GB2367378A - Patch panel with main structural part formed on a single plastics moulding - Google Patents

Patch panel with main structural part formed on a single plastics moulding Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2367378A
GB2367378A GB0023666A GB0023666A GB2367378A GB 2367378 A GB2367378 A GB 2367378A GB 0023666 A GB0023666 A GB 0023666A GB 0023666 A GB0023666 A GB 0023666A GB 2367378 A GB2367378 A GB 2367378A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
patch panel
main structural
panel
structural unit
optical fibre
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0023666A
Other versions
GB2367378B (en
GB0023666D0 (en
Inventor
Christopher Charles Taylor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ADC GmbH
Original Assignee
Krone GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Krone GmbH filed Critical Krone GmbH
Priority to GB0023666A priority Critical patent/GB2367378B/en
Publication of GB0023666D0 publication Critical patent/GB0023666D0/en
Priority to EP01985780A priority patent/EP1322981B1/en
Priority to AT01985780T priority patent/ATE271230T1/en
Priority to CNB018164099A priority patent/CN1299141C/en
Priority to AU2002215894A priority patent/AU2002215894A1/en
Priority to DE50102862T priority patent/DE50102862D1/en
Priority to KR1020037004298A priority patent/KR100825700B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2001/011018 priority patent/WO2002027868A2/en
Priority to ES01985780T priority patent/ES2222400T3/en
Priority to TR2004/02706T priority patent/TR200402706T4/en
Priority to TW090123773A priority patent/TW521462B/en
Priority to SA02220608A priority patent/SA02220608B1/en
Publication of GB2367378A publication Critical patent/GB2367378A/en
Priority to ZA200302335A priority patent/ZA200302335B/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2367378B publication Critical patent/GB2367378B/en
Priority to HK05102667A priority patent/HK1070140A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4453—Cassettes
    • G02B6/4455—Cassettes characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Electrically Operated Instructional Devices (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Electrochromic Elements, Electrophoresis, Or Variable Reflection Or Absorption Elements (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

A patch panel is moulded from plastics material and has a main structural unit (10) which is formed as a single plastics moulding. The moulding includes formations which define paths (47, 48) along which optical fibres can extend from an inlet (12, 14). The moulding also provides a surface (35) which can receive attachments such as a splice unit. The patch panel has front panel parts (50 to 53) which include optical fibre connector elements to which external optical fibres can be connected. The panel also has a latch (65) for latching the panel in a rack.

Description

Patch Panel
This invention relates to patch panels. Many electrical and electronic devices and systems have external ports by means of which they can communicate with other devices and systems. For example computers can communicate with other computers via communication networks. In the past the interconnection which allows such communication generally comprised electrical wiring and cables, although there is now an increasing trend towards communication using optical fibres. In order that configurations can be changed, such wiring and cabling generally extends via a device known as a patch panel.
Patch panels are devices which are usually placed in racks and provide a cable management system for interconnecting large numbers of cables.
Typically a rack will contain a series of patch panels disposed one above another in the rack with each patch panel having a front panel portion connected to opposite side walls of the rack. In some conventional patch panels the main structure of the panel itself has been constructed of metal and that metal portion has supported a rearwardly extending part which in the case of electrical connections has incorporated one or more electrical circuit boards.
The present invention is concerned with a patch panel which has been designed to provide a cable management system for interconnecting optical
fibres and which is lighter and easier to construct than the conventional metal patch panels.
According to the present invention there is provided a patch panel for use as a or part of a cable management system for interconnecting optical fibres comprising a main structural part which is formed as a single plastics moulding and defines at least one inlet for receiving an optical fibre cable or bundle, formations defining paths along which lengths of optical fibre can extend from said inlet, a surface for receiving one or more attachments such as a splice unit, and one or more front panel parts attachable to the front of the main structural unit and including one or more connector elements to which external optical fibres can be connected. The main structural part may be configured to define a path or paths around which lengths of optical fibre can extend.
The patch panel may include a cover or top member, which is attachable to lateral guide members which support the patch panel in a rack. A latch may be provided to latch the main structural unit to one or each guide member. The latch operation may be such that the main structural unit can be latched in either a forward or a rearward position.
The invention will be described now by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a patch panel in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which the cover of the panel has been removed, and Figures 3A and 3B are side sectional views on the lines Ill-Ill of Figure 2 illustrating the latch operation.
The patch panel shown in Figure 2 of the drawings includes a main structural part shown generally at (10) which is formed from plastics material as a single moulding. The moulding is formed to provide the following structural formations. The main structural unit has a rear upstanding wall (11) at opposite ends of which are provided inlets (12) and (14) which are defined between a pair of spaced wall portions (15), (16), (17) and (18). At the inner end of the inlet (14) there are facing moulded portions (20) and (21) which define grooves which can receive a gland plate (22). An optical fibre cable can be fed in through the inlet (14) and through an opening in the gland plate (22).
It will be appreciated that a similar plate can be provided for the inlet (12), although this is not shown in the drawings.
The rear wall (11) has angled portions (24) and (25) which incorporate push-out portions (26,27). These can be used when it is necessary to provide additional inlets for further optical fibre cables or bundles.
Slightly inwardly of each inlet (12,14) there is provided a formation shown at (30,31). These formations have a central through aperture and can
receive a self-tapping screw to act as a restraint point for a kevlar member which can be used to secure an optical fibre cable.
The bottom or base of the main structural unit includes a central surface shown generally at (35). This surface (35) can receive attachments such as splice units (34) which can be clipped in position on the surface. Recessed regions (36) and (37) are disposed on opposite sides of the central surface (35) and ramps (38) and (39) provide a smooth transition between the surface (35) , and respective regions (36,37). Each recessed area (36,37) has formed therein a disc like hub (40), the upper surface of which has a star-shaped section (44).
It will be seen that there is an annular area within each recess (36,37) around the hub (40) and this annular area can be used to accommodate optical fibres as will be described later. It will also be seen that there is a ramp (46) between each recessed area (36,37) and the respective inlet (12,14). The upper surface of each star-shaped section (44) has attachment points (45) to which additional units can be fitted.
Further recessed sections are provided forwardly and rearwardly of the central surface (35) and these are indicated by reference numerals (47) and (48). These provide channels along which optical fibres can extend.
Projections (49) as well as the points on the star shaped section (44) act as retaining members for fibres which are wound around the main structural unit.
The front of the main structural unit is configured so that it can receive panel pieces shown by reference numerals (50 to 53). These panel pieces are so shaped that they can be clipped to the front wall of main structural unit (10). The panel pieces incorporate optical fibre connector elements which can receive mating connector elements provided on the end of optical fibres extending from a variety of locations.
The patch panel can be supported within a rack by means of laterally disposed elongate guide elements (60, 61). These guide elements are carried within a rack and supported on tracks secured to the wall of the rack. The main structural unit of the patch panel can be latched relative to each guide member by means of a latch shown generally at (65). The latch (65) comprises a pivotable member (66) which is pivotally carried on a side wall of the main structural unit and has an elongate limb (67) from which projects formation (68). As shown in Figures 3A and 3B the projection (68) can engage one of two ribs (69,70) formed on a lower part of each lateral guide. This enables the patch panel to be latched either in the position shown in Figure 3A or the position shown in Figure 3B. Figure 3A shows a forward position and Figure 3B shows a rearward position of the patch panel. The pivotable member (66) can be retained in its latching position by a push-in element (72).
The patch panel is completed by a cover (75) which is located in position by projections on each lateral guide extending through slots (76)
formed in the cover.
In use of the patch panel an optical fibre cable can be fed in through, for example, the inlet (14) and passed through the gland plate (22) and down the ramp (46). The fibres can then be wound around the annular space around the hub (40) in the recess (37) as many times as is necessary and up on to the surface (35). The fibres can then be spliced in the splice units (34) and connected to other fibres which can then be wound around the hub (40) in the recess (36) and if necessary fed through channels (47) and (48) to provide as much slack or excess length of fibre as is deemed necessary. Ultimately those fibres are led to the panel pieces (50, 51, 52,53) where they can be joined to the optical fibre connector elements carried on those panels.
The present embodiment therefore provides a relatively light patch panel which is easy to produce since the main structural unit can be formed as a single moulding. It will be appreciated that the panel is flexible in that units additional to the splice units (34), or alternative to the splice units can be employed on the surface (35). For example, it is possible to mount a breakout unit below the splice unit into which the incoming fibres fed through the inlet (14) can be connected prior to being wound around and led into the splice unit.

Claims (5)

Claims :
1. A patch panel for use as a or part of a cable management system for interconnecting optical fibres comprising a main structural part which is formed as a single plastics moulding and defines at least one inlet for receiving an optical fibre cable or bundle, formations defining paths along which lengths of optical fibre can extend from said inlet, a surface for receiving one or more attachments such as a splice unit, and one or more front panel parts attachable to the front of the main structural unit and including one or more connector elements to which external optical fibres can be connected.
2. A patch panel according to claim 1, wherein the main structural part is configured to define a path or paths around which lengths of optical fibre can extend.
3. A patch panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 including a cover or top member, which is attachable to lateral guide members which support the patch panel in a rack.
4. A patch panel according to claim 3, including a latch provided to latch the main structural unit to one or each guide member.
5. A patch panel according to claim 4, wherein the latch operation is such that the main structural unit can be latched in either a forward or a rearward position.
GB0023666A 2000-09-27 2000-09-27 Patch panel Expired - Fee Related GB2367378B (en)

Priority Applications (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0023666A GB2367378B (en) 2000-09-27 2000-09-27 Patch panel
ES01985780T ES2222400T3 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 PLUG CONNECTIONS BY PLUG.
AT01985780T ATE271230T1 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 SPLICE CASSETTE SLOT WITH COVER
CNB018164099A CN1299141C (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Plugboard
AU2002215894A AU2002215894A1 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Splice plug-in unit comprising a covering
DE50102862T DE50102862D1 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Splice tray with cover
KR1020037004298A KR100825700B1 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Plugboard
PCT/EP2001/011018 WO2002027868A2 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Splice plug-in unit comprising a covering
EP01985780A EP1322981B1 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Plugboard
TR2004/02706T TR200402706T4 (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-24 Top cover card processor.
TW090123773A TW521462B (en) 2000-09-27 2001-09-26 Patch panel
SA02220608A SA02220608B1 (en) 2000-09-27 2002-01-01 Patch panel with temporary wires
ZA200302335A ZA200302335B (en) 2000-09-27 2003-03-26 Plugboard.
HK05102667A HK1070140A1 (en) 2000-09-27 2005-03-30 Plugboard

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0023666A GB2367378B (en) 2000-09-27 2000-09-27 Patch panel

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0023666D0 GB0023666D0 (en) 2000-11-08
GB2367378A true GB2367378A (en) 2002-04-03
GB2367378B GB2367378B (en) 2004-08-25

Family

ID=9900226

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0023666A Expired - Fee Related GB2367378B (en) 2000-09-27 2000-09-27 Patch panel

Country Status (14)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1322981B1 (en)
KR (1) KR100825700B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1299141C (en)
AT (1) ATE271230T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002215894A1 (en)
DE (1) DE50102862D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2222400T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2367378B (en)
HK (1) HK1070140A1 (en)
SA (1) SA02220608B1 (en)
TR (1) TR200402706T4 (en)
TW (1) TW521462B (en)
WO (1) WO2002027868A2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200302335B (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7272291B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2007-09-18 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice chip device
US7274852B1 (en) 2005-12-02 2007-09-25 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice tray arrangement
US7310471B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2007-12-18 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Stackable splice chip device
EP1942361A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2008-07-09 Tyco Electronics Raychem NV Optical signal distribution assembly with optical connector
WO2014008081A1 (en) * 2012-07-02 2014-01-09 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber-optic module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment
WO2014055592A1 (en) * 2012-10-02 2014-04-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical fibre distribution enclosure
EP2221648A3 (en) * 2009-02-11 2014-05-21 Hans Moll Patch panel for fibre optic cables and method for its (subsequent) installation
US8995812B2 (en) 2012-10-26 2015-03-31 Ccs Technology, Inc. Fiber optic management unit and fiber optic distribution device
US9279951B2 (en) 2010-10-27 2016-03-08 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber optic module for limited space applications having a partially sealed module sub-assembly

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3081648A1 (en) 2008-08-25 2016-10-19 Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Antisense oligonucleotides directed against connective tissue growth factor and uses thereof
KR101058396B1 (en) * 2009-02-04 2011-08-24 선일텔레콤 주식회사 Optical Drop Cable Junction Box

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5074635A (en) * 1990-05-21 1991-12-24 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Splice tray and method
US5590234A (en) * 1995-03-31 1996-12-31 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Fiber optic splice organizers
WO2000057230A2 (en) * 1999-03-22 2000-09-28 Tyco Electronics Corporation Fiber optic splice organizer with splicing tray and associated method

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US4792203A (en) * 1985-09-17 1988-12-20 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Optical fiber distribution apparatus
GB9318602D0 (en) * 1993-09-08 1993-10-27 Raychem Sa Nv Optical fibre organizer
US5530403A (en) * 1995-05-03 1996-06-25 Motorola, Inc. Low-voltage differential amplifier
AU1408997A (en) * 1995-12-08 1997-07-03 Psi Telecommunications, Inc. Fiber optic splice tray
US5647045A (en) * 1996-02-23 1997-07-08 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Multi-media connection housing
GB9607609D0 (en) * 1996-04-12 1996-06-12 Telephone Cables Ltd Cable treatment
CH688705A5 (en) * 1997-04-16 1998-01-15 Alsthom Cge Alcatel Cover for protecting optical fibre cable distributor in slide-in tray from mechanical damage
US5946440A (en) * 1997-11-17 1999-08-31 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Optical fiber cable management device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5074635A (en) * 1990-05-21 1991-12-24 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Splice tray and method
US5590234A (en) * 1995-03-31 1996-12-31 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Fiber optic splice organizers
WO2000057230A2 (en) * 1999-03-22 2000-09-28 Tyco Electronics Corporation Fiber optic splice organizer with splicing tray and associated method

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1942361A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2008-07-09 Tyco Electronics Raychem NV Optical signal distribution assembly with optical connector
US7684669B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2010-03-23 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice chip device
US7310471B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2007-12-18 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Stackable splice chip device
US7272291B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2007-09-18 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice chip device
US7421182B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2008-09-02 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Stackable splice chip device
US7764858B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2010-07-27 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Stackable splice chip device
US7463810B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2008-12-09 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice chip device
US7620288B2 (en) 2005-12-02 2009-11-17 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice tray arrangement
US7274852B1 (en) 2005-12-02 2007-09-25 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice tray arrangement
US7457504B2 (en) 2005-12-02 2008-11-25 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Splice tray arrangement
EP2221648A3 (en) * 2009-02-11 2014-05-21 Hans Moll Patch panel for fibre optic cables and method for its (subsequent) installation
US9279951B2 (en) 2010-10-27 2016-03-08 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber optic module for limited space applications having a partially sealed module sub-assembly
WO2014008081A1 (en) * 2012-07-02 2014-01-09 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber-optic module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment
US9250409B2 (en) 2012-07-02 2016-02-02 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber-optic-module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment
WO2014055592A1 (en) * 2012-10-02 2014-04-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical fibre distribution enclosure
US9513451B2 (en) 2012-10-02 2016-12-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical fibre distribution enclosure
US8995812B2 (en) 2012-10-26 2015-03-31 Ccs Technology, Inc. Fiber optic management unit and fiber optic distribution device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002215894A1 (en) 2002-04-08
DE50102862D1 (en) 2004-08-19
EP1322981B1 (en) 2004-07-14
HK1070140A1 (en) 2005-06-10
CN1561464A (en) 2005-01-05
WO2002027868A3 (en) 2002-10-17
TR200402706T4 (en) 2004-11-22
SA02220608B1 (en) 2007-07-31
WO2002027868A2 (en) 2002-04-04
KR100825700B1 (en) 2008-04-29
GB2367378B (en) 2004-08-25
ES2222400T3 (en) 2005-02-01
TW521462B (en) 2003-02-21
ZA200302335B (en) 2004-03-10
KR20030051678A (en) 2003-06-25
EP1322981A2 (en) 2003-07-02
GB0023666D0 (en) 2000-11-08
CN1299141C (en) 2007-02-07
ATE271230T1 (en) 2004-07-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180927