Patent Application
20220285877
The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting panel and, more particularly, to a cross-connect patch panel including a frame with jacks on one side and connection locations on an opposite side.
Local area networks and telecommunications connections often use patch panels, especially at the customer's premises to enable cross-connection between telecommunications equipment. Patch panels typically include front and rear connection locations. The rear connections are typically a more permanent type of connection, such as insulation displacement connectors to connect to copper based, twisted pair telecommunications cable. The front connections of the patch panel may include any of a variety of jacks for receipt of a plug of a patch cord or other transmission cable. The jack and plug allows fairly rapid connection and disconnection between two jacks in the same patch panel, or between one jack in the patch panel and another jack in a nearby patch panel, with the patch cord. One type of jack and plug arrangement for a patch panel is an RJ45 type connector. U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,261 is an example of a cross-connect panel including rear insulation displacement connectors, and front connector jacks for receiving plugs of patch cords.
There is an increasing need for cable management in order to protect and organize the various cables. One area where damage and/or loss of performance may occur with copper based, twisted pair cables is when excessive bending of the cable occurs. This is especially a concern as higher frequencies are used, such as category 5 and greater. Falling below minimum bend radii of the cables can adversely affect performance with the transmission of signals through the copper wire patch cords. Therefore, there is a need for patch panels which address the cable management concerns noted above.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications patch panel comprising a connector module and a frame member. The connector module has a front face and an opposite facing rear face. The front face includes a connector jack for receiving a plug of a first conductive wire. The rear face includes a connection location for connecting to a second conductive wire. The connector module defines an axis of rotation generally parallel to the front face. The frame member has a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of tabs on the rear face. The connector module is rotatably mounted to the frame member for movement about the rotation axis, and the plurality of tabs engage with the rear face of the connector module to prevent over-rotation of the connector module.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications patch panel comprising a plurality of connector modules and a frame member. The plurality of connector modules each have a front face and an opposite facing rear face. The front face includes a connector jack for receiving a plug of a first conductive wire. The rear face includes a connection location for connecting to a second conductive wire. Each connector module defines an axis of rotation generally parallel to the front face. The frame member has a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of tabs on the rear face. Each connector module is rotatably mounted to the frame member for movement about the rotation axis, and the plurality of tabs engage with the rear face of the connector module to prevent over-rotation of the connector module.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a telecommunications patch panel includes a connector module having a front face and an opposite facing rear face. The front face of the connector module includes a connector jack for receiving a plug of a first conductive wire. The rear face includes a connection location for connecting to a second conductive wire. The connector module has a latch arm on a top surface. The latch arm defines an axis of rotation generally parallel to the front face. The patch panel also includes a frame member having a front face, a rear face, and a mating hole on a top surface. The latch arm of the connector module is rotatably mounted to the frame member at the mating hole for movement about the rotation axis.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).
In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to communication patch panels that include at least one connector module and a frame member. In an embodiment, the frame member is capable of mounting a plurality of connector modules. The connector module includes a first and second latch arm that engage with a mating hole in the frame member, and allows the connector module to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame member includes a plurality of tabs that prevent the connector modules from over rotation.
Referring generally to
A patch panel 100 includes a plurality of connector modules 110, where each connector module 110 includes a plurality of connector jacks 104. The connector modules 110 of the patch panel 100 are arranged in a linear array in the frame member 120. Each connector module 110 includes a linear array of connector jacks 104. One linear array of connector jacks 104 is shown per connector module 110. Two or more arrays could be provided. Alternative embodiments include patch panels 100 with a single connector module 110. Also, each connector module 110 may be constructed with a single connector jack 104.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the angle of displacement of each connector module 110 relative to frame member 120 is about 15 degrees. In the case of patch cords 136a, 136b angled to the left, and patch cords 136c, 136d angled to the right, such an angle provides strain relief so as to help prevent cable damage and/or loss of cable performance. The cable positioning provided by the angled connector modules 110 helps reduce the likelihood of falling below the minimum bend radius of the cable as each cable travels to other jacks or other equipment. Such strain relief is advantageous over a perpendicular mounting of the connector plug relative to the cable pathway.
In
As shown in
The connector modules 110 are positionable in one of three selectable positions. A first position is where the front face 112 of the connector module 110 is generally parallel to the front side 102 of the frame member 120. A first angled position is where the front face 112 of the connector module 110 is at a first angle relative to the front side 102 of the frame member 120. A second angled position is where the front face 112 of the connector module 110 is at a second angle relative to the front side 102 of the frame member 120. The second angle is opposite the first angle.
In the embodiment shown, the connector module 110 show a six pack distribution module design comprising connector jacks that are mounted to a common printed circuit board. In alternative embodiments the connector modules 110 may be used in a discrete distribution module, where the connector your module is a plastic housing that allows for discrete jacks for couplers to be installed.
The lock 140 is located on the frame member 120, and includes at least one lock 140 per connector module 110. When the lock 140 is not engaged, each connector module 110 is positionable to the left (fully or partially), to the right (fully or partially) or parallel as desired. For connector modules 110 which are freely rotatable, the connector modules 110 may move to a new position from an original position to provide the strain relief, as the patch cords 136 are added or changed.
As shown in
Each of the connector modules 110 also include a plurality of protrusions 204. In an example embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 204 are located on a top surface 402 of the connector modules 110. In another embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 204 are located on a top surface 402 and a bottom surface 404 on opposing ends of the connector modules 110. The plurality of protrusions 204 are capable of maintaining the connector module 110 in one of the three selectable positions: parallel, a first angle, or an opposing second angle. For example, when the connector module 110 is in the parallel position, all of the protrusions 204 are engaged with the frame member 120. The protrusions 204 are also configured to abut against a top front edge 406 of the frame member 120, when the connector modules 110 are in an angled position.
The front side of the connector module 110 also includes a cover panel 206. The cover panel 206 snaps into the connector module 110 to cover openings (not shown). Openings are described in more detail below.
The latch arm 202 provides a snap-fit, friction-fit, or other similar mechanical engagement of the connector module 110 to the frame member 120. The latch arm 202 allows for easy removal of a connector module 110 from the frame member 120, if needed. In an example, if the patch panel 100 is mounted to a rack, a connector module 110 can be easily removed from the front side 102 of the frame member 120.
A lock receptacle 212 is located on at least one side of the connector module 110. The lock receptacle 212 is configured to communicate with the lock (not shown) to lock the connector module 110 in a fixed position. The locking mechanism is described in more detail below.
A lock 140 is used to fix the position of the connector module 110 within the frame member 120. When the lock 140 is in a neutral position, the connector modules 110 are freely rotatable. When the lock 140 is rotated 90° from the neutral position, the connector modules 110 are locked in place relative to the frame member 120.
The frame member 120 also includes a plurality of tabs 310 located on a rear side 106. As shown, the tabs 310 are located offset from the rotational axis for each connector module 110. The tabs 310 extend upward from the base of the patch panel 100. The tabs 310 prevent the connector modules 110 from over rotating. For example, when the connector modules 110 are rotated, a rear face 114 of the connector module 110 comes into contact with the tabs 310, so the connector module 110 cannot be further rotated.
The protrusions 204 are also configured to abut against a top front edge 406 of the frame member 120, when the connector modules 110 are in an angled position.
The connector module 110 also includes a plurality of opening 414 that allow a user to remove a connector module 110 from the frame member 120 from a front side. Also shown are the connector jacks 104 for connection of signal transmission patch cables or cords 136.
The protrusions 204 are shown extending up from the top surface 402. In an embodiment, the protrusions 204 are located on a flexible tab 410. The flexible tab 410 allows the protrusions 204 to enter the protrusion engagement portion 208 when the connector module 110 is rotated. The strength of the flexible tab 410 can be overcome by a user who is changing the angle of the connector module 110, but great enough to maintain the protrusion 204 in the protrusion engagement portion 208 without outside force.
The rear bottom edge 408 of the connector modules 110 come into contact with the tabs (not shown) of the frame member (not shown). The height of the tabs is greater than the height of the rear bottom edge 408.
The frame member 120 includes a plurality of tabs 310 located on a rear side 106. As shown, the tabs 310 are located offset from the rotational axis for each connector module 110. The tabs 310 extend upward from the base of the patch panel 100. The tabs 310 prevent the connector modules 110 from over rotating. For example, when the connector modules 110 are rotated, a rear face 114 of the connector module 110 comes into contact with the tabs 310, so the connector module 110 cannot be further rotated.
The protrusion 204 is biased against a rear side edge of the frame member 120, which maintains the connector module 110 in a rotated position. The lock 140 fixes the position of the connector module 110 within the frame member 120. In the embodiment shown, the lock 140 is rotated 90° from the neutral position, so the connector module 110 is locked in place relative to the frame member 120.
In an example embodiment, the first piece 1202 is a plurality of connection jacks, such as a six pack distribution design. The second piece 1204 may be a printed circuit board, and the third piece 1206 prizes a plurality of connection locations, such as to individual wires. However, this is not to be seen as limiting, as the second piece 1204 and the third piece 1206 may also comprise connection jacks for a pass through embodiment.
In the embodiment shown, the second piece 1204 includes a plurality of connection jacks 104 that made with the connection jacks 104 of the first piece 1202.
Embodiments of the present invention, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the claimed invention and the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope.
This application is being filed on Aug. 13, 2020 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/886,807, filed on Aug. 14, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2020/046223 | 8/13/2020 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62886807 | Aug 2019 | US |
