| Stair-stepped angled patch panel -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Stair-stepped angled patch panelRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, With Supporting Means For Coupling Part, Supporting Plural, Independent Coupling PartsStair-stepped angled patch panel description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194470, Stair-stepped angled patch panel. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/656,253, filed Feb. 25, 2005, and 60/765,316, filed Feb. 3, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to an angled patch panel for a network equipment rack and, more particularly, an angled patch panel having a plurality of connectors mounted at an acute angle relative to the faceplate surface. Preferably, the connectors are mounted substantially perpendicular to the plane of the network equipment rack. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003] Angled patch panels are known in the art, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,541. In prior angled patch panels, connectors are oriented orthogonal to the faceplate surface. This angled configuration allows cables exiting the front of the connectors to flow directly to one or more vertical cable managers located adjacent the network rack and, thus, eliminates the need for horizontal cable management. [0004] However, prior angled patch panels have some drawbacks. Because the connectors extend rearward of the patch panel a substantial distance and are angled inward toward an imaginary center line due to their orthogonal orientation, there is a possibility of connector interference on the rear side of the patch panel near the center. Moreover, the plugs installed in the connectors at each end of the frame adjacent the mounting members are oriented at an acute angle to the vertical rails of the network rack. Thus, in high density patch panels such as the one shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein the rows of connectors are closely spaced, it is difficult to access these plugs. However, orienting the connectors parallel to the vertical rails of the network rack alleviates this problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is desirable to provide a patch panel with additional rear side connector and cabling clearance. [0006] It is also desirable to provide a patch panel with better accessability to plugs installed in connectors adjacent the vertical rails of the network rack. [0007] An angled patch panel is mountable to a network rack. The angled patch panel includes a patch panel frame, rack mounting members provided on opposite longitudinal ends of the frame, and a plurality of connectors mountable on the frame. The frame has a first panel section and a second panel section angled relative thereto by an obtuse angle between 90.degree. and 180.degree.. The first and second panel sections each define a front surface, and the plurality of connectors are oriented at an acute angle .alpha. relative to the front surface of either the first or second panel sections. [0008] Preferably, the rack mounting members define a mounting plane M, and the acute angle a is substantially orthogonal to the mounting plane M. The acute angle .alpha. is oriented between an axis A orthogonal to the mounting plane M and an axis B orthogonal to the front surface of either the first or second panel sections. [0009] Preferably, the frame includes a centerpiece at the intersection of the first and second panel sections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 shows a top right perspective view of a fully loaded angled patch panel and a cable support bar therefor according to the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 shows a top right partial exploded perspective view of the angled patch panel and cable support bar of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the angled patch panel of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 shows a partial enlarged top view of the angled patch panel of FIG. 1; and [0014] FIG. 5 shows a partial exploded top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a patch panel according to the invention, along with exemplary cable routing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] FIGS. 1-4 are directed to a high density angled patch panel utilizing four, twelve-position faceplates for a total of forty-eight ports in one rack unit. One rack unit is 1.75 inches high under the EIA/TIA standard. However, it is likewise contemplated that the patch panel may include any number of faceplates having any number of positions. For example, the patch panel may include only two, twenty-four position faceplates. [0016] FIG. 1 shows a fully loaded high density angled patch panel 10. As best seen in FIG. 2, the patch panel 10 includes a frame 12, a plurality of faceplates, such as faceplate 14, and a plurality of connectors, such as connector 16. Moreover, a separate or integral cable support bar 18 may be provided on a rear side of the patch panel 10. Preferably, the frame 12 is metal, and the faceplate 14 is plastic. However, it is likewise contemplated that the frame 12 may be formed of any suitable rigid material, such as many plastics or composites. [0017] The outwardly angled central frame 12 defines at least two angled faceplate surfaces, as the frame 12 has a plurality of faceplate openings 20 (see FIG. 2). The frame 12 also has a mounting member 22 at each end with a plurality of mounting apertures 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The frame 12 further includes a centerpiece 26 located midway along the frame 12 to space the faceplate openings 20 on opposite halves of the central frame 12. [0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 12 has a top flange 28 including a plurality of rectangular apertures, such as aperture 30. Similarly, the frame 12 has a bottom flange 32 including a plurality of rectangular apertures, such as aperture 34. The apertures 30, 34 allow the faceplates 14 to be snapped into the rear side of the frame 12. Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 2, each half of the frame 12 includes a vertically-oriented separator portion 36 to add strength to the frame 12. Continue reading about Stair-stepped angled patch panel... Full patent description for Stair-stepped angled patch panel Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Stair-stepped angled patch panel patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Stair-stepped angled patch panel or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Angled rj to rj patch panel Next Patent Application: Electrical power connector Industry Class: Electrical connectors ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Stair-stepped angled patch panel patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.235 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
