WO2007133070A1

WO2007133070A1 - Distribution box

Info

Publication number: WO2007133070A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrianus Marcus
Original assignee: Fibercom B.V.
Priority date: 2006-05-15
Filing date: 2007-05-15
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Also published as: EP2021851A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution box for optical fibres comprising a slidable unit having a bottom surface, wherein the unit comprises a patch panel placed on top of or above the bottom surface, wherein the patch panel is movable according to a path with respect to the unit between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a part of the path has a directional component extending substantially parallel to the bottom surface. In one embodiment the part of the path extends along the bottom surface. In one embodiment the part of the patch runs substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

Description

Distribution box

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a distribution box for optical fibres. Such distribution boxes, also called patch boxes, are adapted to be used for fibre termination.

In one embodiment of known distribution boxes they are provided with an extending frame on which components, such as splice cassettes, splitter modules and patch panels, are placed. An example of such a known distribution box is Tyco Electronics's FIST-GMS 2 system. Said distribution box is provided with an extending carrier frame and a patch panel that is fixedly connected thereto, for connecting glass fibre plugs thereto. The patch panel is placed substantially in the slide direction of the carrier frame; substantially transverse to the front side of the distribution box. As a result the patch panel, in the extended position of the drawer, is accessible from both sides and all manipulations to the patch panel can be carried out from the front side of the distribution box.

Considered from the front side of the known distribution box, a series of splice cassettes is placed adjacent to the patch panel, which splice cassettes are hinged to the bottom wall of the carrier frame. Said splice cassettes may be used to splice glass fibre cables to each other or to so-called pigtails, for connecting the individual glass fibre cables to the patch panel. The splice cassettes can be turned individually like the pages of a book, so that the individual splice cassettes are accessible for making a splice connection therein between a supplied glass fibre cable and a pigtail. At a side of the patch panel situated across the splice cassette, glass fibres are also connected and a guiding device is disposed for guiding the glass fibres, which particularly ensures that the glass fibres do not make too acute a bend as a result of which they might get damaged.

A drawback of the known patch panel is that only a limited number of glass fibres can be connected to this patch panel. Also because the patch panel is placed transverse to the slide direction of the drawer, the number of connection points is limited.

It is an object of the invention to considerably increase the number of connections on the patch panel.

It is a further object of the invention to offer a patch panel on which pigtails and coupling bushes can easily be placed or removed individually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention provides a distribution box for optical fibres as described in claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The distribution box according to the invention comprises a slidable unit having a bottom surface, wherein the unit comprises a patch panel placed on top of or above the bottom surface, wherein the patch panel is movable according to a path with respect to the unit between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a part of the path has a directional component extending substantially parallel to the bottom surface. In one embodiment the part of the path extends along the bottom surface. In one embodiment the part of the path runs substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

Because the patch panel according to the invention can be moved with respect to the slidable unit, such as a carrier frame, frame and/or drawer, the patch panel can be placed in the second position, wherein a part of the patch panel which in the first position cannot be reached or reached with difficulty for work, is now better accessible. Also because of these characteristics, at least in the extended position of the unit, it will be possible to carry out manipulations of the optical fibres from the front side of the distribution box, also on parts of the patch panel which in the first position are not accessible or accessible with difficulty. As a result the patch panel can be made larger than is the case in the known distribution boxes and the number of connections to the patch panel according to the invention can be considerably larger than in the patch panels of known distribution boxes.

In a first embodiment the patch panel has been placed on the slidable unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation crosses or intersects the bottom surface. In one embodiment the axis of rotation is placed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. At least a part of the path in one embodiment comprises a substantially curvilinear path extending substantially parallel to the bottom surface. By rotating the patch panel a front surface and a rear surface of the patch panel can be placed consecutively or even simultaneously so as to be accessible for carrying out work thereon.

An advantage of a rotatable patch panel is that the optical fibres near the axis of rotation can be guided to the patch panel so that the optical fibres can remain substantially in their places when the patch panel is rotated.

In one embodiment the patch panel can stably be placed in the first position substantially parallel to a front side of the distribution box. In one embodiment the patch panel in said first position is situated substantially within the limits of the bottom surface. In said first position the patch panel can be slid in and out of the distribution box together with the slidable unit. The front side of the patch panel is accessible, at least for inspection, from the front side of the patch panel.

To make the rear side of the patch panel accessible, the patch panel is rotatable above the bottom surface and can be placed in the second position at an angle to the front side of the distribution box. In one embodiment the patch panel can be stably placed in the second position substantially at right angles to the bottom surface. In the second position the patch panel can also be placed substantially transverse to the front side of the distribution box. In said latter position the patch panel extends substantially along the slide direction of the slidable unit. In this position both sides of the patch panel are accessible to carry out work thereon. The rotation from a first position wherein the patch panel is substantially parallel to the front side of the distribution box is approximately 90° .

In a further embodiment the angle of rotation exceeds 90°, in one embodiment the angle of rotation substantially equals 180° . As a result the rear side of the patch panel will at least partially be oriented to the front side of the distribution box and said rear side is properly accessible for inspection and/or carrying out work.

In one embodiment the first position and/or the second position are situated substantially at the ends of the path. The distribution box may in that case be provided with one or more stops that limit the ends of the path.

In one embodiment the first and/or second position form stable positions in which the patch panel can be substantially fixated for carrying out work such as connecting or disconnecting optical fibres.

In one embodiment the slidable unit comprises a frame, wherein the frame in the bottom surface thereof preferably comprises a bottom wall, the frame comprises two spaced apart first holders, wherein in the first position the patch panel extends at least between the first holders. In one embodiment the first holders are fixedly connected to the frame, preferably its bottom wall, wherein the patch panel is rotatably connected to at least one of the first holders.

In one embodiment the patch panel has been provided with second holders cooperating with the first holders for forming one or more connections of the patch panel to the first holders. In one embodiment the second holders may be placed near the end faces of the patch panel. In one embodiment the second holders are substantially similarly designed so that the patch panel, as desired, can be placed on the first holders so as to rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise.

In one embodiment a first of the connections comprises a rotatable connection and a second of the connections comprises a detachable connection. In that way the patch panel, after is has been detached from the detachable connection, can be rotated by means of the rotatable connection.

In one embodiment the frame comprises a third holder for supporting the patch panel in the second position. In one embodiment the third holder is fixedly connected to the frame and preferably its bottom wall. In one embodiment the third holder comprises fixation means for fixating the patch panel in the second position.

In one embodiment the connections are slidable along the holders. In that way with respect to the unit, the patch panel is also slidable in a direction substantially transverse to the bottom surface of the slidable unit. In one embodiment the patch panel is slidable substantially along the axis of rotation.

In a second embodiment the patch panel is slidable parallel with respect to the unit.

In one embodiment the path is situated substantially within the limits of the bottom surface and preferably above the bottom surface. Thus the patch panel is movable substantially within the limits of the slidable unit. As the patch panel during its movement along the path will not substantially go beyond said limits, the movement of the patch panel will not interfere with the unit extending or retracting.

In one embodiment the patch panel can stably be placed in the first and/or second position substantially parallel to a front side of the distribution box. In one embodiment the patch panel can stably be placed in the first and/or second position substantially at right angles to the bottom surface. The patch panel according to these embodiments, at least the side thereof oriented towards the front side of the distribution box, is properly visible and easy to inspect from the front side of the distribution box. In this embodiment it is furthermore advantageous when the patch panel can also be tilted to a stable position that is tilted with respect to the bottom surface. In that case at least the side of the patch panel facing away from the front side of the distribution box becomes better accessible, when for instance the patch panel with its side facing away from the bottom wall is tilted in the direction of the front side of the slidable unit.

In one embodiment the patch panel, at least in the second position, extends substantially over the width of the unit. In that case optimal use can be made of the space in front of the distribution box for carrying out manipulations of the optical fibres.

In one embodiment the first and the second position are situated substantially at the ends of the path.

In one embodiment the patch panel in the first and/or second position is tiltable to a stable position that is tilted with respect to the bottom surface. By tilting the patch panel at least one of the side surfaces of the patch panel, particularly a side surface in which the connections of the optical fibres are situated, can be placed such that the optical fibres can be placed and connected on the patch panel from above or diagonally from above. In one embodiment the patch panel can be tilted in two stable positions, wherein in a first stable position a first side surface of the patch panel becomes accessible for placing optical fibres thereon and wherein in a second stable position a second side surface of the patch panel becomes accessible for placing optical fibres thereon. In one embodiment the first and second side surface are situated on either side of the patch panel. In one embodiment the first and second stable positions are placed at two different locations along the path. In one embodiment the first stable tilted position is near or at the first position and the second stable tilted position is near or at the second position. In these embodiments use can be made of the free space above the drawer and more working space is obtained for connecting or disconnecting optical fibres.

In one embodiment a further position is provided on the path between the first and the second position, wherein the patch panel at least in said further position can be tilted to a stable position that is tilted with respect to the bottom surface. Because of this extra position more freedom is created for the user to place the patch panel in an advantageous position for connecting and/or detaching connections of optical fibres. The user is then better able to take further components into account that may have been placed on the slidable unit, so that said components on the one hand are no obstacle when manipulating the optical fibres, and on the other hand are not hit when moving the patch panel, which may possibly result in damage to the components, the patch panel and/or the optical fibres.

In one embodiment wherein the slidable unit comprises a frame, wherein the frame preferably comprises a bottom wall in the bottom surface thereof, the frame comprises two upright side walls in between which the patch panel has been placed. In one embodiment the upright side walls are fixedly connected to the frame, preferably its bottom wall. In one embodiment the patch panel is movably connected to the upright side walls.

In a simple embodiment the end faces of the patch panel facing the upright side walls have each been provided with two cams placed above one another and the upright side walls have each been provided with two slots placed above one another for accommodating the cams therein. In one embodiment the slots in the upright side walls are through-slots and the cams extend through the slots.

In one embodiment, at a side facing away from the patch panel, the cams have been provided with a head having a diameter exceeding the width of the through-slots. In one embodiment the cams and particularly their heads, are adapted for fixation of the patch panel to the side walls. In a simple embodiment the cams can be screwed in and out of patch panel and screwing preferably can be done manually by means of the heads of the cams.

In one embodiment the slots have been provided with one or more recessed sections that extend substantially in the direction of the bottom wall, for catching the cams therein. In one embodiment the slots near at least one end thereof, have been provided with one of the one or more recessed sections.

In one embodiment the patch panel is placed spaced apart from the bottom surface, preferably spaced apart above the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the unit thus is available for placing further components on the slidable unit, such as a number of splice cassettes. In one embodiment the patch panel is placed or can be placed substantially above said components, so that the components present do not hamper the movement of the patch panel. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the components do not hamper the view on the patch panel. In that way it remains possible to inspect the connections of the optical fibres, at least at a side surface of the patch panel facing the front side of the distribution box.

In one embodiment, further active or passive components of or for an optical fibre network, such as splice cassettes, optical switches, optical signal enhancers, and the like have been placed on the frame, preferably on its bottom wall. In one embodiment the path extends substantially in a plane above the further components.

In one embodiment the slidable unit is further provided with a series of splice cassettes having a basis placed on the frame or its bottom wall, wherein individual splice cassettes are hinged to the basis, as a result of which the splice cassettes can be turned like the pages of a book for individually approaching the splice cassettes. Preferably the splice cassettes can be turned individually like the pages of a book, for making the individual splice cassettes accessible for making a splice connection therein between a supplied glass fibre cable and a pigtail. In one embodiment the series of splice cassettes substantially extends over the width of the frame. In one embodiment the series of splice cassettes is placed in front of the patch panel. In that way a distribution box is obtained in which both more optical fibres can be connected and more optical fibres can be spliced. Such a distribution box is also referred to as a splice-patch-box.

In one embodiment the patch panel is provided with holders for the optical fibres. In one embodiment the holders comprise a number of brackets for guiding and retaining the optical fibres coupled to the patch panel. In one embodiment the brackets are distributed spaced apart along the patch panel and the brackets extend from a side surface of the patch panel in which the connections are situated. In a simple embodiment the holders comprise a series of adjacent U-shaped brackets, wherein the patch panel is placed substantially in between said U-shaped brackets.

The aspects and measures described in this description and claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of the application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects, such as the splice cassettes, the holders or brackets, and other aspects, may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto.

This particularly applies to the measures and aspects described per se in the sub claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a distribution box according to the invention with opened front panel;

Figure 2 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 1 , with the drawer in pulled-out condition;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the drawer in pulled-out condition of figure 2, wherein the patch panel in its holder is slid to the fore;

Figure 4 shows a view of the drawer of figure 2, wherein the patch panel is placed in a first tilted position;

Figure 5 shows a view of the drawer of figure 3, wherein the patch panel is placed in a second tilted position; Figure 6 shows a detail view of the holder for the patch panel with guide slots according to a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the splice cassette to be placed in a distribution box according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of a distribution box according to the invention with opened front panel;

Figure 9 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 8 with the drawer in pulled-out condition;

Figure 10 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 9, wherein the patch panel has been slid upwards along the holders;

Figure 1 1 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 10, wherein the patch panel is partially rotated in the direction towards the second position;

Figure 1 2 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 1 1 , wherein the patch panel is placed in the second position on the third holder;

Figure 13 shows a view of a third exemplary embodiment of a distribution box according to the invention, with the drawer in the pulled-out condition;

Figure 14 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 13, wherein the patch panel has been slid upwards along the holders and is rotated in the direction of the second position; and

Figure 1 5 shows a view of the exemplary embodiment of figure 14, wherein the patch panel is placed in the second position and rests on the third holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In a first exemplary embodiment of the distribution box 1 according to the invention, as shown in figure 1 , the distribution box 1 comprises an upper wall 1 1 and two side walls 12 that are placed on either side of the upper wall 1 1 and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper wall 1 1 . At a side of the side walls 1 2 facing away from the upper wall 1 1 , and at the front side of the distribution box 2, a front panel 13 is placed between said side walls 12. The front panel 13 is rotatably connected to the side walls 12, as a result of which the front panel 13 can be turned upwards from the shown opened position to a closed position. In order to keep the front panel 13 in the closed position, the front panel 13 is provided with a slide 14 which in the closed position engages onto the upper wall 1 1 . For placement and attachment in a device box or device frame, the side walls 1 2 may, at the outside of the distribution box 1 , be provided with connection edges 1 5.

For the reinforcement of the upper wall 1 1 it is provided with a ledge 1 6.

At a side of the side walls 12 facing away from the upper wall 1 1 , a drawer 2 is placed between said side walls 1 2, which drawer by means of drawer guides 21 (see figure 2) is connected to the side walls 12. The drawer 2 comprises two upright side walls 22 that are placed substantially parallel to the side walls 12 of the distribution box 1 . Between said upright side walls 22 the patch panel 3 is placed. The patch panel 3 extends between said upright side walls 22. The side surfaces 31 , 32 of the patch panel 3, further to be called "front side" 31 and "rear side" 32, respectively, are oriented to the front side and the rear side of the distribution box 1 and have been provided with connections for the optical fibres.

The end faces of the patch panel 3 facing the upright side walls 22 have each been provided with two cams 4 placed above one another. For guiding a movement of the patch panel 3, each of the upright side walls 22 have been provided with two slots 23, 24 placed above one another for accommodating the cams 4 therein. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures, the upright side walls 22 are provided with through-slots 23, 24 and said cams 4 extend through the slots 23, 24, wherein the cams 4 at a side facing away from the patch panel 3 are provided with a head having a diameter exceeding the width of the through-slots 23, 24. As a result the patch panel 3 is confined between the upright side walls 22.

In a further exemplary embodiment the cams 4 can be designed so as to be screwable in and out of the patch panel 3. By screwing said cams 4 in, the upright side wall 22 can be clamped between the head of the cam 4 and the patch panel 3 for fixating the patch panel 3 at the side wall or side walls 22.

The through-slots 23, 24 are placed parallel to each other and to the bottom wall 25 of the drawer 2, as a result of which the patch panel 3 can be moved parallel to the bottom wall 25 between a first position near a rear side of the drawer, as shown in figure 2, and a second position wherein the patch panel 3 is slid in the direction of the front side of the drawer 2, as shown in figure 3.

At the ends of the slots 23, 24 they have been provided with a recessed section 26 extending substantially in the direction of the bottom wall 25. The patch panel 3 can be placed in a substantially stable position by, preferably on either side of the patch panel 3, placing at least one of the cams 4 in such a recessed section 26. In such a stable condition the patch panel 3 can only be moved further when the cams 4 in question are lifted from the recessed section 26 by the user.

The patch panel 3 can be placed in a stable tilted position by placing the uppermost cams 41 in a recessed section 26 of the relating slots 23, and not placing the lowermost cams 42 in a recessed section. Examples of such stable tilted positions are shown in the figures 4 and 5.

In figure 4, the patch panel 3 in the first position, situated near the rear side of the drawer 2, is placed in a first tilted position. In said first tilted position the front side 31 of the patch panel 3 is at least diagonally upwardly oriented and the coupling bushes 33 at the front side 31 of the patch panel 3 are thus easily accessible for placing or removing optical fibres 51 .

In figure 5, the patch panel 3 in the second position of the drawer 2, is placed in a second tilted position. In said second tilted position the rear side 32 of the patch panel 3 is at least diagonally upwardly oriented and the coupling bushes 34 at the rear side 32 of the patch panel 3 are thus easily accessible for placing or removing optical fibres 52.

In figure 6 a further exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the uppermost slot 231 is provided with a further recessed section 27, placed between the ends of the slot 231 . By placing the uppermost cam 41 in said further recessed section 27, the patch panel 3 can be placed in two different stable tilted positions. A third stable position having a same tilted orientation as the first stable tilted position as shown in figure 4 for making the front side 31 of the patch panel 3 better accessible, is achieved by placing the uppermost cam 41 in the further recessed section 27 and placing the lowermost cam 42 in a section of the relating slot 24 facing the front side of the drawer 2, at least with respect to the position of the further recessed section 27. A fourth stable position having a same tilted orientation as the second stable tilted position as shown in figure 5 for making the rear side 33 of the patch panel 3 better accessible, is achieved by placing the uppermost cam 41 in the further recessed section 27 and the lowermost cam 42 in a section of the relating slot 24 facing the rear side of the drawer 2, at least with respect to the position of the further recessed section 27.

In the exemplary embodiment as shown in figures 1 -6, the patch panel 3 is placed spaced apart above the bottom wall 25 of the drawer 2. As a result the bottom wall 25 for the patch panel 3, has room for placing further components thereon. The patch panel 3 can be slid substantially above the further components. In the exemplary embodiment of these figures a series of splice cassettes 6 has been arranged on the bottom wall 25, which series substantially extends over the full width of the drawer 2. In this way forty-eight splice cassettes 61 can be placed in the distribution box 1 , as a result of which each customer has its own splice cassette 61 (single circuit). It is noted that in the exemplary embodiment of an optical fibre network, two optical fibres per customer are used and that in each splice cassette 61 therefore two optical fibres can be processed. In this way ninety-six fibres can be processed in the distribution box 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, for connecting forty-eight customers.

By placing the splice cassettes 61 in a kind of book-like structure, as shown in figure 7, the fitter is able to approach the individual splice cassettes 61 , and the opportunity is created to remove individual customers that are no longer necessary, or to add new customers individually. In this way considerable time can be gained when mounting and demounting and it can also be prevented that a connection of another customer gets damaged when removing or adding a customer. Due to the book-like structure it is easy to leaf through the splice cassettes 61 to select the right customer.

Instead of at least a part of the splice cassettes 61 , other active or passive components of or for an optical fibre network can be placed on the bottom wall 25, such as an optical switch, optical signal enhancers, and the like. As for instance shown in figure 4, the distribution box may be provided with a, preferably flexible tube 8 that is connected to the slidable drawer 2. Via said flexible tube 8 optical fibres from outside of the distribution box can be guided to the slidable drawer, wherein the tube 8 may also serve as protection of the optical fibres.

As shown in figure 7, the individual splice cassettes 61 are hinged to a basis 65. The individual splice cassettes 61 have a substantially oval shape having a substantially straight centre portion 62 and round ends 63. When splicing optical fibres, the splice is preferably placed in the substantially straight centre portion 62 of the splice cassette 61 . As a result it can at least partially be prevented that flexural forces are exerted on the splice. Particularly by placing the movable patch panel 3 substantially at a level above the splice cassettes 6, there is sufficient room to place the oval splice cassettes 61 according to the invention on the bottom wall 25 of the drawer 2. According to this exemplary embodiment, the distribution box 1 thus has a two-fold function, on the one hand the splicing of optical fibres and on the other hand the patching of said fibres, and thus forms a so- called splice-patch-box. The splice-patch-box 1 described in the example and shown in the figures, is suitable to splice two to ninety-six fibres on pigtails on single circuit basis, and patch them in the same splice-patch-box 1 . Said box 1 is also suitable to splice a number of fibres.

In the exemplary embodiment, the patch panel 3 is furthermore provided with cable brackets 7 for the retaining and/or guiding of the optical fibres 51 , 52. The recessed section 27 in the further exemplary embodiment is placed such here that the brackets 7 in the third or fourth stable tilted position do not hit the splice cassettes 6.

Preferably the distribution box 1 is metrically designed, as a result of which it is particularly suitable for customer connections. As the distribution box 1 is multi-functional, by means of the adjustable patch panel 3 that can be placed in various positions, it is easy to place or remove the pigtails and coupling bushes.

It is noted that the patch panel 3 can also be rotatably connected to the upright side walls 22 by means of a hinge joint. In one embodiment the patch panel 3 comprises a hinge joint at at least one of the sides facing the side walls 22 and at the opposite side a detachable attachment device for attaching and detaching the patch panel 3, wherein the patch panel 3 in detached condition is able to rotate about he hinge connection in a direction beyond the distribution box.

In another embodiment the patch panel 3 has a detachable hinge joint on both sides facing the side walls 22. As a result the patch panel can, as desired by the user, be rotated anti-clockwise or clockwise beyond the distribution box by detaching one of the hinge joints.

In a second exemplary embodiment of the distribution box 100 according to the invention, as shown in figure 8, the distribution box 100 comprises an upper wall 1 10 and two side walls 120 that are placed on either side of the upper wall 1 10 and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper wall 1 10. At a side of the side walls 120 facing away from the upper wall 1 10, and at the front side of the distribution box 100, a front panel 130 is placed between said side walls 120. The front panel 130 is rotatably connected to the side walls 1 20, as a result of which the front panel 130 can be turned upward from the shown open position to a closed position. In order to retain the front panel 130 in the closed position, the front panel 130 is provided with a slide 140 which in the closed position engages onto the upper wall 1 10. For placement and attachment in a device box or device frame the side walls 120 may, at the outside of the distribution box 100, be provided with connection edges 150.

At a side of the side walls 120 facing away from the upper wall 1 10, a bottom wall 160 is placed. Between the side walls 120 a drawer 200 is placed, which by means of drawer guides 210 is connected to the bottom wall 160. On said drawer 200, at the side of the drawer 200 facing away from the front panel 130, a patch panel is placed as among others shown in figure 9, showing drawer 200 in pulled-out condition.

On the bottom surface of the drawer 200 two first holders 410, 420 are placed in between which the patch panel 300 extends. The holders 410, 420 are designed like round pins that extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the drawer 200. At its ends 310, 320 the patch panel 300 is provided with second holders provided with openings (see openings 350 in figure 12) for accommodating the first holders 410, 420 therein. In this way the patch panel 300 near both its ends is retained in a stable first position. In this exemplary embodiment the first holders 410, 420 are placed such that the patch panel in the first position extends substantially parallel to the front side of the distribution box 100.

The side surfaces of the patch panel 300 oriented to the front side and rear side of the distribution box 100 in this first position, which will further be referred to as "front side" and "rear side', respectively, can be provided with connections for the optical fibres, such as for instance shown in figures 1 , 2 and 3. The patch panel in the first position is placed near the rear side of the drawer 200, as a result of which at the front side of the drawer 200 there is room for placing further active or passive components of or for an optical fibre network there, such as for instance splice cassettes, optical switches, optical signal enhancers and the like.

In the first position the front side of the patch panel 300 is accessible for inspection and/or carrying out work thereon. To make the rear side of the patch panel 300 accessible, the patch panel 300 is first moved upward along the holders 410, 420 in the direction of the arrow A, as shown in figure 10.

In this embodiment the pin of the first holder 410 is designed longer than the pin of the holder 420. That means in upwardly slid position, the patch panel 300 is only retained by the first holder 410 and the patch panel 300 will become detached from the holder 420. As a result the patch panel 300 is able to rotate about the pin of the first holder 410 at an angle B, about axis of rotation R1 , as shown in figure 1 1 . This rotation is continued until the patch panel 300 is rotated so that the patch panel 300 is able to engage onto the third holder 430, as shown in figure 1 2.

In the second position, as shown in figure 12, the patch panel 300 is stably held on the one hand by the first holder 410, and on the other hand by the third holder 430. For a stable fixation of the patch panel 300, the third holder 430 is provided with a substantially vertically projecting cam, that can be placed in an opening cooperating therewith in a side of the patch panel 300 facing the third holder 430. In the condition as shown in figure 12, the patch panel 300 is rotated substantially 90° with respect to the first position and now both sides of the patch panel 300 are accessible from the front side of the distribution box 100 for inspection and carrying out work thereon.

It will be clear that the rotation of the patch panel 300 about the axis of rotation R1 , substantially takes place after the patch panel 300 has moved upward along the first holder 410. Thus the patch panel 300 is first placed spaced apart above the bottom surface of the drawer 200 and only then rotated, so that rotating does not interfere with the further active or passive components of or for an optical fibre network placed on the bottom wall of the drawer 200.

It is further noted that the patch panel 300 in this embodiment both at its front side and at its rear side is provided with brackets 330, 340 for retaining and/or guiding optical fibres. At a side facing away from the front panel 130, the drawer 200 is also provided with an edge 220 for attaching supplied or outgoing optical fibres thereto.

Figure 13 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a distribution box 1000 according to the invention. Said distribution box 1000 shows substantially the same build-up as the distribution box 100 of figure 8, and is provided with an upper wall 1 100, two side walls 1200, a front panel 1300, connection edges 1 500, a drawer 2000 with drawer guides 2100 and a patch panel 3000 placed on the drawer 2000. Figure 13 show the patch panel 3000 in its first stable condition, wherein the patch panel 3000 with its ends 3100, 3200 is fixedly connected to the first holders 4100, 4200. For turning the patch panel 3000 from its first position, as shown in figure 13, to a second stable position, as shown in figure 1 5, the patch panel 3000 is first slid upwards along the first holder 4100 in the direction of the arrow A', and is subsequently rotated about the axis of rotation R2 of the first holder 4100 at an angle B'. Subsequently the patch panel 3000 is rotated further about the axis of rotation R2 until the patch panel 3000 can be placed on the third holder 4300 for placing the patch panel 3000 in the stable condition in the second position. Figure 1 5 clearly shows that the angle of rotation exceeds 90° in this exemplary embodiment, so that the rear side of the patch panel 3000 is better accessible for carrying out an inspection and/or work at the rear side of the patch panel form the front side of the distribution box 1000.

It is noted that the patch panel 300 of the second exemplary embodiment of the figures 8-1 2 and the patch panel 3000 of the third exemplary embodiment, as shown in figures 13-1 5 substantially correspond. The patch panel 300, 3000 is designed such that its can be designed so as to rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise. The choice of the direction of rotation and location of the patch panel 300, 3000 to and in the second position, can be chosen by the user by placing the first holders 410, 420; 4100, 4200 and the third holders 430, 4300 in a suitable manner. For the various options various mounting holes have already been drilled in advance in the bottom surface of the drawer 200, 2000.

It is noted here that the exemplary embodiments of the invention as described above are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit the invention. Although the invention is described and elucidated on the basis of the connection and interconnection of individual optical fibres, the distribution box according to the invention is also suitable for processing so-called "break-out" cables.

Claims

1 . Distribution box for optical fibres comprising a slidable unit having a bottom surface, wherein the unit comprises a patch panel placed on top of or above the bottom surface, wherein the patch panel is movable according to a path with respect to the unit between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a part of the path has a directional component extending substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

2. Distribution box according to claim 1 , wherein the patch panel has been placed on the slidable unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and wherein the axis of rotation crosses the bottom surface.

3. Distribution box according to claim 1 , wherein the patch panel has been placed on the slidable unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and wherein the axis of rotation intersects the bottom surface.

4. Distribution box according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the axis of rotation is placed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface.

5. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part of the path comprises a substantially curvilinear path extending substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

6. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel is slidable with respect to the unit.

7. Distribution box according to claim 6, when depending on claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the patch panel is slidable substantially along the axis of rotation.

8. Distribution box according to claim 6, wherein the patch panel is slidable substantially parallel to the bottom surface.

9. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel in the first and/or second position can be tilted to a stable position that is tilted with respect to the bottom surface.

10. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel in the first and/or second position can stably be placed substantially parallel to a front side of the distribution box.

1 1 . Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel in the first and/or second position can stably be placed substantially at right angles to the bottom surface.

1 2. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel has been spaced apart from the bottom surface, preferably at a distance above the bottom surface.

13. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first position and the second position are situated substantially at the ends of the path.

14. Distribution box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein on the path between the first and second position, a further position has been provided, wherein the patch panel at least in said further position is tiltable to a stable position that is tilted with respect to the bottom surface.

15. Distribution box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slidable unit comprises a frame and wherein the frame in the bottom surface thereof preferably comprises a bottom wall.

16. Distribution box according to claim 1 5, wherein the frame comprises two upright side walls in between which the patch panel has been placed.

17. Distribution box according to claim 16, wherein the upright side walls are fixedly connected to the frame, preferably its bottom wall, and wherein the patch panel is movably connected to the upright side walls.

18. Distribution box according to claim 1 7, wherein the end faces of the patch panel facing the upright side walls have each been provided with two cams placed above one another and wherein the upright side walls have each been provided with two slots placed above one another for accommodating the cams therein.

19. Distribution box according to claim 18, wherein the slots in the upright side walls are through-slots and wherein the cams extend through the slots.

20. Distribution box according to claim 19, wherein at a side facing away from the patch panel the cams have been provided with a head having a diameter exceeding the width of the through-slots.

21 . Distribution box according to claim 20, wherein the cams and particularly their heads, are adapted for fixation of the patch panel to the side walls.

22. Distribution box according to claim 21 , wherein the cams can be screwed in and out of patch panel and preferably are manually operable by means of their heads.

23. Distribution box according to one or more of the claims 18-22, wherein the slots have been provided with one or more recessed sections that extend substantially in the direction of the bottom wall, for catching the cams therein.

24. Distribution box according to claim 23, wherein the slots near at least one end thereof, have been provided with one of the one or more recessed sections.

25. Distribution box according to claim 1 5, wherein the frame comprises two spaced apart first holders, wherein in the first position the patch panel extends at least between the first holders.

26. Distribution box according to claim 25, wherein the first holders are fixedly connected to the frame, preferably its bottom wall, and wherein the patch panel is rotatably connected to at least one of the first holders.

27. Distribution box according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the patch panel has been provided with second holders cooperating with the first holders for forming one or more connections of the patch panel to the first holders.

28. Distribution box according to claim 27, wherein a first of the connections comprises a rotatable connection and wherein a second of the connections comprises a detachable connection.

29. Distribution box according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the connections are slidable along the holders.

30. Distribution box according to any one of the claims 25-29, wherein the frame comprises a third holder for supporting the patch panel in the second position.

31. Distribution box according to claim 30, wherein the third holder is fixedly connected to the frame, preferably its bottom wall.

32. Distribution box according to claim 30 or 31 , wherein the third holder comprises fixation means for in fixating the patch panel in the second position.

33. Distribution box according to one or more of the claims 15-32, wherein further active or passive components of or for an optical fibre network, such as splice cassettes, optical switches, optical signal enhancers, and the like have been placed on the frame, preferably on its bottom wall.

34. Distribution box according to claim 33, wherein at least a part of the path extends substantially in a plane above the further components.

35. Distribution box according to claim 33 or 34, further provided with a series of splice cassettes having a basis placed on the frame or its bottom wall, wherein individual splice cassettes are hinged to the basis, as a result of which the splice cassettes can be turned like the pages of a book for individually approaching the splice cassettes.

36. Distribution box according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the patch panel has been provided with cable brackets for retaining and/or guiding the optical fibres.

37. Distribution box provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

38. Patch panel provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

39. Method comprising one or more of the characterising steps described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.