Supports: cabinet structure – For particular electrical device or component – Particular electrical wiring feature
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-11-27
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
For particular electrical device or component
Particular electrical wiring feature
C108S050020, C052S220700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322176
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to patch panels for communications use and, more particularly, to modular cabinetry for mounting patch panels thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
In buildings and, more particularly, within communications connection closets in buildings, various transmission media typically are connected to each other and to incoming and outgoing lines by means, such as connectors, which are mounted to patch panels. Patch panels generally are mounted within a communications closet, such as to a wall or other mounting surface, and incorporate a series of connectors for interconnecting the various transmission media. Transmission media, such as copper wires formed into patch cord cordage, for instance, often incorporate plugs at their ends that are configured for mating with, for example, the plug-receiving cavities of jacks, which commonly serve as patch panel mounted connectors.
Once a patch cord plug is inserted into the plug-receiving cavity of a jack, the cordage of the patch cord typically extends away from the patch panel jack and tends to hang downwardly in front of the patch panel. When carefully dressed, these cords appear neat and orderly and can facilitate efficient patching efforts by a technician, because the patch cords and their associated jacks are readily accessible. However, when the patch cords are not carefully dressed, a general appearance of disorder can result as the cordage of the patch cords inherently tend to form loops in front of the patch panel. In extreme cases, the patch cords may become entangled or snarled with adjacent cords, thereby potentially hindering a technician's patching efforts.
In an effort to minimize the tendency of patch cords to snarl or become entangled with adjacent cords, technicians attempt to select patch cords for use in a patch panel that have a proper length, e.g. patch cords which, when appropriately connected, present a minimal amount of cordage slack. Oftentimes, when a technician is unable to provide a patch cord of proper length, slack in the patch cord typically is accommodated by meandering the excess cordage in and around the horizontal raceways of the patch panel. This configuration also contributes to a general appearance of disorder of the patch cords and also promotes cordage entanglement.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved patch panel which addresses these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities
said first and second closet modules extending above said patch panels with said upper closet module disposed therebetween,
said lower closet module laterally extending beyond said patch panels with said first and second closet modules disposed thereabove. and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The present invention generally is directed to a transmission media patch panel modular cabinetry system for interconnecting various transmission media. In a preferred embodiment, the patch panel system incorporates at least one patch panel and two or more closet modules mounted to the patch panel. The closet modules provide cordage raceways, formed adjacent the patch panels, that are configured to pass transmission media therethrough. In some embodiments, the raceways are hidden behind doors which selectively provide access to the cordage.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cabinetry system incorporates a minimal number of components which can be interconnected to form various configurations of patch panel arrays depending on the particular application. For instance, closet modules of the system can be arranged in various configurations, including, but not limited to: side-by-side configurations, which can be wall mounted or freestanding; and back-to-back configurations, which typically are freestanding. Some embodiments also can incorporate upper closet modules disposed above a patch panel, lower closet modules disposed below a patch panel, or both, with the upper and lower modules providing troughs for placing the slack portion of patch cord cordage therein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, closet modules and their associated patch panels can be arranged in arrays of modules with the arrays being spaced from each other. These embodiments typically are freestanding and can incorporate cable cross bridges for supporting transmission media extending between the arrays.
A preferred method aspect of the invention includes the steps of: providing a patch panel with a plurality of jacks mounted thereto, each of the jacks being configured to mate with a patch cord; providing first and second duplicate closet modules, with each of the closet modules incorporating an upright member, each of the upright members including first and second side walls and access channels formed therebetween, with each of the access channels sized and shaped to pass transmission media therethrough; arranging the first and second duplicate closet modules in an upright orientation; attaching the patch panel to the first closet module so that the first side wall of the first closet module engages the patch panel; inverting the second closet module, and; attaching the patch panel to the second closet module so that the first side wall of the second closet module engages the patch panel.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
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patent: 5994644 (1999-11-01), Rindoks et al.
patent: 6003273 (1999-12-01), Elsholz et al.
patent: 6135583 (2000-10-01), Simon et al.
Avaya Technology Corp.
Cuomo Peter M.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley LLP
Tran Hanh V.
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