the at least one holder (14/114/214/314/414) is removably mounted to the frame (16/116/316).