Communication panel system

Abstract

A communication panel includes one or more trays mounted within a chassis. The chassis includes opposing side members that hold the tray in a fixed position relative to the chassis. The side members also define a cable routing loop at the front of the chassis. Each tray holds one or more cartridge guides along which a cartridge is slidably mounted to the tray. The side member may include a mounting guide to assist in guiding the cartridge onto the cartridge guide to mount the cartridge to the tray.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application was filed as a PCT international application on October 31, 2023, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 381,658 filed on October 31, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 497,005 filed on April 19, 2023, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background Art

[0003] In the telecommunications industry, the demand for increased capacity is growing rapidly. This demand is met in part by increasing the use and density of fiber optic transmission equipment. Even though fiber optic equipment allows for higher levels of transmission within the same or smaller footprint compared to traditional copper transmission equipment, this demand requires even higher fiber densities. This has led to the development of high-density fiber handling equipment.

[0004] In a communication panel system, port components (e.g., optical adapters, electrical jacks, hybrid port components, etc.) defining front ports are mounted to one or more trays that may be disposed within a chassis. The front ports are configured to receive plug connectors at the front of the trays. The trays may be stationary within the chassis, or may slide in front of the chassis to enhance access to the port components.

[0005] Needs improvement. Summary of the invention

[0006] A communication panel includes a chassis that holds one or more trays. Each tray spans the width and depth of the chassis. In some embodiments, the tray is stationary within the chassis. Each tray is configured to support one or more boxes that carry ports (e.g., optical ports, electrical ports, or hybrid ports) to receive plug connectors. The boxes are slidably mounted to the trays along box guides. Each tray filled with one or more boxes is referred to herein as a communication device.

[0007] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the pallet is mounted in an axially fixed position within the chassis using side members. A pair of side members are coupled to one or more pallets to form a pallet arrangement mountable to the chassis. In certain embodiments, each side member includes a pallet retaining section that retains one or more pallets.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the side members define a retaining ring at a front portion of the side members to guide media segments (eg, fiber optic cables, electrical cables, hybrid cables, etc.) across the front portion of the chassis.

[0009] In some embodiments, the side member defines an indicator area where a label can be mounted. In some examples, the tray retaining section is disposed between the retaining ring and the indicator area.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tray holding sections define a plurality of recesses to receive a plurality of trays. In other embodiments, the tray holding sections each define a single recess at which a plurality of trays are received.

[0011] Various additional inventive aspects will be described in the following description. Inventive aspects may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and illustrative and do not limit the broad inventive concepts on which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0013] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first exemplary communications panel constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 Is applicable to Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary tray assembly in a first communications panel with components of the tray assembly exploded from one another for ease of viewing;

[0015] Figure 3 Is applicable to Figure 2 A top plan view of an exemplary tray base in a tray arrangement of;

[0016] Figure 4 Is applicable to Figure 2 A perspective view of an exemplary side member in a tray device;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a communications panel with a top member removed to facilitate viewing of the tray assembly;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Front elevation view of the communication panel;

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 an enlarged view of a portion of;

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a communication panel;

[0021] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the communication panel;

[0022] Fig.10 is an exploded view of a second exemplary communications panel constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig.11 Is applicable to Fig.10 and Fig.14 A perspective view of a second exemplary side member in a communications panel;

[0024] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A side elevation view of a side member;

[0025] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of a side member of the invention;

[0026] Fig.14 is a perspective view of a third exemplary communications panel constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 An exploded view of the communication panel;

[0028] Fig.16 Shown with Fig.14 Packaging stabilizers for pallet alignment of communication panels;

[0029] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A perspective view of a packaging stabilizer;

[0030] Fig.18 yes Fig.16 A top perspective view of a packaging stabilizer;

[0031] Fig.19 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary communication panel constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure, the fourth communication panel having a top member exploded upward to facilitate viewing of a tray arrangement;

[0032] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 A perspective view of a communications panel showing the top member removed and the tray base exploded outwardly from the chassis to facilitate viewing of the side members;

[0033] Fig.21 Shows Fig. 20 a communication panel in which a side member on one side of the chassis is exploded upward and only one of the tray bases is visible;

[0034] Fig. 22 Is applicable to Fig. 20 A top perspective view of an exemplary tray base in a tray arrangement for a communication panel;

[0035] Fig.23 yes Fig. 22 A bottom perspective view of a tray base;

[0036] Fig.24 yes Fig. 22 A front elevation view of a base of a tray;

[0037] Fig.25 Is applicable to Fig.19 a perspective view of a third exemplary side member for use with a tray assembly of a fourth communications panel;

[0038] Fig.26 An alternative embodiment with a cable management area Fig.10 a perspective view of a second exemplary communications panel; and

[0039] Fig. 27 shows how the cable can be Fig.26 Route and secure in the cable management area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0041] The present disclosure relates to a communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400 configured to be mounted to a rack (e.g., via a mounting bracket B). The communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400 includes a chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 holding one or more tray devices 118, 218, 318, 418 (e.g., see Figure 5 , Fig.10 , Fig.15 and Fig. 20 ). The chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 extends along a depth D between the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104, along a width W between the first side 106 and the second side 108, and along a height H between the top 110 and the bottom. Each tray assembly 118, 218, 318, 418 spans the width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The tray assembly 118, 218, 318, 418 is axially fixed along the depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416.

[0042] Each tray device 118, 218, 318, 418 is configured to support one or more boxes 120. In some embodiments, the exemplary box 120 carries one or more ports (e.g., optical ports, electrical ports, hybrid ports, etc.) configured to receive plug connectors. In other embodiments, the exemplary box 120 carries other communication components, such as splicing components (e.g., splicing trays, splicing chips, or other protective devices), optical splitters (e.g., power dividers, wavelength division multiplexers, optical taps, etc.) and / or media segment storage devices (e.g., spools, bend radius limiters, guides, etc.).

[0043] The exemplary tray arrangement 118, 218, 318, 418 includes a tray base 124 extending between a first side member 130, 130A, 230, 230A, 430, 430A and a second side member 130, 130B, 230, 230B, 430, 430B. The first side member 130, 130A, 230, 230A, 430, 430A is mounted to the first side 106 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416, and the second side member 130, 130B, 230, 230B, 430, 430B is mounted to the second side 108 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The side members 130, 230, 430 hold the tray base 124 in a fixed position relative to the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. For example, the side members 130 , 230 , 430 inhibit axial movement of the tray base 124 along the depth D of the chassis 116 , 216 , 316 , 416 .

[0044] Each side member 130, 230, 430 has a fiber guiding section 134, 234, 434 disposed at the front 106 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 and a tray holding section 132, 432 disposed behind the fiber guiding section 134, 434. In certain embodiments, each side member 130, 230, 430 is elongated along a depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The tray base 124 is elongated along a width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 between opposite first and second ends 125, 127. The first end 125 of the tray base 124 is held at the tray holding section 132, 432 of the first side member 130, 130A, 230, 230A, 430, 430A. The second end 127 of the tray base 124 is held at the tray holding section 132 , 432 of the second side member 130 , 130B, 230 , 230B, 430 , 430B.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the fiber guide segment 134, 234, 434 includes a retaining ring 170, 470 disposed at the front of the side member 130, 230, 430. The retaining ring 170, 470 extends along the height H of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 and along the depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 to define a passage 172, 472 extending along the width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In certain embodiments, the retaining ring 170, 470 defines an inlet 174, 474 through which a media segment (e.g., a fiber optic cable, an electrical cable, a hybrid cable, etc.) can enter the passage 172, 472. In certain examples, the inlet 174, 474 is disposed at the front of the retaining ring 170, 470. In some examples, the inlet 174 is disposed toward the top of the front of the retaining ring 170. In other examples, the inlet 474 is disposed toward the center of the front of the retaining ring 470. In some examples, the inlet 174 extends at an angle relative to the depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 between the exterior of the retaining ring 170 and the passage 172. In the example shown, the inlet 174 is angled upward as the inlet 174 extends from the exterior of the ring 170 toward the passage 172.

[0046] The tray base 124 includes a plurality of box guides 122 extending along the depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The box guides 122 are spaced apart from each other along the width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The guides 122 are configured to receive a plurality of boxes 120 slidingly along the guides 122 from the front end 126 of the base 124 or from the rear end 128 of the base 124 at the discretion of the user. In some embodiments, the box guides 122 have an L-shape. Each box 120 includes a latching device that releasably locks the box in a fixed position relative to the tray device 118, 218, 318, 418. Examples of suitable latching devices and corresponding structures on the guides 122 are disclosed in WO 2022 / 178310, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0047] As will be discussed in more detail herein, the box 120 carries one or more front ports at the front of the box 120. The front ports are configured to receive plug connectors. In some embodiments, the front ports are optical ports configured to receive optical plug connectors. In other embodiments, the front ports can be electrical ports configured to receive electrical plug connectors, hybrid ports configured to receive hybrid plug connectors, or a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, the box 120 carries a single fiber front port (e.g., an LC front port). In other embodiments, the box 120 carries a multi-fiber front port (e.g., an MPO front port provided by Senko, an SN front port, etc.). In still other embodiments, the same box 120 can carry a mix of two or more types of front ports (e.g., a mix of MPO ports and LC ports).

[0048] In some embodiments, the box 120 carries one or more rear ports (e.g., optical ports, electrical ports, hybrid ports, etc.) at the rear of the box 120. Each rear port is configured to receive a plug connector. An intermediate optical fiber within the box connects the front and rear ports. In other embodiments, the box 120 carries ports only at the front of the box 120. In such embodiments, the rear of the box 120 is configured so that an optical fiber or one or more optical fiber cables can be extended into / on the box 120 and routed toward the front port.

[0049] The guides 122 and boxes 120 are configured such that the sizes of the boxes 120 do not need to be integer increments of each other to each fit on the same tray device 118, 218, 318, 418 having the same guide 122 configuration. For example, the tray device 118, 218, 318, 418 can receive a first box 120 having a first width and a second box having a second width that is 1.5 times the first width. Thus, the same tray can be completely filled with multiple boxes having the first width or multiple boxes having the second width at the user's discretion without modifying the guides or the tray. In other cases, boxes of different widths can be mixed on a tray.

[0050] In various embodiments, the box 120 can be a base-8 box, a base-12 box, or another type of box (e.g., a base-2 box, a base-16 box, a base-24 box, etc.). The base-8 box receives optical fibers at the rear in increments of eight (e.g., through a rear adapter or through optical fibers extending into the box), while the base-12 box receives optical fibers at the rear in increments of twelve. In some instances, the base-16 box receives optical fibers at the rear in increments of sixteen, and the base-24 box receives optical fibers at the rear in increments of twenty-four. In some embodiments, the base-8 box receives a plug connector at the rear of the box 120 having eight active optical fibers, the base-12 box receives a plug connector at the rear of the box 120 having twelve active optical fibers, the base-16 box receives a plug connector at the rear of the box 120 having sixteen active optical fibers, and the base-24 box receives a plug connector at the rear of the box 120 having twenty-four active optical fibers.

[0051] In some embodiments, the base-12 box has a larger width than the base-8 box. For example, a base-12 box that provides a row of six duplex LC front ports (i.e., twelve LC front ports) can be wider than a base-8 box that provides a row of four duplex LC front ports (i.e., eight LC front ports). In an example, the width of this base-12 box can be 1.5 times that of the base-8 box. In such embodiments, the tray devices 118, 218, 318, 418 can be filled with base-8 boxes, base-12 boxes, or a combination thereof without modifying the arrangement of the guides 122. However, in other embodiments, the base-8 boxes and the base-12 boxes can have the same width depending on the port type.

[0052] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 includes a bottom member 140 and a top member 142. The bottom member 140 defines a bottom of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The top member 142 defines a top 110 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The top member 140 and the bottom member 142 cooperate to define a first side wall 144 and a second side wall 146 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 at the first side 106 and the second side 108. The first side member 130, 130A, 230, 230A, 430 is mounted to the first side wall 144, and the second side member 130, 130A, 230, 230A, 430 is mounted to the second side wall 146.

[0053] The bottom member 140 includes a base 150, 250, 350, 450 extending along a width W and a depth D of the bottom pan 116, 216, 316, 416. In certain embodiments, the bottom member 140 further includes side flanges 152, 252, 352, 452 extending upwardly from the base 150, 250, 350, 450 at opposite sides 106, 108 of the base 150, 250, 350, 450. The top member 142 includes a cover 154, 354, 454 extending along a width W and a depth D of the bottom pan 116, 216, 316, 416. In certain embodiments, the top member 142 further includes side flanges 156, 356, 456 extending downwardly from the cover 154, 354, 454 at opposite sides 106, 108 of the cover 154, 254, 354, 454. In certain embodiments, each side member 130 , 130A, 230 , 230A, 430 is mounted (eg, via fasteners, latches, etc.) to both the flange 152 , 252 , 352 , 452 of the bottom member 140 and the flange 156 , 356 , 456 of the top member 142 .

[0054] In certain embodiments, the base 150, 250, 350, 450 of the bottom member 140 defines an access aperture 148 at the bottom of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The access aperture 148 is positioned toward the front 102 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 to provide finger access to the front port of the cartridge 120 mounted to the tray arrangement 118, 218, 318, 418. In certain instances, the access aperture 148 spans at least the gap G ( Figure 3 ). In some embodiments, the access aperture 148 spans across a plurality of cartridge guides 122 and gaps G. In some embodiments, the access aperture 148 is one of a plurality of access apertures. In some instances, the access apertures 148 are arranged in a row across a majority of the width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In the illustrated example, the base 150, 250, 350, 450 defines three access apertures 148. However, in other instances, the base 150, 250, 350, 450 may define a greater (e.g., four) or less (e.g., two) number of access apertures 148.

[0055] In some embodiments, the cable management area 158 is disposed at the rear of the tray device 118, 218, 318, 418. In some examples, the cable management area 158 is defined by a rear portion of the base 150, 250, 350, 450. For example, the base 150, 250, 350, 450 can extend rearwardly beyond the top member 142 to define the cable management area 158. One or more cable anchoring stations 160 are disposed at the cable management area 158. In some embodiments, an anchoring plate 162 can be disposed at the anchoring station 160 (e.g., see Figure 5 and Figure 8 ). One or more cable anchors may be mounted to the anchor plate 162. An exemplary anchor plate suitable for use at the cable anchor station 160 is disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 025731, filed on April 21, 2022, and entitled “Cable Anchor System,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0056] In other embodiments, the cable anchoring station 160 defines a pair of slots 262 at which a cable tie Z or other wrap-around fastener may be secured (see, e.g., Fig.26 and Fig. 27 ). In some embodiments, the slot pairs 262 are arranged in different orientations. For example, some of the slot pairs 262a are oriented to extend along the depth D of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416, while other slot pairs 262b are oriented to extend along the width W of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In some examples, the slot pairs 262a, 262b alternate along the rows. Fig. 27 , the first cable C1 is shown as being routed directly outward from the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 and fixed at the cable anchoring groove pair 262a by the cable tie Z. The second cable C2 is shown as being fixed to the cable anchoring groove pair 262a, forming a loop and fixed to the cable anchoring groove pair 262b to adjust the direction in which the second cable C2 extends from the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416.

[0057] In some embodiments, the front door 164 is disposed at the front 102 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In some instances, the front door 164 is configured to selectively cover the open front of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In some instances, the front door 164 is configured to selectively block access to a front port carried by a box 120 mounted to the tray device 118, 218, 318, 418. In some instances, the front door 164 is configured to move between a closed position extending across the front 102 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 and an open position providing access to the front 102 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In an example, the front door 164 pivots between the open position and the closed position. In another example, the front door 164 moves between the open position and the closed position via a living hinge. Exemplary front doors suitable for use with the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 of the present disclosure are disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 2022 / 204527, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0058] In some embodiments, the rear panel 166 ( Figure 1 and Fig.15 ) can be disposed at the rear 104 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In some instances, the rear panel 166 is configured to block access to the open rear of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. In some instances, the rear panel 166 selectively blocks access to the cable management area 158. In some embodiments, the rear panel 166 cooperates with the rear cover 168 to selectively block access to the cable management area 158. In some instances, the rear panel 166 and the rear cover 168 are separate pieces. In some instances, the rear cover 168 is at least substantially coplanar with the cover 154 of the top member 142. In some instances, the rear panel 166 and / or the cover 168 are secured in place. In other embodiments, the communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400 does not include the rear cover 168, so that the cable management area 158 remains exposed.

[0059] In certain embodiments, each side member 130, 230, 430 of the communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400 includes an indicator section 136, 236, 436 disposed behind the tray holding section 132, 232, 432. The indicator section 136, 236, 436 is sized and configured to receive a label L1 at the label area 184. The label L1 may carry indicia identifying the tray of the corresponding tray device 118, 218, 318, 418 (e.g., see Fig.11 The indicator section 136, 236, 436 may position the label L1 behind the tray device 118, 218, 318, 418 (see, for example, Figure 8 ).

[0060] Referring generally to the drawings, four exemplary communication panels 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 are shown. Figure 1-9 A first communication panel 100 including a first exemplary tray arrangement 118 is shown, the first communication panel including a first type of side member 130 . Figure 10-13 A second communication panel 200 including a second exemplary tray arrangement 218 is shown, the second communication panel including a second type of side member 230 . Figure 14-16 A third communications panel 300 including a third exemplary tray arrangement 318 is shown, the third communications panel utilizing the second type of side members 230 . Figure 19-25 A fourth communication panel 400 including a fourth exemplary tray arrangement 418 is shown, the fourth communication panel including a third type of side members 430 . Fig.17 and Fig.18 An exemplary packaging stabilizer suitable for use with any of the communications panels 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 disclosed herein is shown.

[0061] refer to Figure 1-16 The tray holding section 132, 232 defines one or more recesses 176 configured to receive the ends 125, 127 of the tray base 124 (see, e.g., Figure 4 and Fig.12 ). In some examples, the side members 130 hold the ends 125, 127 of the pallet base 124 in a vertically aligned configuration. In some embodiments, the pallet holding sections 132 of the exemplary first type of side members 130 and the second type of side members 230 each define at least one recess 176 for each pallet base 124 to be received. In other examples, the pallet holding sections 132, 232 define a plurality of recesses 176 to receive each pallet base end 125, 127. In the example shown, each pallet base end 125, 127 defines a notch 129 such that at the pallet holding section 132, a portion of the pallet base end 125, 127 fits into one recess 176 and another portion of the pallet base end 125, 127 fits into an adjacent recess 176. In some embodiments, the pallet base 124 has a rolled front end 126 and / or rear end 128. In certain embodiments, the recess 176 defines an enlarged end 178 to accommodate the rolled ends 126 , 128 of the tray base 124 .

[0062] In certain embodiments, each side member 130, 230 includes a guide 180 extending inwardly from the tray holding section 132, 232 (see, e.g., Figure 4 and Fig.13). The guide 180 has a tapered end 182 at the front and rear. The guide 180 is configured to assist in mounting the box 120 to the tray base 124. For example, one side of the box 120 can travel along the tapered end 182 as the box 120 is slidingly mounted to the tray base 124, and then travel along a portion of the guide 180. Thus, the guide 180 helps align the box 120 with the box guide 122 to facilitate mounting the box 120 to the tray base 124. In some examples, the tray holding section 132, 232 includes a corresponding guide 180 for each set of one or more recesses 176 configured to receive the ends 125, 127 of the tray base 124. In some examples, the guide 180 is disposed above the corresponding recess 176.

[0063] In certain embodiments, the fiber guide section 134, 234 of each side member 130, 230 includes a retaining ring 170 at the front as discussed above. Figure 4 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the fiber guide section 134 of the side member 130 extends along a majority of the height H of the chassis 116. Figure 10-13 In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the fiber guide section 234 of the side member 230 includes a plurality of retaining rings 170 that cooperate with each other to span the height H of the chassis 216. In some examples, the retaining rings 170 of the same side member 230 are vertically aligned.

[0064] In some embodiments, a plurality of side members 230 can be disposed at a common side 106, 108 of the chassis 316. For example, two side members 230 can be vertically aligned at a first side 106 of the chassis 316, and another two side members 230 can be vertically aligned at a second side 108 of the chassis 316. In some embodiments, a plurality of retaining rings 170 are vertically aligned at the front 102 of the chassis 316. In some embodiments, each side member 230 supports the ends 125, 127 of a plurality of tray bases 124.

[0065] refer to Figure 19-25 , the tray holding section 432 of each side member 430 defines a single recess 476 extending along the depth D of the bottom pan 416 and along the height H of the bottom pan 416. Each of the tray bases 424 includes a first side 425 that fits within the recess 476 of the first side member 430A and a second side 427 that fits within the recess 476 of the second side member 430B. In some embodiments, the first ends 425 of multiple tray bases 424 can fit within the same recess 476 of the first side member 430A, and the second ends 427 of multiple tray bases 424 can fit within the same recess 476 of the second side member 430B.

[0066] In some embodiments, the tray base 424 can be positioned at the bottom plate 416 in a stacked configuration (see, e.g., Fig.19 ). In some examples, the tray bases 424 have corresponding alignment members 429 that cooperate to stack the tray bases 424. For example, in some embodiments, the ends 425, 427 of the tray bases 424 define pegs 429A and holes 429B. The pegs 429A of one tray base 424 are aligned with and fit within the holes 429B of another tray base 424 to stack the tray bases 424. The ends of the stacked configuration can fit within the recesses 476 of the side members 470 to axially retain the tray bases 424 relative to the chassis 416.

[0067] Figure 16-18 An exemplary packaging stabilizer 190 is shown that is configured to support the pallet base 124, 424 of the communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400 during shipping. The packaging stabilizer 190 includes a body 192 that is separate from the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The body 192 extends along a height H of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416. The body 192 defines a plurality of slots 194 spaced apart along the height H of the body 192. Each slot 194 corresponds to one of the pallet bases 124, 424 of the communication panel 100, 200, 300, 400. Prior to shipping, the door 164 of the chassis 116, 216, 316, 416 is opened, and the stabilizer is arranged so that a portion of each pallet base 124, 424 slides into a corresponding slot 194 in the stabilizer 190. The stabilizer 190 thereby inhibits excessive flexing and breaking of the pallet base 124, 424 during shipping.

[0068] In some embodiments, the stabilizer body 192 includes a v-shaped section 196 that defines a slot 194. The slot 194 is formed through the apex of the v-shape 196. In some examples, the stabilizer body 192 also includes a connecting side 198 that spans the v-shape 196 to provide further reinforcement to the stabilizer body 192. In some examples, the stabilizer body 190 is formed from a single planar piece folded into a triangular shape. In some examples, one end of the planar piece includes a tab that fits into a slit formed at the other end of the planar piece to maintain the stabilizer body 192.

[0069] Examples of the present disclosure may be described according to the following aspects.

[0070] Aspect 1. A communication panel comprising:

[0071] a chassis defining an interior, the chassis having a height extending between a bottom and a top, having a width extending between opposing first and second sides, and having a depth extending between a front and a rear;

[0072] a first side member mounted to a first side of the chassis, the first side member elongated along a depth of the chassis, the first side member having a fiber guiding section disposed at a front portion of the chassis and a tray holding section disposed rearward of the fiber guiding section;

[0073] a second side member mounted to a second side of the chassis, the second side member elongated along the depth of the chassis, the second side member having a fiber guiding section disposed at a front portion of the chassis and a tray holding section disposed rearward of the fiber guiding section of the second side member; and

[0074] A tray extending along the width of the chassis between opposite first and second ends, the first end being retained at the tray retaining section of the first side member and the second end being retained at the tray retaining section of the second side member, the tray defining a plurality of box guides extending along the depth of the chassis, the box guides being spaced apart from one another along the width of the chassis.

[0075] Aspect 2. A communications panel according to aspect 1, wherein each fiber guide section includes a retaining ring extending along the height of the chassis and along the depth of the chassis, each retaining ring defining an entrance at the front of the retaining ring toward the top of the retaining ring.

[0076] Aspect 3. The communications panel of aspect 2, wherein the inlet is angled to extend along both the depth of the chassis and the height of the chassis.

[0077] Aspect 4. A communication panel according to any one of Aspects 1-3, wherein the chassis includes a bottom member and a top member, the bottom member defines the bottom of the chassis, the top member defines the top of the chassis, and the top member and the bottom member cooperate to define side walls of the chassis at the first side and the second side; wherein the first side member is mounted to a first side wall of the side walls, and the second side member is mounted to a second side wall of the side walls.

[0078] Aspect 5. The communication panel according to aspect 4, wherein the bottom member defines access apertures at the bottom of the chassis and toward the front of the chassis, each access aperture spanning at least a gap between two adjacent ones of the box guides.

[0079] Aspect 6. The communications panel of aspect 5, wherein the access aperture is one of a plurality of access apertures arranged in a row to span a majority of the width of the chassis.

[0080] Aspect 7. The communication panel of any one of aspects 1-6, wherein the tray retaining section defines recesses in the first side member and the second side member, the recesses being shaped to receive respective first and second ends of the tray.

[0081] Aspect 8. The communication panel according to aspect 7, wherein the tray has rolled-up ends at the front and rear of the tray; and wherein the recess has enlarged portions at the front and rear of the recess to accommodate the rolled-up ends of the tray.

[0082] Aspect 9. The communications panel of any one of aspects 7-8, wherein the side member comprises an inwardly protruding rail spaced apart from the recess along the height of the chassis.

[0083] Aspect 10. The communications panel of any one of aspects 1-6, wherein the tray retaining section of each side member defines a recess configured to slidingly receive a respective end of the tray from a top of the side member.

[0084] Aspect 11. The communication panel according to aspect 10, wherein the tray is one of a plurality of trays stacked together, and wherein ends of the plurality of trays are received at the recesses in the side members to axially secure the tray along the depth of the chassis.

[0085] Aspect 12. The communication panel according to Aspect 11 further includes a packaging stabilizer, wherein the packaging stabilizer includes a V-shaped body separated from the chassis, the body defining a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in a direction extending along the height of the chassis, each of the grooves being aligned with a front portion of a corresponding one of the trays and configured to receive a front portion of a corresponding one of the trays.

[0086] Aspect 13. The communication panel of aspect 12, wherein the packaging stabilizer further comprises a connector extending across the v-shaped body to form a triangular cross-sectional profile.

[0087] Aspect 14. The communication panel of any one of aspects 1-13, wherein each of the first side member and the second side member includes a marking section disposed rearward of a corresponding tray holding section.

[0088] Aspect 15. The communications panel of any one of aspects 1-14, wherein a top of the chassis is open over a cable management area defined at a bottom of the chassis, the cable management area comprising a plurality of cable anchoring locations.

[0089] Aspect 16. The communications panel of aspect 15, wherein the cable anchoring location is defined by an anchoring plate mounted to the rear portion.

[0090] Aspect 17. The communications panel of aspect 15, wherein the cable anchoring locations include pairs of cable anchoring slots disposed in alternating orientations along a row.

[0091] Aspect 18. A communication panel according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein at least one of the fiber optic guide sections includes a plurality of retaining rings, each of the plurality of retaining rings extending along the height of the chassis and along the depth of the chassis, each retaining ring defining an entrance at the front of the retaining ring toward the top of the retaining ring.

[0092] Aspect 19. The communication panel according to any one of Aspects 1-18 further includes a support member formed separately from the chassis, the support member including a main body, the main body defining a plurality of grooves each extending along the depth of the main body, the grooves being spaced apart from each other along the height of the main body to correspond to corresponding trays installed in the chassis, wherein each groove is sized to receive a front portion of the corresponding tray.

[0093] Aspect 20. The communication panel of aspect 19, wherein the body has a triangular cross-section.

[0094] Aspect 21. The communication panel according to aspect 19, wherein the body has a V-shaped cross-section.

[0095] Aspect 22. The communications panel according to any one of aspects 1-21, wherein the first side member is one of a plurality of side members mounted to a first side of the chassis.

[0096] Aspect 23. The communications panel according to any one of aspects 1-22, further comprising a cassette mountable to the tray along the cassette guide, the cassette comprising at least two tracks to engage the cassette guide.

[0097] Aspect 24. The communication panel according to aspect 23, wherein at least one of the two rails is located at the bottom of the box.

[0098] Aspect 25. The communications panel according to Aspect 23 or Aspect 24, wherein the box carries a plurality of optical adapters.

[0099] Aspect 26. The communications panel of any one of aspects 1-25, wherein the tray is one of a plurality of trays mounted to the side member at the tray retaining section.

[0100] Aspect 27. The communication panel according to any one of claims 1-26, further comprising a door disposed at the front of the chassis, the door being movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively cover the front of the chassis.

[0101] Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication panel, include: a chassis defining an interior, the chassis having a height extending between a bottom and a top, having a width extending between opposing first and second sides, and having a depth extending between a front and a rear; a first side member mounted to a first side of the chassis, the first side member elongated along a depth of the chassis, the first side member having a fiber guiding section disposed at a front portion of the chassis and a tray holding section disposed rearward of the fiber guiding section; a second side member mounted to a second side of the chassis, the second side member being elongated along a depth of the chassis, the second side member having a fiber guiding section disposed at a front portion of the chassis and a tray holding section disposed rearward of the fiber guiding section of the second side member; as well as A tray extending along the width of the chassis between opposite first and second ends, the first end being retained at the tray retaining section of the first side member and the second end being retained at the tray retaining section of the second side member, the tray defining a plurality of box guides extending along the depth of the chassis, the box guides being spaced apart from one another along the width of the chassis.

2. The communications panel of claim 1 , wherein each fiber guide segment comprises a retaining ring extending along the height of the chassis and along the depth of the chassis, each retaining ring defining an entrance at a front of the retaining ring toward a top of the retaining ring.

3. The communications panel of claim 2, wherein the inlet is angled to extend along both the depth of the chassis and the height of the chassis.

4. A communication panel according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the chassis includes a bottom member and a top member, the bottom member defines the bottom of the chassis, the top member defines the top of the chassis, and the top member and the bottom member cooperate to define side walls of the chassis at the first side and the second side; wherein the first side member is mounted to a first side wall of the side walls, and the second side member is mounted to a second side wall of the side walls.

5. The communication panel of claim 4, wherein the bottom member defines access apertures at the bottom of the chassis and toward the front of the chassis, each access aperture spanning at least a gap between two adjacent ones of the box guides.

6. The communications panel of claim 5, wherein the access aperture is one of a plurality of access apertures arranged in a row to span a majority of the width of the chassis.

7. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the tray retaining section defines recesses in the first and second side members, the recesses shaped to receive respective first and second ends of the tray.

8. The communication panel of claim 7, wherein the tray has rolled ends at the front and rear of the tray; and wherein the recess has enlarged portions at the front and rear of the recess to accommodate the rolled ends of the tray.

9. A communications panel according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein the side members comprise inwardly projecting rails spaced from the recesses along the height of the chassis.

10. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the tray retaining section of each side member defines a recess configured to slidingly receive a respective end of the tray from a top of the side member.

11. The communication panel of claim 10, wherein the tray is one of a plurality of trays stacked together, and wherein ends of the plurality of trays are received at the recesses in the side members to axially secure the tray along the depth of the chassis.

12. The communication panel according to claim 11 further includes a packaging stabilizer, which includes a V-shaped body separated from the chassis, the body defining a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in a direction extending along the height of the chassis, each of the grooves being aligned with a front portion of a corresponding one of the trays and configured to receive a front portion of a corresponding one of the trays.

13. The communication panel of claim 12, wherein the packaging stabilizer further comprises a connector extending across the v-shaped body to form a triangular cross-sectional profile.

14. The communication panel of any one of claims 1-13, wherein each of the first side member and the second side member includes a marking section disposed rearward of a corresponding tray holding section.

15. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-14, wherein a top of the chassis is open above a cable management area defined at a bottom of the chassis, the cable management area comprising a plurality of cable anchoring locations.

16. The telecommunications panel of claim 15, wherein the cable anchoring locations are defined by anchoring plates mounted to the rear portion.

17. The communications panel of claim 15, wherein the cable anchoring locations include pairs of cable anchoring slots disposed in alternating orientations along a row.

18. A communication panel according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein at least one of the fiber optic guide sections includes a plurality of retaining rings, each of the plurality of retaining rings extending along the height of the chassis and along the depth of the chassis, each retaining ring defining an entrance at the front of the retaining ring toward the top of the retaining ring.

19. The communication panel according to any one of claims 1-18, further comprising a support member formed separately from the chassis, the support member comprising a body, the body defining a plurality of slots each extending along the depth of the body, the slots being spaced apart from each other along the height of the body to correspond to corresponding trays mounted in the chassis, wherein each slot is sized to receive a front portion of the corresponding tray.

20. The communication panel of claim 19, wherein the body has a triangular cross-section.

21. The communication panel of claim 19, wherein the body has a V-shaped cross-section.

22. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-21, wherein the first side member is one of a plurality of side members mounted to a first side of the chassis.

23. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-22, further comprising a cassette mountable to the tray along the cassette guides, the cassette comprising at least two tracks to engage the cassette guides.

24. The communications panel of claim 23, wherein at least one of the two rails is located at the bottom of the box.

25. A telecommunications panel according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the cassette carries a plurality of optical adapters.

26. The communications panel of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the tray is one of a plurality of trays mounted to the side member at the tray retaining section.

27. The communication panel according to any one of claims 1-26, further comprising a door disposed at the front of the chassis, the door being movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively cover the front of the chassis.

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