Increased connector port density via extending faceplate
View Patent ↗An increased connector port density assembly is disclosed for providing more connector ports than would normally fit on a faceplate. The increased connector port density assembly includes a stationary board and an extendable board connected to the stationary board on rails and with cabling. The extendable board has a first and second set of forward facing connector assemblies. The first set accessible when the extendable board is in either the retracted or extended position, whereas the second set of connector assemblies is accessible when the extendable board is in the extended position. The increased connector port density assembly is particularly useful for overcoming faceplate connector area availability limitations known in the art.
1. A circuit pack assembly for use in an equipment shelf, the circuit pack assembly comprising:
a main assembly configured for mounting in said equipment shelf;
a secondary assembly attached to said main assembly configured so that said secondary assembly may be placed in either an extended position or a retracted position;
a first connector on said secondary assembly that is accessible when said secondary assembly is in said retracted position; and
a second connector on said secondary assembly that is inaccessible behind a front plane of the equipment shelf when said secondary assembly is in said retracted position and is accessible when said secondary assembly is in said extended position.
2. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector is substantially in line with the front of the shelf when said secondary assembly is in said retracted position.
3. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector is an optical connector.
4. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said second connector is an electrical connector.
5. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector is an optical connector and said second connector is an optical connector.
6. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector is an electrical connector.
7. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said second connector is an optical connector.
8. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector is an electrical connector and said second connector is an electrical connector.
9. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connector substantially occupies the shelf front facing area of said circuit pack assembly.
10. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said first connector further comprises:
grooves for the passage of a portion of cable.
11. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
a plate attached to said first connector over said grooves.
12. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a rail attached to said main assembly;
a carrier slidably attached to said rail, wherein said secondary assembly is attached to said carrier such that it may be moved from a retracted to an extended position as said carrier slides upon said rail.
13. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a flexible conductive cable bridging said main assembly and said secondary assembly.
14. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said flexible conductive cable comprises a ribbon cable.
15. The circuit pack assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said flexible conductive cable comprises a flat flexible cable.
16. The circuit pack assembly of claim 11 , wherein the plate is removable.
17. The circuit pack assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
a retaining tab that overhangs the grooves.
18. The circuit pack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
first and second ejectors configured to mechanically assist in seating the first and second connectors.
19. The circuit pack assembly of claim 1 , wherein an effective front of the equipment shelf lies substantially on a line between the first and second ejectors.