Patch Panel Assembly for Media Patching Systems
Improved patch panel assemblies/patching systems and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved systems/methods for the design and use of patching systems configured to support multiple media connections (e.g., high density, mixed media connections). The present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of media patching systems having one or more movable panel assemblies (e.g., U-shaped patch panel assemblies) that facilitate cable management. In exemplary embodiments, the panel assemblies are configured to move relative to bracket members for cable management purposes. The improved systems of the present disclosure provide users with the ability to install multiple media connections (e.g., copper-based and/or fiber optic connections) in the same patching system/enclosure.
1 . A media patching system comprising:
a panel assembly having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the panel assembly including a front panel segment, a first side segment and a second side segment, with the front panel segment: (i) connecting the first and second side segments to define the substantially U-shaped configuration, and (ii) having a plurality of apertures with each aperture configured to mount with respect to a media connector assembly;
a first bracket member and a second bracket member, the first side segment of the panel assembly movably mounted with respect to the first bracket member and the second side segment of the panel assembly movably mounted with respect to the second bracket member;
wherein the front panel segment of the panel assembly moves axially forwards or backwards via: (i) the first side segment moving relative to the first bracket member, and (ii) the second side segment moving relative to the second bracket member.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the front panel segment of the panel assembly includes: (i) a first connector assembly terminating at least one optical fiber, the first connector assembly mounted with respect to a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the front panel segment, and (ii) a second connector assembly terminating at least one copper electrical wire, the second connector assembly mounted with respect to a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the front panel segment;
wherein the first connector assembly includes one or more ports or adapters to facilitate communication with a mating fiber optic connector; and
wherein the second connector assembly includes a jack housing that is adapted to mate with a plug connector terminating copper electrical wires.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the front panel segment includes two mounting holes;
wherein the panel assembly includes a bezel member having: (i) a plurality of apertures, and (ii) a rear face having two mounting members;
wherein the bezel member is configured to be mounted with respect to the front panel segment with the two mounting members securing to the two mounting holes;
wherein a first connector assembly is mounted with respect to a first aperture of the bezel member, the first connector assembly terminating at least one optical fiber; and
wherein a second connector assembly is mounted with respect to a second aperture of the bezel member, the second connector assembly terminating at least one copper electrical wire.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the front panel segment includes two mounting holes;
wherein the panel assembly includes a bezel member having: (i) a slot, and (ii) a rear face having two mounting members;
wherein the bezel member is configured to be mounted with respect to the front panel segment with the two mounting members securing to the two mounting holes;
wherein a fiber optic connector assembly is mounted with respect to the slot of the bezel member; and
wherein the fiber optic connector assembly is a fiber optic cassette having a plurality of fiber optic ports for mating with fiber optic connectors.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first side segment of the panel assembly includes a protrusion member, and an outer surface of the second side segment of the panel assembly includes a protrusion member;
wherein the first bracket member includes a slot therethrough that extends along a length of the first bracket member, and the second bracket member includes a slot therethrough that extends along a length of the second bracket member; and
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member via the protrusion member of the first side segment movably positioned within the slot of the first bracket member, and the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member via the protrusion member of the second side segment movably positioned within the slot of the second bracket member.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein a proximal end of the slot of the first bracket member includes an enlarged portion, and a proximal end of the slot of the second bracket member includes an enlarged portion;
wherein the protrusion member of the first side segment is configured to be removed from the slot of the first bracket member when the protrusion member of the first side segment is positioned in the enlarged portion of the slot of the first bracket member; and
wherein the protrusion member of the second side segment is configured to be removed from the slot of the second bracket member when the protrusion member of the second side segment is positioned in the enlarged portion of the slot of the second bracket member.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first side segment includes an aperture therethrough;
wherein an inner surface of the first side segment includes a motion limiter member mounted thereto, the motion limiter member including a tab member that extends through the aperture of the first side segment;
wherein the first bracket member includes a distal slot portion and a proximal slot portion spaced apart from the distal slot portion; and
wherein the tab member extends through the distal slot portion when the panel assembly moves to a first position relative to the first and second bracket members, and the tab member extends through the proximal slot portion when the panel assembly moves to a second position relative to the first and second bracket members.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the motion limiter member is mounted with respect to the inner surface of the first side segment via one or more protrusion members positioned on the inner surface of the first side segment.
9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the slot of the first bracket member includes: (i) a distal end having a first downward angled slot portion, and (ii) a second downward angled slot portion spaced apart from the first downward angled slot portion; and
wherein the protrusion member of the first side segment is positioned within the first downward angled slot portion when the panel assembly moves to a first position relative to the first and second bracket members, and the protrusion member of the first side segment is positioned within the second downward angled slot portion when the panel assembly moves to a second position relative to the first and second bracket members.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first side segment includes a tab member, and an outer surface of the second side segment includes a tab member;
wherein the first bracket member includes a distal slot portion, and the second bracket member includes a distal slot portion;
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member via the tab member of the first side segment movably positioned within the distal slot portion of the first bracket member, and the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member via the tab member of the second side segment movably positioned within the distal slot portion of the second bracket member.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first bracket member includes a proximal slot portion spaced apart from the distal slot portion, and the second bracket member includes a proximal slot portion spaced apart from the distal slot portion;
wherein the tab member of the first side segment extends through the distal slot portion of the first bracket member and the tab member of the second side segment extends through the distal slot portion of the second bracket member when the panel assembly moves to a first position relative to the first and second bracket members; and
wherein the tab member of the first side segment extends through the proximal slot portion of the first bracket member and the tab member of the second side segment extends through the proximal slot portion of the second bracket member when the panel assembly moves to a second position relative to the first and second bracket members.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a top side and a bottom side of the first and second side segments each include an enlarged section;
wherein a top side and a bottom side of the first and second bracket members each include at least one C-shaped flange; and
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member via the enlarged sections of the first side segment movably positioned within the C-shaped flanges of the first bracket member, and the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member via the enlarged sections of the second side segment movably positioned within the C-shaped flanges of the second bracket member.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the top side and bottom side of the first and second bracket members each include two C-shaped flanges.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a top and bottom surface of the first and second bracket members each include a plurality of protrusion members spaced apart from one another along a length of the first and second bracket members; and
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member via top and bottom edges of the first side segment movably positioned between the top plurality of protrusion members and the bottom plurality of protrusion members of the first bracket member, and the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member via top and bottom edges of the second side segment movably positioned between the top plurality of protrusion members and the bottom plurality of protrusion members of the second bracket member.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first side segment includes a protrusion member, and an inner surface of the second side segment includes a protrusion member;
wherein the panel assembly includes a removable cable manager member having: (i) one or more horizontal members and one or more vertical members, and (ii) a first securing member and a second securing member;
wherein the cable manager member is configured to be removably mounted with respect to the panel assembly with the first securing member engaging the protrusion member of the first side segment, and with the second securing member engaging the protrusion member of the second side segment.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the removably mounted cable manager member translates along with the panel assembly when the panel assembly is moved relative to the first and second bracket members.
17 . The system of claim 15 , further including a mounting member removably mounted to the cable manager member, the mounting member including one or more apertures or slots, each aperture or slot configured to releasably secure a breakout assembly or a cable management member to the mounting member.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first side segment of the panel assembly includes three protrusion members, and an outer surface of the second side segment of the panel assembly includes three protrusion members;
wherein the first bracket member includes three slots therethrough that extend along a length of the first bracket member, and the second bracket member includes three slots therethrough that extend along a length of the second bracket member; and
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member via the protrusion members of the first side segment movably positioned within a respective slot of the first bracket member, and the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member via the protrusion members of the second side segment movably positioned within a respective slot of the second bracket member.
19 . A media patching system comprising:
a panel assembly having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the panel assembly including a front panel segment, a first side segment and a second side segment, with the front panel segment: (i) connecting the first and second side segments to define the substantially U-shaped configuration, and (ii) having a plurality of apertures with each aperture configured to mount with respect to a media connector assembly;
a first bracket member and a second bracket member, the first and second bracket members each including a slot portion, with a top side and a bottom side of the first and second bracket members each including at least one flange member;
wherein a top side and a bottom side of the first and second side segments each include an enlarged section;
wherein the first side segment is movably mounted to the first bracket member with: (i) a tab member of the first side segment movably positioned within the slot portion of the first bracket member, and (ii) the enlarged sections of the first side segment movably positioned within the flange members of the first bracket member;
wherein the second side segment is movably mounted to the second bracket member with: (i) a tab member of the second side segment movably positioned within the slot portion of the second bracket member, and (ii) the enlarged sections of the second side segment movably positioned within the flange members of the second bracket member;
wherein the front panel segment of the panel assembly moves axially forwards or backwards via: (i) the first side segment moving relative to the first bracket member, and (ii) the second side segment moving relative to the second bracket member.
20 . A media patching system comprising:
a panel assembly having a substantially U-shaped configuration, the panel assembly including a front panel segment, a first side segment and a second side segment, with the front panel segment: (i) connecting the first and second side segments to define the substantially U-shaped configuration, and (ii) having a plurality of apertures with each aperture configured to mount with respect to a media connector assembly;
a first bracket member and a second bracket member;
means for mounting the panel assembly to the first and second bracket members so that the panel assembly can move relative to the first and second bracket members between a distal position and a proximal position and vice-versa; and
means for stopping the movement of the panel assembly relative to the first and second bracket members at a pre-determined position between the distal position and the proximal position.