IP Library Granted Patent US 12,687,690
Granted Patent B2
US 12,687,690 · App. 18/212,076 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Fiber panel replicator shelf

Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix (Dallas, TX); Nathan Eric Benton (Dallas, TX); Mark James Smrha (Chicago, IL); Wade James Womack (Allen, TX)
G02B6/44526G02B6/44524G02B6/4455G02B6/4478
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,687,690
App. No.
18/212,076
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus, systems, methods implement replicator shelves. A blade is slidably connected to a replicator shelf. Communication connectors are positioned on the blade. A support bar, within the replicator shelf, supports a plurality of cables to a plurality of blades comprising the blade.

Claims (65)

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a blade slidably connected to a replicator shelf;

a plurality of communication connectors positioned on the blade;

a support bar, within the replicator shelf, supporting a plurality of cables to a plurality of blades comprising the blade;

a magnetically backed label plate affixed to the blade;

a waterfall guide of the blade positioned between a pair of communication connectors of the plurality of communication connectors;

a strap within the waterfall guide securing a subset of cables, of the plurality of cables, to the waterfall guide between the support bar and the pair of communication connectors; and

a slide mechanism, of the blade, limiting travel of the blade with respect to the replicator shelf.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

the replicator shelf, which comprises:

the blade,

a plurality of fiber management components, and

a housing into which the plurality of fiber management components are mounted, wherein the blade slides with respect to the housing.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a slide of the blade structured to fit to a slide roller connected to a housing of the replicator shelf fitted flush to an internal surface of the housing.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transition holder connected to a side of the replicator shelf and structured to secure a plurality of transition modules.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of half spools structured to provide variable slack management of the plurality of cables within the replicator shelf.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cable entrance guide structured to slide in and snap to a housing of the replicator shelf.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of divider rings of the support bar segregating the plurality of cables.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

the blade slidably connected to the replicator shelf between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein an extraction distance between the retracted position and the extended position is about five inches.

9 . A system comprising:

a housing;

a blade slidably connected to the housing;

a plurality of communication connectors positioned on the blade;

a support bar, within the housing, supporting a plurality of cables to a plurality of blades comprising the blade;

a magnetically backed label plate affixed to the blade;

a waterfall guide of the blade positioned between a pair of communication connectors of the plurality of communication connectors;

a strap within the waterfall guide securing a subset of cables, of the plurality of cables, to the waterfall guide between the support bar and the pair of communication connectors; and

a slide mechanism, of the blade, limiting travel of the blade with respect to the housing.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a replicator shelf, which comprises:

the blade,

a plurality of fiber management components, and

the housing into which the plurality of fiber management components are mounted, wherein the blade slides with respect to the housing.

11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a slide of the blade structured to fit to a slide roller connected to the housing of a replicator shelf fitted flush to an internal surface of the housing.

12 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a transition holder connected to a side of a replicator shelf and structured to secure a plurality of transition modules.

13 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a plurality of half spools structured to provide variable slack management of the plurality of cables within a replicator shelf.

14 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a cable entrance guide structured to slide in and snap to the housing of a replicator shelf.

15 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a plurality of divider rings of the support bar segregating a plurality of fibers.

16 . A method comprising:

slidably connecting a blade to a replicator shelf;

positioning a plurality of communication connectors on the blade;

supporting, with a support bar within the replicator shelf, a plurality of fibers to a plurality of blades comprising the blade;

affixing a magnetically backed label plate to the blade;

positioning a waterfall guide of the blade between a pair of communication connectors of the plurality of communication connectors;

using a strap within the waterfall guide to secure a subset of cables, of a plurality of cables, to the waterfall guide between the support bar and the pair of communication connectors; and

using a slide mechanism, of the blade, to limit travel of the blade with respect to the replicator shelf.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

structuring a slide of the blade to fit to a slide roller connected to a housing of the replicator shelf fitted flush to an internal surface of the housing.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

connecting a transition holder to a side of the replicator shelf and structured to secure a plurality of transition modules.

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

structuring a plurality of half spools to provide variable slack management of the plurality of cables within the replicator shelf.

20 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

structuring a cable entrance guide to slide in and snap to a housing of the replicator shelf.