Device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure

Abstract

A device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure may including an electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may include a first conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a first conductor terminator and a second conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a second conductor terminator. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CABLE MANAGEMENT IN AN OPTICAL FIBER CABLE MANAGEMENT ENCLOSURE WITHOUT REQUIRING MODIFICATION OF THE ENCLOSURECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 753,307, which was filed on February 3, 2025, and is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure, and may more particularly be direct to, for example, an electrical conductor coupling mechanism, assembly, arrangement, adapter, coupler, and / or other structure that may be structured and configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure.BACKGROUND

[0003] Modern civilizations have seen the proliferation of computing devices and digital content into everyday lives. As greater volumes of digital content are generated, transferred, stored, and retrieved, distributed networks have evolved to accommodate increased demand. The advancement of data transmission technology has allowed for more robust distributed network capabilities, but has saturated the numbers, and types, of hardware that may support such capabilities.

[0004] For instance, the availability of different types of signal carrying cables may provide a diverse variety of signal carrying capabilities as well as physical parameters associated with where, and how, such cables may be installed and utilized over time. Going forward with the diverse variety of distributed network hardware, it is contemplated that scalability and adaptability of distributed network capabilities may be inhibited by the physical availability of space. In other words, the installation of new, and / or different, distributed network hardware may be restricted, or prevented, due to not having enough physical space to position such hardware. Hence, there is a continued emphasis on distributed network hardware that efficiently utilizes physical space while allowing for scalability and adaptability over time.

[0005] For example, some networks may utilize both optical fiber cables and electrically conductive cables such as, for example, coaxial cables or cables comprising electrical wires. Conventional fiber optic patch panels typically include openings that are sized and shaped to receive industry standard connectors or adapters, such as for example, SC duplex adapters or LC quad adapters. However, such conventional fiber optic patch panels do not provide electrical connective between an input cable at a first side of the patch panel and a port at an opposite side of the patch panel.

[0006] Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an electrical conductor coupling mechanism, assembly, arrangement, adapter, coupler, and / or other structure that may be structured and configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure.SUMMARY

[0007] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure may include an electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may include a first conductor terminator receiving portion at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism and a second conductor terminator receiving portion at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The first conductor terminator receiving portion may include a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration. The second conductor terminator receiving portion may include a second keyed configuration that comprises a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration, wherein the second keyed configuration is structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration, and wherein the first conductor terminator and the second conductor terminator comprise same terminators. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminator at a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structured andconfigured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned device, the electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion having a size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter. In some embodiments, the industry standard may be TIA-604 or IEC-61754.

[0009] In accordance with some aspects, an optical fiber cable management enclosure may include a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters, one of the aforementioned devices disposed in the adapter receiving portion, and a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein. The first and second patch panels may be configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

[0010] According to various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure may include an electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may include a first conductor terminator receiving portion at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism and a second conductor terminator receiving portion at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The first conductor terminator receiving portion may be structurally configured to electrically couple with a plug portion of a first conductor terminator, and the second conductor terminator receiving portion may be structurally configured to electrically couple with a plug portion of a second conductor terminator. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned device, the first conductor terminator receiving portion may include a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration, and the second conductor terminator receiving portion may include a second keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the second keyed configuration. In some embodiments, the second keyed configuration may include a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminator at a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion having a size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter. In some embodiments, the industry standard may be TIA-604 or IEC-61754.

[0014] In accordance with some aspects, an optical fiber cable management enclosure may include a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters, one of the aforementioned devices disposed in the adapter receiving portion, and a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein. The first and second patch panels may be configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

[0015] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure may include an electrical conductor coupling mechanism. The electrical conductor coupling mechanism may include a first conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a first conductor terminator and a second conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a second conductor terminator. The electrical conductor coupling mechanismmay be structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the first conductor terminator receiving portion may be disposed at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism, and the second conductor terminator receiving portion is disposed at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the first conductor terminator receiving portion may include a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration. In some embodiments, the second conductor terminator receiving portion may include a second keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the second keyed configuration. In still other embodiments, the second keyed configuration may include a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminator at a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the aforementioned devices, the electrical conductor coupling mechanism may be sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion having a size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter. In some embodiments, the industry standard may be TIA-604 or IEC-61754.

[0020] In accordance with some aspects, an optical fiber cable management enclosure may include a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters, one of the aforementioned devices disposed in the adapter receiving portion, and a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein. The first and second patch panels may beconfigured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates portions of a distributed network in which assorted embodiments can be practiced.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block representation of a cable distribution enclosure that may be part of the distributed network of FIG. 1 in various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block representation of a cable distribution enclosure that may be employed in the distributed network of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a block representation of portions of a fiber management enclosure configured in accordance with assorted embodiments of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary conductor coupling mechanisms in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure depicted separated from an exemplary patch panel and coupled with the exemplary patch panel.

[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary fiber management enclosure that includes exemplary conductor coupling mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the exemplary fiber management enclosure of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-section view of an exemplary electrical conductor coupling mechanism in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective end view of the exemplary electrical conductor coupling mechanism of FIG. 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of a fiber management enclosure generally provide customizable hybrid cable configurations by utilizing a modular fiber cutout coupler.By employing a coupler arranged in accordance with various embodiments to fit within an optical fiber cable cutout without modification to the cutout, the scalability and adaptability of a fiber management enclosure may be increased without expanding the physical footprint of portions of a distributed network.

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0033] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0034] With both copper and fiber optic cabling being widely accepted components to provide distributed networks with robust capabilities, cable distribution hardware is more prevalent to accommodate the different types of cables. The installation, and maintenance, of hardware that supports the concurrent use of multiple different types of signal carrying cables may occupy a relatively large physical space, particularly in environments with densely positioned connections, such as apartments, office buildings, and automation sites. While a single type of cable may be employed for some distributed networks, the physical and signal carrying capabilities provided by different types of cabling may be preferred in some installations.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a block representation of a distributed network 100 in which assorted embodiments may be practiced. Any number, and type, of signal sources 110 may be connected to any number, and type, of signal destinations 120 via one or more signal pathways 130. That is, the distributed network 100 may employ any number, and type, of signal pathway 130 to supply one-way or two-way signal transmission between the respective sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0036] The distributed network 100 is not limited to a particular configuration of signal pathways 130 and may utilize wireless signal pathways 132 independently, or concurrently, with wired signal pathways 134. It is noted that the wired signal pathway 134 is not limited to a particular type, size, or signal carrying speed. As such, the wired signal pathway 134 may transfer signals with fiber optic aspects or conductive wires packaged in an environmentally protected jacket. In contrast to the wireless signal pathway 132 that converts signals into a form that may be distributed without physical aspects of wired signal pathway 134, transmitting data via a wired cable may provide greater performance and / or capabilities, such as signal integrity, reliability, speed, and cost.

[0037] While wired signal pathways 134 may provide some operational advantages over wireless signal pathways 132, the presence of a physical cable to house, guide, and protect signal carrying aspects may present challenges during installation and subsequent adaptation. For instance, a wired cable may not be long enough, or physically compatible with, some installation sites, such as multi-residence complexes, that present small, tight, hidden, or otherwise hard to reach locations for distribution of numerous wired pathways 134. In situations where a single, continuous signal pathway 134 is insufficient to connect a selected number of sources 110 to destinations 120, an interconnect 140 may be employed to provide cable management, distribution, and physical protection. An interconnect 140, in some embodiments, may provide hardware that connects separate wired cables 142 to form more than one stable signal pathway between sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0038] While not required or limiting, the incorporation of an interconnect 140, such as a server, enclosure, switch, cassette, or splitter, into the distributed network 100 allows multiple cables 142 to form stable signal pathways 134, The use of an interconnect 140 may provide the ability to employ different wired cables to customize the physical delivery, and signal carrying capabilities, provided to the network. However, employing separate cables 142 to form signal pathways 134 may introduce additional physical connections that may present installation, scalability, and adaptability challenges. For instance, separate cables 142 may require the installation of specific connectors to allow for compatibility with the interconnect 140, source 110, and / or destination 120. Another challenge may be present when different types of wired cables 142 are concurrently utilized.

[0039] An interconnect 140 may be characterized as a signal distribution, or signal management, component that is not limited to a particular size, material, physical arrangement, or connectivity. FIG. 2 illustrates a block representation of aspects of a cable distribution enclosure 200 that may be incorporated into the distributed network 100 of FIG. 1 in various embodiments. The distribution enclosure 200 may employ any number, type, and size of housing 210 that physically contains, and protects, one or more interconnects, such as interconnect 140 of FIG. 1, to create selected signal pathways from separate cables. The housing 210 may support one or more matching, or dissimilar, types of interconnecting components, such as the non-limiting splice 212, connector 214, cassette 216, and splitter 218 shown in FIG. 2, that operate independently, or concurrently, to selectively unite input cables 220 to output cables 230 as part of a distributed network.

[0040] It is noted that the housing 210 may be arranged to house active and / or non-active interconnects that utilize electrical power, or electrically passive, components to form signal pathways between the input cables 220 and the output cables 230. It is noted that the housing 210, and interconnects 140, may be configured to connect any type of cable, but in some embodiments, optical fiber cables 222 / 232 are employed for both input cables 220 and output cables 230, as joined by fiber optic interconnects 140. The use of a single type of cabling for the cable distribution enclosure 200 may allow the housing 210 to be relatively compact and simple. However, arranging the housing 210 to facilitate connections from a single type of cable, such as fiber optic, ethernet, solid copper, or other conductor-based signal carrying component, may necessitate separate housings, or structures, to facilitate the incorporation of other types of cabling into a distributed network.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a block representation of portions of a distributed network 300 arranged in accordance with various embodiments. To accommodate different types of signal carrying cables 222 / 224, physically separate enclosures 310 / 320 may provide interconnects 140 that allow for selective cable distribution and management. While not required, or limiting, the interconnects 140 of the respective enclosures 310 / 320 may have similar, or dissimilar, configurations that provide matching, or different, capabilities to form stable signal pathways from multiple separate signal carrying cables.

[0042] While some embodiments allow multiple types of cables 222 / 224 to be handled and managed in a single enclosure, panel, bay, or package, the physicalrequirements imposed by industry standards and protocols for many aspects of cable distribution may cause the physical separation of different types of cabling into independent enclosures 310 / 320. That is, to accommodate industry standards for a number of physical configurations in an enclosure 310 / 320, different types of cabling may be segregated to separate distribution hubs, which may be separated by relatively large distances 330 as well as present a relatively large overall physical footprint 340 compared to utilization of a single enclosure for cable distribution and management, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0043] The physical separation 330 of the enclosures 310 / 320, in some distributed network configurations, may not be inhibitive. In other words, the segregation of different types of cables 222 / 224 to separate enclosures 310 / 320 may provide cable organization and management along with efficient installation and subsequent alteration. However, such segregation of cable types into separate enclosures 310 / 320 may be inhibitive of other distributed network configurations, particularly those that utilize hybrid cabling, such as distributed antenna systems, smart buildings, and industrial automation sites. Hybrid cabling, in accordance with some embodiments, may have a combination of different types of signal carrying aspects provided concurrently to components of a network, such as a source, enclosure, panel, interconnect, or destination.

[0044] As illustrated downstream of the respective enclosures 310 / 320 in FIG. 3, the physical correlation of different types of output cables 322 / 324 to provide hybrid cables 350 from separate enclosures 310 / 320 may present installation, access, maintenance, and management challenges. For instance, relatively long cable run distances may be necessary to overcome the enclosure separation distance 330 to unite different types of cables 322 / 324 to form one or more hybrid cables 350. An increase in cable run lengths, as shown by solid and segmented lines for clarity in FIG.3, may contribute complexity and excessive cabling that may increase risk of inadvertent physical engagement that jeopardizes the reliability and / or performance of aspects of the distributed network 300. Hence, various embodiments are directed to an enclosure that may efficiently accommodate different types of cables while adhering to industry standards and protocol for cable distribution and management, such as TIA-604 and IEC-61754 standards.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a block representation of an example cable distribution enclosure 400 that may be employed in the distributed network 100 of FIG. 1 in variousembodiments. The enclosure 400 is arranged to allow for efficient input, and output, of one or more hybrid signal cables 410 as well as cables of a single type, such as fiber optic 222 or copper 224 cables. It is noted that copper cables 224 may have different copper configurations, such as coaxial, solid, braided, or twisted, to provide data and / or electrical power.

[0046] It is noted that the distribution enclosure 400 may be utilized alone, or in combination with one or more other enclosures, such as the optical fiber cable distribution enclosure 200 of FIG. 2 or the enclosures 310 / 320 of FIG. 3. In accordance with some embodiments, the distribution enclosure 400 has a single housing 420 that may be configured to house any number, and type, of interconnects 140. For instance, the housing 420 may be arranged to input electrical power 430 to operate one or more interconnects 140, such as a server or switch, as well as selectively provide electrical power to downstream destinations, such as in power over ethernet (POE) configurations.

[0047] The housing 420 may present a frame 422 that provides structural support for assorted cable connections, management, and distribution to form stable signal pathways from one or more input cables 430 to one or more output cables 440, which may include cables of a single type 442 / 444 and / or hybrid cables 410. Through the installation of one or more couplers 424 in the frame 422 of the enclosure housing 420, a number of cutouts 426 conforming to one or more predetermined standards, or protocols, may be available to physically mount, and operably connect, separate cables via one or more connectors 428. The enclosure frame 422 may be configured in a variety of different positions, orientations, and sizes to allow cutouts 426 to be arranged in a range of different configurations, which may promote customization of the physical installation density, and operable connections, within an enclosure housing 420.

[0048] The ability to customize the configuration of frames 422, cutouts 426, and connectors 428 in an enclosure housing 420 may allow for a degree of modularity that may contribute to efficient installation and use over time. Yet, the dimensions of cutouts 426, and frames 422, required by industry standards and / or protocols may inhibit the customization of the types of signal carrying cables an enclosure 400 may accommodate. For instance, conformance with industry standard may present cutouts 426 that accept fiber optic couplers 424 to the exception of copper cable connectors428. As a result, utilizing industry standard couplers 424 may correspond with limiting an enclosure 400 to a single type of cable, such as optical fiber cables 222.

[0049] Accordingly, various embodiments are directed to accommodating diverse cabling, such as hybrid cables and multiple different types of cables, by providing a coupler 424 for copper cables 224 that securely fits in an industry standard cutout 426 for a fiber optic coupler. FIGS. 5-7 respectively illustrate line representations of portions of an enclosure 500 that may concurrently accommodate different types of signal carrying cables with a customized ratio while conforming to industry standard dimensions.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, an exemplary, or electrical conductor coupling mechanism, or electrical conductor coupler, 520 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated and described. FIG. 5 illustrates two conductor couplers 520, wherein a first one of the conductor couplers 520 is separated from a patch panel 510 and a second one of the conductor couplers 520 is installed in the patch panel 510. As described in more detail below, the conductor coupler 520 is structured and arranged to be securely attached to the patch panel 510. FIG. 6, illustrates patch panels 510 in a partially exploded view both free of and coupled with a fiber management enclosure 540.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the patch panel 510 may include a support portion or frame portion 512 and a conductor coupler receiving portion 514. According to various aspects, the patch panel 510 comprises a fiber patch panel, and the conductor coupler receiving portion 514 comprises a fiber optic adapter receiving portion. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the conductor coupler receiving portion 514 may include nine (9) conductor coupler receiving portions, for example, cutout portions, with substantially rectangular shapes and dimensions. In various aspects of the disclosure, one or more of the cutout portions 514 may conform to at least one industry standard for fiber optic adapter openings, such as for example, TIA-604 and IEC-61754. For example, the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 may include cutouts having width and height dimensions of 9.5mm by 26mm, which are the industry standard cutout dimensions for an LC Quad fiber adapter or an SC Duplex fiber adapter. It should be understood by persons skilled in the art that the frame portion 512 may include more or less than nine (9) cutout portions 514, and the size of the cutout portions 514 may conform to any industry or may be customized to a non-standard size. As shown in FIG. 5, a cutout portion 514 may be engaged by a coupler portion520 that, in turn, allows for secure engagement of conductor terminators 530 on opposite sides of the frame portion 512.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 5, while not limiting, the conductor coupler 520 may have a stop portion 522 that is configured to prevent improper installation depth relative to a cutout portion 514. For example, the stop portion 522 may comprise a ridge extending from a first wall 521 and / or a second wall 523 of the conductor coupler 520 that prevents the conductor coupler from sliding completely through the cutout portion 514. The coupler portion 520 may have any number of stop portions 522 that may be any size, shape, and material to allow the conductor coupler 520 to travel partially through a cutout portion 514 of the patch panel 510 to a predetermined depth such that a retention portion 524, such as a clip, tab, clasp, or mechanism, may securely engage with the frame portion 512. The retention portion 524 may comprise a biasing portion, for example, a flexible finger, that is structurally arranged to provide permanent or temporary placement of the conductor coupler 520 in the frame portion 512. In some aspects, the retention portion 524 may allow removal of the conductor coupler 520 from the frame portion 512 after installation manually and / or with a tool.

[0053] The conductor coupler 520 may include conductor terminator receiving portions 526 at a first end 5203 and an opposite second end 5205 thereof that are each respectively arranged to receive a plug portion 532 of a conductor terminator 530, for example, a terminal block. The conductor terminator 530 may comprise, for example, a Phoenix Contact MSTB 2,5 / 4-ST-5,08 connector; a Molex 5.08mm Pitch Eurostyle Horizontal Plug, 4 Circuits connector; or an EBY EB1508 Series - Screw -Pluggable - Rising Cage - 5.08 connector, but is not limited to these exemplary conductor terminators. In some aspects, the conductor terminator receiving portions 526 may have a keyed portion 528 structurally configured to require the conductor terminator 530 to be installed in a single orientation relative to the conductor coupler 520. For example, as best shown in FIG. 5, the keyed portion 528 may include a first side portion 5281 having a first configuration and an opposite second side portion 5282 having a different configuration. In some aspects, the first side portion 5281 may include a series of curves and the second side portion 5282 may include a series of steps and notches, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The conductor terminator 530 may include a first side portion 5381 and a second side portion 5382 having configurations that are complementary to the configuration of the first side portion 5281 and second side portion 5282 of the conductor coupler 520, respectively. As a result,the conductor coupler 520 is structurally configured to receive the conductor terminator 530 in a single orientation relative to one another.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the conductor coupler 520 may include a nonconductive housing portion 5201 and a conductive termination receiving portion 5202 disposed in the housing portion 5201. As shown in FIG. 5, the conductor terminator 530 may include a non-conductive housing portion 531 that houses a conductive termination portion 533, a conductor receiving portion 534, and a conductor securing portion 536. For example, the conductor receiving portion 534 may include one or more ports structurally configured to receive an end portion of an electrical conductor, and the conductor securing portion 536 may include a fastener, such as a screw, configured to mechanically and electrically couple the electrical conductor with the conductive termination portion 533, for example, a terminal block. The conductive termination portion 533 extends into the plug portion 532 and is structured and arranged to receive the termination receiving portion 5202 of the conductor coupler 520 when the plug portion 532 is coupled with the port portion 526 of the conductor coupler 520. For example, the termination receiving portion 5202 of the conductor coupler 520 may comprise a conductive pin, and the conductive termination portion 533 may include a receptacle structurally configured to electrically couple with the conductive pin.

[0055] As best shown in FIG. 9, the conductor terminator receiving portion 526 at the first end 5203 of the conductor coupler 520 may include the keyed portion 528 structured and arranged such that the first side portion 5281 includes a first inner wall portion 5291 having a first configuration, and the opposite second side portion 5282 includes a second inner wall portion 5292 having a second configuration different from the first configuration. For example, as shown, the first inner wall portion 5291 may include a series of curves and the second inner wall portion 5292 may include a series of steps and notches. At the second end 5205 of the conductor coupler 520, the first side portion 5283 may include a first inner wall portion having the first configuration, and the opposite second side portion 5284 may include the second inner wall portion (not shown) having a second configuration different from the first configuration. It should thus be understood that when viewed from the first end 5293 and the second end 5205 along the longitudinal axis X and with the first wall 521 facing in a first direction (e.g., an upward direction), the keyed portion 528 of the conductor terminator receiving portion 526 at the second end 5205 of the conductor coupler 520 is mirroredrelative to the keyed portion 528 of the conductor terminator receiving portion 526 at the first end 5203 of the conductor coupler 520.

[0056] As best shown in FIG. 5, the aforementioned mirrored arrangement of the keyed portions 528 permits the same conductor terminators 530 to be coupled with the conductor coupler 520 on both sides of the patch panel 510. Also, when using the aforementioned Phoenix Contact, Molex, and EBY conductor terminators, the mirrored arrangement results in the cable securing portions 536 of the conductor terminators 530 extending in a same direction so as to enhance the density of electrical conductors that can be connected at the patch panel 510. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when using conductor terminators 530 that provide a 5.08mm pitch between electrical conductors, a patch panel 514 comprising nine adapter receiving portions 514 is structured and configured to receive six conductor couplers 520 while leaving three open adapter receiving portions 514 between pairs of adjacent conductor couplers 520. Thus, such an arrangement provides twenty-four (24) conductor connections across the patch panel 510. In some aspects, a blank 590 (FIG. 5) may be inserted into the open adapter receiving portions 514 between two conductor couplers 520.

[0057] As described above, embodiments of the conductor coupler 520 may be configured to receive conductor terminators 530 with matching physical configurations, but such arrangement is not required as differently configured conductor terminators 530 may be present on opposite sides of the conductor coupler 520 to establish reliable electrical connections through the patch panel 510. A conductor terminator 530 may have any number of conductor receiving portions 534 that may independently receive a signal carrying conductor of a cable. A conductor installed in the conductor receiving portion 534 may be physically retained with one or more mechanisms. For instance, a cable securing portion 536, such as a screw or button, may articulate to contact and secure a conductor in the conductor terminator 530. A cable securing portion 536, in other embodiments, may respond to conductor insertion in a conductor receiving portion 534 by articulating, such as by spring force, to grip and retain the conductor to allow signals to pass to the conductor coupler 520 and onto the conductor terminator 530.

[0058] The frame portion 512 is shown in FIG. 5 with vertically oriented cutout portions 514, which may be characterized as the longitudinal axis of the respective cutout portions 514 being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the coupler frame 512. Such cutout portion 514 configuration is not required and one or more cutout portions514 may be oriented differently, such as rotated ninety degrees so that the longitudinal axes of the coupler frame 512 and cutout portions 514 are parallel. The coupler frame 512 may further be configured with one or more attachment portions 516 that allow for selective installation within an enclosure housing.

[0059] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate how a patch panel 510 may be installed into an enclosure housing 540 in accordance with various embodiments with other patch panels 550 / 560. It is noted that the patch panel 510 is shown in FIG. 7 with a single cutout portion 514 occupied by a conductor coupler 520, but such arrangement is not required as each cutout portion 514 may be occupied by a coupler that allows for copper, fiber optic, or a combination of copper and fiber optic signal pathways to pass through the frame portion 512. That is, by having each cutout portion 514 with standard-conforming dimensions, the respective cutout portions 514 may be selectively employed with couplers that pass copper or fiber optic signals through the coupler frame 512. As a result, the patch panel 510 may be populated with any number of conductor couplers 520 or fiber optic couplers 570.

[0060] While not explicitly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a fiber optic coupler portion 570 may have any number, and type, of optic engagement, such as SC duplex or LC quad, that may be installed into cutout portions 514 of any frame portion 512 / 552 / 562 due to the standard-defined dimensions of the respective cutout portions 514. Such modularity to install, move, and adapt the location, and number, of conductor couplers 520 and fiber optic couplers 570 allows for a customizable copper-to-fiber ratio in the enclosure housing 540, which may efficiently support the use of hybrid cabling where different types of signal carrying cables are physically presented together in a distributed network.

[0061] In various embodiments, the enclosure housing 540 may have an internal cavity 542, as shown in FIG. 6, where cable interconnects may provide selected distribution of signals between input and output cables. The internal cavity may have a sidewall portion 544 onto which a number of patch panels 510, 550, 560 are mounted, via attachment portions 516, to provide cutout portions 514 for selected installation of copper coupler portions 520 and fiber optic coupler portions 570. The internal cavity 542 may have one or more a cable management portions 546 that aid in the organization of assorted signal carrying components, and interconnects, contained therein.

[0062] It is contemplated that an enclosure housing 540 may have numerous different patch panel 510 configurations over time as various coupler frames are installed, moved, or removed to customize the number, and orientation of different coupler portions 520 / 570. For instance, a coupler frame 512 with vertical cutout portion orientation may be replaced by a horizontally oriented cutout portion frame 562, or vice versa. Similarly, the coupler portions 520 / 570 occupying the assorted cutout portions 514 may be installed, moved, and removed at will to cater the performance and / or capabilities of the enclosure 500 to a distributed network.

[0063] The modular operation of the assorted coupler frames 512 / 552 / 562 and coupler portions 520 / 570 may be complemented by access portions 548 of the enclosure housing 540 that may promote cable organization, environmental protection, and prevention from inadvertent cable movement. That is, an access portion 548 may articulate to selectively cover, or uncover, the coupler portions 520 / 570 and available cutout portions 514. The ability to cover the cable connections of the assorted coupler portions 520 / 570 with the access portion 548 may further prevent inadvertent disconnection of a cable with a cable connector.

[0064] The use of industry standards, and protocols, for components of a distributed network enclosure may provide uniformity, reduction in number of overall components, and consistent fit of components to provide assorted signal pathways. The configuration of a coupler portion to fit an industry standard-defined cutout and accommodate either a fiber optic connection or a copper connection, for example, allows a single enclosure to concurrently house both fiber optic and copper cables. The modular ability to add, move, and remove different coupler portions allows for a customizable ratio of fiber optic connections to copper connections, which is efficiently altered after installation to accommodate the performance and capabilities demanded by a distributed network.

[0065] Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by, or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

[0066] Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure comprising:an electrical conductor coupling mechanism comprising:a first conductor terminator receiving portion at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism;a second conductor terminator receiving portion at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism; wherein the first conductor terminator receiving portion includes a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration; andwherein the second conductor terminator receiving portion includes a second keyed configuration that comprises a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration, wherein the second keyed configuration is structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration, and wherein the first conductor terminator and the second conductor terminator comprise same terminators;wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminator at a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel; andwherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion havinga size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the industry standard is TIA-604 or IEC-61754.

4. An optical fiber cable management enclosure comprising:a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters;the device of claim 1 disposed in the adapter receiving portion;a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein; and wherein the first and second patch panels are configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

5. A device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure comprising:an electrical conductor coupling mechanism comprising:a first conductor terminator receiving portion at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism;a second conductor terminator receiving portion at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism; wherein the first conductor terminator receiving portion is structurally configured to electrically couple with a plug portion of a first conductor terminator; andwherein the second conductor terminator receiving portion is structurally configured to electrically couple with a plug portion of a second conductor terminator; andwherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.zu6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first conductor terminator receiving portion includes a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration; andwherein the second conductor terminator receiving portion includes a second keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the second keyed configuration.

7. The device of claim 6, the second keyed configuration comprises a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminator at a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion having a size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the industry standard is TIA-604 or IEC-61754.

11. An optical fiber cable management enclosure comprising:a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters;the device of claim 5 disposed in the adapter receiving portion;a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein; and wherein the first and second patch panels are configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

12. A device for providing enhanced electrical conductor cable management in an optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the enclosure comprising:an electrical conductor coupling mechanism comprising:a first conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a first conductor terminator; and a second conductor terminator receiving portion structured and arranged to electrically couple with a second conductor terminator; and wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structured and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion of a fiber patch panel of an optical fiber cable management enclosure so as to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the first conductor terminator receiving portion is disposed at a first end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism, and the second conductor terminator receiving portion is disposed at an opposite second end of the electrical conductor coupling mechanism.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the first conductor terminator receiving portion includes a first keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a first conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the first keyed configuration.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the second conductor terminator receiving portion includes a second keyed configuration structured and arranged to receive a plug portion of a second conductor terminator having a configuration that is complementary to the second keyed configuration.

16. The device of claim 15, the second keyed configuration comprises a mirrored configuration relative to the first keyed configuration.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is structurally configured to electrically couple with the first conductor terminatorat a first side of a patch panel and with the second conductor terminator at a second side of the patch panel.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrical conductor coupling mechanism is sized and configured to be received in a fiber adapter receiving portion having a size and shape conforming to an industry standard for a panel configured to receive a fiber optic adapter.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the industry standard is TIA-604 or I EC-61754.

20. An optical fiber cable management enclosure comprising:a first patch panel having an adapter receiving portion structurally configured to receive fiber optic adapters;the device of claim 12 disposed in the adapter receiving portion;a second patch panel having a fiber optic adapter disposed therein; and wherein the first and second patch panels are configured to provide enhanced electrical conductor cable management and optical fiber cable management in the optical fiber cable management enclosure without requiring modification of the optical fiber cable management enclosure.

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