Wiring board

Abstract

A patch panel mountable to a network chassis includes a frame and a panel. The frame defines a set of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports. The panel defines a plurality of second ports and has a set of fastening tabs. The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules to receive and support the plurality of cable connectors. The set of fastening tabs is engageable with the set of fastening slots.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to cable management devices for network equipment racks, and more specifically, to junction boxes. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section provide only background information in connection with this disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Patch panel and network equipment enclosure rack systems are well-known in the telecommunications industry for managing and organizing cables used to transmit data, voice, video, and / or audio information. These rack systems are typically constructed according to Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) standards, such as 19-inch, 23-inch, or other patch panel racks, and usually house one or more patch panels, network equipment, fiber optic enclosures, etc.

[0004] Rack systems feature various functional components such as slack trays, splice trays, cable organizers, and junction boxes. When interfacing with equipment, rack systems can also be used as interconnect or cross-connect enclosures and as telecommunications cabinets, allowing cables to be terminated, spliced, patched, and / or stored at different locations along their length.

[0005] Rack systems typically have a main body or frame with mounting holes positioned along the vertical feet or walls of the main body. Wiring equipment, such as patch panels, is mounted to the rack to generally define the wiring side and the power distribution side. On the wiring side, patch cords from another active device or another patch panel can be cross-connected and interconnected. On the power distribution side, cables from network equipment and / or workstation areas are terminated. Utility Model Content

[0006] This section provides a general overview of the present invention and is not a complete disclosure of its entire scope or all its features.

[0007] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to a junction box that can be mounted to a network rack. The junction box includes a frame defining a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports, and a panel defining a plurality of second ports and having a group of fastening tabs. The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving and supporting a plurality of cable connectors, and the group of tabs is engageable with the group of fastening slots.

[0008] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to a patch panel mountable to a network rack, comprising a frame and a panel. The frame defines a set of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports. The frame includes a first flange extending from an upper portion of the frame and a second flange extending from a lower portion of the frame opposite to the first flange. The panel defines a plurality of second ports and includes a set of fastening tabs. The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving and supporting a plurality of cable connectors. The first and second flanges extend toward the panel, the panel being disposed between the first and second flanges, and the set of tabs is engageable with the set of fastening slots of the frame.

[0009] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to a patch panel mountable to a network rack, comprising a frame and a panel. The frame defines a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports. The frame includes a first flange extending from an upper portion of the frame and a second flange extending from a lower portion of the frame opposite to the first flange. The group of fastening slots defines the upper and lower portions of the frame. The panel defines a plurality of second ports and includes a group of fastening tabs. The group of fastening tabs includes a first set of fastening tabs located at the upper portion of the panel and a second set of fastening tabs located at the lower portion of the panel and offset from the first set of fastening tabs. The group of fastening slots includes a first set of fastening slots located at the upper portion of the frame and a second set of fastening slots located at the lower portion of the frame and offset from the first set of fastening slots. The group of tabs is engageable with the group of fastening slots of the frame. The first and second flanges extend toward the panel, which is disposed between the first and second flanges of the frame. When the panel is attached to the frame, the panel and the frame define a gap therebetween, and a plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with a plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving a plurality of cable connectors, wherein portions of the cable connectors extend in the gap and the front surfaces of the cable connectors are aligned with the front side of the panel.

[0010] Other application areas will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the detailed descriptions and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To better understand this utility model, its various forms will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the angled terminal block according to this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the angled terminal block.

[0014] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The sectional view of the terminal block obtained from line 3-3.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A front view of the front panel of the junction box.

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The back view of the panel.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of a straight wiring board according to this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An exploded view of a straight terminal block.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of an angled junction box according to another form of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An exploded view of the angled terminal block.

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A partial view of the frame of the angled junction box.

[0022] Figure 11 It is along Figure 8 The sectional view of the terminal block obtained by line 11-11.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a straight wiring board according to another form of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 An exploded view of a straight terminal block.

[0025] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or its uses. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but are merely representative bases for teaching those skilled in the art how to use the features of this disclosure in various ways.

[0027] Some rack systems are configured with shielded cable connectors, such as stepped shielded jacks, which are made of metal to reduce or suppress electromagnetic interference (EMI) and / or radio frequency interference (RFI). The junction boxes used to hold the cable connectors are typically made of metal and define multiple port modules for receiving and supporting the shielded cable connectors.

[0028] In one form, this disclosure relates to a junction box configured to support a plurality of shielded cable connectors, such as shielded ladder cable connectors. As described herein, the junction box includes a frame defining a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports, and a panel defining a plurality of second ports and having a group of fastening tabs. The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving and supporting the plurality of cable connectors. Furthermore, the group of tabs of the panel can engage with the group of fastening slots of the frame to fasten the frame and the panel to each other. That is, the panel and the frame are secured together using, for example, snap-fit ​​engagements to reduce the number of components in the junction box. The junction box can be configured as an angled panel with an angled frame or a straight panel with a straight frame. In some forms, the same type of panel can be used with both angled and straight frames to improve the standardization of the junction box, thereby improving the standardization of rack systems.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The junction box 100 can be mounted onto a network rack (not shown) and configured to receive shielded cable connectors 102, such as shielded stepped jacks. For clarity, cable connectors 102 are shown without cables extending from them.

[0030] In one embodiment, the junction box 100 includes a frame 104 and at least one panel 106 attached to the frame 104, forming a plurality of port modules 108 for receiving and supporting cable connectors 102. In one embodiment, the frame 104 is made of metal, and the panel 106 may be made of metal or plastic.

[0031] In one embodiment, frame 104 defines a plurality of first ports 110, each port 110 having a recess 112 for use with tools to assist in the removal of cable connector 102. Frame 104 also includes a planar member 111 and flanges 114A and 114B (collectively referred to as “flanges 114”) projecting toward panel 106 from an upper portion 116 and a lower portion 118 of planar member 111, respectively.

[0032] In some forms, frame 104 defines one or more grounding holes 119 for press-fitting with threaded grounding studs, allowing grounding connection between the terminal block and the frame.

[0033] Frame 104 also defines a group of fastening slots 120A and 120B (collectively referred to as "fastening slots 120" or "fastening slot group"), wherein one or more fastening slots 120A are disposed in the upper portion 116 of frame 104, and one or more fastening slots 120B are disposed in the lower portion 118 of frame 104. In one embodiment, fastening slots 120A and 120B are staggered or offset and are not aligned along the Y-axis of the XYZ coordinate system (i.e., the selected fastening slot 120A is not above the fastening slot 120B). As detailed below, flange 114 is configured to receive panel 106 via fastening slots 120, and the staggered orientation of fastening slots 120A and 120B contributes to the orientation of panel 106.

[0034] In one form, the frame 104 has an inclined body that causes the junction box 100 to project outward (e.g., toward the Z-axis of the XYZ coordinate system). Specifically, the frame 104 includes a first segment 130 and a second segment 132 forming an obtuse angle (e.g., between 90° and 180°) relative to the first segment 130, in a generally inverted V shape. The frame 104 also includes a central portion 134 between the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 to provide additional space between the first ports 110 of the first segment 130 and the second segment 132. In one form, the number of first ports 110 provided by the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be the same or different.

[0035] Panel 106 defines a plurality of second ports 140 and has a front side 142 facing away from frame 104 and a rear side 144 facing frame 104. Panel 106 is disposed between flanges 114 of frame 104, with the front side 142 of panel 106 substantially flush with the edge surface of flange 114.

[0036] In one form, the junction box 100 includes a plurality of panels 106 (e.g., two or more panels), wherein each panel 106 includes a plurality of second ports 140. In a non-limiting example, the junction box 100 includes four (4) panels 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D, wherein each panel 106 includes six (6) second ports 140. While panels 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D are identical, panels 106 may also have different lengths and / or different numbers of ports 110. In a non-limiting example, two panels may be used with frame 104, each panel having 12 second ports 140. In another example, a panel with 12 second ports 140 and two boards, each having six (6) second ports 140, may be used with frame 104. In one configuration, the total number of first ports 110 disposed on frame 104 shall be equal to the total number of second ports 140 formed on all panels 106 used in junction box 100.

[0037] The plurality of second ports 140 of panel 106 are aligned with the plurality of first ports 110 of frame 104 to form a plurality of port modules 108 for receiving and supporting cable connector 102. More specifically, refer to Figure 3 The frame 104 and the panel 106 together define a gap 200 between them. The cable connector 102 is received from the rear side 202 of the frame 104 to extend through the planar member 111 of the frame 104 and into the gap 200. As a portion of the cable connector 102 extends in the gap 200, the front face 204 of the cable connector 102 is aligned with the front face 142 of the panel 106 (i.e., the front face 204 of the cable connector 104 may extend slightly through the front face 142 of the panel 106 or may be flush with the front face 142 of the panel 106).

[0038] In one form, to retain and / or reduce movement, the cable connector 102 typically includes one or more alignment stop features, such as a snap-fit ​​tab 210A configured to compress into the first port 110. In a non-limiting example, to insert the cable connector 102, the connector 102 is tilted into the first port 110 until the tab 210B passes through the first port 110, and then the connector 102 is tilted downwards, pressing down the snap-fit ​​tab 210A to allow the snap-fit ​​tab 210A to pass through the first port 110. Once the tab 210A has passed through the first port 110, the tab 210A expands to contact the front side 214 of the frame 104, thereby preventing the cable connector 102 from detaching from the port module 108. In addition to the snap-in tab 210A, the cable connector 102 may also include a fixed tab 210B and / or one or more protrusions 210C on the side of the cable connector 102, wherein the protrusions 210C are configured to align with and / or interact with the side of the first port 110. In one embodiment, the first port 110 is configured to contact at least one side of the cable connector 102 to electrically ground the cable connector 102 (e.g., the first port 110 contacts the protrusion 210C).

[0039] In one form, return to reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 And attached references Figure 4 and Figure 5 Panel 106 is a front display, or in other words, an aesthetic cover for junction box 100. Front side 142 includes slot 250 configured to receive identification markings 252 (e.g., tags) for use in identifying the multiple port modules 108.

[0040] Panel 106 is configured to attach to frame 104 using a snap-fit ​​engagement. More specifically, in one embodiment, panel 106 includes a group of fastening tabs 254A and 254B (collectively referred to as “fastening tabs 254” or “fastening tab set 254”) located respectively on the upper portion 256 and lower portion 258 of panel 106. The fastening tabs 254 extend from the rear side 144 of panel 106 away from the front side 142. In one embodiment, using known snap-fit ​​design techniques, the group of fastening tabs 254 and the group of fastening grooves 120 are configured to form a snap-fit ​​engagement. In a non-limiting example, each fastening tab 254 includes a protrusion or projection 257 that, when inserted into the groove 120, deflects (bends) and then releases to grip the edge of the groove 120 forming the frame 104. In one configuration, similar to the fastening slots 120A and 120B, the grouped fastening tabs 254A and 254B are staggered or offset and not aligned along the Y-axis of the XYZ coordinate system (i.e., the selected fastening tab 254A is not above the fastening tab 254B). When the panel 106 and the frame 104 are assembled together, the fastening slot 120A engages with the fastening tab 254A, and the fastening slot 120B engages with the fastening tab 254B to form a snap-fit ​​engagement and to align the panel 106 correctly.

[0041] Although each panel 106 is shown as having six (6) fastening tabs 254, the panel 106 may also have two or more fastening tabs 254, and the number of fastening tabs 254 provided at the upper portion 256 and the lower portion 258 may differ. It should be readily understood that the number and / or placement of the fastening tabs 254 will affect the number and / or placement of the fastening slots 120 on the frame 104.

[0042] Because of the snap-fit ​​joint, the panel 106, which is typically seen by the user, can be adapted to provide an aesthetically pleasing feature. Furthermore, the frame 104 and panel 106 are secured to each other without additional fastening devices (such as screws, bolts, etc.). Additionally, using known techniques, the snap-fit ​​joint can have a detachable design element, allowing the frame 104 and panel 106 to be attached and detached from each other.

[0043] Instead of the angled frame 104, the terminal block 100 can have a straight frame, or in other words, a flat frame. Specifically, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7The junction box 300 defines a plurality of port modules 301 and includes a frame 302 that is straight and substantially located in a two-dimensional plane (e.g., an XY plane or an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system). In addition to its structure, the frame 302 includes features similar to those of the frame 104, such as a plurality of first ports 304 having recesses 306, similar to first ports 110 having recesses 112; a plurality of fastening slots 308 similar to fastening slots 120; and flanges 310A and 310B similar to flanges 114A and 114B.

[0044] In one embodiment, the junction box 300 also includes a panel 106. That is, the panel 106 may be the same as the panel used on the angled junction box 100. Furthermore, the panel 106 engages with the frame 302 using a snap-fit ​​joint used in the junction box 100, the details of which are described above. It should be readily understood that the details and variations of the panel 106 described above also apply to the junction box 300.

[0045] Panel 106 and frame 302 together form port module 301 to receive cable connector 102. Port module 301 is configured to hold cable connector 102 in a manner similar to port module 108 of junction box 100, as detailed above.

[0046] In one form, by making the frame thinner and implementing additional features to help retain and support the cable connector 102, the junction box can be constructed from less material than the junction box 100. More specifically, refer to Figures 8 to 11 The junction box 400 defines multiple port modules 402 to receive multiple cable connectors 102, and includes a frame 404 and one or more panels 106.

[0047] Frame 404 is similar to frame 104 and includes planar member 410 and flanges 412A and 412B (collectively referred to as “flanges 412”), which are similar to planar member 111 and flange 114, as detailed above. Furthermore, frame 104 also defines a group of fastening grooves 414A and 414B (collectively referred to as “fastening grooves 414” or “fastening groove group 414”), which are similar to fastening grooves 120A and 120B, as detailed above.

[0048] Similar to the junction box 100, the panel 106 and the frame 404 are configured to attach to each other using a snap-fit ​​engagement formed by a fastening tab 254 and a fastening groove 414. For the sake of brevity, details regarding the snap-fit ​​engagement between the panel 106 and the frame 404 are omitted, and reference is made to the above description of the snap-fit ​​engagement between the panel 106 and the frame 104.

[0049] The frame 404 defines a plurality of first ports 416 and has a recess 418 at each first port 416. In one embodiment, the recess 418 forms a raised surface on the front side 420 of the frame 404 facing the panel 106 and a recessed surface on the rear side 422 of the frame 404 opposite to the front side 420.

[0050] The plurality of second ports 140 of panel 106 are aligned with the plurality of first ports 416 of frame 404 to form a plurality of port modules 402 for receiving and supporting cable connector 102. More specifically, as Figure 11 As shown, frame 404 and panel 106 together define a gap 430 therebetween. Cable connector 102 is received from the rear side 422 of frame 104 to extend through the planar member 410 of frame 104 and into gap 430. As a portion of cable connector 102 extends in gap 200, the front face 204 of cable connector 102 is aligned with the front face 142 of panel 106 (i.e., the front face 204 of cable connector 104 may extend slightly through the front face 142 of panel 106 or may be flush with the front face 142 of panel 106).

[0051] In one embodiment, to retain and / or reduce movement of the cable connector 102, snap-fit ​​tabs 210A and 210B engage with recesses 418. Specifically, in a non-limiting example, to insert the cable connector 102, the connector 102 tilts into the first port 416 until the tab 210B passes through the first port 416, then the connector 102 tilts downward, pressing down the snap-fit ​​tab 210A, allowing the snap-fit ​​tab 210A to pass through the first port 416. Once through the recess 418, the snap-fit ​​tab 210A expands to contact the recess 418 (i.e., the snap-fit ​​tab 210A and the retaining tab 210B contact the raised surface at the front side 420 of the frame 404), thereby preventing the cable connector 102 from detaching from the port module 108. Furthermore, the recess 418 extends the position of the front side 420 of the frame 404, creating a space 439 at the rear side 422 of the frame 404. Space 439 aligns the side of the first port 416 to a defined position so that the protrusion 210C engages or contacts the side of the first port 416. Therefore, for a thinner frame 404, the cable connector 102 can be supported by the junction box 400.

[0052] In some variations, the recess 418 has a chamfered edge 440 to facilitate the entry of the cable connector 102 into the port module 402. For example, the chamfered edge 440 contacts a snap-fit ​​tab 210A to provide a gradual bend in the tab 210A before insertion into the gap 438.

[0053] Similar to terminal block 100, terminal block 400 may also have a straight body similar to terminal block 300. In a non-limiting example, Figure 12 and 13 A junction box 500 is shown that defines multiple port modules 502 and includes a frame 504 and a panel 506. The frame 504 is similar to the frame 302, the only difference being that the frame 504 has a straight body similar to the frame 302. Therefore, the first port 416, flange 412, and group of fastening slots 414 are similar to the multiple ports 510, flanges 512, and group of fastening slots 514.

[0054] As an alternative to having four panels 106, the terminal block 500 has two panels 506 (i.e. Figure 13 Panels 506A and 506B are shown in the diagram, where each panel 506 defines twelve (12) secondary ports 520. Panels 506 have features similar to those of panel 106. In a non-limiting example, the slot 250 receiving identification mark 252 is similar to the slot 522 receiving identification mark 524; and the set of fastening tabs 254 is similar to the set of fastening tabs 526 for securing to the frame 504 via the set of fastening slots 514. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, details regarding the various features of panel 506 are omitted, and reference is made to the above description in relation to panel 106.

[0055] Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, all numerical values ​​indicating mechanical / thermal properties, percentages of composition, dimensions and / or tolerances or other characteristics in describing the scope of this disclosure should be understood to be modified by the words “about” or “approximately”. Such modifications are necessary for a variety of reasons, including industrial practice, materials, manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and testing capabilities.

[0056] As used in this article, the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as meaning the logic of using the non-exclusive logic “or” (A or B or C), and should not be interpreted as meaning “at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C”.

[0057] The descriptions in this disclosure are merely exemplary in nature, and therefore, variations that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are within its scope. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A junction box, the junction box being mountable to a network rack, comprising: A frame, the frame defining a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports; as well as A panel, the panel defining a plurality of second ports and having a group of fastening tabs, wherein: The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving and supporting a plurality of cable connectors, and The set of fastening tabs can engage with the set of fastening grooves.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is made of metal.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple panels, wherein each panel includes the multiple first ports, and The total number of the plurality of first ports is equal to the total number of the plurality of second ports from all of the plurality of panels.

4. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame has a first segment and a second segment that is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the first segment.

5. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is straight.

6. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The panel includes identification markers for identifying the plurality of port modules on the front side of the panel opposite to the frame.

7. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame has a recess at each of the plurality of first ports, the recess forming a raised surface on the front side of the frame facing the panel and a recessed surface on the rear side of the frame opposite the front side. The raised surface of the recess supports one or more stop features of the cable connector.

8. The terminal block according to claim 7, characterized in that, The recess has chamfered edges.

9. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gap is defined between the frame and the panel, and A portion of the cable connector extends into the gap, and the front face of the cable connector is aligned with the front side of the panel.

10. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame includes a first flange extending from the upper portion of the frame toward the panel and a second flange extending from the lower portion of the frame toward the panel opposite to the first flange, and the panel is disposed between the first flange and the second flange.

11. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The group of fastening tabs includes a first group of fastening tabs located at the upper portion of the panel and a second group of fastening tabs located at the lower portion of the panel and offset from the first group of fastening tabs. The group of fastening slots includes a first group of fastening slots located at the upper portion of the frame and a second group of fastening slots located at the lower portion of the frame and offset from the first group of fastening slots.

12. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first ports have a plurality of grooves defined in the upper portion of the first ports.

13. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the plurality of first ports is configured to contact at least one side of one of the plurality of cable connectors to electrically ground the cable connector.

14. A junction box, the junction box being mountable to a network rack, comprising: A frame defining a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports, the frame including a first flange extending from an upper portion of the frame and a second flange extending from a lower portion of the frame opposite to the first flange; as well as A panel, the panel defining a plurality of second ports and including a group of fastening tabs, wherein: The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving and supporting a plurality of cable connectors. The first flange and the second flange extend toward the panel, the panel being disposed between the first flange and the second flange, and The group of tabs can engage with the group of fastening grooves of the frame.

15. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that: The group of fastening tabs includes a first group of fastening tabs located at the upper portion of the panel and a second group of fastening tabs located at the lower portion of the panel and offset from the first group of fastening tabs. The group of fastening slots includes a first group of fastening slots located at the upper portion of the frame and a second group of fastening slots located at the lower portion of the frame and offset from the first group of fastening slots.

16. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple panels, wherein each panel includes the multiple first ports, and The total number of the plurality of first ports is equal to the total number of the plurality of second ports from all of the plurality of panels.

17. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that, The frame has a first segment and a second segment that is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the first segment.

18. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that, The frame is straight.

19. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that, The panel includes identification markers for identifying the plurality of port modules on the front side of the panel opposite to the frame.

20. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that: The frame has a recess at each of the plurality of first ports, the recess forming a raised surface on the front side of the frame facing the panel and a recessed surface on the rear side of the frame opposite the front side. The raised surface of the recess supports one or more stop features of the cable connector.

21. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that: A gap is defined between the frame and the panel, and A portion of the cable connector extends into the gap, and the front face of the cable connector is aligned with the front side of the panel.

22. A junction box, the junction box being mountable to a network rack, comprising: A frame defining a group of fastening slots and a plurality of first ports, the frame including a first flange extending from an upper portion of the frame and a second flange extending from a lower portion of the frame opposite to the first flange; wherein the group of fastening slots is defined in the upper and lower portions of the frame. as well as A panel, the panel defining a plurality of second ports and including a group of fastening tabs, wherein: The group of fastening tabs includes a first group of fastening tabs located at the upper portion of the panel and a second group of fastening tabs located at the lower portion of the panel and offset from the first group of fastening tabs. The group of fastening slots includes a first group of fastening slots located at the upper portion of the frame and a second group of fastening slots located at the lower portion of the frame and offset from the first group of fastening slots. The group of tabs can engage with the group of fastening slots of the frame. The first flange and the second flange extend toward the panel, the panel being disposed between the first flange and the second flange of the frame. When the panel is attached to the frame A gap is defined between the panel and the frame, and The plurality of second ports of the panel are aligned with the plurality of first ports of the frame to form a plurality of port modules for receiving a plurality of cable connectors, wherein portions of the cable connectors extend in the gaps and the front faces of the cable connectors are aligned with the front side of the panel.

23. The terminal block according to claim 22, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple panels, wherein each panel includes the multiple first ports, and The total number of the plurality of first ports is equal to the total number of the plurality of second ports from all of the plurality of panels.

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