Frame assemblies for optical fiber distribution elements

Abstract

A telecommunications frame assembly includes a frame for housing a first set of fiber optic distribution devices in a vertically stacked arrangement on a right side of the frame and a second set of fiber optic distribution devices in a vertically stacked arrangement on a left side of the frame, wherein the frame defines top and bottom openings adjacent the outer edges of the frame at each of the right side and the left side for selectively leading cables to or from the fiber optic distribution devices to be mounted on the frame, the frame further defining a central vertical trough extending from a central top opening defined by the frame, wherein radius limiters are provided in vertically stacked arrangements at each of the right side and the left side of the frame for selectively guiding cabling between the first set and the second set of fiber optic distribution devices, wherein the radius limiters allow cabling to pass through the central trough between the right and left sides of the frame and/or into the central trough from either of the right and left sides of the frame for selective routing from or to the central top opening, the frame further defining a bottom trough that extends horizontally between the right and left sides of the frame, wherein each of the bottom openings adjacent the outer edges of the frame at the right and left sides communicate with the bottom trough and wherein the radius limiters at each of the right side and the left side of the frame also allow cabling to pass from the fiber optic distribution devices to the bottom trough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A telecommunications frame assembly comprising:
 a frame for housing a first set of fiber optic distribution devices in a vertically stacked arrangement on a right side of the frame and a second set of fiber optic distribution devices in a vertically stacked arrangement on a left side of the frame, wherein the frame defines top and bottom openings adjacent the outer edges of the frame at each of the right side and the left side for selectively leading cables to or from the fiber optic distribution devices to be mounted on the frame, the frame further defining a central vertical trough extending from a central top opening defined by the frame, wherein radius limiters are provided in vertically stacked arrangements at each of the right side and the left side of the frame for selectively guiding cabling between the first set and the second set of fiber optic distribution devices, wherein the radius limiters allow cabling to pass through the central trough between the right and left sides of the frame and/or into the central trough from either of the right and left sides of the frame for selective routing from or to the central top opening, the frame further defining a bottom trough that extends horizontally between the right and left sides of the frame, wherein each of the bottom openings adjacent the outer edges of the frame at the right and left sides communicate with the bottom trough and wherein the radius limiters at each of the right side and the left side of the frame also allow cabling to pass from the fiber optic distribution devices to the bottom trough.   
     
     
         2 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is defined by a right frame and a left frame that are separated brought together in a side-by-side arrangement to form the frame. 
     
     
         3 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the right frame is configured to house the first set of fiber optic distribution devices and a plurality of the radius limiters for cabling extending from the first set of fiber optic distribution devices and wherein the left frame is configured to house the second set of fiber optic distribution devices and a plurality of the radius limiters for cabling extending from the second set of fiber optic distribution devices. 
     
     
         4 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the central top opening and the central trough extending from the central top opening are formed by combining the right and left frames in a side-by-side arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the telecommunications frame assemblies are provided in a side-by-side configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein an overlength bay is provided between two of the telecommunications frame assemblies, wherein the overlength bay also defines a plurality of radius limiters provided in vertically stacked arrangement and a bottom trough portion for communicating with the bottom troughs of the telecommunications frame assemblies when the overlength bay is positioned between two of the telecommunications frame assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising the first set of fiber optic distribution devices mounted in a vertically stacked arrangement on the right side of the frame and the second set of fiber optic distribution devices mounted in a vertically stacked arrangement on the left side of the frame. 
     
     
         8 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second set of fiber optic distribution devices are elements defining a fixed chassis portion and a slidable drawer portion for allowing access to the interior of the drawer. 
     
     
         9 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein either of the right side or the left side of the frame are configured for mounting fiber fan-out fixation assemblies including fiber fan-out holders and brackets for removably mounting the fiber fan-out holders. 
     
     
         10 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the radius limiters provided in vertically stacked arrangements at each of the right side and the left side of the frame include a first set of radius limiters defined by overlength drums and a second set of radius limiters defined by bundle collectors, wherein the overlength drums are configured to guide cabling toward the bundle collectors for either passing cabling through the central trough to an opposing side of the frame or into the central trough for communicating with the central top opening or into the bottom trough. 
     
     
         11 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising door mounts at the top and bottom of each of the right and left sides of the frame for mounting pivotally openable doors. 
     
     
         12 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein each mounted door includes a latch system that allows any mounted door to be pivotally openable in either direction. 
     
     
         13 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the latch system at each side of the door includes a height-adjustable spacer for providing a predetermined amount of spacing between a bottom edge defined by a main portion of the door and the respective door mount at each side of the door. 
     
     
         14 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the height-adjustable spacer is provided in the form of a polymeric threaded nut that is threaded on a vertical rod of the latch system at each side of the door, wherein the vertical rod at each side of the door is configured to be inserted into a respective door mount for providing pivotability to the door. 
     
     
         15 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the spacer contacts a counter stop structure to limit further upward movement of the spacer after the spacer has been vertically adjusted. 
     
     
         16 . A telecommunications frame assembly comprising:
 a frame for housing a set of fiber optic distribution devices in a vertically stacked arrangement along a central portion of the frame, wherein the frame defines a vertical trough adjacent an outer edge at a right side of the devices and a vertical trough adjacent an outer edge at a left side of the devices, wherein the frame defines top openings adjacent the outer edges of the frame at each of the right side and the left side of the frame communicating with the vertical troughs for selectively leading cables to or from the fiber optic distribution devices to be mounted at central portion of the frame, wherein at least one of the right side or the left side includes radius limiters provided in a vertically stacked arrangement within the vertical trough for leading cabling between the devices and the top openings, wherein at least one of the right side or the left side is also configured for mounting fiber fan-out fixation assemblies including fiber fan-out holders and brackets for removably mounting the fiber fan-out holders within the vertical trough.   
     
     
         17 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 16 , further comprising the fiber optic distribution devices mounted in a vertically stacked arrangement on the frame. 
     
     
         18 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the fiber optic distribution devices are elements defining a fixed chassis portion and a slidable drawer portion for allowing access to the interior of the drawer. 
     
     
         19 . A telecommunications frame assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the radius limiters provided in vertically stacked arrangement include a first set of radius limiters defined by hook drums and a second set of radius limiters defined by overlength drums, wherein the hook drums are configured to guide cabling toward the overlength drums for passing cabling through at least one of the top openings. 
     
     
         20 . A double-hinging door for a telecommunications frame, the door comprising:
 a main portion for providing closure for the telecommunications frame, the main portion defining a bottom edge of the door, the door defining a right side and a left side;   a hinge rod at both the right side and the left side of door configured for insertion into hinge openings defined by door mounts of the telecommunications frame for allowing the door to be selectively pivotable in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction for opening;   a handle on each of the right side and the left side associated with a respective hinge rod on the right side and the left side for moving the hinge rod vertically upwardly out of a respective hinge opening when the handle is brought from a closed position to an open position; and   a height-adjustable spacer provided on the hinge rod at each of the right and left sides of the door; each spacer configured to protrude from the bottom edge of the main portion of the door and be positioned between the bottom edge and a respective door mount when the handle associated with that spacer is in the closed position.   
     
     
         21 . A door according to  claim 20 , wherein the height-adjustable spacer is provided in the form of a polymeric threaded nut that is threaded on the hinge rod at each of the right and left sides of the door. 
     
     
         22 . A door according to  claim 20 , wherein the spacer contacts a counter stop structure to limit further upward movement of the spacer after the spacer has been vertically adjusted.