Communications bladed panel systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016309606-A1
Application number	US-201615043897-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 15, 2016
Priority date	Feb 12, 2010
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fiber panel system includes a chassis and at least blades configured to mount to the chassis. Each blade is moveable relative to the chassis between a retracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. Cable slack is managed at the front and/or rear of each chassis to facilitate movement of the blades without pulling or bending the cables beyond a maximum bend limit. Each blade may be locked into one or more positions relative to the chassis.

First claim

1 - 42 . (canceled)

43 . A bladed panel system comprising:
a chassis configured to couple to a frame, the chassis having an open front; a plurality of blades coupled to the chassis, each blade being configured to slide relative to the chassis between at least a closed position and a first extended position, each blade including a plurality of front ports positioned at the open front of the chassis when the first blade is in the closed position, the front ports being positioned forward of the open front of the chassis when the first blade is in the first extended position; a plurality of media segments having connectorized ends received at the front ports of the blades; and a bracket configured to couple to the frame at the open front of the chassis, the bracket including a transition surface positioned a distance forward of the open front of the chassis, the distance being sufficiently long to accommodate movement of each of the blades between the closed position and the first extended position without pulling or bending any of the media segments beyond a maximum bend radius of the media segment.

44 . The bladed panel system of claim 43 , wherein each blade includes a plurality of first retention fingers extending forwardly of the front ports, wherein the media segments are routed from the front ports, through the first retention fingers, to the bracket.

45 . The bladed panel system of claim 43 , wherein the bracket also includes a plurality of second retention fingers extending forwardly of the transition surface, the second retention fingers being configured to manage the media segments as the media segments are routed over the transition surface.

46 . The bladed panel system of claim 45 , wherein the second retention fingers form a plurality of enclosed spaces through which the media segments extend, the enclosed spaces securing the media segments to the bracket while accommodating movement of the media segments relative to the transition surface of the bracket.

47 . The bladed panel system of claim 46 , wherein each blade is configured to move to a second extended position relative to the chassis, wherein the front ports of the blade are positioned farther forward of the open front of the chassis when the blade is in the second extended position then when the blade is in the first extended position.

48 . The bladed panel system of claim 47 , wherein the enclosed spaces formed by the second retention fingers of the bracket are configured to open to accommodate movement of each of the blades to the second extended position.

49 . The bladed panel system of claim 48 , wherein each of the second retention fingers includes a body defining an opening that is selectively closed by a closing member to define the enclosure.

50 . The bladed panel system of claim 49 , wherein each closing member defines a living hinge along which the closing member flexes to open and close.

51 . The bladed panel system of claim 43 , wherein the bracket includes a mounting base, a spacer flange extending forwardly of the mounting base, at least one bend radius limiter arrangement extending from the spacer flange opposite the mounting base, and a guide member at an opposite side of the bend radius limiter arrangement from the spacer flange.

52 . The bladed panel system of claim 51 , wherein the spacer flange extends forwardly of the open front of the chassis by at least two inches.

53 . The bladed panel system of claim 51 , wherein the second retention fingers extend from the bend radius limiter arrangement.

54 . The bracket comprising:
a mounting base defining fastener openings; a spacer flange extending forwardly of the mounting base; at least one bend radius limiter arrangement coupled to the spacer flange opposite the mounting base, the bend radius limiter arrangement extending forwardly and away from the mounting base, the bend radius limiter arrangement defining a generally concave surface and a generally convex surface, the generally convex surface being configured to inhibit bending of optical fibers wrapped around the convex surface beyond a maximum bend radius, the concave surface defining a generally vertical channel; and a guide member at an opposite side of the bend radius limiter arrangement from the spacer flange, the guide member including a C-shaped body defining an opening, the guide member defining outwardly tapered surfaces extending rearwardly from the opening to facilitate guiding any optical fibers to the channel.

55 . The bracket of claim 54 , further comprising a tie member coupled to the guide member, the tie member securing optical fibers to the guide member.

56 . The bracket of claim 55 , wherein the tie member is a zip tie.

57 . The bracket of claim 54 , further comprising a plurality of cable retention fingers extending forwardly from a center of the bend radius limiter arrangement.

58 . The bracket of claim 57 , wherein the cable retention fingers are positioned in a single column.

59 . The bracket of claim 54 , wherein the bend radius limiter arrangement includes two bend radius limiters coupled to opposite sides of a spacer.

60 . The bracket of claim 59 , further comprising a plurality of cable retention fingers extending forwardly from the spacer of the bend radius limiter arrangement.

61 . The bracket of claim 54 , wherein the bracket is monolithically formed.

62 . A method of cabling a bladed panel including a plurality of blades that are coupled to a chassis so as to be separately moveable between closed and extended positions, each blade including a first plurality of front ports at a first side of the blade and a second plurality of front ports at a second side of the blade, the method comprising:
routing first and second pluralities of outgoing cables to a front of the chassis; connecting the first plurality of outgoing cables to the first plurality of front ports of the blades; routing the first plurality of outgoing cables towards the first side of the blade; wrapping the first plurality of outgoing cables around a first bracket mounted at a first side of the chassis including routing the first plurality of outgoing cables forwardly along a spacer flange of the first bracket, about a bend radius limiter arrangement of the first bracket, through retention fingers extending forwardly from the bend radius limiter arrangement, and around to a channel defined at the rear of the first bracket; connecting the second plurality of outgoing cables to the second plurality of front ports of the blades; routing the second plurality of outgoing cables towards the second side of the blade; and wrapping the second plurality of outgoing cables around a second bracket mounted at a second side of the chassis including routing the second plurality of outgoing cables forwardly along a spacer flange of the second bracket, about a bend radius limiter arrangement of the second bracket, through retention fingers extending forwardly from the bend radius limiter arrangement, and around to a channel defined at the rear of the second bracket.

63 - 124 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Anderson Chad
• Coffey Joseph C
• Kostecka Ryan
• Stone David
• Wentworth Michael

Classifications

• H05K7/1487 Primary

  Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade · CPC title

• G02B6/44526

  Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack · CPC title

• G02B6/44528

  Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box (routing arrangements H04Q1/00) · CPC title

• H04Q1/08 Primary

  Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor · CPC title

• H05K7/1489

  characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays (H05K7/1491 takes precedence) · CPC title