Optical fiber distribution panel

Claim 2

A distribution panel for supporting a plurality of connector sockets which are connected to a transmission cable, said panel comprising a housing having a plurality of sides, an array of connector sockets in rows and columns adjacent one side of said housing, characterized by the feature that means are provided on said housing for supporting a plurality of said sockets for limited translational movement with relationship to others of said sockets to move said plurality of sockets from a normally retracted position to a projected position spaced from said other sockets in a row or column to expose said sockets allowing easy finger access thereto for connection and disconnection of a mating plug with a said socket.

Claim 3

A distribution panel according to claim 1 characterized by the feature that means are provided to restrict said translational movement for limiting the access to the rear of said sockets.

Claim 4

A distribution panel according to claim 1 characterized by the feature that said sockets have axes disposed at an angle to said one side of said housing of less than 90 degrees.

Claim 5

A distribution panel according to claim 1 characterized by the feature that means are provided affording limited rotational movement for said means for supporting a plurality of said sockets for affording access behind said sockets.

Claim 6

A distribution panel according to claim 4 characterized by the feature that said means restricting said translational movement comprises latch means, the release of which is required to afford said limited rotational movement.

Claim 7

A distribution panel according to claim 5 characterized by the feature that said sockets have parallel axes and said axes are positioned at an angle of about 45 degrees to said one side of said housing.

Claim 8

A distribution panel according to claim 5 characterized by the feature that said sockets are connected to optical fibers connected to the fibers in a cable and means are provided on said means for supporting a plurality of said sockets for supporting slack optical fiber in coils having a diameter at least twice the minimum bending radius of the fibers.

Claim 9

A distribution panel according to claim 1 characterized by the feature that said means for supporting a plurality of said sockets comprises a module for use in connecting an incoming or outgoing distribution optical fiber to an optical fiber of a feeder cable and comprises a tray member having a forward edge, a front wall adjacent said forward edge for supporting a plurality of said fiber connector sockets adapted for receiving the plug connectors of distribution optical fibers, and said tray having support means for affording limited rotational movement about one edge thereof, said front wall includes wall portions disposed at an angle of less than 90° for supporting each said fiber connector socket at an angle to said leading edge to expose a side of said fiber connector socket to the front of said module.

Claim 10

A module according to claim 8 characterized by the feature that said tray has a rear wall parallel to said front edge, a third wall disposed adjacent said front wall and spaced from said rear wall at least twice the minimum bending radius of the fibers, and a cover member hinged to said rear wall to extend between said rear wall and said third wall to protect the fibers during sliding movement of the module.

Claim 11

A module corresponding to claim 9 characterized by the feature that said front wall is an undulating wall disposed adjacent said front edge and said wall portions are disposed at an angle to said front edge and parallel to each other and have cradle means for supporting said fiber connector sockets with the fiber connector sockets disposed at an angle to said front edge exposing a side surface and the plug connector receiving portion to the front of said module.

Claim 12

A module according to claim 10 characterized by the feature that said wall portions are disposed at about 45° to said forward edge and said cradle means for supporting said fiber connector socket comprises a U-shaped saddle formed in the upper edge of the alternate wall portions.

Claim 13

A distribution panel according to claim 1 or 8 characterized by the feature that slack storage organizer for optical fibers comprising a plurality of flexible pages bound together along one edge and disposed in spaced relationship, each of said pages being formed with an inwardly folded free edge which fold is spaced from said one edge a distance at least twice the minimum bending radius of the optical fibers, said organizer being disposed for movement with said sockets.

Claim 14

A distribution panel according to claim 8 characterized by the feature that each module has a hinged door to cover the fiber connectors.

Claim 15

A distribution panel according to claim 8 characterized by the feature that latch means limit the sliding movement of said module and release of said latch means affords said rotational movement of said module about said one edge.

Claim 16

A distribution panel according to claim 14 characterized by the feature that said housing comprises a top wall, a back wall and side walls joined together and a panel is hinged to said housing along one side wall to cover the modules, and wherein each module has a hinged door of a general L-shape to form a guide for optical fibers when in the normal position covering said fiber connectors, and that said socket connectors comprise a generally cylindrical socket having an axis, means at one end of said socket for releasably receiving a plug connector, and attaching means for connecting said socket to a wall, said attaching means comprising a bifurcated leg on said socket and projecting radially in relationship to the axis of said socket.