High-density patch panel with modular cassette

Abstract

To provide a new patch panel that can address traditional issues.SOLUTION: A patch panel includes a tray slidable between retracted and extended positions on tray supports and features for holding the tray in the retracted and extended positions. The patch panel may also include a cassette slidable on the cassette supports, latches for engaging the cassette to block movement of the cassette and features for disengaging the latches.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 971,477, filed May 4, 2018, to Vogel, entitled "A High Density Patch Panel with Modular Cassettes," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application is also related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 525,791, filed June 28, 2017, to Vogel, entitled "A High Density Enclosure with Modular Cassettes," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is also related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 590,823, filed November 27, 2017, to Vogel, entitled "A High Density Enclosure with Modular Cassettes," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] The present subject matter relates generally to high density fiber optic patch panels or enclosures for pre-terminated cassette modules. [Background technology]

[0003] Large data centers frequently deploy multiple rows of racks and / or cabinets for cross-connect applications. Installation of high-density fiber optic patch panels has been simplified and made more reliable by utilizing pre-terminated cassette modules installed within rack-mount enclosures. While these pre-terminated cassettes address many installation issues by eliminating the need for field termination and polishing, they have introduced other challenges. In particular, some applications require installation / maintenance from the rear of the enclosure, while others are better suited to installation / maintenance from the front. Many enclosures on the market only allow installation / maintenance from either the front or rear. While several solutions are available that allow front and rear access, removing cassette modules can be cumbersome, requiring two-handed maneuvers in tight spaces.

[0004] Additionally, space constraints (especially in the 1RU enclosure version) have traditionally necessitated the use of flat head screws and countersunk holes to attach the cassette rails, which adds weight and assembly time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present subject matter provides a patch panel. The patch panel may include a tray slidable between retracted and extended positions on tray supports and features for holding the tray in the retracted and extended positions. The patch panel may further include a cassette slidable on the cassette supports, a latch for engaging the cassette to prevent movement of the cassette, and a feature for disengaging the latch. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first exemplary embodiment, the patch panel defines a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction, which are mutually perpendicular, and includes a first tray support and a second tray support. The first tray support has a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction. The first tray support defines a first detent and a second detent spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned between the pair of slide rails of the first tray support along the longitudinal direction. The second tray support defines a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction. The second tray support defines a first detent and a second detent spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned between the pair of slide rails of the second tray support along the longitudinal direction. The second tray support is spaced apart from the first tray support along the lateral direction. The tray has a plurality of cassette loading bays. The tray has a first pair of detent followers and a second pair of detent followers, the detent followers of the first pair of detent followers being spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a first side of the tray. The pair of detent followers are spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a second side of the tray. The first side of the tray is receivable between the pair of slide rails of the first tray support, and the second side of the tray is receivable between the pair of slide rails of the second tray support, so that the tray is slidable along the transverse direction between retracted and extended positions on the first and second tray supports. One of the first pair of detent followers is received within a first detent of the first tray support, and one of the second pair of detent followers is received within a first detent of the second tray support when the tray is in the extended position. Each of the first pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first and second detents of the first tray support, and each of the second pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first and second detents of the second tray support when the tray is in the retracted position.

[0007] In a second exemplary embodiment, the patch panel defines a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction, which are perpendicular to one another. The patch panel includes a tray having a plurality of cassette mounting bays. The tray includes a first cassette support and a second cassette support. The first cassette support and the second cassette support are positioned on opposite sides of one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays along the lateral direction. The first cassette support has a first latch and a second latch, respectively, positioned at opposite ends of the first cassette support along the lateral direction. The cassette has a release slide positioned at a first side of the cassette. The release slide has a first ramp and a second ramp, respectively, positioned at opposite ends of the release slide along the lateral direction. The release slide is movable between a neutral position and a release position. A first side of the cassette is receivable by the first cassette support and a second side of the tray is receivable by the second cassette support so that the cassette is slidable in a transverse direction on the first cassette support and the second cassette support. The first latch and the second latch engage the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays and the release slide is in the neutral position. The first ramp disengages the first latch from the cassette and the second ramp disengages the second latch from the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays and the release slide is in the release position.

[0008] In a third exemplary embodiment, a patch panel defines a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction, which are perpendicular to one another. The patch panel includes a tray having a plurality of cassette mounting bays. The tray includes a first cassette support and a second cassette support. The first cassette support and the second cassette support are positioned on opposite sides of one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays along the lateral direction. The first cassette support has a first latch and a second latch, respectively, positioned at opposite ends of the first cassette support along the lateral direction. A cassette extends between a first side and a second side along the lateral direction. The first side of the cassette is receivable by the first cassette support, and the second side of the tray is receivable by the second cassette support, such that the cassette is slidable on the first cassette support and the second cassette support along the lateral direction. The first and second latches are configured to engage the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays such that the first and second latches prevent movement of the cassette along a transverse direction. The cassette includes means for simultaneously disengaging the first and second latches from the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays such that the cassette is slidable out of one of the plurality of cassette loading bays at both the front and rear of the tray.

[0009] In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the cassette defines a lateral direction and a transverse direction that are perpendicular. The cassette is disposed between a first side and a second side along the lateral direction and between a first side and a second side along the transverse direction. The cassette body includes a cassette body extending between a front and a rear by a first ramp. The cassette body defines a release slide slot on a first side of the cassette body. The release slide slot extends longitudinally between the front and rear of the cassette body along a transverse direction. A release slide is positioned within the release slide slot at the first side of the cassette body. The release slide is movable within the release slide slot along the transverse direction between a neutral position and a release position. The release slide extends between a first end and a second end along the transverse direction. The release slide has a first ramp and a second ramp. The first ramp is positioned near the first end of the release slide, and the second ramp is positioned near the second end of the release slide.

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0011] A full and useful disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one skilled in the art, is set forth in the following specification, which makes reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a patch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray support of the example patch panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray of the exemplary patch panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the tray support of FIG. 2 and the tray of FIG. 3, the tray shown in a retracted position. [Figure 5] 4 is a perspective view of the tray support of FIG. 2 and the tray of FIG. 3, the tray shown in an extended position. [Figure 6] 6 is another perspective view of the tray support and tray of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is another perspective view of the tray support and tray of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary patch panel cassette of FIG. 1, with the release slide shown in a neutral position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 8, with the release slide shown in the release position. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the cassette of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cassette support of the exemplary patch panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 8 and the cassette support of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette and cassette support of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the tray support portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a side view of the slide of the tray of FIG. 3. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tray of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided to illustrate, but not limit, the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patch panel 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. A vendor may also refer to the patch panel 100 as a "patch enclosure." As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the patch panel 100 includes an enclosure 110, a pair of tray supports 120, a plurality of trays 130, a plurality of cassette supports 140, and a plurality of cassettes 150. The patch panel 100 may generally be referred to as a "rack-mounted high-density connectivity platform." The cassettes 150 are modular and may be suitable for patch, patch-and-splice, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), and splitter applications. Thus, for example, each cassette 150 may include connectors (e.g., LC connectors, MPO connectors) at the front and rear of the cassette 150, and fibers within the cassette 150 may extend between the various connectors at the front and rear of the cassette 150. As described in more detail below, patch panel 100 includes features for accommodating movement of tray 130 on tray support 120 and / or features for accommodating movement of cassette 150 on cassette support 140. Such features may facilitate access to cassette 150, thereby aiding a user in connecting optical fibers to cassette 150. Cassette 150 includes ports at the front and rear of cassette 150, and optical fibers within cassette 150 connect to the ports at the front and rear of cassette 150.

[0015] Patch panel 100 defines a longitudinal direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The longitudinal direction V, the lateral direction L, and the transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal system of directions. Trays 130 may be mounted on tray supports 120 within enclosure 110 such that trays 130 are slidable relative to tray supports 120 along the transverse direction T. Similarly, cassettes 150 may be mounted on cassette supports 140 within enclosure 110 such that cassettes 150 are slidable relative to cassette supports 140 and / or trays 130 along the transverse direction T.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the tray supports 120, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the trays 130. In FIG. 2, only one of the tray supports 120 is shown. It will be understood that the patch panel 100 may also include another tray support on an opposite side of the enclosure 110 along the horizontal direction L, and the other tray support may be formed in the same or similar manner as the tray support 120 shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the patch panel 100 may include two tray supports 120 on opposite sides of the enclosure 110 along the horizontal direction L. The tray supports 120 may also be stacked along the vertical direction V to form a 2RU panel / enclosure, a 3RU panel / enclosure, etc. The tray support 120 may be attached to the enclosure 110 with adhesive, tape, and / or fasteners. In particular, the tray support base 128 of the tray support 120 may be attached to the enclosure 110 with adhesive, tape, and / or fasteners.

[0017] The tray support 120 has a pair of slide rails 122. The slide rails 122 may be attached to or formed with the tray support base 128 such that the slide rails 122 extend from the tray support base 128, for example, along the horizontal direction L. The slide rails 122 are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. In particular, the slide rails 122 may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V such that the trays 130 are slidable between the slide rails 122. Thus, the slide rails 122 may support the trays 130 such that the trays 130 are movable on the tray support 120 with respect to the enclosure 110. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tray support 120 may include multiple pairs of slide rails 122 such that multiple trays 130 can be attached to the tray support 120. Thus, although the following description is more fully in the context of a single pair of slide rails 122 and one tray 130, multiple trays 130 may be mounted to the tray support 120 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] The tray support 120 also defines a first detent 124 and a second detent 126. The first detent 124 and the second detent 126 are oriented such that the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 penetrate or extend into the tray support base 128, for example, along the lateral direction L. The first detent 124 and the second detent 126 may be formed in the tray support base 128. The first detent 124 and the second detent 126 may be spaced apart, for example, along the transverse direction T. Additionally, the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 may be positioned between the slide rails 122, for example, along the longitudinal direction V.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3 , the tray 130 includes a slide 132 with a pair of detent followers 134. Only one side of the tray 130 is shown in FIG. 3 . It will be understood that the tray 130 may also include another slide on the opposite side of the tray 130 along the lateral direction L, which may be formed in the same or similar manner as the slide 132 shown in FIG. 3 . Thus, the tray 130 may include two slides 132 on opposite sides of the tray 130 along the lateral direction L. In particular, the tray 130 may extend between a first side 137 and a second side 139 along the lateral direction L. One of the slides 132 may be attached to the tray body 131 at the first side 137 of the tray body 131, and the other of the slides 132 may be attached to the tray body 131 at the second side 139 of the tray body 131. The slide 132 may be attached to the tray body 131 with attachment tabs 133 formed with the tray body 131 and / or fasteners 135 passing through the tray body 131 and the slide 132 .

[0020] As noted above, the slide rails 122 may be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction V so that the tray 130 can slide between the slide rails 122. In particular, the slide 132 of the tray 130 may be positioned between the slide rails 122 of the tray support 120 to slidably mount the tray 130 to the tray support 120. The detent follower 134 may engage with the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 to hold the tray 130 in either the extended position ( FIGS. 5 , 6 , and 7 ) or the retracted position ( FIG. 4 ). In particular, one of the detent followers 134 is received within the first detent 124 of the tray support 120 when the tray 130 is in the extended position. The other detent follower 134 is not received within the second detent 126 of the tray support 120 when the tray 130 is in the extended position and may be removed from between the slide rails 122 of the tray support 120. In contrast, each of the detent followers 134 is received within a respective one of the first detents 124 and second detents 126 when the tray 130 is in the retracted position.

[0021] The detent follower 134 may be formed on a fixed or cantilevered beam, with elastic deformation of the beam allowing the detent follower 134 to translate along the lateral direction L. Such movement of the detent follower 134 allows the detent follower 134 to penetrate into and retract from the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 as the user slides the tray 130 relative to the tray support 120. In particular, the detent follower 134 may flex along the lateral direction L as the tray 130 shifts between the extended and retracted positions. In addition to holding the tray 130 in either the retracted or extended position, the detent follower 134, in conjunction with the first detent 124 and the second detent 126, may provide tactile feedback to the user regarding the position of the tray 130 on the tray support 120. In particular, the user can feel when the detent follower 134 enters the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 when the user adjusts the tray 130 to the retracted position, and the user can feel when the detent follower 134 exits the first detent 124 and the second detent 126 when the user adjusts the tray 130 from the retracted position. Such tactile feedback can inform the user when to stop pushing or pulling the tray 130.

[0022] As can be seen from the above description, the tray support 120 may interface with the tray 130 to allow sliding of the tray 130 along the transverse direction T relative to the tray support 120. In general, the sliding tray mechanism functions as follows: The tray 130 is fitted with slides 132 that allow the tray 130 to slide within slide rails 122 that are mounted inside the enclosure 110. The slide rail 122 includes two detents. In the home or retracted position, both detents are engaged, and only the front detent is utilized in the extended position. When the tray 130 is pulled forward from the retracted position, the detent followers flex inward, providing a moderate level of resistance until the rear detent follower aligns with the front detent in the extended position and locks into place.

[0023] The patch panel 100 also includes features to prevent or avoid overextension of the tray 130 from the tray support 120. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tray support 120 includes a tray release lever 125 having a locking tab 127. The tray release lever 125 may be attached to or formed with a tray support base 128. In particular, the tray release lever 125 may extend from the tray support base 128 along a transverse direction T and / or may be cantilevered from the tray support base 128 such that a distal end of the tray release lever 125 may move along a longitudinal direction V relative to the tray support base 128. Thus, the tray release lever 125 may bend along the longitudinal direction V as the tray 130 shifts between the extended and retracted positions. In particular, the tray release lever 125 may be configured to automatically bend upward along the longitudinal direction V when the tray release lever 125 (e.g., locking tab 127) slides along the extended position ramp 171 at the front of the slide 132. The tray release lever 125 engages the tray 130 in the extended position to prevent the tray 130 from overextending from the tray support 120. In particular, the tray 130 (e.g., the slide 132 of the tray 130) defines a tray locking slot 138. The locking tab 127 of the tray release lever 125 is received within the tray locking slot 138 when the tray 130 is in the extended position. Thus, the locking tab 127 of the tray release lever 125 selectively retains the tray 130 in the extended position.

[0024] The tray release lever 125 may prevent the tray 130 from being inadvertently removed or pulled beyond the extended position. Generally, the tray locking slot 138 on the tray 130 and the locking tab 127 on the tray release lever 125 interlock and work in concert to prevent the tray 130 from being inadvertently removed or pulled beyond the extended position. This is achieved when the slide 132 of the tray 130 automatically lifts the tray release lever 125 as the tray 130 is pulled forward from the retracted position until the locking tab 127 aligns with the tray locking slot 138 and falls into place, locking the tray 130 in the extended position. When tray removal is desired, the tray release lever 125 may be manually lifted to release the locking tab 127 from the tray locking slot 138. While in the extended position, the tray 130 provides access for moving, adding, and / or changing front patch cords or removing the cassette 150.

[0025] 15 , the tray locking slot 138 may include, for example, a sloped surface 139 at the rear of the tray locking slot 138. The tray release lever 125 may automatically bend upward along the vertical direction V when the tray release lever 125 (e.g., the locking tab 127) slides along the sloped surface 139 of the tray locking slot 138. The slide 132 of the tray 130 may then automatically lift the tray release lever 125 out of the tray locking slot 138 when the tray 130 is pushed back from the extended position to the retracted position. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, after being locked in the extended position, the tray release lever 125 may be manually lifted to allow the tray 130 to slide back to the retracted position.

[0026] As can be seen in FIG. 14 , the bottom slide rail 121 of the slide rail 122 defines a support surface 170 and an inclined surface 172. The inclined surface 172 extends between a top 174 and a bottom 176 along the transverse direction T. The top 174 of the inclined surface 172 is also positioned above or higher than the bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 along the longitudinal direction V. Thus, the top 174 and the bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction V and the transverse direction T. The bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 is positioned on the support surface 170. The top 174 of the inclined surface 172 is positioned near the tray release lever 125. The inclined surface 172 then extends upward along the longitudinal direction V from the support surface 170 toward the tray release lever 125.

[0027] The slide 132 of the tray 130 rests on the bottom slide rail 121 when the tray 130 is in the retracted position, and the slide 132 of the tray 130 slides on the bottom slide rail 121 when a user adjusts the tray 130 from the retracted position toward the extended position. The support surface 170 may be generally flat and oriented horizontally. Thus, when the tray 130 rests or slides on the support surface 170, the tray 130 may slide horizontally. In contrast, the tray 130 may move upward along the vertical direction V when the tray 130 slides on the inclined surface 172. By urging the tray 130 upward along the vertical direction V, the inclined surface 172 may facilitate engagement between the tray locking slot 138 on the tray 130 and the locking tab 127 on the tray release lever 125. In particular, when the tray 130 is in the extended position, the distal end of the tray 130 can bend or pivot downward along the longitudinal direction V to a lesser extent than when the bottom slide rail 121 includes only a horizontal support surface 170.

[0028] The position and / or angle of the inclined surface 172 may be selected to facilitate engagement between the tray release lever 125 and the slide 122, for example, without interfering with the sliding of the tray 130 on the tray support 120. For example, the distance between the top 174 of the inclined surface 172 and the top one of the slide rails 122 may be less than the distance between the bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 and the top one of the slide rails 122. As a more specific example, the inclined surface 172 may subtend an angle α with the support surface 170, for example, in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction L. The angle α may be less than 180 degrees and greater than 175 degrees. As another example, the top 174 of the inclined surface 172 may be spaced apart from the bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 along the longitudinal direction V by at least 1 micrometer and not more than 1 millimeter. The length of the inclined surface 172 along the transverse direction T between the top 174 and bottom 176 of the inclined surface 172 may be greater than or equal to 5 millimeters and less than or equal to 50 millimeters in some exemplary embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the cassettes 150, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the cassette supports 140. In FIG. 11, only one of the cassette supports 140 is shown. It will be understood that the patch panel 100 may also include multiple additional cassette supports in various arrangements on the tray 130, and the other cassette supports may be formed in the same or similar manner as the cassette support 140 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 130 includes multiple cassette mounting bays 160, and the cassette supports 140 are mounted on the tray 130 at the cassette mounting bays 160, thereby providing a mounting structure for the cassettes 150 within the cassette mounting bays 160. Thus, the patch panel 100 may include a cassette support 140 on opposite sides of each cassette mounting bay 160 along the lateral direction L. The cassette supports 140 may be attached to the tray 130 with heat staking, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, tape, and / or fasteners. In some exemplary embodiments, the cassette supports 140 may be attached to the tray 130 without fasteners such as screws. One side of each cassette 150 may be attached to its respective cassette support 140 with a latch, as described in more detail below, and the opposing side of each cassette 150 may be slidably attached to its respective cassette support 140, for example, by slide rails on the cassette 150 received in slots on the respective cassette support 140 or by sliding the cassette 150 between slide rails on the respective cassette support 140.

[0030] 11 , the cassette support 140 may include a pair of slide rails 141. The slide rails 141 are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction V. In particular, the slide rails 141 may be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction V so that the cassette 150 can slide between the slide rails 141. Thus, the slide rails 141 are configured to allow the cassette 150 to slide between the slide rails 141 when the cassette 150 is attached to the cassette support 140. The cassette support 140 may support the cassette 150 so as to be movable relative to the tray 130 on the cassette support 140. The cassette support 140 also has a first latch 142 and a second latch 144. The first latch 142 and the second latch 144 are each positioned at opposite ends of the cassette support 140 along the transverse direction T. Thus, for example, the cassette support 140 may extend between a front end 146 and a rear end 148 along the transverse direction T. The first latch 142 may be positioned at the front end 146 of the cassette support 140, and the second latch 144 may be positioned at the rear end 148 of the cassette support 140. The slide rail 141 may be positioned between the first latch 142 and the second latch 144, for example, along the transverse direction T. The first latch 142 and the second latch 144 may be configured to allow the cassette 150 to be inserted into the cassette loading bay 160 from the front 180 or the rear 182 of the tray 130 .

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 may be constructed in the same or similar manner as shown in FIG. 11 , where the first latch 142 may be constructed according to the description provided below for the second latch 144. As shown in FIG. 11 , the second latch 144 is cantilevered such that the arm 162 is elastically deformable and the catch 164 is movable on the arm 162 along the lateral direction L. The catch 164 may include an inclined surface 166 and a locking surface 168 that face each other along the lateral direction T.

[0032] The angled surfaces 166 of the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 may assist in moving the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 so that the cassette 150 can be inserted into the cassette loading bay 160. The locking surfaces 168 of the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 may assist in retaining the cassette 150 in the cassette loading bay 160. Thus, when the cassette 150 is positioned in the cassette loading bay 160, the locking surface 168 of the first latch 142 may engage with the front of the cassette 150, and the locking surface 168 of the second latch 144 may engage with the rear of the cassette 150. In this manner, the cassette 150 can be positioned between the locking surfaces 168 of the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 along the transverse direction T when the cassette 150 is positioned within the cassette loading bay 160, and the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 can prevent movement of the cassette 150 from the cassette loading bay 160.

[0033] When a user inserts cassette 150 into cassette loading bay 160 from the front 180 of tray 130, cassette 150 can initially impact inclined surface 166 of first latch 142, and cassette 150 can slide along inclined surface 166 of first latch 142 such that catch 164 of first latch 142 moves outward along lateral direction L on arm 162 of first latch 142. Cassette 150 can then slide between slide rails 141 until cassette 150 is snugly seated within cassette loading bay 160 at a position where catch 164 of first latch 142 moves inward along lateral direction L on arm 162 of first latch 142. Locking surface 168 of first latch 142 can face and engage with cassette 150 when cassette 150 is in cassette loading bay 160.

[0034] Similarly, when a user inserts the cassette 150 into the cassette loading bay 160 from the rear 182 of the tray 130, the cassette 150 can first impact the inclined surface 166 of the second latch 144, and the cassette 150 can slide along the inclined surface 166 of the second latch 144 such that the catch 164 of the second latch 144 moves outward along the lateral direction L on the arm 162 of the second latch 144. The cassette 150 can then slide between the slide rails 141 until the cassette 150 is snugly seated within the cassette loading bay 160 at a position where the catch 164 of the second latch 144 moves inward along the lateral direction L on the arm 162 of the second latch 144. The locking surface 168 of the second latch 144 can face and engage with the cassette 150 when the cassette 150 is in the cassette loading bay 160.

[0035] Cassette 150 includes features to allow removal of cassette 150 from cassette loading bay 160, for example, by disengaging first latch 142 and second latch 144. As shown in Figures 8-10, cassette 150 includes a release slide 159. For example, the cassette body portion 151 of the cassette 150 may extend between a first side 152 and a second side 154 along the lateral direction L. The cassette body portion 151 may also extend between a front portion 153 and a rear portion 155 along the transverse direction T. The cassette body portion 151 may define a release slide slot 156 at the first side 152 of the cassette body portion 151. The release slide slot 156 may extend longitudinally between the front portion 153 and the rear portion 155 of the cassette body portion 151 along the transverse direction T. The release slide 159 is movable within the release slide slot 156 between a neutral (or locked) position and a released position.

[0036] The release slide 159 has a first ramp 157 and a second ramp 158. The first ramp 157 and the second ramp 158 are each positioned at opposite ends of the release slide 159 along the transverse direction T. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the release slide 159 may extend between a first end 178 and a second end 179 along the transverse direction T. The first ramp 157 may be positioned near the first end 178 of the release slide 159, and the second ramp 158 may be positioned near the second end 179 of the release slide 159.

[0037] The first ramp 157 and the second ramp 158 may assist in actuating the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 to enable removal of the cassette 150 from the cassette loading bay 160. As shown in FIG. 12 , the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 engage the cassette 150 when the cassette 150 is positioned in the cassette loading bay 160 and the release slide 159 is in the neutral position. In contrast, when a user shifts the release slide 159 to the release position, the first ramp 157 may slide against the first latch 142 to disengage the first latch 142 from the cassette 150 and / or the second ramp 158 may slide against the second latch 144 to disengage the second latch 144 from the cassette 150. In particular, the sloped surfaces of the first ramp 157 and the second ramp 158 may slide against and lift the catches 164 of the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 such that the catches 164 of the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 move outward from the cassette 150 along the lateral direction L. A user may then slide the release slide 159 from the neutral position to the release position to simultaneously disengage the first latch 142 and the second latch 144 from the cassette 150, allowing removal of the cassette 150 from the cassette loading bay 160 at either the front 180 of the tray 130 or the rear 182 of the tray 130.

[0038] 9 and 10 , the cassette body 151 defines a first lamp slot 190 and a second lamp slot 192 at a first side 152 of the cassette body 151. The first lamp slot 190 may be positioned at a front 153 of the cassette body 151, and the second lamp slot 192 may be positioned at a rear 155 of the cassette body 151. The first lamp 157 is slidable into and out of the first lamp slot 190. When the release slide 159 is in a neutral position, the first lamp 157 is disposed within the first lamp slot 190 such that, for example, the first lamp 157 does not engage with the first latch 142. In contrast, when the release slide 159 shifts from the neutral position to the release position, the first ramp 157 slides out of the first ramp slot 190 and engages with the first latch 142 in the manner described above. The second ramp 158 is slidable into and out of the second ramp slot 192. When the release slide 159 is in the neutral position, the second ramp 158 is disposed outside the second ramp slot 192, e.g., such that the second ramp 158 does not engage with the second latch 144. In contrast, at least a portion of the second ramp 158 is received within the second ramp slot 192 when the release slide 159 is in the release position. When the release slide 159 shifts from the neutral position to the release position, the second ramp 158 slides into the second ramp slot 192 and engages with the second latch 144 in the manner described above.

[0039] The release slide 159 may be seen as having a first handle 184 and a second handle 186. The first handle 184 is positioned at the first end 178 of the release slide 159, and the second handle 186 is positioned at the second end 179 of the release slide 159. The release slide 159 is manually shiftable between a locked position and a released position by the first handle 184 and the second handle 186. Thus, a user may shift the release slide 159 between the locked position and the released position from the front 180 of the tray 130 by the first handle 184 and from the rear 182 of the tray 130 by the second handle 186. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10 , the first handle 184 may be a pull handle and the second handle 186 may be a push handle. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the release slide 159 may be inverted on the cassette 150 to switch the positions of the first ramp 157 and the second ramp 158. In such an exemplary embodiment, the first handle 184 may be a push handle and the second handle 186 may be a pull handle.

[0040] As can be seen from the above description, the cassette support 140 may interface with the cassette 150 to allow sliding of the cassette 150 along the transverse direction T relative to the cassette support 140. Generally, the cassette sliding mechanism functions as follows: the cassette 150 has integral slides on both sides of the cassette 150 that are received between slide rails 141 of the cassette support 140. The side of the cassette 150 that includes the locking mechanism may be oversized to accommodate the release stride 159. The cassette support 140 may only allow linear translation of the cassette 150 along the transverse direction T (e.g., front to back and back to front).

[0041] 16 , release slide 159 has a protrusion 188, for example, near a midportion of release slide 159. Protrusion 188 is engageable with one or more lips (not shown) on cassette body 151 within release slide slot 156. For example, protrusion 188 may contact one or more lips on cassette body 151 such that interference between protrusion 188 and one or more lips on cassette body 151 prevents release slide 159 from inadvertently shifting between the neutral position and the released position. Thus, protrusion 188 may help to retain release slide 159 in its current position between the neutral position and the released position.

[0042] The present subject matter has numerous advantages over known high-density fiber optic patch panels for pre-terminated cassette modules. For example, cassette 150 may be installed and removed with a single hand operation for both front and rear installation / release scenarios. Additionally, the use of adhesive tape and / or heat staking to attach tray support 120 and / or cassette support 140 eliminates the need for traditional fasteners, saving space and assembly time.

[0043] This specification uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using the devices or systems, and performing the incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they contain structural elements that do not differ from the claim language or if they contain equivalent structural elements that differ insignificantly from the claim language. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100 patch panels 110 Enclosure 120 Tray support 121 Bottom slide rail 122 slide rail 124 First Detent 125 Tray release lever 126 Second Detent 127 Locking tab 128 Tray support base 130 trays 131 Tray body 132 slides 133 Mounting tab 134 Detent Follower 135 Fasteners 137 First Side 138 Tray locking slot 139 Second Side 139 Slope 140 Cassette support 141 Slide rail 142 First Latch 144 Second Latch 146 Front 148 rear 150 cassettes 151 Cassette body 152 first side 153 Front 154 Second Side 155 rear 156 Release slide slot 157 First Lamp 158 Second Lamp 159 Release Slide 160 cassette loading bay 162 Arm 164 Catch 166 Slope 168 Locking surface 170 Support surface 171 Extended position lamp 172 Slope 174 Top 176 Bottom 178 First End 179 Second End 180 front 182 rear 184 First Handle 186 Second Handle 188 Protrusion 190 First Lamp Slot 192 Second Lamp Slot

Claims

1. A patch panel defining a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction that are perpendicular to each other, a first tray support having a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, the first tray support defining first and second detents spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned between the pair of slide rails of the first tray support along the longitudinal direction; a second tray support having a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, the second tray support being spaced apart along the transverse direction and defining first and second detents positioned between the pair of slide rails of the second tray support along the longitudinal direction, the second tray support being spaced apart from the first tray support along the lateral direction; a tray having a plurality of cassette loading bays, the tray having a first pair of detent followers and a second pair of detent followers, the detent followers of the first pair of detent followers being spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a first side of the tray, and the detent followers of the second pair of detent followers being spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a second side of the tray; Equipped with the first side of the tray is receivable between a pair of slide rails of the first tray support and the second side of the tray is receivable between a pair of slide rails of the second tray support such that the tray is slidable along the transverse direction between a retracted position and an extended position on the first tray support and the second tray support; one of the first pair of detent followers is received within the first detent of the first tray support and one of the second pair of detent followers is received within the first detent of the second tray support in the extended position of the tray; A patch panel in which each of the first pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first detent and the second detent of the first tray support, and each of the second pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first detent and the second detent of the second tray support when the tray is in the retracted position.

2. 2. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein the first tray support comprises a tray release lever having a locking tab, the tray defining a tray locking slot on the first side of the tray, the locking tab of the tray release lever being received within the tray locking slot in the extended position of the tray, and the locking tab of the tray release lever selectively retaining the tray in the extended position of the tray.

3. 3. The patch panel of claim 2, wherein the tray release lever is configured to bend along the longitudinal direction when the tray shifts between the extended and retracted positions of the tray.

4. 4. The patch panel of claim 3, wherein the first pair and the second pair of detent followers are configured to curve along the lateral direction when the tray shifts between the extended position and the retracted position of the tray.

5. 3. The patch panel of claim 2, wherein the tray release lever is operable to slide the tray from the extended position to the retracted position upon lifting the locking tab of the tray release lever from the tray locking slot.

6. 3. The patch panel of claim 2, wherein a bottom slide rail of the pair of slide rails of the first tray support defines a support surface and an inclined surface, the inclined surface extending between a top and a bottom along a transverse direction, the bottom of the inclined surface positioned on the support surface, the top of the inclined surface positioned near the tray release lever, and the inclined surface extending upward from the support surface toward the tray release lever along the longitudinal direction.

7. 7. The patch panel of claim 6, wherein the inclined surface forms an angle with the support surface in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction, the angle being less than 180 degrees and greater than 175 degrees.

8. A patch panel defining a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction that are perpendicular to each other, a tray having a plurality of cassette loading bays, the tray comprising a first cassette support and a second cassette support, the first cassette support and the second cassette support positioned on opposite sides of one of the plurality of cassette loading bays along the lateral direction, the first cassette support having a first latch and a second latch respectively positioned at respective opposite ends of the first cassette support along the lateral direction; a cassette having a release slide positioned on a first side of the cassette, the release slide having first and second ramps respectively positioned at opposite ends of the release slide along the transverse direction, the release slide being movable between a neutral position and a release position; a first side of the cassette is receivable by the first cassette support and a second side of the tray is receivable by the second cassette support such that the cassette is slidable on the first cassette support and the second cassette support along the transverse direction; the first latch and the second latch engage the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays and the release slide is in the neutral position; a patch panel in which, when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays and the release slide is in the release position, the first lamp disengages the first latch from the cassette and the second lamp disengages the second latch from the cassette.

9. 9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the cassettes are slidable into the first and second cassette supports from the front and rear of the tray.

10. 9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the release slide extends along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end, the release slide having a first handle at the first end of the release slide and a second handle at the second end of the release slide, and the release slide is manually shiftable between the neutral position and the release position by the first handle and the second handle.

11. 9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein the first cassette support and the second cassette support are attached to the tray with adhesive tape.

12. 12. The patch panel of claim 11, wherein the first cassette support and the second cassette support are attached to the tray without the use of screws.

13. a first tray support having a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction; a first tray support defining first and second detents spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned between a pair of slide rails of the first tray support along the longitudinal direction; a second tray support having a pair of slide rails spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, the second tray support being spaced apart along the transverse direction and defining first and second detents positioned between the pair of slide rails of the second tray support along the longitudinal direction, the second tray support being spaced apart from the first tray support along the lateral direction; Furthermore, the tray has a first pair of detent followers and a second pair of detent followers, the detent followers of the first pair of detent followers being spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a first side of the tray, and the detent followers of the second pair of detent followers being spaced apart along the transverse direction and positioned on a second side of the tray; the first side of the tray is receivable between a pair of slide rails of the first tray support and the second side of the tray is receivable between a pair of slide rails of the second tray support such that the tray is slidable along the transverse direction between a retracted position and an extended position on the first tray support and the second tray support; one of the first pair of detent followers is received within the first detent of the first tray support and one of the second pair of detent followers is received within the first detent of the second tray support in the extended position of the tray; 9. The patch panel of claim 8, wherein each of the first pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first detent and the second detent of the first tray support, and each of the second pair of detent followers is received within a respective one of the first detent and the second detent of the second tray support when the tray is in the retracted position.

14. 14. The patch panel of claim 13, wherein the first tray support comprises a tray release lever having a locking tab, the tray defining a tray locking slot on the first side of the tray, the locking tab of the tray release lever being received within the tray locking slot in the extended position of the tray, and the locking tab of the tray release lever selectively retaining the tray in the extended position of the tray.

15. 15. The patch panel of claim 14, wherein a bottom slide rail of the pair of slide rails of the first tray support defines a support surface and an inclined surface, the inclined surface extending between a top and a bottom along the transverse direction, the bottom of the inclined surface positioned on the support surface, the top of the inclined surface positioned near the tray release lever, and the inclined surface extending upward from the support surface toward the tray release lever along the longitudinal direction.

16. A patch panel defining a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a longitudinal direction that are perpendicular to each other, a tray having a plurality of cassette loading bays, the tray comprising a first cassette support and a second cassette support, the first cassette support and the second cassette support positioned on opposite sides of one of the plurality of cassette loading bays along the lateral direction, the first cassette support having a first latch and a second latch respectively positioned at respective opposite ends of the first cassette support along the lateral direction; a cassette extending between a first side and a second side along the lateral direction, the first side of the cassette being oriented relative to the first cassette support such that the cassette is slidable along the lateral direction on the first cassette support and the second cassette support; a cassette receivable by the second cassette support, the second side of the tray being receivable by the second cassette support; Equipped with the first latch and the second latch are configured to engage the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette loading bays such that the first latch and the second latch prevent movement of the cassette along the transverse direction; the cassette comprising means for simultaneously disengaging the first latch and the second latch from the cassette when the cassette is positioned in one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays such that the cassette is slidable out of one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays at both the front and rear of the tray.

17. a cassette defining a lateral direction and a transverse direction which are perpendicular, a cassette body extending along the lateral direction between first and second sides and along the transverse direction between a front and a rear, the cassette body defining a release slide slot in the first side of the cassette body, the release slide slot extending longitudinally along the transverse direction between the front and rear of the cassette body; a release slide positioned within the release slide slot at the first side of the cassette body, the release slide movable within the release slide slot along the transverse direction between a neutral position and a release position, the release slide extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end, the release slide having a first ramp and a second ramp positioned near the first end of the release slide and the second ramp positioned near the second end of the release slide; A cassette comprising:

18. 18. The cassette of claim 17, wherein the cassette body further defines a first lamp slot and a second lamp slot on the first side of the cassette body, the first lamp slot being positioned at the front of the cassette body and the second lamp slot being positioned at the rear of the cassette body, the first lamp being received in the first lamp slot when the release slide is in the release position, and the second lamp being received in the second lamp slot when the release slide is in the release position.

19. 18. The cassette of claim 17, wherein the first ramp and the second ramp each have an inclined surface, the inclined surface of the first ramp facing the inclined surface of the second ramp along the transverse direction.

20. 18. The cassette of claim 17, wherein the release slide has a first handle at the first end of the release slide and a second handle at the second end of the release slide, the release slide being manually shiftable between the neutral position and the release position by the first handle and the second handle.

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