Network rack cassette for a computer and telecommunications network installation

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a network rack cassette (1) comprising a base (10), the base comprising at least one main wall (10a) comprising a tray surface (10p) that extends in a first plane and is intended to face a tray (3) on which the cassette (1) is intended to be mounted, and a locking device (2) mounted on the base (10), the locking device comprising a hook (21) and a gripping part (22), the hook (21) and the gripping part (22) being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the base (10) in a plane parallel to the first plane, the locking device being designed to abut against an edge of the tray (3) in the locked position to prevent removal of the cassette (1) from the network rack, and the locking device comprising an elastic member exerting a force on the hook (21) towards the locked position.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Patch panel cassette of a computer and telecommunications network installation. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of rack / cabinet cassettes in terminal or intermediate stations of computer and telecommunications network installations.

[0002] The present invention relates to the locking and unlocking solution of the cassette on a panel of a patch panel, also called a patch cabinet or network cabinet, of a computer and telecommunications network installation. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In communication systems, connectors, also called cabling port elements (for example, optical adapters, copper network connectors such as RJ45, etc.), are mounted on removable cassettes, each mounted on a metal plate, called a tray, of a patch panel, also known as a patch cabinet. The connectors allow one cable to be connected to another.

[0004] Cassettes typically include a front panel to accommodate connectors, allowing cables to be connected to the front of the cassette. The cassette is also designed to be mounted and locked onto the patch panel. These panels can be either fixed to the chassis or slide forward (called racks) to improve access to the connector ports.

[0005] It is known that cassettes interlock laterally. Each cassette includes a female and a male side-locking device, each of which locks into a corresponding female side-locking device on an adjacent cassette. However, these side-locking devices are bulky laterally, either increasing the width of the patch panel chassis or reducing the number of connectors that can be installed in the cassettes on a tray. Furthermore, unlocking the cassette is complicated for the operator, as it requires unlocking each side-locking device and removing the cassette without removing the adjacent cassettes.

[0006] There are also cassettes mounted pivoting on a first front upright of the patch panel chassis, incorporating a male lateral locking device that locks perpendicularly to the panel, onto a second chassis upright that extends longitudinally perpendicular to the panel. However, this implies either a narrow rack, thus allowing only a single column of cassettes, or multiple intermediate front uprights to accommodate multiple columns of cassettes. Therefore, if several columns of cassettes are required, each upright obstructs the sides of the patch panel.

[0007] There are also cassettes with a male lateral locking mechanism on each side, which lock perpendicularly to the tray by sliding into an opening in a sliding drawer tray, also called a rack, which moves forward relative to the patch panel chassis. Unlocking requires tilting the cassette perpendicular to the tray, which necessitates the tray sliding relative to the patch panel chassis, thus complicating the patch panel design. Furthermore, such a rack is bulky due to the space required when the rack is extended (slid forward).

[0008] There are also cassette locking devices, which are removable wedges that lock the cassette to the rack tray. However, these devices create space in the patch panel and complicate the installation and removal of the cassette by the operator.

[0009] There is therefore a need to simplify the unlocking of a cassette by minimizing its bulky volume while allowing several cassettes to be placed side by side without the need for a rack (drawer tray). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by providing a cassette comprising a locking device which includes a hook which is articulated between a locked position and an unlocked position parallel to the tray and in a hole in the tray, and a movable gripping part moving the hook from the locked position to the unlocked position, elastically deforming an elastic member generating a force on the hook towards the locked position, thus allowing, when the gripping part is released, the hook to be moved towards and to the locked position.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a cassette for the connector support, intended to be inserted onto a tray of a patch panel, comprising: a base comprising at least one main wall including: a platform surface extending in the foreground, intended to be opposite the platform on which the cassette is intended to be mounted, and a cabling face intended to be opposite computer cables connected to the connector, the cabling face being opposite the tray surface, a locking device mounted on the base comprising: a movable hook between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the base in a plane parallel to the foreground, adapted to abut against an edge of the tray in the locked position to prevent the cassette from being removed from the tray of the patch bay, a gripping part movable relative to the base in a plane parallel to the foreground, to move the hook from the locked position to the unlocked position, an elastic element, capable of elastically deforming when the gripping part moves the hook from the locked position to the unlocked position, the elastic element generating a force on the hook towards the locked position.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the locking device is more compact than prior art. The hook that locks the cassette to the tray is mobile within the tray, moving parallel to it, thus reducing its overall size. Finally, the gripping part allows the cassette to be grasped for positioning or removing it from the tray while simultaneously unlocking the hook.

[0013] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the cassette according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics from among those described in the following paragraphs, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0014] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a single-piece locking member, including the hook and the gripping portion. This simplifies the manufacturing and assembly of the locking device. In one example of this embodiment, the elastic element is a tab of the locking member on which the hook is located. The gripping portion is situated at one end of the tab, and the opposite end of the tab is fixed in translation and rotation to the base of the cassette, allowing the tab to deform elastically by applying a force to the gripping portion towards an unlocked position. This simplifies the manufacturing and assembly of the locking device and thus eliminates the need for a spring.

[0015] In one embodiment, the locking member comprises a lug including the gripping portion and the hook, the locking device further comprising a support extending from the lug, the support being fixed to the base. This simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the locking device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a first arm and a second arm connected to each other in a V-shape. The first arm includes the hook and the gripping portion, the hook projecting perpendicularly to the foreground of a portion of the first arm. The two arms facilitate the movement of the hook from the locked position to the unlocked position and vice versa. In one example of this embodiment, the first arm acts as the elastic element and deforms elastically relative to the second arm when the hook is moved to the unlocked position. The first arm, acting as the elastic element, exerts a force toward the locked position when a force is applied by a user to the gripping portion toward the unlocked position.The elastic deformation of the first arm (elastic element) is sufficient to allow the hook to move to the unlocked position when a force is applied by a user to the gripping part. Furthermore, this allows for easy implementation of a locking device while controlling the kinematics of elastic deformation, particularly by having the connecting part of the two arms housed in a recess in the main wall to ensure its immobilization relative to the base. In a variant of this embodiment, both arms are elastically deformable. This solution has the disadvantage, compared to the one described in the preceding paragraph where only the first arm is deformed, of offering less precise control over the elastic deformation (since one of the two arms can deform more than the other).

[0017] In one embodiment, the base includes a grounding element with a connector, located on the main wall of the base, to allow the ground of a connector to be connected to the platter by direct contact with the platter. The grounding element includes at least one elastic strip designed to transition from a rest state to a deformed state in a direction perpendicular to the direction of hook movement. This strip passes through an opening in the main wall, which has a projection from the platter surface of the main wall. In the deformed state, this projection is designed to bear against the platter, deforming as the cassette presses against the panel. Thus, at least one strip further performs the grounding function of exerting a force on the cassette in a direction perpendicular to the foreground to hold the cassette against the platter in that direction when it is elastically deformed by the platter.In one embodiment, the coupling element is an electrically conductive plate, including a portion in direct contact with the connector. In another embodiment, the coupling element has an L-shape, comprising a portion pressed against the wiring face of the cassette from which the contacts extend, and a portion pressed against the front wall. One or both of these portions may be crimped onto one of the walls of the cassette base. In another embodiment, the protrusion of the contact of the coupling element, in its resting state, is located between the first plane and a second plane passing through the hook parallel to the first plane. This avoids increasing the overall size of the cassette.

[0018] In one embodiment, the locking device includes a second movable hook and a second movable gripping part that moves the second hook from a locked position to an unlocked position in the opposite direction to the first hook. This facilitates the user's gripping of the cassette, allowing it to be unlocked and removed from the tray by sliding it parallel to the foreground. The user can thus grasp the gripping parts with two fingers of one hand, or with both hands if the gripping parts are too far apart.

[0019] In one embodiment, the hook has, from the locked position to the unlocked position, a first length measured perpendicular to the first plane between the first plane and a second plane parallel to the first plane. The second plane passes through the end of the hook furthest from the first plane. This first length is shorter than a second length measured in the same direction as the first length, perpendicular to the first plane, between the first plane and the end of the cassette furthest from the first plane. Thus, the hook is not bulky since it is within the thickness of the cassette. In an example of this embodiment, the cassette includes at least one male or female rail element extending perpendicularly to the first plane from the platter surface comprising the end of the cassette furthest from the first plane.The rail holds the cassette to the platter perpendicular to the foreground, and the hook takes up no space, as it is integrated within the cassette's volume. The coupling elements allow for simplified connector mounting without adding bulk to the cassette.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising: a cassette according to the aspect of the invention described above, with or without the various characteristics described in the preceding paragraphs, and a patch panel tray intended to be fixed in a patch panel frame, the tray comprising: a front edge, a cover surface and a cassette support surface opposite and connected to each other by the front edge, a slot passing from the cover surface to the cassette support surface, open on the front edge, the slot comprising a stop area, in which the cassette has its tray surface against the cassette support surface and in that the hook is in contact with an edge of the tray delimiting the stop area in the locked position.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the maximum thickness of the edges delimiting the slot measured perpendicular to the first plane is greater than or equal to a first length measured perpendicular to the first plane between the first plane and an end of the hook furthest from the first plane.

[0022] In one embodiment, the tray may include a female or male rail element that complements male and female rail elements of the cassette and is adapted to slide together to guide the cassette's insertion / removal direction on the tray. In one example, the cassette rail element is T-shaped and therefore male, while the complementary rail element is female, in this case, a slot on the front edge of the tray. In another example, one end of the hook furthest from the foreground is located between the foreground and a plane parallel to the foreground that passes through the end of the male rail element of either the cassette or the tray.

[0023] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0025] [Fig. 1A] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of a cassette according to one embodiment.

[0026] [Fig. 1B] shows a schematic representation according to another three-dimensional view of the cassette in Figure 1A.

[0027] [Fig. 1C] shows a schematic representation according to another three-dimensional view of part of the cassette in Figure 1A.

[0028] [Fig. 1D] shows a schematic representation according to a BB section in three-dimensional view of a portion of the cassette in Figure 1A

[0029] [Fig. 2] shows a schematic representation according to a section AA of the cassette in figure 1A.

[0030] [Fig. 3A] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of a cassette locking device of figure 1A.

[0031] [Fig. 3B] shows a schematic representation according to another three-dimensional view of the cassette locking device of figure 3A.

[0032] [Fig. 4] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of part of the cassette locking device in a locked position with a tray.

[0033] [Fig. 5] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of the cassette in an unlocked position relative to a platter.

[0034] [Fig. 6] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of the cassette in a locked position on a tray of a patch bay.

[0035] [Fig. 7] shows a schematic representation according to a three-dimensional view of the cassette with a connector.

[0036] [Fig. 8] shows a schematic representation in a front view of an example of a cassette locking device according to a second embodiment.

[0037] [Fig. 9] shows a schematic representation in a front view of an example of a cassette locking device according to a third embodiment.

[0038] [Fig. 10a] shows a schematic diagram of an example of a cassette locking device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0039] [Fig. 10b] shows a schematic diagram of an example of a cassette locking device according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0041] Figures 1A and 1B each represent a schematic representation according to different three-dimensional views of a cassette 1 according to an example of a first embodiment.

[0042] The cassette 1 comprises a base 10 including at least one main wall 10a extending in a first plane P visible in Figure 2, which shows a cross-section AA of the cassette in Figure 1A. The main wall 10a is intended to be mounted parallel to a tray 3 shown in Figures 4 to 6 of a patch panel. The tray 3 includes a main plate 30 that can be mounted horizontally or vertically in the panel. In this example, the main plate 30 of the tray 3 is intended to be mounted horizontally in the patch panel. The tray 3 includes, in this case, a first and a second consolidation plates 36, 36', each referenced in Figure 5 or 6, perpendicular to the main plate 30, each extending respectively from a first and a second lateral end of the main plate 30.The tray 3 further includes a first and a second mounting lug 39, 39' perpendicular to the main plate 30 and the reinforcement plates 36, 36', each extending respectively from a front end of the first and second reinforcement plates 36, 36'. The mounting lugs 39, 39' each include holes for screws threaded into a hole in the chassis of the patch bay.

[0043] In this example, the base 10 further includes a front panel 10b extending perpendicularly from the main panel 10a. The front panel 10b includes openings 104, each forming a housing for a connector 4, which are elements of optical or copper computer cable cabling ports, one of which is shown in Figures 5 to 7. In this instance, the front panel 10b has six openings 104 but could have more or fewer. In another example, the base 10 of cassette 1 does not have a front panel 10b. The main panel 10a includes a tray face intended to face the tray 3 of the patch panel and a cabling face 10c facing the cables. The table face includes a flat table surface 10p which extends in a first plane P referenced in figure 2. The table surface 10p is opposite, or placed on (in the case of a horizontal table), a flat surface of the main wall 30 of the table 3.In this example, the main wall 30 comprises three parallel flat surfaces (but could have one, two, or more than three) extending from the first to the second lateral end of the main plate 30, the second flat surface projecting on the side of the cassette 1 relative to the other two flat surfaces. The cassette 1 includes a second platter surface 10p' in contact with the second flat surface of the main plate 30 of the platter 3. Figure 1C is a schematic representation in a three-dimensional view of the platter face and the front wall 10b of the cassette 1 without a locking device 2, which will be explained later.

[0044] Furthermore, the base 10 includes a grounding element 15, which in this example comprises one strip 15c per opening 104, for electrically connecting the connector 4 to the tray 3. In this example, as shown in Figures 1B and 1C, the grounding element 15 for electrically connecting a connector 4 to ground is located on the main wall 10a of the base 10, to allow the ground of the connector 4 to be connected to the tray 3 by direct contact with the tray 3. In this example, the main wall includes at least one opening 107, and the grounding element 15 includes at least one elastic strip 15c, each passing through at least one opening 107. Each elastic strip 15c is intended to cooperate with a cassette support surface 32 of the main plate 30 of the tray 3, and the connector 4 housed in the opening 107 includes, in this example, a snap-fit ​​system. (not shown) with the front wall 10b.The elastic lamella 150 includes a projection 150p distant from the tray surface 10p from the main wall 10a.

[0045] In this example, the ground coupling element 15 includes an elastic strip 15c per connector 4 allowing to reduce the path distance between each connector 4 and the tray 3. The tray 3 is preferably metallic, electrically conductive, and electrically connected to the chassis of the patch bay.

[0046] In this case, in this example the coupling element 15 is an electrically conductive plate, comprising the elastic strips 15c (cut and bent until plastic deformation of a base plate).

[0047] The coupling element 15 is L-shaped (the plate is folded) and includes a first part 15a mounted on a mounting face of the main wall 10a and includes a second part 15b plated against a rear face of the front wall 10b of the base 10.

[0048] In this example of this embodiment, it is the second part 15b which is electrically connected directly to the ground of connector 4.

[0049] In this example, the first part 15a is fitted onto the main wall 10a, for example by clipping, press fitting, or crimping. In this example, the main wall 10a includes studs extending from a flat receiving surface for the first part 15a, which engage with holes in the first part 15a, for example by press fitting.

[0050] Of course, the cassette 1 can have a grounding element 15 formed differently, for example, if the main wall 10a of the base 10 includes electrically conductive protrusions, for example by overmolding a plastic onto an electrically conductive metal plate forming the main wall. Furthermore, the elastic strips 15c can be replaced by elastically deformable hooks or female parts to receive hooks or strips from the tray 3.

[0051] In this example, cassette 1 also includes cable glands 5, for example made of plastic, mounted on the main wall 10a located opposite the front wall 10b. Of course, cassette 1 may not have cable glands 5, or they may be integrated with the main wall 10a.

[0052] The cassette 1 further includes a locking device 2 mounted on the base 10. However, the base 10 and the locking device could be one piece.

[0053] The locking device 2 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The locking device 2 comprises a movable hook 21 between a locked and an unlocked position relative to the base 10 in a plane parallel to the foreground. In the locked position, the hook 21 is adapted to bear against the main plate 30 of the tray 3 in order to retain the cassette 1 in an insertion / removal direction in a forward (removal) direction opposite to the insertion direction, located in the foreground. This allows the cassette 1 to be locked onto the tray 3 of the patch bay, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. Thus, in the locked position, within the slot of the tray 3, the hook 21 prevents the cassette 1 from being removed from the tray 3 of the patch bay in the insertion / removal direction.

[0054] The locking device 2 further includes a gripping part 22 movable relative to the base 10 in a plane parallel to the first plane P, for moving the hook 21 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0055] Hook 21 protrudes from the surface of tray 10p.

[0056] The platform 3 includes a front edge 30a running along the main plate and a slot 31 extending longitudinally from the front edge 30a and perpendicular to the front edge 30. The slot 31 includes a first zone 31d allowing the hook 21 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position by sliding it into this first zone 31d. The slot 31 further includes a stop zone 31b allowing the hook 21 to move from the unlocked position to the locked position (rest position) and to abut against an edge of the main plate 30 of the platform 3, delimiting the stop zone 31b of the slot 31. Thus, the hook 21 enters the slot 31 up to the stop zone 31b, thereby retaining the cassette 1 in the direction parallel to the platform towards the forward direction. The main plate 30 of the tray 3 includes a cover surface 33 and the cassette support surface 32, opposite the cover surface 33.The front edge 30a connects the cover surface 33 to the cassette support surface 32, and the slot 31 passes through the cover surface 33 to the cassette support surface 32. The first zone 31d is open on the front edge 30a and includes a first portion having a first width measured parallel to the front edge 30a, at the level of the opening, which is greater than a width of the hook 21 measured in the same direction when the hook 21 is in the slot 31. This first portion of the first zone 31d allows the hook 21 to begin being inserted into the slot 31. The first zone 31d includes a second portion extending from the first portion to the stop zone 31b, delimited by a ramp formed by an edge of the main plate delimiting the slot 31, narrowing the width of the slot to move the hook 21 from the locked position to the unlocked position.The ramp delimiting the second part of the first zone 31 d of the slot 31 cooperates with a ramp of the hook 21.

[0057] The locking device 2 includes an elastic element that exerts a force on the hook 21 towards the locked position, at least when the hook 21 is moved towards the unlocked position by the gripping part 22. The locked position is therefore the rest position of the locking device 2. In other words, the elastic element deforms elastically when the gripping part 22 moves the hook 21 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the elastic element generating a force on the hook 21 towards the locked position, a one-piece locking device

[0058] In this first embodiment, the locking device 2 includes at least one one-piece leg 20, comprising the gripping part 22 and the hook 21.

[0059] However, according to other embodiments, the hook 21 and the gripping part 22 can be two separate parts from each other, for example as in the examples of the third or fourth cassette embodiment, described below and represented according to a schematic diagram in figures 9 and 10a.

[0060] The locking device further includes a support 25 extending from the lug 20. The support 25 is fitted or fixed to the base 10, for example by rivet or screw or bolt or by clipping as in this example.

[0061] In this example, the base 10 includes a support wall 102 extending forward from the front wall 10b, covering a support 25, the cassette 1 includes a front wall, perpendicular to the support wall 102 and extending from the front edge of the support wall 102. The front wall includes two holes 108 (referenced in Figure 1C) and the support 25 includes two clips 28 (referenced in Figure 3B) to cooperate with the two holes 108 by fitting into them. The support 25 therefore includes at least one part positioned between the front edge 30a of the main plate 30 of the platform 3 and the front wall of the base 10. The support 25 extending from the end of the leg 20 is therefore fixed (immobile) to the base 10 when the hook 21 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and vice versa.

[0062] The tab 20 can deform elastically by pressing the gripping part 22 towards the support 25, in a plane parallel to the foreground. Depending on the elastic deformation of the tab 20, the gripping part 22 can move by pivoting in the plane parallel to the foreground or in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cassette 1.

[0063] In the first embodiment shown, the locking device 2 is a one-piece locking member, for example molded in plastic, comprising the hook 21 and the gripping part 22 and the support 25. However, it can be in several parts, for example as in a third embodiment shown in figure 9 explained below.

[0064] In this first embodiment, the leg 20 comprises a first branch 23, a second branch 24 and a connecting part 26 linking the two branches 23, 24, forming a V shape. The first branch 23 includes the grasping part 22 located at an end opposite the connecting part 26. However, the leg 20 can have other shapes, for example W-shaped or simply I-shaped as in the second embodiment, shown in figure 8 and explained below.

[0065] In this example, the hook 21 is located on the leg 20, in this case extending out of an intermediate arm located between the connecting part 26 and the gripping part 22 located at one end of the leg 20. In other words, only the hook 21 slides in the slot 31, as shown in figure 6.

[0066] The first arm 23 further includes the hook 21 located between the connecting part 26 and the gripping part 22. The second arm 24 extends from the support 26 located opposite the connecting part 26.

[0067] In this first embodiment, to unlock the hook 21 from the stop zone 31b, the operator exerts a force on the gripping part 22 towards the support 25, the first arm 23 approaches the second arm 24 by deforming one or both arms 23, 24, in particular with respect to the connecting part 26 and the support part 25. One or both arms 23, 24 thus form the elastic element to exert a force on the hook in the direction of the locked position when it is moved towards the unlocked position.

[0068] Preferably, the first arm 23 is the elastic element that deforms elastically relative to the second arm 24 to generate a force on the hook 21 towards the locked position when it is moved towards the unlocked position by pressing on the gripping part 22 towards the unlocked position. The first arm 23 (elastic element) generates a force that moves the hook 21 towards and to the unlocked position when the user releases the gripping part 22. Thus, when the user exerts a force on the gripping part 22, the first arm 23 deforms elastically relative to the connecting part 26. This allows for better control of the kinematics with respect to the deformation of the two arms 23 and 24. The connecting part 26 is therefore, in this example, fixed (immobile), that is, fixed in translation and rotation with the base 10.

[0069] In this example shown, the locking device 2 includes a second lug 20' extending from the support 25, identical and symmetrically to the first lug 20.

[0070] In this instance, the two hooks 21, 2T are movable towards each other from the locked position to the unlocked position, but could be movable in the opposite direction as in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 10b. Thus, in this example, the ramp of each hook 21, 2T and the ramps delimiting each a second part of the first zone 31d of the corresponding slot 31, are oriented laterally outwards (on the hook 21 and in the slot 31). Therefore, the ramp of the hook 2T of the second leg 20' is oriented in the opposite direction, and the gripping part 22' is moved in the opposite direction to the gripping part 20 of the first leg 20 (i.e., always towards the support 25) to move the hook 21' from the locked position to the unlocked position.The two hooks 21, 2T are therefore movable in the same direction (parallel to plane P) but in two opposite directions to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0071] Of course, the locking device 2 can include only one tab 20. The advantage of two tabs 20, 20' is that the operator can grasp both gripping parts 22, 22' like scissors (with one hand) or, in the case of a larger cassette, like shears (one gripping part 22, 22' per hand) to unlock and use these gripping parts 22, 22' to remove the cassette 1 from the tray 3 by sliding it forward. In the example shown, the two gripping parts 22, 22' are in the locked position, spaced apart so that they can be grasped by two fingers (thumb and forefinger), i.e., a maximum distance of less than 10 cm, for example, 6.5 cm here.

[0072] In this example, the locking device 2 includes an anti-deformation system 29, 29' per arm 20, 20' each comprising a projection 229, 229' extending from the gripping part 22, 22' and the wall 25 includes for each arm 20, 20', a cover wall 259, 259' to cover the projection 229, 229' when the gripping part 22, 22' is in the unlocked position. Thus, when the gripping part 22, 22' is in the unlocked position, and the user wishes to lift the cassette 1 out of the tray 3, the cover wall 259, 259' of the support 25 consolidates the tab 20, 20' in flexion, allowing the operator to use the gripping parts 22, 22' to move the cassette 2.

[0073] Optionally, the cassette 1 includes at least one male or female rail element 127, extending perpendicularly to the first plane P from the platform surface 10p, referenced in Figure 1D, which shows a cross-section BB of the cassette 1. The platform 3 includes a complementary female or male rail element 327, respectively. The male and female rail elements 127 and 327 are adapted to slide together to guide the translation (insertion direction) of the cassette 1 onto the platform 3. In this example, the rail element 127 of the cassette 1 is T-shaped and therefore male, and the complementary rail element 327 is female, in this case, a slot open on the front edge 30a of the platform 3. The female complementary rail element 327 includes, on the side of the front edge 30a, a V-shape to allow the rail element 127 to be guided during the insertion of the cassette 1 onto the platform 3.Preferably, the front wall 10b is closer to the hook 21, 2T than to the rail element 127. This ensures that the hook 21 slides in the slot 31. Optionally, as shown in this example, the rail element 127 of cassette 1 includes two T-shaped studs extending perpendicularly to the foreground P from the platform surface 10P. The rail thus allows cassette 1 to be locked onto the platform in the direction perpendicular to the foreground. Optionally, as shown in this example, cassette 1 includes two rail elements 127, 127', with the tabs 20, 20' of the locking device 2 mounted between the two rail elements 127, 127', and platform 3 includes two additional rail elements 327, 327' per cassette 1.

[0074] The elastic lamella 15c of the mass coupling element 15 is intended to move from a rest state to a deformed state in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of hook 21, passing through the opening 107 in the main wall 10a comprising a projection 150p relative to the platform surface 10p of the main wall 10a. When cassette 1 is inserted onto tray 3, the elastic strip 15c moves from its rest state to its deformed state by pressing against tray 3, the projection 150p being designed to bear against tray 3 by deforming under pressure from cassette 1 against panel 3. Each elastic strip 15c also performs the mass coupling function of exerting a force on cassette 1 in a direction perpendicular to the foreground to hold cassette 1 against tray 3 in this direction when it is elastically deformed by tray 3.The force exerted allows the male or female rail element 127 of cassette 1 to be held against the plate 3 in order to avoid assembly play between the plate 3 and the cassette 1.

[0075] The hook 21, 2T has a flat face opposite the main wall 10a, and has a first length L1 measured perpendicular to the first plane between the first plane P and a second plane P2 parallel to the first plane P, the second plane P2 passing through the end of the hook 21 furthest from the first plane P, which is less than a length measured perpendicular to the first plane between the first plane P and the furthest end from the first plane P of the male rail element 27 of the cassette 1 as seen in figure 2. The first length L1 is perpendicular to the width of the hook 21.

[0076] Preferably, the elastic lamellae 15c of the mass coupling element 15, when in the rest state, are located between the first plane P and a second plane P2 passing through a plate face of the hook 21.

[0077] Furthermore, in this example, the main wall 10a of the base 10 includes a recess 106, 106' for each leg 20, 20', extending from the surface 10p, to receive the connecting portion 26 of each leg 20, 20'. In particular, the main wall 10a includes a hole 168, 168'. Each arm 20, 20' includes a projection 268, 268' extending from the connecting portion 26, 26' towards the opposite side of the two branches 23, 24 of each arm. The locking device 2 is thus fitted onto the base 10 by inserting each projection 268, 268' into the corresponding hole and then fitting the clips 28 into the two holes 108 in the front wall.

[0078] According to an example of a second cassette embodiment, shown in Figure 8, the locking device 6 differs from that of cassette 1 of the first embodiment, in that it comprises two I-shaped tabs 60, 60', each connected to the support 65 forming the connecting part between the two tabs 60, 60'. The legs 60, 60' are symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the support 65. Each leg 60, 60' thus comprises a hook 61, 6T and a gripping portion 62', 62”. The locking device 6 is therefore also a single piece. The locking device 6 further comprises a projection 68 extending from the support 65 (replacing the projection 268 of the first embodiment). In this second embodiment, the base 10, not shown, differs in that the main wall 10a of the base 10 comprises a single recess 106 having the shape of the support 65 and a hole to receive the projection 68.In addition, the support 65 includes an opening 658 for fixing a screw screwed into a threaded hole in the main wall 10p. Optionally, the base 10 includes the front wall 10b having an opening through which the two tabs 60, 60' pass, the gripping parts 62, 62' projecting forward from the front wall 10b.

[0079] According to an example of a third cassette embodiment, the locking device 7 is identical to that of cassette 1 of the first embodiment except that, for each leg 70, 70', the first arm 73 is a pivotally mounted arm at the connection part 75 with the second arm 74, and that the locking device 7 further comprises a spring 77, 77' for each leg 70, 70' mounted between the first and second arms 73, 74 of the corresponding leg 70, 70'. The first arm 73 is therefore identical to the first arm 23 of the example of the first embodiment, and thus comprises the gripping part 72 and the hook 71. The locking device 7 may comprise a pin mounted in two holes in the first and second arms 73, 74 to form the pivot connection, or, according to another example, one of the two arms comprises a shaft mounted in a hole in the other arm.

[0080] According to an example of a fourth cassette embodiment, shown in schematic diagram in Figure 10a viewed from below (viewed from the front of the tray), the locking device 8 comprises a first arm 88 including the gripping part 82 and a second arm 89 including the hook 81. The first and second arms 88, 89 are each mounted via a pivot joint on the base 10 of the cassette 2'. The first arm 88 includes a push end 881 opposite the gripping part 82, and the pivot joint with the base 10 is located between the push end 881 and the gripping part 82, allowing, when the gripping part 82 is pivoted relative to the base 10, a force to be exerted on the second arm 89 of the hook 81 in order to pivot it towards the unlocked position.In this example, the locking device 8 includes a spring 87 mounted between the second arm 89 and the base 10 to exert a thrust on the second arm in the locked position.

[0081] According to another example not shown, the second arm 89 is the elastic element, being an elastically deformable arm. In other words, in this example, the locking device lacks a spring 87, and the second arm 89 is rigidly mounted to the base 10 at an end opposite the hook 81.

[0082] In this example shown, the cassette T includes a second locking device 8' identical to the first locking device 8, the two devices being positioned on the base 10 symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the tray surface of the main wall of the base 10.

[0083] Of course, the cassette T could include only one locking device, in which case, optionally, the base 10 of the cassette may include a second gripping part integral in rotation and translation, for example monobloc, with the main wall of the base 10.

[0084] According to an example of a fifth embodiment of a 1” cassette, shown in schematic diagram in Figure 10b viewed from below (viewed from the front of the tray), the locking device 9 differs from the previous example in that the locking device 9 comprises two arms 98, 98' that rotate about the same pivot axis relative to the support 10. Each arm comprises a first part having the hook 91, 9T at its end and a second part having the gripping part 92, 92' at its end. The two arms 98, 98' intersect at a connecting area linked by the pivot joint to each other and to the base 10 of the 1” cassette. The first and second parts of each arm 98, 98' are connected together by the connecting area. Thus, the locking device 9 has a shape resembling a pair of scissors.In this example, a spring 97 is mounted between the first two parts of each arm 98, 98', closer to the connecting area than to the corresponding hook 91, 91'. The spring 97 is mounted compressed to exert a thrust on each arm 98, 98' in the locked position.

[0085] The first and second embodiments are less bulky and simpler to manufacture than one of the examples of the third, fourth and fifth embodiments requiring a spring and a pivot joint, in particular the fourth and fifth requiring a pivot joint fixed to the base 10.

[0086] In each of the described embodiments, the hook 21, 21', 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T projects from the tray surface 10p of the main wall 10a of the base 10 of the cassette 1, T, 1" and is movable between a locked and an unlocked position relative to the base 10 (under the main wall 10p) in a plane parallel to the foreground. The hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T is adapted to abut against a stop on the tray 3 of the patch bay in the locked position to prevent the cassette 1 from being removed from the patch bay. Furthermore, in each of the described embodiments, the gripping portion 22, 22', 62, 72, 82, 92, 92' is mobile relative to base 10 in a plane parallel to the foreground, to move hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0087] Preferably, the hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T has a maximum end distanced from the front plane by a length L1 measured perpendicular to the front plane, less than another length measured perpendicular to the front plane between the front plane and another end of the cassette 1, T, 1”.

[0088] In the examples described, in its rest state, the hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 91' is in the locked position (the elastic element is either not elastically deformed or is mounted in compression or at rest). At the beginning of the insertion of the hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T into the slot 31, the hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T comes to rest against an edge of the plate 3 defining the slot 31 or against the front edge 30a, moving the hook 21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 9T towards the unlocked position, then slides in the first zone 31d of the slot 30a until the zone of stop 31 d, which returns to the locking position by the force of the elastic element.

[0089] According to one option of the different examples, the hook 21, 21', 61, 71, 81, 91, 91' moves from the locked position to the unlocked position by sliding on the surface of panel 10P.

[0090] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. Cassette (1, T, 1”) for the connector support (4), intended to be inserted onto a tray (3) of a patch panel, comprising: - a base (10) comprising at least one main wall (10a) comprising: o a platform surface (10p) extending in a foreground plane (P), intended to be opposite the platform (3) on which the cassette (1) is intended to be mounted, and o a wiring face (10c) intended to be opposite computer cables connected to the connector (4), the wiring face (10c) being opposite the tray surface (1 Op), - a locking device (2, 6, 7, 8, 9) mounted on the base (10) comprising:

1. A movable hook (21, 21', 61, 71, 81, 91, 91') between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the base (10) in a plane parallel to the foreground (P), adapted to abut against an edge of the tray (3) in the locked position to prevent the cassette (1) from being removed from the tray (3) of the patch bay; 2. A gripping part (22, 22', 62, 72, 82, 92, 92') movable relative to the base (10) in a plane parallel to the foreground (P), for moving the hook (21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 91') from the locked position to the unlocked position.

3. an elastic element, capable of elastically deforming when the gripping part (22, 22', 62, 72, 82, 92, 92') moves the hook (21, 2T, 61, 71, 81, 91, 91') from the locked position to the unlocked position, the elastic element generating a force on the hook towards the locked position.

2. Cassette (1, 1”) according to the preceding claim, in which the locking device (2, 6, 7, 9) comprises a one-piece locking element, comprising the hook (21, 2T, 61, 61, 71, 81, 91, 91') and the gripping part (22, 22', 62, 62', 72, 82, 92, 92'). [Claims] Cassette (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastic element is a leg (20, 20', 60, 60') of the locking member on which the hook (21, 2T, 61, 61') is located and in that the gripping part (22, 22', 62) is located at one end of the leg (20, 60) and in that an end opposite to the leg (20, 60, 20', 60') is fixed in translation and rotation with the base (10) of the cassette (1) allowing the elastic deformation of the leg by applying a force on the gripping part (21, 22, 22', 62, 62') towards an unlocked position.

4. Cassette (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the locking member (2, 6, 7) comprises a tab (20) including the gripping part (22) and the hook (21), the locking device (2) further comprising a support (25) extending from the tab (20), the support (25) being fixed to the base (10). [Claims] Cassette (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (2, 7) comprises a first arm (23, 73) and a second arm (24, 74) each connected to each other forming a V shape, the first arm (23, 73) comprising the hook (21, 71) and the gripping part (22, 72), the hook (21, 71) being projecting in a direction perpendicular to the first plane (P) with respect to a part of the first arm (23, 73). [Claims] Cassette (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first arm (23) is the elastic element and deforms elastically relative to the second arm (24) when the hook (21) is moved towards the unlocked position and the connecting part (26), the first arm (23) forming the elastic element exerting a force towards the locking position, when a force is exerted by a user on the gripping part (22) towards the unlocked position.

7. Cassette (1, T, 1”) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (2) comprises a second movable hook (21') and a second movable gripping part (22') moving the second hook (21') from a locked position to an unlocked position in a direction opposite to the direction of the first hook (21) to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. [Claims] Cassette (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hook (21) has, from the locked position to the unlocked position, a first length (L1) measured perpendicular to the first plane (P) between the first plane (P) and a second plane (P2) parallel to the first plane (P), the second plane (P2) passing through the end of the hook (21) furthest from the first plane (P), the first length (L1) being less than a second length measured in the same direction as the first length, perpendicular to the first plane (P) between the first plane (P) and the end furthest from the first plane (P) of the cassette (1).

9. Cassette (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a male or female rail element (127) extending perpendicularly to the first plane (P) from the tray surface (10p) comprising the end furthest from the first plane (P) of the cassette (1).

10. Assembly comprising a cassette (1, T, 1”) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a patch bay tray (3) for mounting in a patch bay frame, the tray (3) comprising: - a front edge (30a), - a cover surface (33) and a cassette support surface (32) opposite and connected to each other by the front edge (30a), - a slot (31) passing from the cover surface (33) to the cassette support surface (32), open on the front edge (30a), the slot (31) comprising a stop area (31b), - in which the cassette (1) has its tray surface (10p) against the cassette support surface (32) and in that the hook (21) is butted with an edge of the tray delimiting the stop area (31b) in the locked position.

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