Female connector receiving device for patch panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for receiving a female connector (2) for a patch panel (3), in the form of a housing (40) provided with a front face (400), side faces (401) and an upper face (402), said housing (40) comprising a housing (5) defined by the interior volume between said faces (400, 401, 402), shaped and dimensioned for the insertion and extraction of at least one female connector (2); means (8) for fixing to the front of a patch panel (3), characterized in that said upper face (402) comprises at least one cover (9) articulated from an open position to a covering position, and vice versa; in the open position of said at least one cover (9), the top of said at least one housing (5) being accessible for insertion and extraction by sliding in a vertical direction of said female connector (2), as well as a patch panel (3) equipped with at least one such device (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig.4.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for receiving a female connector for a patch panel Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of information technology and telecommunications, in particular the field of support structures for means of communication, preferably telephone and information technology.

[0002] In this context, the connection to a telephone and computer network involves a technical cabinet, grouping together different devices to be connected to the network(s) concerned. Depending on its structure and size, such a technical cabinet is commonly called a “patching bay”, “communications cabinet”, or “patching cabinet” or “computer bay”, or even “network cabinet”.

[0003] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “patch bay” encompasses the various definitions mentioned above.

[0004] Currently, a patch bay comprises a structure, the interior volume of which defines an enclosure, closed or open, within which various devices are fixed, to be connected to each other and to different networks, such as the electricity supply network, the telephone communication network, or even a computer network. Said structure has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, provided with vertical uprights parallel to each other, connected by crosspieces at least at the levels of the distal ends of said vertical uprights, upper and lower. Walls can close this structure, possibly with a door on the front.

[0005] Further forward, the vertical uprights located on the front face have at least on the front, over all or part of their length, standardized through-holes. Such holes are regularly spaced and have a square or rectangular section. They allow one or more panels to be attached to the structure, intended to serve as a support for the various devices, for example a telephone or computer communications router, a firewall, or even a deployable keyboard, or even a simple plate receiving a device placed on the upper face. Such a panel therefore serves as a shelf, giving it its usual name of "rack".

[0006] In the context of the present invention, said panel is dedicated to the patching of communication cables. For this purpose, such a patch panel comprises, regularly distributed along the length on the front, housings intended to internally receive female connectors, also called "female sockets", for fixing. Such a female connector internally comprises a female plug. On the one hand, opposite rear, such a female connector is connected to wiring secured to said plug, while, on the other hand, on the front, said female connector is intended to cooperate by removable interlocking with a male connector, or also called "male socket", provided with a corresponding male plug, equipping the end of an external cable, or "patch cord" in this case.

[0007] Thus, the front connection between two female connectors by a patch cord makes it possible to connect different hardware in a communications network, such as a network switch.

[0008] These male and female plugs are generally standardized, for example, in a non-limiting manner: - 8P8C modular connector type for “8 Positions and 8 Contacts” usually called “RJ45” (for “Registered Jack”), usually used in computer networks, particularly Ethernet; - RJ11 or RJ12 type, usually used in telephone networks; - digital or computer type, such as a serial interface, such as the USB standard for “Universal Serial Bus”; - coaxial type. State of the art

[0009] Currently, the insertion of the connectors is carried out horizontally from the back to the front, and vice versa for extraction.

[0010] In particular, concerning connectors with a female plug of the “RJ45” type, the dimensions are standardized, included in ranges allowing their fixing side by side, in the space reserved by each of the housings. In addition, each female connector comprises a locking member for fixing within a housing. Such a member is generally in the form of an elastic tab, positioned on the upper or lower face of the female connector and extending from the rear towards a flexible distal end at the front. The distal end of this tab is provided with a step, intended to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of an orifice provided in the front wall of said patch panel.

[0011] Due to this snap-locking, the insertion and extraction of each female connector relative to the housing is carried out by sliding in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction, from the rear to the front for insertion, and vice versa for extraction.

[0012] Such a horizontal direction of insertion and extraction of the female connector has several disadvantages. First of all, because the connector is connected from the rear to a wiring, the latter imposes a tension making it complicated to move the connector horizontally in the reduced space located behind the front face of the panel of brewing.

[0013] To simplify insertion and extraction, the patch panels can be mounted so as to be movable relative to the uprights of the bay, from a folded position inside to a deployed position at the front, and vice versa. Some panels can also be provided hinged so as to tilt downwards. Thus, in the deployed position, it is easier to access the interior of the panel from above behind its front wall, to handle the cabling and to insert and extract a connector, always by horizontal movement.

[0014] Furthermore, if the snap-on insertion is easy, operating elastically, the extraction requires applying a push on the distal end of the tab, while pulling the connector backwards, a tedious operation. Statement of the invention

[0015] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a receiving device for a female connector for a patch panel, the insertion and extraction of each connector being carried out in a vertical direction.

[0016] To do this, the receiving device is in the form of a housing provided with a front face, side faces and an upper face, - said housing internally comprising a housing defined by the interior volume between said faces, said housing being shaped and sized for the insertion and extraction of at least one female connector; - means of fixing to the front of a patch panel.

[0017] Advantageously, said receiving device is characterized in that - said upper face comprises at least one cover hinged from an open position to a covering position, and vice versa; - in the open position of said at least one cover, the top of said at least one housing being accessible for insertion and extraction by sliding in a vertical direction of said at least one female connector.

[0018] According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, said housing may comprise at least two housings and at least one intermediate wall extending vertically and separating said at least two housings; said at least one cover closing said at least two housings in pairs.

[0019] According to one embodiment, said housing comprises four housings.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said hood is articulated through an elastic connection with said front face.

[0021] According to one embodiment, said at least one cover comprises an internal face provided with locking means in the covering position by snap-fastening with at least one of the side faces.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said cover comprises an internal face provided with means for holding said at least one female connector in place, by pressing against the upper part of said female connector, in a position covering said cover.

[0023] According to one embodiment, said holding means comprise at least one protruding lug on the internal face of said cover.

[0024] According to one embodiment, each housing comprises - in the lower part, a protruding stop inside said at least one housing, - said stop cooperating in horizontal locking of a blade equipping said at least one female connector, in the position of insertion of said female connector within said housing.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said fixing means comprise on the rear face, a fixing tab by sliding plane until clipping with complementary fixing means provided at least on the front of said patch panel.

[0026] According to one embodiment, said receiving device comprises - on the front face, opposite each housing, an orifice shaped to receive a female plug of said at least one female connector in insertion; - a shutter for closing said orifice; - said closing flap being articulated in rotation relative to said front face.

[0027] The invention also relates to a patch panel for a patch bay, provided with a receiving device according to the invention.

[0028] More specifically, such a patch panel comprises - a chassis; - a wall on the front of said chassis, said wall being provided with a bracket for fixing to vertical uprights of a patch panel; - at least one female connector, provided with a female plug; - said wall further comprising through openings, each being intended to receive said female plug of said female connector.

[0029] Advantageously, said patch panel is characterized in that it comprises - complementary fixing means provided at least on the front, cooperating with the fixing means of at least one female connector receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, said receiving device being attached in fixing at the level of said at least one opening, and in that - said at least one female connector is attached in a fixed manner within said at least one housing of said receiving device, by sliding in a vertical direction. According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, such a patch panel may comprise a plurality of openings distributed regularly along said front wall; several receiving devices attached to the front of said chassis and opposite said openings.

[0030] According to one embodiment, said at least one opening is hollowed out; said at least one female connector being introduced at least in the upper part through said hollowed out opening.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the complementary fixing means comprise a slot for snapping a fixing tab fitted to said fixing means of said receiving device, so as to cooperate by sliding said receiving device in a plane until said tab is clipped into said slot. Presentation of the drawings

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] schematically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a patch panel equipped with several reception devices, showing in particular the front wall intended to receive one of said reception devices;

[0034] [Fig.2] schematically represents a perspective view from the front of a mode of producing a receiving device equipped with two covers, one being in the open position while the other is in the covering position;

[0035] [Fig.3] schematically represents a perspective view from the rear of a embodiment of a receiving device equipped with two covers, one being in the open position while the other in the covering position, showing in particular four housings separated by three intermediate walls, as well as the means of locking by snap-fastening of said two covers;

[0036] [Fig.4] schematically represents a simplified perspective view from the rear of an embodiment of a receiving device, when inserting essentially vertically a female connector within one of the housings;

[0037] [Fig.5] schematically represents a simplified view according to a vertical section from the rear of an embodiment of the receiving device provided with a single cover in a position covering two housings, showing in particular the means of locking by snap-fastening with the side walls and an intermediate wall;

[0038] [Fig.6] schematically represents a perspective view from the rear of an embodiment of the receiving device, at the time of its fixing to the front of a patch panel, showing in particular the rear of said receiving device and the fixing tab, intended to cooperate by sliding until clipping with a slot equipping said patch panel;

[0039] [Fig.7] schematically represents a simplified view along a vertical section of [Fig.6], showing in particular the direction of movement of said receiving device by flat sliding towards the slot of said patch panel;

[0040] [Fig.8] schematically represents a view similar to [Fig.7], in the fixing position after sliding plane until clipping of the distal end of said tab with said slot;

[0041] [Fig.9] schematically represents a simplified view according to a vertical section of an embodiment of the receiving device, showing the vertical sliding insertion of a female connector within one of the housings;

[0042] [Fig. 10] schematically represents a view similar to [Fig.9], in the inserted position of said female connector; and

[0043] [Fig. 11] schematically represents a view similar to [Fig.9], in the position of holding the female connector by overlapping closure and by pressing said cover on said female connector. Detailed description

[0044] The present invention relates to the patching of cables 1 in the field of computing and telecommunications.

[0045] Such mixing is carried out by connecting each cable 1 to a female connector 2, called a “female socket”.

[0046] As mentioned previously, such a female connector 2 internally comprises a female plug. On the one hand, on the rear face, said female connector 2 is connected to a cable 1 secured at its end to said plug, while, on the other hand, on the front, said female connector 2 is intended to cooperate by removable interlocking with a male connector, or also called a “male socket”, provided with a corresponding male plug, equipping the end of an external cable, or “patch cord”.

[0047] Thus, the front connection between two female connectors 2 by a patch cord makes it possible to connect different hardware in a communications network, such as for example a network switch.

[0048] These male and female plugs are generally standardized, for example, in a non-limiting manner: of the 8P8C modular connector type, preferably “RJ45”, usually used in computer networks, in particular Ethernet, of the RJ11 or RJ12 type, usually used in telephone networks, or of the digital or computer type, such as a serial interface, such as the USB standard for “Universal Serial Bus”, or of the coaxial type.

[0049] Further, such mixing is carried out by attaching several 2 female connectors on a support structure, type 3 patch panel.

[0050] Such a patch panel 3 has a frame 30, dimensioned in a standardized manner, so as to be attached for fixing to a structure of a patch bay, in particular at the levels of vertical uprights with which it is provided. To do this, said patch panel 3 comprises a wall 31 on the front of said frame 30, said wall 31 being provided with tabs 32 for fixing to said vertical uprights of said patch bay. Each tab 32 is located to the right and left of the front of said patch panel 3.

[0051] In addition, said wall 31 comprises through openings 33. Each opening 33 is intended to receive said female plug of a female connector 2.

[0052] This being the case, in order to attach at least one female connector 2 to the wall 31 on the front of the patch panel 3, the invention relates to a device 4 for receiving a female connector 2 for a patch panel 3.

[0053] According to the invention, such a receiving device 4 is in the form of a housing 40. Such a housing 40 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, with a front face 400, side faces 401 and an upper face 402. The rear face is partially or completely open, allowing the passage of said female connector 2, as well as the cable 1 connected thereto.

[0054] In fact, said housing 40 is partially hollow, intended to receive at least one female connector 2. Thus, the housing 40 internally comprises a housing 5 defined by the interior volume between said faces 400, 401, 402. In addition, such a housing 5 being shaped and dimensioned for the insertion and extraction of at least one female connector 2.

[0055] According to one embodiment, said housing 40 comprises at least two housings 5 and at least one intermediate wall 403 extending vertically and separating said at least two housings 5.

[0056] As visible in [Fig.5], said housing 40 of the receiving device 4 comprises at least two housings 5, separated by a single intermediate wall 403.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, as visible in Figures 3 and 6, said receiving device 4 comprises four housings 5, said housings 5 being separated two by two by an intermediate wall 403.

[0058] Further, in order to allow the connection of a male plug with the female plug of the female connector 2, once inserted into a housing 5 of the receiving device 4, said receiving device 4 comprises, on the front face 400, opposite each housing 5, an orifice 6 shaped to receive said female plug of said at least one female connector 2 in insertion. In short, each housing 5 opens towards the front with an orifice 6 intended to receive a female plug of a female connector 2.

[0059] According to one embodiment, as visible in [Fig.2], the receiving device 4 comprises a flap 7 for closing said orifice 6. In addition, said closing flap 7 is articulated in rotation relative to said front face 400. Preferably, said flap 7 is articulated downwards, but can be articulated upwards.

[0060] According to another embodiment, not shown, said flap 7 is articulated in sliding, or provided attached in a removable manner.

[0061] Further on, the receiving device 4 comprises means 8 for fixing to the front of said patch panel 3. In particular, the fixing is provided so that the orifices 6 of the housings 5 are aligned with the openings 33 of the wall 31 on the front of said patch panel 3.

[0062] Said fixing means 8 can be of any type.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, said fixing means 8 comprise on the rear face, a tab 80 for fixing by sliding plane until clipping with complementary fixing means 34 provided at least on the front of said patch panel 3.

[0064] In this respect, said patch panel 3 comprises said complementary fixing means 34, arranged at least on the front, cooperating with the fixing means 8 of at least one receiving device 4, so as to attach it in fixing at the level of said at least one opening 33, preferably each orifice 6 opposite each opening 33.

[0065] According to a corresponding embodiment, said complementary fixing means 34 comprise a slot 340 for snapping said fixing tab 80 equipping said means 8 for fastening said receiving device 4, so as to cooperate by sliding said receiving device 4 in a plane until said tab 80 is clipped with said slot 340.

[0066] Figures 6 to 8 show the essentially planar direction, during insertion according to a horizontal or substantially horizontal translation of said tab 80 within said slot 340.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, the distal end of said tongue 80 is provided with a ridge 81, intended to cooperate in insertion and locking with a hollow formed within an internal offset 341 equipping said slot 340 in a projecting manner above. In addition, the clipping of said ridge 81 with said offset 341 can be carried out by elastic deformation of the material of said tongue 80, preferably made of plastic material comprising a corresponding elasticity and / or resistance to flexibility.

[0068] Furthermore, said tongue 80 may comprise, on either side, lateral edges 82 intended to come into upper support in sliding on either side of said slot 340, conferring the sliding character along the upper face of the chassis 30 of the patch panel 3, during insertion of said receiving device 4.

[0069] Advantageously, the invention provides for insertion and extraction essentially in a vertical direction of said female connector 2 within the corresponding housing 5 of said receiving device 4.

[0070] Such vertical insertion facilitates the operation, in particular when a cable 1 is connected from the rear to a female connector 2 for insertion (or extraction), avoiding tensions on said cable 1 and the constraints applied at the levels of the connection points with the female plug of said female connector 2.

[0071] Such a vertical or substantially vertical movement is shown in [Fig.4], showing in particular the movement of a female connector 2 connected to a cable 1 during its insertion into one of the housings 5 of a receiving device 4.

[0072] To do this, the receiving device 4 provides that said upper face 402 comprises at least one cover 9 articulated from an open position to a covering position, and vice versa.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment, when said housing 40 comprises four housings 5, then two covers 9 close in pairs two of said adjacent housings 5 located on one side and the other of said receiving device 4.

[0074] Furthermore, in the open position of said at least one cover 9, the top of said at least one housing 5 is accessible for insertion and extraction by sliding in a vertical direction of said at least one female connector 2. In other words, by opening the cover 9, an open space is provided above each housing 5, allowing the vertical or substantially vertical insertion of a female connector 2 into the corresponding housing 5. Furthermore, with the rear face open, it is possible to easily slide the female connector 2, limiting the tensions applied to the cable 1.

[0075] Such a downward movement when inserting a female connector 2 is shown in [Fig.4], as well as in Figures 9 to 11.

[0076] According to one embodiment, when said housing 40 comprises at least two housings 5, then said at least one cover 9 closes said at least two housings 5 in pairs.

[0077] Conversely, said at least one cover 9 is hinged from the overlapping position to said opening position. In particular, in the overlapping position, said at least one cover 9 closes the upper face 402, closing the housing(s) 5 located below. In short, in the closed position of the cover 9, each housing 5 is no longer accessible from above, but only from the rear face, which is still open.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, said cover 9 is articulated through any type of connection, for example through a rotational or pivoting connection at by means of a hinge.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, said cover 9 is articulated through an elastic connection with said front face 400. In other words, it is the elastic characteristic of the material which allows the passage from the overlapping position to the opening position, or vice versa.

[0080] Furthermore, the elasticity of the articulation of said cover 9 can allow the return from the covering position to the opening position (or vice versa).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the invention provides for maintaining the cover 9 in the position covering the housing(s) 5, namely closed.

[0082] To do this, said at least one cover 9 comprises an internal face 90 provided with means 91 for locking in the covering position by snap-fastening with at least one of the lateral faces 401.

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment, said locking means 91 cooperate on either side of two housings 5 with the corresponding lateral face(s) 400, as well as with the intermediate wall 403.

[0084] According to one embodiment, said locking means 91 comprise hooks 92, each of said hooks 92 being intended to cooperate in a snap-fastening manner with hollows 93 formed internally within the lateral faces 401.

[0085] Preferably, there are two of these hooks 92 per housing 5, namely four per cover 9. In addition, the two hooks 92 located in the center cooperate on either side of the intermediate wall 403 delimiting said two housings 5, while the other two hooks 92 cooperate internally with each of the right and left side walls 403.

[0086] The example embodiment visible in [Fig.5] shows such cooperation for a receiving device 4 provided with two housings 5 and a single cover 9.

[0087] According to another embodiment, as visible in [Fig.3], each cover 9 comprises four hooks 92: the two hooks 92 located in the center of each cover 9 cooperate on either side of the intermediate wall 403 delimiting said two housings 5 under each of said two covers 9, while the hooks 92 located on each side of each cover 9 cooperate with, on the one hand, a central intermediate wall 403 separating two parts of said housings 5 and, on the other hand with one of the lateral walls 401 of said receiving device 4.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the invention provides for maintaining the female connector 2 once inserted into a housing 5 of the receiving device 4.

[0089] To do this, said cover 9 comprises an internal face 90 provided with means 10 for holding said at least one female connector 2 in place, by pressing against the upper part of said female connector 2, in a position covering said cover 9. In other words, when closed, the cover 9 presses on the top of the connector 2 female, to prevent any freedom of vertical movement within said housing 5.

[0090] According to one embodiment, said holding means 10 comprise at least one protruding lug 100 on the internal face of said cover 9. Such a lug 100 may be of any shape, in particular in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, preferably hollow shaped in a U or C. It is then the distal end of said lug 100 which comes against the upper face of the female connector 2, in the position covering said cover 9.

[0091] According to a preferred embodiment, said cover 9 comprises locking means 10 for each housing 5, namely provided with as many lugs 100 as there are housings 5 (i.e. female connector 2 to be maintained).

[0092] According to one embodiment, it is also provided to hold said female connector 2 horizontally once inserted into the corresponding housing 5.

[0093] To do this, each housing 5 comprises in the lower part, a stop 11 projecting inside said at least one housing 5. In addition, such a stop 11 cooperates in horizontal locking of a blade 20 equipping said at least one female connector 2, in the position of insertion of said female connector 2 within said housing 5.

[0094] It will be noted that said blade 20 of said female connector 2 may be a standardized locking member in attachment. Such a locking member is generally in the form of an elastic tab, positioned on the upper or lower face of the female connector 2 and extending from the rear towards a distal end provided flexible at the front of said female connector 2. The distal end of this tab is provided with a step or lug, intended to cooperate by snap-fastening. Such a locking member is usually used for a known insertion in an essentially horizontal direction.

[0095] It is therefore the distal end and its lug or indentation which cooperate to horizontally block the female connector 2 once introduced into the corresponding housing 5.

[0096] An example of such a configuration is notably visible in Figures 9 to 11.

[0097] Furthermore, when covered by the cover 9, the support of said cover 9, in particular its lug 100 of the holding means 10, ensures that said distal end of said blade 20 of the female connector 2 is held in abutment.

[0098] Alternatively, said female connector 2 may also be equipped, on the upper face, with a protruding lug or indentation, ensuring horizontal locking in abutment against an edge of the lug 100 of the holding means 10.

[0099] Thus, once inserted vertically into a housing 5, each female connector 2 is held there.

[0100] The invention also relates to a patch panel 3, equipped with one or more reception devices 4 according to the invention.

[0101] As mentioned previously, said patch panel 3 comprises a chassis 30 with a wall 31 in front of said chassis 30, said wall 31 being provided with lugs 32 for fixing to vertical uprights of a patch bay.

[0102] Said wall 31 also comprises through openings 33, each being intended to receive said female plug of said at least one female connector 2. Such openings 33 are generally shaped as a square and are distributed regularly along the length of said wall 31 at the front.

[0103] In addition, said patch panel 3 comprises at least one female connector 2, preferably several, each being provided with a female plug.

[0104] Advantageously, said patch panel 3 comprises the complementary fixing means 34 provided at least on the front, cooperating with the fixing means 8 of at least one device 4 for receiving a female connector 2 according to the invention. In addition, said receiving device 4 is attached in a fixing position at the level of said at least one opening 33.

[0105] In addition, said at least one female connector 2 is attached in a fixed manner within said at least one housing 5 of said receiving device 4, by sliding in a vertical direction.

[0106] In particular, several female connectors 2 are introduced by vertical sliding within some or all of the housings 5 of each receiving device 4, once mounted in a fixed position on the wall 31 on the front of said patch panel 3.

[0107] According to one embodiment, said patch panel 3 comprises a plurality of openings 33 distributed regularly along said wall 31 at the front. Therefore, several receiving devices 4 are attached in fixing at the front of said chassis 30 and opposite said openings 33. In particular, a receiving device 4 with two housings 5 is attached opposite two openings 33, while a receiving device 4 provided with four housings 5 is fixed opposite four contiguous openings 33.

[0108] According to one embodiment, as visible in [Fig.6], said at least one opening 33 is hollowed out at the top. In short, the opening 33 generally has a U-shape.

[0109] From then on, said at least one female connector 2 is introduced at least in the upper part through said hollowed opening 33. In addition, the insertion of said female connector 2 is carried out when the corresponding cover 9 is in the open position, leaving free access from above to said receiving device 4.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (4) for receiving a female connector (2) for a patch panel (3), - in the form of a housing (40) provided with a front face (400), side faces (401) and an upper face (402), - said housing (40) internally comprising a housing (5) defined by the internal volume between said faces (400, 401, 402), said housing (5) being shaped and dimensioned for the insertion and extraction of at least one female connector (2); - means (8) for fixing to the front of a patch panel (3); characterized in that - said upper face (402) comprises at least one cover (9) articulated from an open position to a covering position, and vice versa; - in the open position of said at least one cover (9), the top of said at least one housing (5) being accessible for insertion and extraction by sliding in a vertical direction of said at least one female connector (2).

2. Receiving device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - said housing (40) comprises at least two housings (5) and at least one intermediate wall (403) extending vertically and separating said at least two housings (5); - said at least one cover (9) closing said at least two housings (5) in pairs.

3. Receiving device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said housing (40) comprises four housings (5).

4. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (9) is articulated through an elastic connection with said front face (400).

5. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one cover (9) comprises an internal face (90) provided with means (91) for locking in the covering position by snap-fastening with at least one of the lateral faces (401).

6. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (9) comprises a internal face (90) provided with means (10) for holding said at least one female connector (2) in place, by pressing against the upper part of said female connector (2), in a position covering said cover (9).

7. Receiving device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said holding means (10) comprise at least one protruding lug (100) on the internal face of said cover (9).

8. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each housing (5) comprises - in the lower part, a stop (11) projecting inside said at least one housing (5), - said stop (11) cooperating in horizontal locking of a blade (20) equipping said at least one female connector (2), in the position of insertion of said female connector (2) within said housing (5).

9. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixing means (8) comprise on the rear face, a tab (80) for fixing by sliding plane until clipping with complementary fixing means (34) provided at least on the front of said patch panel (3).

10. Receiving device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises - on the front face (400), opposite each housing (5), an orifice (6) shaped to receive a female plug of said at least one female connector (2) in insertion; - a flap (7) for closing said orifice (6); - said closing flap (7) being articulated in rotation relative to said front face (400).

11. Patch panel (3) for patch bay, comprising - a frame (30); - a wall (31) on the front of said frame (30), said wall (31) being provided with tabs (32) for fixing to vertical uprights of a patch bay; - at least one female connector (2), provided with a female plug; - said wall (31) further comprising through openings (33), each being intended to receive said female plug of said female connector (2), characterized in that it comprises - complementary fixing means (34) provided at least in facade, cooperating with the means (8) for fixing at least one device (4) for receiving a female connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, said receiving device (4) being attached in fixing at the level of said at least one opening (33), and in that - said at least one female connector (2) is attached in fixing within said at least one housing (5) of said receiving device (4), by sliding in a vertical direction.

12. Patch panel (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises - a plurality of openings (33) distributed regularly along said wall (31) on the front; - several receiving devices (4) attached to the front of said chassis (30) and opposite said openings (33).

13. Patch panel (3) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that - said at least one opening (33) is hollowed out; - said at least one female connector (2) being introduced at least in the upper part through said hollowed out opening (33).

14. Patch panel (3) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the complementary fixing means (34) comprise a slot (340) for snapping a fixing tab (80) equipping said means (8) for fixing said receiving device (4), so as to cooperate by sliding said receiving device (4) in a plane until said tab (80) is clipped with said slot (340).

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