Title of Invention	CABLE MANAGEMENT BAR AND PATCH PANEL
Abstract	A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel can include a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, and a first side member with first and second ends. The first side member can be coupled to the first bar end, the second leg being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members can include first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions including a space therebetween. A patch panel can include a frame member and the cable management member.

Title of Invention

CABLE MANAGEMENT BAR AND PATCH PANEL

Abstract

A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel can include a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, and a first side member with first and second ends. The first side member can be coupled to the first bar end, the second leg being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members can include first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions including a space therebetween. A patch panel can include a frame member and the cable management member.

Full Text	WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 Cable Management Bar and Patch Panel Technical Field The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member detachably coupled to a cable management bar. Background Local area networks and telecommunications connections often use patch panels, especially at the customer's premises, to enable inter- or cross- connection between telecommunications equipment. Patch panels typically comprise a frame member including plurality of connector locations wherein any of a variety of jacks, including, but not limited to, copper and fiber, may be mounted. The jacks allow for 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 a patch cord. One type of jack and plug arrangement for a patch panel is an RJ45 type connector, described in U.S. Patent No. 5,639,261. Other patch panels and jacks are shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,299,956 and 5,674,093. There is an increasing need for cable management in order to keep the various cables organized and protected from damage. One area where damage and/or loss of performance may occur with cables is when excessive bending of the cable occurs. A cable management bar provides a support structure whereon the plurality of cables running to the connector locations may be supported to alleviate any excessive bending. One example of a cable management bar is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 6,600,106 to Standish et al., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Various concerns arise in the case of cable management bars. One concern is that the bars may be difficult to mount if they mount to the rack or cabinet at mounting locations different from the panel mounting locations and separate hardware pieces are used to mount the bars to the rack or cabinet. In addition, if the bars are permanently affixed to the panels, not every situation requires bars, thereby resulting in unnecessary structure in the rack or cabinet. 1 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 There is a need for improved patch panels and cable management bars. Summary The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member dctachably coupled to a cable management bar. According to one aspect, a cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel includes a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, and a first side member and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions defining a space therebetween. According to another aspect, a telecommunications patch panel includes a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end and the second frame end. The telecommunications patch panel also includes a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions defining a space therebetween. The first protrusion of the first side member of the cable management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame member, and the first protrusion of the second side member of the cable management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of the frame member when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. According to yet another aspect, a telecommunications patch panel includes a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first 2 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end and the second frame end. The telecommunications patch panel also includes a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second pairs of protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second pairs of protrusions defining a space therebetween sized to receive a portion of the frame member. The first pair of protrusions of the first side member of the cable management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame member and the space of the first side member receives a portion of the first frame end, and the first pair of protrusions of the second side member of the cable management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of the frame member and the space of the second side member receives a portion of the second frame end when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. According to another aspect, a method of coupling a cable management member to a frame member of a patch panel includes: providing a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including a protrusion extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members; positioning the protrusion of the first side member into a first aperture defined in a first frame end of a frame member; moving the second side member towards the frame member so that a tapered surface of the protrusion of the second side member rides along a portion of a second frame end of the frame member until the protrusion clears the frame member; and allowing the protrusion of the second side member to be received in a second aperture defined in the second frame end of the frame member. 3 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a patch panel. Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the patch panel of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the patch panel of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of the patch panel of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the patch panel of Figure 1 with one side member of a cable management bar removed from a frame member. Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the patch panel of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a top view of the patch panel of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the cable management bar of the patch panel of Figure 1. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the cable management bar of Figure 8. Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the cable management bar of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a top view of the cable management bar of Figure 8. Figure 12 is a bottom view of the cable management bar of Figure 8. Figure 13 is a rear elevational view of the cable management bar of Figure 8. Figure 14 is a side view of the cable management bar of Figure 8. Figure 15 is a perspective view of one member of the frame member of the patch panel of Figure 1. Figure 16 is a side view of the member of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a front perspective view of the patch panel of Figure 1 including a plurality of connector modules. Detailed Description The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member detachably coupled to a cable management bar. Referring now to Figures 1-7, an embodiment of a patch panel 100 with a frame member 110 is shown for use in inter- or cross connecting 4 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 telecommunications equipment. Also shown is a cable management member 150. Patch panel 100 may be mounted to a rack or cabinet of conventional construction (not shown), such as with fasteners passing through openings 118 of the frame member 110. The frame member 110 includes parallel bars 106, 108 extending from a first frame end 114 to a second frame end 116. A plurality of members 320 extend between bars 106, 108 to form the offset between bars 106, 108. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, each member 320 includes an extension 326, surfaces 328, 329, and an aperture 322 extending through member 320. Referring back to Figures 1-7, bars 106, 108 and members 320 define therebetween a plurality of connector locations 120 running from the first frame end 114 to the second frame end 116, wherein any of a variety of jacks or connector elements, including, but not limited to, copper and fiber, can be mounted. For example, RJ45 jacks, coax connectors, and fiber optic adapters can be mounted in connector locations 120, such as with snaps. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of connector modules 700, each including a plurality of jacks 702, are rotatably mounted in connector locations 120 formed between members 320. See Figure 17. Members 320 can be used to selectively lock connector modules 700 to frame member 110 as desired. Additional details regarding a frame member configured in a manner similar to that of frame member 110 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,537,106 to Follingstad, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The frame member 110 further includes first and second end flanges 224 and 226 with openings 118 positioned at the first and second frame ends 114 and 116. The first and second end flanges 224 and 226 can be used to mount the frame member 110 to a support structure such as a rack or cabinet. Structure and methods other than first and second end flanges may also be used to mount the frame member 110 to a rack or cabinet, such as, for example, the frame member can be integrally attached to a rack during manufacture of the rack itself. Referring now to Figures 8-14, the cable management member 150 is shown in greater detail. Cable management member 150 generally includes a horizontal main bar 380 with first and second ends 382, 384, and side members 482 and 484 coupled to bar 380 at the first and second ends 382, 384. 5 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 The bar 380 includes a flat surface 392 and a vertical flange 394. In the example shown, the flat surface 392 defines a plurality of slots 396. In example embodiments, cable ties (not shown) can be extended through the slots 396 to secure cables extending along flat surface 392 of bar 380. Side members 482, 484 include fingers 490, 492 and 491, 493 that generally form C-shaped openings 494, 495. Four protrusions 496, 497, 498, 499 extend inwardly from each of side members 482, 484 towards an opposite one of side members 482, 484. See Figure 10. Protrusions 496, 497 form space 500, and protrusions 498, 499 form space 501 therebetween. In the example embodiment, protrusions 497, 499 include tapered surfaces 497a, 499a that assist in coupling member 150 to frame member 110, as described below. In the example shown, ends 486 of side members 482, 484 are coupled to bar 380 by spot welding each side member 482, 484 to a respective end 382, 384 of the bar 380. In this manner, opposite ends 488 of side members 482, 484 can be flexed slightly outwardly with respect to each other to detachably couple the main bar 380 to the frame member 110, as described further below. Other methods for coupling the side members 482, 484 to the bar 380 can also be used or, in alternative embodiments, side members 482, 484 can be formed as part of the main bar 380. In the examples shown, the frame member 110 and cable management member 150 are both made of sheet metal. For example, the horizontal bar 380 can be made of 16 gauge (0.060") sheet metal, and the side members 482, 484 can be made of rolled metal (see roll 510 in side member 484 shown in Figure 10) to provide a semi-rigid construction. Other materials can be used. The members 320 can be formed of a number of materials such as plastic or metal. Referring now again to Figures 1-7, the frame member 110 and cable management member 150 can be detachably coupled as follows. As shown in Figures 5-7, protrusions 497, 499 of side member 482 of cable management bar 150 can be positioned in aperture 322 of member 320 located at the first frame end 114 of frame member 110. In this position, spaces 500, 501 receive extension 326 of member 320 (see Figure 6) so that extension 326 is sandwiched between protrusions 496, 497 and 498, 499 of side member 482. In addition, protrusion 497 engages 6 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 surface 328 of member 320, and protrusion 499 engages surface 329 of member 320. In this configuration, side member 482 is held in place on frame member 110. Once side member 482 of cable management bar 150 is coupled to frame member 110 as described above and shown in Figures 5-7, side member 484 on second end 384 of bar 150 is swung in a direction Y towards member 320 located at the second frame end 116 of frame member 110. As second end 384 reaches bar 150, tapered surfaces 497a, 499a of protrusions 497, 499 contact edge 326a of extension 326 of member 320 (see Figures 5, 15, and 16) located at second frame end 116. Tapered surfaces 497a, 499a ride along edge 326a and cause side member 484 to flex slightly outwardly in a direction X (see Figures 5 and 7) until ends 497b, 499b of protrusions 497, 499 clear edge 326a of extension 326 of member 320. Once protrusions 497, 499 of side member 484 clear edge 326a of extension 326, protrusions 497, 499 are received in aperture 322. Extension 326 is also received in spaces 500, 501 of side member 484. In this configuration, both side members 482, 484 are coupled to frame member 110. See Figures 1-4. To decouple the cable management member 150 from the frame member 110, a slight outwardly directed force in direction X can be applied to either side member 482 or 484. For example, a force in direction X shown in Figures 5 and 7 can be applied to side member 484 so that protrusions 496, 498 of side member 484 are removed from aperture 322 of member 320. Second end 384 of cable management bar 150 can then be swung away from the second frame end 116 of frame member 110 in a direction Z, and then side member 482 can be removed from the first frame end 114 of frame member 110. In accordance with the example embodiments described above, the cable management member 150 can be detachably mounted to members 320 of the frame member 110, rather than being mounted to a rack or cabinet. Because the cable management member 150 mounts directly to the frame member 110, there is no need for additional structure on the rack or cabinet for mounting the cable management member 150. Also, no additional hardware or holes are necessary. In addition, a cable management member in accordance with the present invention can be easily removed when not needed and can further be retrofitted to a frame member if needed at a later point. 7 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 8 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 What is claimed is: 1. A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel, the cable management member comprising: a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end; and a first side member and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions defining a space therebetween. 2. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the space between the first and second protrusions is sized to receive a portion of a frame member of a patch panel. 3. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the first and second protrusions of each of the first and second side members form a first pair of protrusions, and wherein each of the first and second side members further comprises a second pair of protrusions. 4. The cable management member of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second side members includes a main body, a first finger including the first pair of protrusions, and a second finger including the second pair of protrusions, and wherein the main body and the first and second fingers form a C-shape. 5. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the first and second side members are welded to the horizontal cable bar. 6. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the horizontal cable bar defines a planar surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots. 9 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 7. A telecommunications patch panel comprising: a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end and the second frame end; and a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member being coupled to the first bar end, a second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions defining a space therebetween; wherein the first protrusion of the first side member of the cable management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame member, and the first protrusion of the second side member of the cable management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of the frame member when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 8. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the space between the first and second protrusions of each of the first and second side members is sized to receive a portion of the frame member. 9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the first and second protrusions of each of the first and second side members form a first pair of protrusions, and wherein each of the first and second side members further comprises a second pair of protrusions. 10. The patch panel of claim 9, wherein the first pair of protrusions of the first side member is positioned in the first aperture, and the first pair of the protrusions of the second side member is positioned in the second aperture when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 10 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 11. The patch panel of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second side members includes a main body, a first finger including the first pair of protrusions, and a second finger including the second pair of protrusions, and wherein the main body and the first and second fingers form a C-shape. 12. The patch panel of claim 11, wherein one of each of the first and second pairs of protrusions of the first side member are positioned in the first aperture, and one of each of the first and second pairs of the protrusions of the second side member are positioned in the second aperture when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 13. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the first and second side members are welded to the horizontal cable bar. 14. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the horizontal cable bar defines a planar surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots. 15. A telecommunications patch panel comprising: a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end and the second frame end; and a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second pairs of protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second pairs of protrusions defining a space therebetween sized to receive a portion of the frame member; wherein the first pair of protrusions of the first side member of the cable management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame member and the space of the first side member receives a portion of the first frame end, and the first pair of protrusions of the second side member of the cable 11 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of the frame member and the space of the second side member receives a portion of the second frame end when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 16. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second side members includes a main body, a first finger including one of each of the first and second pairs of protrusions, and a second finger including an other of the first and second pairs of protrusions, and wherein the main body and the first and second fingers form a C-shape. 17. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the first and second side members are welded to the horizontal cable bar. 18. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the horizontal cable bar defines a planar surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots. 19. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second side members can be displaced away from an opposite one of the first and second side members as the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 20. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the first side member can be displaced in a direction opposite to that of the second side member so that the first pair of protrusions of the first side member clears the first frame end as the cable management member is coupled to the frame member. 21. A method of coupling a cable management member to a frame member of a patch panel, the method comprising: providing a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side 12 WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664 members including a protrusion extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members; positioning the protrusion of the first side member into a first aperture defined in a first frame end of a frame member; moving the second side member towards the frame member so that a tapered surface of the protrusion of the second side member rides along a portion of a second frame end of the frame member until the protrusion clears the frame member; and 13 allowing the protrusion of the second side member to be received in a second aperture defined in the second frame end of the frame member. A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel can include a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end, and a first side member with first and second ends. The first side member can be coupled to the first bar end, the second leg being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members can include first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions including a space therebetween. A patch panel can include a frame member and the cable management member.

Full Text

WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
Cable Management Bar and Patch Panel
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting
panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member detachably
coupled to a cable management bar.
Background
Local area networks and telecommunications connections often use
patch panels, especially at the customer's premises, to enable inter- or cross-
connection between telecommunications equipment. Patch panels typically
comprise a frame member including plurality of connector locations wherein any of
a variety of jacks, including, but not limited to, copper and fiber, may be mounted.
The jacks allow for 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 a patch cord. One type of jack and plug arrangement for a
patch panel is an RJ45 type connector, described in U.S. Patent No. 5,639,261.
Other patch panels and jacks are shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,299,956
and 5,674,093.
There is an increasing need for cable management in order to keep
the various cables organized and protected from damage. One area where damage
and/or loss of performance may occur with cables is when excessive bending of the
cable occurs. A cable management bar provides a support structure whereon the
plurality of cables running to the connector locations may be supported to alleviate
any excessive bending. One example of a cable management bar is shown and
described in U.S. Patent No. 6,600,106 to Standish et al., the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
Various concerns arise in the case of cable management bars. One
concern is that the bars may be difficult to mount if they mount to the rack or cabinet
at mounting locations different from the panel mounting locations and separate
hardware pieces are used to mount the bars to the rack or cabinet. In addition, if the
bars are permanently affixed to the panels, not every situation requires bars, thereby
resulting in unnecessary structure in the rack or cabinet.
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There is a need for improved patch panels and cable management
bars.
Summary
The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting
panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member dctachably
coupled to a cable management bar.
According to one aspect, a cable management member for a
telecommunications patch panel includes a horizontal cable bar including a first bar
end and a second bar end, and a first side member and a second side member, the
first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being
coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members
including first and second protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first
or second side members, the first and second protrusions defining a space
therebetween.
According to another aspect, a telecommunications patch panel
includes a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first
frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second
aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end
and the second frame end. The telecommunications patch panel also includes a
cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end
and a second bar end, a first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the
second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and
second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an
opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions
defining a space therebetween. The first protrusion of the first side member of the
cable management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of
the frame member, and the first protrusion of the second side member of the cable
management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of
the frame member when the cable management member is coupled to the frame
member.
According to yet another aspect, a telecommunications patch panel
includes a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first
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frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second
aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end
and the second frame end. The telecommunications patch panel also includes a
cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end
and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side
member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to
the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including first and
second pairs of protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second
side members, the first and second pairs of protrusions defining a space
therebetween sized to receive a portion of the frame member. The first pair of
protrusions of the first side member of the cable management member is positioned
in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame member and the space of the
first side member receives a portion of the first frame end, and the first pair of
protrusions of the second side member of the cable management member is
positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of the frame member and
the space of the second side member receives a portion of the second frame end
when the cable management member is coupled to the frame member.
According to another aspect, a method of coupling a cable
management member to a frame member of a patch panel includes: providing a
cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end
and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member, the first side
member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to
the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members including a
protrusion extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members;
positioning the protrusion of the first side member into a first aperture defined in a
first frame end of a frame member; moving the second side member towards the
frame member so that a tapered surface of the protrusion of the second side member
rides along a portion of a second frame end of the frame member until the protrusion
clears the frame member; and allowing the protrusion of the second side member to
be received in a second aperture defined in the second frame end of the frame
member.
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Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a patch panel.
Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the patch panel of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the patch panel of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the patch panel of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the patch panel of Figure 1 with
one side member of a cable management bar removed from a frame member.
Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the patch
panel of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a top view of the patch panel of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the cable management bar of
the patch panel of Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the cable management bar of
Figure 8.
Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the cable
management bar of Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a top view of the cable management bar of Figure 8.
Figure 12 is a bottom view of the cable management bar of Figure 8.
Figure 13 is a rear elevational view of the cable management bar of
Figure 8.
Figure 14 is a side view of the cable management bar of Figure 8.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of one member of the frame member
of the patch panel of Figure 1.
Figure 16 is a side view of the member of Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a front perspective view of the patch panel of Figure 1
including a plurality of connector modules.
Detailed Description
The present invention relates to a telecommunications connecting
panel and, more particularly, to a patch panel including a frame member detachably
coupled to a cable management bar.
Referring now to Figures 1-7, an embodiment of a patch panel 100
with a frame member 110 is shown for use in inter- or cross connecting
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telecommunications equipment. Also shown is a cable management member 150.
Patch panel 100 may be mounted to a rack or cabinet of conventional construction
(not shown), such as with fasteners passing through openings 118 of the frame
member 110.
The frame member 110 includes parallel bars 106, 108 extending
from a first frame end 114 to a second frame end 116. A plurality of members 320
extend between bars 106, 108 to form the offset between bars 106, 108. As shown
in Figures 15 and 16, each member 320 includes an extension 326, surfaces 328,
329, and an aperture 322 extending through member 320.
Referring back to Figures 1-7, bars 106, 108 and members 320 define
therebetween a plurality of connector locations 120 running from the first frame end
114 to the second frame end 116, wherein any of a variety of jacks or connector
elements, including, but not limited to, copper and fiber, can be mounted. For
example, RJ45 jacks, coax connectors, and fiber optic adapters can be mounted in
connector locations 120, such as with snaps.
For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of connector modules
700, each including a plurality of jacks 702, are rotatably mounted in connector
locations 120 formed between members 320. See Figure 17. Members 320 can be
used to selectively lock connector modules 700 to frame member 110 as desired.
Additional details regarding a frame member configured in a manner similar to that
of frame member 110 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,537,106 to Follingstad, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The frame member 110 further includes first and second end flanges
224 and 226 with openings 118 positioned at the first and second frame ends 114
and 116. The first and second end flanges 224 and 226 can be used to mount the
frame member 110 to a support structure such as a rack or cabinet. Structure and
methods other than first and second end flanges may also be used to mount the
frame member 110 to a rack or cabinet, such as, for example, the frame member can
be integrally attached to a rack during manufacture of the rack itself.
Referring now to Figures 8-14, the cable management member 150 is
shown in greater detail. Cable management member 150 generally includes a
horizontal main bar 380 with first and second ends 382, 384, and side members 482
and 484 coupled to bar 380 at the first and second ends 382, 384.
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The bar 380 includes a flat surface 392 and a vertical flange 394. In
the example shown, the flat surface 392 defines a plurality of slots 396. In example
embodiments, cable ties (not shown) can be extended through the slots 396 to secure
cables extending along flat surface 392 of bar 380.
Side members 482, 484 include fingers 490, 492 and 491, 493 that
generally form C-shaped openings 494, 495. Four protrusions 496, 497, 498, 499
extend inwardly from each of side members 482, 484 towards an opposite one of
side members 482, 484. See Figure 10. Protrusions 496, 497 form space 500, and
protrusions 498, 499 form space 501 therebetween. In the example embodiment,
protrusions 497, 499 include tapered surfaces 497a, 499a that assist in coupling
member 150 to frame member 110, as described below.
In the example shown, ends 486 of side members 482, 484 are
coupled to bar 380 by spot welding each side member 482, 484 to a respective end
382, 384 of the bar 380. In this manner, opposite ends 488 of side members 482,
484 can be flexed slightly outwardly with respect to each other to detachably couple
the main bar 380 to the frame member 110, as described further below. Other
methods for coupling the side members 482, 484 to the bar 380 can also be used or,
in alternative embodiments, side members 482, 484 can be formed as part of the
main bar 380.
In the examples shown, the frame member 110 and cable
management member 150 are both made of sheet metal. For example, the horizontal
bar 380 can be made of 16 gauge (0.060") sheet metal, and the side members 482,
484 can be made of rolled metal (see roll 510 in side member 484 shown in Figure
10) to provide a semi-rigid construction. Other materials can be used.
The members 320 can be formed of a number of materials such as
plastic or metal.
Referring now again to Figures 1-7, the frame member 110 and cable
management member 150 can be detachably coupled as follows. As shown in
Figures 5-7, protrusions 497, 499 of side member 482 of cable management bar 150
can be positioned in aperture 322 of member 320 located at the first frame end 114
of frame member 110. In this position, spaces 500, 501 receive extension 326 of
member 320 (see Figure 6) so that extension 326 is sandwiched between protrusions
496, 497 and 498, 499 of side member 482. In addition, protrusion 497 engages
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
surface 328 of member 320, and protrusion 499 engages surface 329 of member 320.
In this configuration, side member 482 is held in place on frame member 110.
Once side member 482 of cable management bar 150 is coupled to
frame member 110 as described above and shown in Figures 5-7, side member 484
on second end 384 of bar 150 is swung in a direction Y towards member 320 located
at the second frame end 116 of frame member 110. As second end 384 reaches bar
150, tapered surfaces 497a, 499a of protrusions 497, 499 contact edge 326a of
extension 326 of member 320 (see Figures 5, 15, and 16) located at second frame
end 116. Tapered surfaces 497a, 499a ride along edge 326a and cause side member
484 to flex slightly outwardly in a direction X (see Figures 5 and 7) until ends 497b,
499b of protrusions 497, 499 clear edge 326a of extension 326 of member 320.
Once protrusions 497, 499 of side member 484 clear edge 326a of extension 326,
protrusions 497, 499 are received in aperture 322. Extension 326 is also received in
spaces 500, 501 of side member 484. In this configuration, both side members 482,
484 are coupled to frame member 110. See Figures 1-4.
To decouple the cable management member 150 from the frame
member 110, a slight outwardly directed force in direction X can be applied to either
side member 482 or 484. For example, a force in direction X shown in Figures 5
and 7 can be applied to side member 484 so that protrusions 496, 498 of side
member 484 are removed from aperture 322 of member 320. Second end 384 of
cable management bar 150 can then be swung away from the second frame end 116
of frame member 110 in a direction Z, and then side member 482 can be removed
from the first frame end 114 of frame member 110.
In accordance with the example embodiments described above, the
cable management member 150 can be detachably mounted to members 320 of the
frame member 110, rather than being mounted to a rack or cabinet. Because the
cable management member 150 mounts directly to the frame member 110, there is
no need for additional structure on the rack or cabinet for mounting the cable
management member 150. Also, no additional hardware or holes are necessary. In
addition, a cable management member in accordance with the present invention can
be easily removed when not needed and can further be retrofitted to a frame member
if needed at a later point.
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete
description of the manufacture and of the invention. Since many embodiments of
the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
What is claimed is:
1. A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel, the
cable management member comprising:
a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a second bar end; and
a first side member and a second side member, the first side member being
coupled to the first bar end, the second side member being coupled to the second bar
end, and each of the first and second side members including first and second
protrusions extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side members,
the first and second protrusions defining a space therebetween.
2. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the space between the
first and second protrusions is sized to receive a portion of a frame member of a
patch panel.
3. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the first and second
protrusions of each of the first and second side members form a first pair of
protrusions, and wherein each of the first and second side members further
comprises a second pair of protrusions.
4. The cable management member of claim 3, wherein each of the first and
second side members includes a main body, a first finger including the first pair of
protrusions, and a second finger including the second pair of protrusions, and
wherein the main body and the first and second fingers form a C-shape.
5. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the first and second side
members are welded to the horizontal cable bar.
6. The cable management member of claim 1, wherein the horizontal cable bar
defines a planar surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots.
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
7. A telecommunications patch panel comprising:
a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first
frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second
aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end
and the second frame end; and
a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a
first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member being coupled to the first bar
end, a second side member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first
and second side members including first and second protrusions extending toward an
opposite one of the first or second side members, the first and second protrusions
defining a space therebetween;
wherein the first protrusion of the first side member of the cable management
member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the frame
member, and the first protrusion of the second side member of the cable
management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of
the frame member when the cable management member is coupled to the frame
member.
8. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the space between the first and second
protrusions of each of the first and second side members is sized to receive a portion
of the frame member.
9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the first and second protrusions of each
of the first and second side members form a first pair of protrusions, and wherein
each of the first and second side members further comprises a second pair of
protrusions.
10. The patch panel of claim 9, wherein the first pair of protrusions of the first
side member is positioned in the first aperture, and the first pair of the protrusions of
the second side member is positioned in the second aperture when the cable
management member is coupled to the frame member.
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
11. The patch panel of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second side
members includes a main body, a first finger including the first pair of protrusions,
and a second finger including the second pair of protrusions, and wherein the main
body and the first and second fingers form a C-shape.
12. The patch panel of claim 11, wherein one of each of the first and second
pairs of protrusions of the first side member are positioned in the first aperture, and
one of each of the first and second pairs of the protrusions of the second side
member are positioned in the second aperture when the cable management member
is coupled to the frame member.
13. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the first and second side members are
welded to the horizontal cable bar.
14. The patch panel of claim 7, wherein the horizontal cable bar defines a planar
surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots.
15. A telecommunications patch panel comprising:
a frame member including a front face with an opposing rear face, a first
frame end defining a first aperture, and a second frame end defining a second
aperture, with a plurality of connector locations disposed between the first frame end
and the second frame end; and
a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar including a
first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side member,
the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side member
being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side members
including first and second pairs of protrusions extending toward an opposite one of
the first or second side members, the first and second pairs of protrusions defining a
space therebetween sized to receive a portion of the frame member;
wherein the first pair of protrusions of the first side member of the cable
management member is positioned in the first aperture of the first frame end of the
frame member and the space of the first side member receives a portion of the first
frame end, and the first pair of protrusions of the second side member of the cable
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
management member is positioned in the second aperture of the second frame end of
the frame member and the space of the second side member receives a portion of the
second frame end when the cable management member is coupled to the frame
member.
16. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second side
members includes a main body, a first finger including one of each of the first and
second pairs of protrusions, and a second finger including an other of the first and
second pairs of protrusions, and wherein the main body and the first and second
fingers form a C-shape.
17. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the first and second side members are
welded to the horizontal cable bar.
18. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the horizontal cable bar defines a
planar surface, the planar surface defining a plurality of slots.
19. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second side
members can be displaced away from an opposite one of the first and second side
members as the cable management member is coupled to the frame member.
20. The patch panel of claim 15, wherein the first side member can be displaced
in a direction opposite to that of the second side member so that the first pair of
protrusions of the first side member clears the first frame end as the cable
management member is coupled to the frame member.
21. A method of coupling a cable management member to a frame member of a
patch panel, the method comprising:
providing a cable management member including a horizontal cable bar
including a first bar end and a second bar end, a first side member, and a second side
member, the first side member being coupled to the first bar end, the second side
member being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and second side
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WO 2006/108038 PCT/US2006/012664
members including a protrusion extending toward an opposite one of the first or
second side members;
positioning the protrusion of the first side member into a first aperture
defined in a first frame end of a frame member;
moving the second side member towards the frame member so that a tapered
surface of the protrusion of the second side member rides along a portion of a
second frame end of the frame member until the protrusion clears the frame
member; and
13
allowing the protrusion of the second side member to be received in a second
aperture defined in the second frame end of the frame member.

A cable management member for a telecommunications patch panel
can include a horizontal cable bar including a first bar end and a
second bar end, and a first side member with first and second ends.
The first side member can be coupled to the first bar end, the second
leg being coupled to the second bar end, and each of the first and
second side members can include first and second protrusions
extending toward an opposite one of the first or second side
members, the first and second protrusions including a space
therebetween. A patch panel can include a frame member and the
cable management member.

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Patent Number

267399

Indian Patent Application Number

3455/KOLNP/2007

PG Journal Number

29/2015

Publication Date

17-Jul-2015

Grant Date

16-Jul-2015

Date of Filing

14-Sep-2007

Name of Patentee

ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Applicant Address

13625 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	MATTSON, LOREN J.	6609 EMERSON AVENUE SOUTH RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA 55423
2	CLARK, GORDON P.	8525 GWENETH LANE (APT. 525) EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA 55344

PCT International Classification Number

G02B 6/44

PCT International Application Number

PCT/US2006/012664

PCT International Filing date

2006-03-29

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	11/097,648	2005-04-01	U.S.A.