WO1998013713A1 - Patch panel assembly - Google Patents

Patch panel assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998013713A1
WO1998013713A1 PCT/GB1997/002469 GB9702469W WO9813713A1 WO 1998013713 A1 WO1998013713 A1 WO 1998013713A1 GB 9702469 W GB9702469 W GB 9702469W WO 9813713 A1 WO9813713 A1 WO 9813713A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
patch panel
optical fibre
guide means
base
assembly according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1997/002469
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alain Wambeke
Luc Scheers
Pieter De Coster
Amandus Pieck
Original Assignee
N.V. Raychem S.A.
Raychem Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by N.V. Raychem S.A., Raychem Limited filed Critical N.V. Raychem S.A.
Publication of WO1998013713A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998013713A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4453—Cassettes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4452—Distribution frames
    • G02B6/44524—Distribution frames with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to optical fibre communications, and in particular to an optical fibre patch panel assembly suitable for a closure, a cabinet, a sub-rack or other container.
  • a patch panel is a support on which optical fibre connectors may be mounted.
  • Patch panels are commonly used in optical fibre closures, optical fibre cabinets, and optical fibre distribution racks, for example.
  • the optical fibres which are interconnected by means of the optical fibre connectors are normally contained in protective outer jackets.
  • Such optical fibres may, for example, be pigtails, patch cords, jumpers etc.
  • a first aspect of the present invention provides an optical fibre patch panel assembly, comprising:
  • a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector securement means, by means of each of which an optical fibre connector may be secured to the patch panel;
  • each optical fibre guide means includes at least one attachment means, by which the guide means may be removably attached directly or indirectly to the patch panel and/or the base by being moved towards the base in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.
  • the assembly according to the invention has the advantage that the or each optical fibre guide means may be attached after the optical fibre connectors have been secured to the patch panel. This provides greater access to the patch panel compared to systems in which the guide means are permanently in place, and thus enables the connectors to be attached to the patch panel more easily and with less chance of damage to the optical fibres and the connectors. Also, because the guide means may be attached by being moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base, the guide means may be passed between the optical fibres extending from the patch panel without significantly disturbing the optical fibres (and thus without damaging the fibres or causing transient signal losses in the fibres).
  • the attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means comprises at least one groove and/or projection which, in use, may engage at least one corresponding projection and/or groove (respectively) on the patch panel, to permit the optical fibre guide means to be slid onto the patch panel.
  • the base may include at least one fastening means which may cooperate with an attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means to attach the guide means to the base.
  • the cooperating attachment means and fastening means may, for example, be interlocking, e.g. snap-fit, parts.
  • the or each fastening means preferably comprises at least on slot, and the or each attachment means preferably comprises at least one resilient detent.
  • the or each fastening means may advantageously comprise part of a plate which, at least in use, is attached to a main part of the base. The plate may be attached to the main part of the base by means of screws, bolts, snap-fit parts etc, for example.
  • a plurality of optical fibre guide means may be joined together, preferably at or near their ends furthest from the base.
  • the optical fibre guide means are preferably joined together by means of at least one joining member, which joining member preferably includes one or more attachment means which, in use, attach(es) the joining member directly to the patch panel.
  • the or each guide means is preferably in the form of at least one curved plate, or the like.
  • the or each guide means preferably guides the optical f ⁇ bre(s) extending from the patch panel in a controlled bend which does not violate the critical bend radius of the optical fibre(s).
  • the guide means advantageously provide protection to the optical fibres immediately adjacent to the patch panel.
  • the invention provides a container, preferably an optical fibre closure or cabinet, including an optical fibre patch panel assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • FIG 1 shows one type of patch panel assembly according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a base plate of another type of patch panel assembly according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows an optical fibre guide means for attachment to the base plate of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 shows another type of optical fibre guide means of an assembly according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 shows an assembled patch panel assembly of the type shown in figures 2 and 3;
  • FIGs 6 and 7 show an assembled patch panel assembly including an optical fibre guide means of the type shown in Figure 4.
  • FIG. 1 shows a patch panel 1 , with optical fibre connector securement sockets 2, and optical fibre guide means 3 of a patch panel assembly according to the invention.
  • Each guide means 3 has the form of a curved plate, and has a projection 5 which can slide into a respective slot 7 in the patch panel.
  • Figure 2 shows a plate 9 of another type of patch panel assembly, which, in use, is attached to a main part of the base.
  • the plate 9 includes three slots 10 for receiving three guide means.
  • a suitable guide means 1 1 is shown in Figure 3.
  • the guide means 1 1 has resilient detents 13 which arranged to interlock with a slot 10 in the plate 9, thereby securing the guide means 1 1 to the base.
  • Figure 4 shows optical fibre guide means 15 of another type of patch panel assembly according to the invention.
  • the joining member has attachment means 18, in the form of projections 19, to attach it directly to a patch panel.
  • FIG. 5 shows a patch panel assembly of the type illustrated in figures 2 and 3 assembled in an optical fibre cabinet 20.
  • the base 21 of the cabinet 20 comprises the main part of the base of the assembly, to which the base plate 9 is attached.
  • An optical fibre pigtail 23 is shown, its optical fibre connector 24 mounted on the patch panel 25.
  • FIGs 6 and 7 show views of another patch panel assembly according to the invention, assembled in an optical fibre cabinet 20.
  • This patch panel assembly includes guide means 15 of the type shown in Figure 4, i.e. with a joining member 17 joining the guide means.
  • the joining member is attached to the patch panel 25 by joining means 18.

Abstract

An optical fibre patch panel assembly, comprising: (a) a patch panel (25), comprising a plurality of connector securement means, by means of each of which an optical fibre connector (25) may be secured to the patch panel; (b) one or more optical fibre guide means which, in use, guide(s) one or more optical fibres (23) extending from the patch panel; and (c) a generally flat base on which, at least in use, the patch panel is located; characterised in that the or each optical fibre guide means includes at least one attachment means, by which the guide means may be removably attached directly or indirectly to the patch panel (25) and/or the base (9) by being moved towards the base in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

Description

PATCH PANEL ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to optical fibre communications, and in particular to an optical fibre patch panel assembly suitable for a closure, a cabinet, a sub-rack or other container.
A patch panel is a support on which optical fibre connectors may be mounted. Patch panels are commonly used in optical fibre closures, optical fibre cabinets, and optical fibre distribution racks, for example. The optical fibres which are interconnected by means of the optical fibre connectors are normally contained in protective outer jackets. Such optical fibres may, for example, be pigtails, patch cords, jumpers etc.
A first aspect of the present invention provides an optical fibre patch panel assembly, comprising:
(a) a patch panel, comprising a plurality of connector securement means, by means of each of which an optical fibre connector may be secured to the patch panel;
(b) one or more optical fibre guide means which, in use, guide(s) one or more optical fibres extending from the patch panel; and
(c) a generally flat base on which, at least in use, the patch panel is located; characterised in that the or each optical fibre guide means includes at least one attachment means, by which the guide means may be removably attached directly or indirectly to the patch panel and/or the base by being moved towards the base in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.
The assembly according to the invention has the advantage that the or each optical fibre guide means may be attached after the optical fibre connectors have been secured to the patch panel. This provides greater access to the patch panel compared to systems in which the guide means are permanently in place, and thus enables the connectors to be attached to the patch panel more easily and with less chance of damage to the optical fibres and the connectors. Also, because the guide means may be attached by being moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base, the guide means may be passed between the optical fibres extending from the patch panel without significantly disturbing the optical fibres (and thus without damaging the fibres or causing transient signal losses in the fibres).
In some embodiments of the invention, the attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means comprises at least one groove and/or projection which, in use, may engage at least one corresponding projection and/or groove (respectively) on the patch panel, to permit the optical fibre guide means to be slid onto the patch panel.
Additionally or alternatively, the base may include at least one fastening means which may cooperate with an attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means to attach the guide means to the base. The cooperating attachment means and fastening means may, for example, be interlocking, e.g. snap-fit, parts. The or each fastening means preferably comprises at least on slot, and the or each attachment means preferably comprises at least one resilient detent. The or each fastening means may advantageously comprise part of a plate which, at least in use, is attached to a main part of the base. The plate may be attached to the main part of the base by means of screws, bolts, snap-fit parts etc, for example.
In some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of optical fibre guide means may be joined together, preferably at or near their ends furthest from the base. The optical fibre guide means are preferably joined together by means of at least one joining member, which joining member preferably includes one or more attachment means which, in use, attach(es) the joining member directly to the patch panel.
The or each guide means is preferably in the form of at least one curved plate, or the like. The or each guide means preferably guides the optical fιbre(s) extending from the patch panel in a controlled bend which does not violate the critical bend radius of the optical fibre(s). The guide means advantageously provide protection to the optical fibres immediately adjacent to the patch panel.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a container, preferably an optical fibre closure or cabinet, including an optical fibre patch panel assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 shows one type of patch panel assembly according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a base plate of another type of patch panel assembly according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows an optical fibre guide means for attachment to the base plate of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows another type of optical fibre guide means of an assembly according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows an assembled patch panel assembly of the type shown in figures 2 and 3; and
Figures 6 and 7 show an assembled patch panel assembly including an optical fibre guide means of the type shown in Figure 4.
Figure 1 shows a patch panel 1 , with optical fibre connector securement sockets 2, and optical fibre guide means 3 of a patch panel assembly according to the invention. Each guide means 3 has the form of a curved plate, and has a projection 5 which can slide into a respective slot 7 in the patch panel.
Figure 2 shows a plate 9 of another type of patch panel assembly, which, in use, is attached to a main part of the base. The plate 9 includes three slots 10 for receiving three guide means. A suitable guide means 1 1 is shown in Figure 3. The guide means 1 1 has resilient detents 13 which arranged to interlock with a slot 10 in the plate 9, thereby securing the guide means 1 1 to the base.
Figure 4 shows optical fibre guide means 15 of another type of patch panel assembly according to the invention. In this case, there are three pairs of guide means which are joined together by means of a joining member 17 at the ends of the guide means arranged to be furthest from the base. The joining member has attachment means 18, in the form of projections 19, to attach it directly to a patch panel.
Figure 5 shows a patch panel assembly of the type illustrated in figures 2 and 3 assembled in an optical fibre cabinet 20. The base 21 of the cabinet 20 comprises the main part of the base of the assembly, to which the base plate 9 is attached. An optical fibre pigtail 23 is shown, its optical fibre connector 24 mounted on the patch panel 25.
Figures 6 and 7 show views of another patch panel assembly according to the invention, assembled in an optical fibre cabinet 20. This patch panel assembly includes guide means 15 of the type shown in Figure 4, i.e. with a joining member 17 joining the guide means. The joining member is attached to the patch panel 25 by joining means 18.

Claims

Claims
1. An optical fibre patch panel assembly, comprising:
(a) a patch panel, comprising a plurality of connector securement means, by means of each of which an optical fibre connector may be secured to the patch panel;
(b) one or more optical fibre guide means which, in use, guide(s) one or more optical fibres extending from the patch panel; and
(c) a generally flat base on which, at least in use, the patch panel is located; characterised in that the or each optical fibre guide means includes at least one attachment means, by which the guide means may be removably attached directly or indirectly to the patch panel and/or the base by being moved towards the base in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.
2. An assembly according to Claim 1, in which the attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means comprises at least one groove and/or projection which, in use, may engage at least one corresponding projection and/or groove respectively on the patch panel, to permit the optical fibre guide means to be slid onto the patch panel.
3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the base includes at least one fastening means which may cooperate with a said attachment means of the or each optical fibre guide means to attach the guide means to the base.
4. An assembly according to Claim 3, in which the or each fastening means comprises at least one slot.
5. An assembly according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which the or each fastening means comprises part of a plate which, at least in use, is attached to a main part of the base.
6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which a plurality of said optical fibre guide means are joined together at or near their ends furthest from the base.
7. An assembly according to Claim 6, in which the optical fibre guide means are joined together by means of at least one joining member, which joining member includes one or more said attachment means which, in use, attach(es) the joining member directly to the patch panel.
8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the or each guide means is in the form of at least one curved plate.
9. An optical fibre patch panel assembly substantially as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. An optical fibre patch panel assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A container, preferably an optical fibre closure or cabinet, including an optical fibre patch panel assembly according to any preceding claim.
PCT/GB1997/002469 1996-09-27 1997-09-15 Patch panel assembly WO1998013713A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9620480.5A GB9620480D0 (en) 1996-09-27 1996-09-27 Patch panel assembly
GB9620480.5 1996-09-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998013713A1 true WO1998013713A1 (en) 1998-04-02

Family

ID=10800783

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1997/002469 WO1998013713A1 (en) 1996-09-27 1997-09-15 Patch panel assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB9620480D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1998013713A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6674952B2 (en) 2001-04-30 2004-01-06 Telect, Inc. Fiber optic cable bend radius protection system
US6944387B2 (en) 2001-04-30 2005-09-13 Telect, Inc. Fiber optic connector tray system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3527914A1 (en) * 1985-08-03 1987-02-12 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag Rack for communications equipment
DE4336079A1 (en) * 1993-10-22 1995-04-27 Philips Patentverwaltung Guide element for optical waveguides (optical fibres)
EP0711087A2 (en) * 1994-11-03 1996-05-08 KRONE Aktiengesellschaft Mounting device for regular jack connecting elements of the telecommunication and data technique (patch panel)
US5530954A (en) * 1995-01-13 1996-06-25 Telect, Inc. Telecommunication fiber optic patch panel shelf assembly
US5640482A (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-06-17 The Whitaker Corporation Fiber optic cable management rack

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3527914A1 (en) * 1985-08-03 1987-02-12 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag Rack for communications equipment
DE4336079A1 (en) * 1993-10-22 1995-04-27 Philips Patentverwaltung Guide element for optical waveguides (optical fibres)
EP0711087A2 (en) * 1994-11-03 1996-05-08 KRONE Aktiengesellschaft Mounting device for regular jack connecting elements of the telecommunication and data technique (patch panel)
US5530954A (en) * 1995-01-13 1996-06-25 Telect, Inc. Telecommunication fiber optic patch panel shelf assembly
US5640482A (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-06-17 The Whitaker Corporation Fiber optic cable management rack

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6674952B2 (en) 2001-04-30 2004-01-06 Telect, Inc. Fiber optic cable bend radius protection system
US6944387B2 (en) 2001-04-30 2005-09-13 Telect, Inc. Fiber optic connector tray system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9620480D0 (en) 1996-11-20

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