JP3990287B2 - Mounting tray for IDC connection module - Google Patents

Description

  The present application relates to a mounting tray for an IDC connection module.

  Telecommunications data systems often require connection of input and output cables via “patch” connections. For such purposes, connection modules are available. Many connection modules provide connections for input and output cables on the one hand and connections for patch lines on the other hand. The connection module can use different means to make electrical connections to cables and patch lines, but is not insulation-displacement-type ("IDC") or wire-wrap Type connectors are usually used.

Various devices or mounting trays have been developed for mounting connection modules to racks or frames used in telecommunications wiring systems. For example, DE 29807669U1, DE29903640U1, DE19710000C1, US Pat. No. 5,595,507 and DE3813078A1 describe various mounting trays suitable for mounting several IDC connection modules. DE 8914909 U1 describes a tray for a wire wrap connector.
German utility model No. 2987669 German utility model No. 29903640 German Patent No. 19710000 US Pat. No. 5,595,507 German Patent Application Publication No. 3813078 German utility model No. 8914909 specification

  Many of the modules described above are required to provide the necessary connections within the wiring system, thus requiring the connection modules to be configured and housed in a rack or frame in a compact and efficient arrangement.

The present invention provides a mounting tray suitable for mounting an IDC connection module to a mounting rail in a telecommunications rack or frame. The mounting tray includes: (a) a tray for holding one or more IDC connection modules; and (b) at least one laterally arranged member for placing the tray in a required lateral position with respect to the mounting rail. If, (c) by attachable-configured one or more fastening means for one or more complementary shaped portion of the mounting rail, attached detachably mounting tray to the mounting rail, at least one removable fixing With tools.

  The present invention further provides a telecommunications rack comprising one or more mounting trays according to the present invention.

  A tray for holding one or more IDC connection modules is suitable for mounting the IDC connection modules. Various tray shapes can be used, for example, one usable tray shape is a bowl-like member with a bottom, two sidewalls and two open ends. The side wall of such a structure may be a structure without an opening (for example, a wall formed by bending a piece of sheet member) or a structure having an opening such as a frame shape. May be. For example, a frame-like shape has a horizontal top rail connected to two vertical side rails, each of the two side rails connected to the tray bottom. The tray bottom may also be either a structure without an opening or some structure. In general, the side walls are preferably open-ended structures to conserve the material of the structure and to insert the cable (and its wires) into the IDC connection module from the side simply and without disturbance. Various modifications are possible along the side wall to latch or attach the IDC connection module. For example, protruding edges, recesses or openings located along the top of the sidewall can be used, which can be latches, hooks or other structures (eg, they can be attached to a mounting tray (usually removable). IDC connection block to be fixed).

  The laterally arranged member is configured such that the mounting tray can be disposed at a required lateral position with respect to the mounting rail. The laterally arranged members limit the inclination of the mounting tray from the required lateral position that can occur, for example, when a force is applied to the mounting tray. Accordingly, the laterally arranged member is advantageously configured to complementarily fit relatively tightly or relatively tightly around at least a portion of the mounting rail so that the laterally positioned member can rotate or rotate relative to the mounting rail. Inclination is prevented.

  For example, in certain embodiments, the laterally disposed member has at least one slot configured to receive at least one leg of the mounting rail. Typically, such legs project in a direction toward the front of the mounting rail (ie, this direction is equal to the direction toward the front of the mounting rack when the mounting rail is assembled to the mounting rack). In such an embodiment, the slot is wide enough to accommodate at least the protruding leg, and the depth of the slot is for a special embodiment that maintains the lateral position of the mounting tray. Easy to select. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting tray of the present invention has two laterally arranged members, each of the two laterally arranged members having a slot that accommodates one protruding leg of the mounting rail.

  The tray (a), the laterally arranged member (b) and the removable fixture (c) may all be separate components that are connected together to form the mounting tray. However, the tray (a) and the laterally arranged member (b) form a unitary structure, while the removable fixture is a separate component connected to the unitary structure (tray and laterally arranged member). Preferably there is.

  In either case, however, the removable fixture is associated with the bottom of the tray opposite the side wall. Preferably, the removable fixture extends from the tray bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the tray bottom. Also, the removable fixture is preferably associated with the bottom of the tray along the entire vertical direction of the tray (when the tray is formed in a bowl shape).

  Various means can be used to attach the removable fixture to other components of the mounting tray, but the usual means used as a sheet-like metal structure is preferred. Particularly suitable attachment means provide good electrical continuity between the tray, the laterally arranged members and the removable fixture. Non-limiting examples of useful attachment means include screws, bolts and nuts, securing tabs, hooks, pins, rivets, adhesives and latches.

Removable fixture has one or more fixing means configured to mount are complementary shaped portion of the mounting rail for mounting the mounting tray to the mounting rail. Mounting rail has an opening along its surface, has at least one recess and projection, they function as a complementary shaped portion for attaching the mounting tray by fixing means removable fasteners. Some securing means are latching means that form a latching attachment to the attachment rail. For example, the one or more protrusions of the removable fixture may include one or more complementary openings (e.g. holes) or recesses with closed ends (such as holes) to form a latching attachment. For example, it can be engaged in indentations or hollows. Of course, the reverse configuration can also be used. Additional securing devices such as nuts can be used to ensure the connection of the removable fixture to the mounting rail when a latching mounting is used. For example, removable fixture having a hole is engageable with a complementary shaped portion of the mounting rail, such as a stud or bolt. In such cases, additional securing means, such as nuts, can be tightened to the studs or bolts to ensure attachment of the mounting tray to the mounting rail.

  Also, the removable fixture and mounting rail can be formed such that each has one or more complementary openings. In such cases, additional separate mounting devices such as screws, nuts and bolts, pegs and pins can be used to ensure a connection between the removable fixture and the mounting rail. It is. For example, a secure mounting portion can be formed by screwing the screw into the screw hole of the mounting rail through the opening of the fixture that can be removed.

  For example, some racks configured for wire-wrap connectors can have small protrusions (eg, pegs) that protrude in a vertical direction from the surface of the protruding legs of the mounting rail. Typically, such protrusions are only a few millimeters long. The removable fixture can be configured to have one or more recesses with open ends, each of the recesses opening on the edge of the removable fixture. Such a configuration allows the peg (or other complementary protrusion) to “slide” within the recess. Furthermore, the dimensions of these recesses can be set so that each recess accommodates only one peg. It is effective to form a recess having such an open end in a funnel shape. Such a recess can be provided by molding or excision in a removable fixture. This recess is formed from the edge of the fixture, has an open end that is wider than the closed end, and gradually decreases in width from the open end to the closed end. More preferably, the width of the closed end of the recess is approximately equal to the width of the protrusion so that the protrusion and the recess are intimately engaged, and further the orientation of the mounting tray on the mounting rail (especially in the longitudinal direction) ) Is stable. Particularly preferably, a recess with two such open ends is arranged on the releasable fasteners away from each other so that a longitudinally arranged part is formed between the recesses. The length of the longitudinally arranged portion is preferably approximately equal to the distance between two adjacent pegs of the mounting rail. This removable fixture configuration enhances the stability and function of placing the mounting tray on the mounting rail in the longitudinal direction.

When latching means (i.e. using protrusions and recesses with holes or closed ends) are used between the removable fixture and the mounting rail, the latching means is removable. It is preferred that it be placed on a portion that is relatively flexible or movable relative to other parts of the fixture. This makes it easier for the latching means to move or disengage from the complementary shape of the mounting rail. One way to provide a relatively flexible portion for the latching means is to place the latching means on a leg or tab that has been cut from the rest of the removable fastener.

It is particularly preferred that the removable fastener has two recesses with open ends and spaced apart from each other and at least two other latching fastening means arranged on the legs or tabs. In such an embodiment, the recess with an open end opens over the edge of the removable fixture, which edge is opposite the mounting position on the tray bottom. When mounted on the mounting rail, the two recesses surround two protrusions (eg, pegs) on the rail that are separated from each other. Thereby, the orientation of the mounting tray along the length direction of the mounting rail is further stabilized. The latch-type fixture engages with the complementary shape portion of the mounting rail to securely fix the mounting tray by the mounting rail, and restricts movement of the tray in the “front” direction of the mounting rail.

Various types of fastening means can be used in combination with a single removable fixture. Whereby the fixture, for example pegs, configured mounting rail having a combination of complementary shape portions such as recesses and holes.

  It is particularly preferred that the mounting tray has a fastening site that can be stamped from one or more side walls of the tray and is configured for mounting shielding terminals and cable binders.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention (e.g. already mentioned for mounting wire-wrap connectors) used in a rack with a device using one mounting rail, the mounting tray has a bottom and two side walls. Having a tray with a section. Each of the opening side portions of the tray is provided with a laterally arranged member. The tray and the laterally arranged member are composed of a single member, such as sheet metal, which is a flap or tab bent downward from the bottom of the tray in a direction opposite to the side wall. Shaped into shape (eg by cutting). The tabs or flaps are preferably bent straight down to form approximately 90 ° with the bottom of the tray, but may be at other angles. Each of the laterally arranged members has a slot configured to receive a protruding leg of the mounting rail.

  According to the present invention, the IDC module can be attached to a rack configured for a wire-wrap connector, thereby significantly increasing the flexibility of such long-distance communication wiring means (eg, main distribution board). . Wire wrap telecommunications means typically includes a rack with "L" shaped rails. The projecting main legs of the L-shaped rail typically project in the direction toward the front of the rack and extend along the longitudinal direction of the rail. A mounting tray with at least one laterally arranged member having a slot accommodates the forward projecting legs of the L-shaped rail. Therefore, when changing the wiring means from the wire wrap connector to the IDC connector, it is not necessary to replace the mounting rack. Instead, the present invention can be used to attach the IDC module to a rack originally provided for wire wrap connectors. The invention is further illustrated by preferred embodiments as shown.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the mounting tray 10 of the present invention. The mounting tray 10 is configured with two elements: a tray 14 and a removable fixture 12. The two components are connected to each other by rivets 16. The rivet 16 passes through the opening in the tray bottom 18 and the opening in the angled flange 20 of the removable fixture. In order to connect the removable fixture 12 and the tray 14, the removable fixture further has two tabs 22. The two tabs 22 extend in the direction of the tray 14 and each tab 22 has an opening 24. The tray bottom 18 has two “U” shaped recesses 26 each having a tab 28 at a position corresponding to the opening 24. When the tray is attached to the removable fixture, the tab 28 engages the opening 24 in the fixture tab 22 so that the tray is attached to the removable fixture.

  As is further apparent from FIG. 1, the removable fixture 12 has a longitudinally disposed portion 30 that is integrally formed from a sheet metal of the removable fixture. The longitudinally arranged portion 30 has two recesses 32 each formed as a slot with an open end. The recesses 32 have a “funnel” shape, and each recess 32 has an enlarged insert that tapers toward a narrow end. The width of this end is adapted to the diameter of the peg of the mounting tray for the wire wrap rack 46 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows a method of attaching the attachment tray 10, and the attachment tray 10 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the attachment rail 46 by using the longitudinal arrangement portion 30 and a plurality of pegs 64 of the attachment rail 46. Each of the recesses 32 can be disposed on the mounting rail 46 to receive a peg 64. The mounting tray 10 is then pushed toward the back or rear of the mounting rail 46 so that each peg is positioned at the narrow end of the recess 32. With such an arrangement, the height of the attachment tray 10 (when the attachment rail 46 is vertically arranged) is determined as a required final attachment position.

  Undesirable movement of the mounting tray 10 toward the front of the mounting rail (or mounting rack) is prevented by the two latching tabs 34. Each of the tabs 34 is formed on each of the two lateral edges of the removable fixture 12. By providing a slot 36 between each of the latching tabs 34 and the remainder of the removable fixture, the latching tabs 34 are sufficiently movable relative to the remainder of the removable fixture, thereby ( A protrusion 38 (formed at the rear of the removable fixture as shown in FIG. 1) can engage and disengage from an opening or recess in the mounting rail 46 (see also FIG. 2). .

  With the configuration described above, the mounting tray 10 can be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, while undesirable movement of the mounting rail to the front side is prevented and the mounting tray can be removed from the mounting rail.

  In the illustrated embodiment, when the mounting tray 10 is attached to the mounting rail 46, to ensure the direction of movement of the mounting tray 10 on the mounting rail 46 and to limit or limit the tilt of the tray, A laterally arranged member 40 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, laterally arranged members 40 are provided on opposite sides of the tray bottom 18. The laterally arranged member 40 extends downward (e.g., by bending) from the tray bottom 18 and faces away from the mounting tray sidewall 48. Each of the laterally arranged members has a slot 42. The slot 42 receives the forward projecting leg 44 of the mounting rail so that the mounting tray 10 can be positioned transverse to the mounting rail 46. This direction defines the lateral position of the mounting tray 10.

  In addition to the tray bottom 18, the tray 14 has two side walls 48 configured as a frame. The upper edge of each frame has an opening 50 suitable for engaging or mounting a latching means of a normal IDC connection block, so that the side wall 48 can be fitted with an IDC connection module.

  According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, by having two anchoring portions 52 (only one such anchoring portion 52 is shown in FIG. 1) stamped from each side wall 48, material is saved. The mounting tray can be well adapted. The securing portion 52 extends downward from the surface of the side wall 48 (eg, by bending) and toward the bottom of the mounting tray. Each of the fixing portions 52 has an opening 54 for latch-engaging a shield terminal that shields the exposed braided portion of the shield cable. The cable conducted to the IDC connection module attached to the mounting tray 10 is further terminated by cable binder means in the “T” shaped web 56. The web 56 is provided in a correspondingly formed recess 58. Limiting the downward extension (or bending) of the securing portion 52 to less than 90 ° with respect to the surface of the tray bottom 18 is a preferred embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows how the mounting tray 10 can be used to mount the IDC connection module as a connection block 60 to the mounting rail 46. As described above, the side wall 48 of the mounting tray 10 is configured to mount a number of connection blocks 60 (on the front side of the mounting tray 10 when assembled to the mounting rail 46). The mounting rail 46 to which the mounting tray 10 is mounted extends forward (i.e., extends to the front of the mounting rail when the mounting rail is assembled to the wire wrap rack), and (extends perpendicularly from the forward extending leg 44). And the other leg 62. The legs 62 are used to attach the mounting rail 46 to the wire wrap rack. The mounting tray 10 can be coupled to a predetermined shape of the mounting rail 46, so that the IDC connection block 60 can be mounted on the wire wrap rack. A number of pegs 6 are provided at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 46. The plurality of recesses 32 provided on each side of the longitudinally arranged portion 30 are arranged at a sufficient distance from each other to accommodate two of the pegs 64 arranged at regular intervals. When one peg 64 is received in each of the recesses 32, the possibility that the mounting tray 10 moves along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 46 (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 2) is eliminated. In addition, a plurality of latching tabs 34 having protrusions 38 are spaced apart from one another and the protrusions 38 latch into engagement with openings or recesses 66 provided in the rear of the legs 44 of the mounting rail 46. . In addition, a flange 68 with an opening 70 is provided on each of the latching tabs 34 to provide a place to facilitate engagement of the latching tabs 34. This causes the latching tab 34 to move somewhat to the right so that the protrusion 38 can be separated from the recess 66. Thereby, the mounting tray 10 can be conveniently removed from the front side of the mounting rack.

  As a result, the mounting tray 10 is positioned at a defined lateral position with respect to the mounting rail of the mounting rack by means of a laterally arranged portion 40, which can also be referred to as a “guide check”. This is accomplished by the placement of a forwardly extending leg 44 in the slot 42 of the laterally located portion 40.

  Therefore, the mounting tray 10 suitable for mounting the IDC connection module 60 according to the present invention has at least one rearwardly arranged portion 40 for arranging the mounting tray 10 in the lateral direction with respect to the mounting rail 46 and the rear portion of the mounting tray 10. At least one removable fixing means 34 provided. The removable securing means 34 is configured to be removably connected to the complementary securing means 66 of the mounting rail 46 so that the mounting tray 10 has a recess 66, bores and / or holes and The mounting rail 46 having at least one of the pegs 64 can be mounted.

  The rear placement portion 40 for placing the mounting tray 10 in the lateral direction is preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the bottom 18 of the mounting tray 10.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear placement site 40 for positioning the mounting tray 10 laterally with respect to the mounting tray has a slot 42 for receiving the mounting rail 46.

  The mounting tray according to the present invention is further provided with a rear longitudinal arrangement part 30 extending substantially vertically in the lateral arrangement part 40, preferably the longitudinal arrangement part 30 is a peg formed on the attachment rail 46. At least one recess 32 for positioning 64.

  Preferably, the recess 32 for positioning the peg 64 is formed in a slot shape and preferably has an enlarged insert.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the securing means of the mounting tray 10 has a bore or a hole configured to receive a screw or bolt.

  Furthermore, in the mounting tray according to the present invention, the removable securing means is at least one latching means 34 configured to latch into complementary latching means 66 of the mounting rail 46.

  Preferably, the latching means 34 of the mounting tray 10 is a latching tab having a protrusion 38.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the latching means 34 has a downward bending member 68 with an engagement site (preferably an opening 70).

  Further, in the mounting tray according to the present invention, the mounting tray 10 has a fixing portion 52 for at least one of the cable coupling portion and the shield terminal.

  The mounting tray 10 preferably has an open sidewall 48 in effect.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mounting tray 10 has a fixed plate 12 with two parts, preferably a longitudinally arranged portion 30 and a latching means 34.

  Furthermore, the mounting tray according to the present invention is made entirely of metal.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mounting tray is made from sheet metal.

  Furthermore, the mounting tray according to the invention has two parallel structures or rails connected by a bottom.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the mounting tray of this invention. It is a perspective view of the mounting tray of this invention which has an IDC module block attached to the wire wrap type rack mounting rail.

Claims (9)

A mounting tray (10) for mounting an IDC connection module to a mounting rail (46) of a telecommunications rack,
(A) a tray (14) configured to hold one or more IDC connection modules;
(B) at least one lateral arrangement member (40) for arranging the tray in a lateral position with respect to the mounting rail (46);
(C) by the one or more fastening means is attachable configured to one or more complementary shaped portion (64, 66) of the mounting rail (46) (38,32), the said mounting tray (10) At least one removable fixture (12) removably attached to the mounting rail (46);
A mounting tray having.   The mounting tray of claim 1, wherein the tray (14) and the at least one laterally arranged member (40) are part of a unitary structure. The mounting tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one laterally arranged member (40) has a slot (42) configured to receive a leg (44) extending from the mounting rail (46). . The mounting tray has two laterally arranged members (40), each slot (40) configured to receive a leg (44) extending from the mounting rail (46). 42) The mounting tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The mounting tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each removable fixture (12) extends in a direction perpendicular to the bottom (18) of the tray.   The removable fixture (12) has at least one recess (32) with an open end, the recess (32) being the removable fixing opposite the tray (14). The mounting tray according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which opens to an edge of the tool.   7. A mounting tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each removable fixture (12) has a longitudinally arranged portion (30). The tray (14) and the laterally arranged member (40) are part of a unitary structure, and one removable fixture (12) is perpendicular to the tray bottom (18) in the unitary structure. The attached and removable fixture (12) further has a longitudinally arranged part (30), and two recesses (32) with open ends are provided on each side of the longitudinally arranged part (30). The mounting tray according to claim 3, wherein each of the recesses (32) opens toward an edge of the removable fixture opposite the tray (14) . A telecommunications rack having at least one mounting tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims .

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