Supports: racks – Special article – Electrically powered
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-14
2001-11-27
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Electrically powered
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321917
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to high density frames, bays or racks for providing cross-connections between telecommunication circuits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A digital cross connect system (DSX) provides a location for interconnecting two digital transmission paths. The apparatus for a DSX is located in one or more frames, racks or bays, usually in a telephone central office. The DSX apparatus also provides jack access to the transmission paths.
DSX jacks are well known and typically include a plurality of bores sized for receiving co-axial or tip-and-ring plugs. In the case of co-axial plugs, the bores are provided with center conductors and co-axial grounds. In the case of tip-and-ring plugs, a plurality of spring contacts are provided within the bores for contacting the tip-and-ring plugs. The jacks are typically electrically connected to digital transmission lines, and are also electrically connected to a plurality of wire termination members used to cross-connect the jacks. By inserting plugs within the bores of the jacks, signals transmitted through the jacks can be interrupted or monitored.
The number of jacks or cross-connect points that are located at a bay of a given size is referred to as the density of a bay. As the cross-connect density increases, the management of telecommunication wires in the bay becomes increasingly complex. For high density DSX bays, wire management is critical. U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,214, commonly owned by ADC Telecommunications, shows a cross-connect rack with cross-connect modules. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,214 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Further developments are desired in the rack area. One area for improvement is strength and durability of the rack, such as during an earthquake. A further area of development is with respect to the size and cable management features which can fit above floor tiles constructed with a 600 millimeter by 600 millimeter perimeter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A rack for mounting telecommunications equipment is provided for receiving cross-connection modules and cables. The rack includes a frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls. Each end wall is preferably constructed as upright vertical channels with the flanges of the channels facing toward the flanges of an opposite channel. Each channel preferably includes first and second nested U-shaped channel supports. A top of the frame preferably includes first and second nested U-shaped channel members. A base of the frame defines first and second rear notches adjacent the floor, for passage of telecommunications cables vertically upward through the floor. The base preferably includes a first base plate extending between the upright channels, and two second base plates extending transversely, and a gusset between each of the second base plates and each upright channel on each side of the base.
The rack also preferably includes cable management structure connected to the frame including front cable guides defining vertical cable channels, horizontal cable trays, and back cable support brackets. Each back cable support bracket preferably includes an extension including a linear array of holes, a support tab extending transversely to the extension, a distal tab extending transversely to the extension at an opposite end of the extension from the support tab, and a power cord tab extending from the support tab in a direction toward the extension from an opposite side of the support tab from the extension.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4715502 (1987-12-01), Salmon
patent: 5788087 (1998-08-01), Orlando
patent: 5867372 (1999-02-01), Shie
patent: 6220456 (2001-04-01), Jensen et al.
ADC Telecommunications Inc.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Purol Sarah
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