IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,546,966
Granted Patent B2
US 12,546,966 · App. 18/426,811 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Optical distribution and splice frame including vertical cable managers

Inventors: Thomas M. Sedor (Orland Park, IL); Max W. Hibner (Glenview, IL); Michael R. Walters (Chicago, IL); Alex C. Brouwer (New Lenox, IL); Michael Mayo (New Lenox, IL); Bon B. Sledzinski (Westmont, IL); Benjamin J. Berridge (Griffith, IN)
Assignee: Panduit Corp.
G02B6/4455G02B6/3825G02B6/4452G02B6/44524G02B6/44526G02B6/44528G02B6/4478
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,546,966
App. No.
18/426,811
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical distribution and splice frame system includes rack(s), enclosure(s), cable management component(s), and/or cassette(s) that have features to allow for different cable management configurations not yet available in the market. A fiber optic cassette and enclosure are designed to enable flexibility in cable management configurations for the overall system.

Claims (28)

1 . A vertical cable manager for installation into a cable management system, the vertical cable manager comprising:

a vertical panel including a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern;

a first management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a first set of apertures;

a second management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a second set of apertures, the second set of apertures being different from the first set of apertures; and

a third management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a third set of apertures, the third set of apertures being different from the first set of apertures and the second set of apertures, wherein a width of the vertical panel is such that the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature are attached to the vertical panel in a cascading pattern where each of the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature are offset to at least partially not overlap from each other in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

2 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , wherein the first management feature is a spool configured to be removably secured to the vertical panel.

3 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , wherein the first management feature is a spool including a face plate configured to attach to the spool, wherein the face plate is configured to receive a label.

4 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , wherein the first management feature is a spool including at least two locking buttons for attaching the spool to the vertical panel and a release tab for detaching the spool from the vertical panel.

5 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , wherein the first management feature is a spool including a cylindrical body and a face plate, the face plate configured in a diamond shape.

6 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , wherein the vertical cable manager is configured to route cable having a predetermined cable length based on the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature being arranged in the cascading pattern.

7 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , further comprising:

a base including a trough and a pass-through channel configured to allow a cable to pass from a front-side of the base to a rear-side of the base.

8 . The vertical cable manager of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of additional management features, each of the plurality of additional management features configured to be attached to the vertical panel via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and wherein the plurality of additional management features are configured to be arranged in their own cascading pattern in which each of the plurality of additional management features is offset from a neighboring one of the plurality of additional management features in both a vertical and horizontal direction on the vertical panel.

9 . An incoming cable manager for installation into a cable management system, the incoming cable manager comprising:

a vertical panel including a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern;

a first management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a first set of apertures;

a second management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a second set of apertures, the second set of apertures being different from the first set of apertures; and

a third management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via a third set of apertures, the third set of apertures being different from the first set of apertures and the second set of apertures, wherein a width of the vertical panel is such that the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature are attached to the vertical panel in a cascading pattern where each of the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature are offset to at least partially not overlap from each other in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

10 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , wherein the first management feature is a cable plate comprising a plurality of rectangular slits and a plurality of clearance holes.

11 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , wherein the first management feature is a cable plate configured to secure an anchor kit via a clearance hole.

12 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , wherein the first management feature is a cable plate configured to secure a tubing bracket via at least two rectangular slits included in the cable plate, the tubing bracket configured to hold at least one breakout tubing.

13 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , wherein the incoming cable manager is configured to route cable having a predetermined cable length based on the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature being arranged in the cascading pattern.

14 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , wherein the first management feature is a cable plate partitioned into a plurality of distinct areas, each of the distinct areas being dedicated to routing cables to a predetermined enclosure installed into a rack.

15 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , further comprising:

a base including a trough configured to carry cable.

16 . The incoming cable manager of claim 9 , further comprising:

an additional management feature, the additional management feature configured to be attached to the vertical panel via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and wherein the additional management feature is configured to be arranged to be offset from a neighboring one of the first management feature, the second management feature, and the third management feature in at least a vertical or horizontal direction on the vertical panel.

Continuity (4)
Continuation 17477874 · Sep 17, 2021
Provisional Application 63079739 · Sep 17, 2020
Provisional Application 63231457 · Aug 10, 2021
Related Publication 20240176091A1 · May 30, 2024
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