CN111615283A

CN111615283A - Cable management ring and panel for telecommunications equipment

Info

Publication number: CN111615283A
Application number: CN201910136741.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王京; D·G·瑟伊斯
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-02-25
Filing date: 2019-02-25
Publication date: 2020-09-01
Also published as: WO2020176482A1

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a cable guide that includes first and second cable loops that define first and second horizontal cable channels, respectively. The first and second cable loops may be mounted back-to-back by the same mounting features on the telecommunications equipment rack or cabinet. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a cable loop on a telecommunications equipment rack having through holes. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable loop including mounting structure thereon for mounting a door for use with a telecommunications equipment rack or cabinet.

Description

Cable management ring and panel for telecommunications equipment

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to cable management for telecommunications systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to cable management structures for use with telecommunications equipment.

Background

In the telecommunications industry, telecommunications equipment (active and/or passive) is housed in a series of equipment racks to allow for higher connection densities per unit of floor space. Installing a large number of connections in the equipment racks is effective in floor space, but requires a significant amount of management and maintenance capacity for the cables leading to and from these equipment racks. A telecommunications facility may have external equipment or network infrastructure cables connected to switching equipment housed in a series of telecommunications equipment racks, local distribution cables connected to the same switching equipment in the racks, and patch cords and cross-connect jumpers connecting the switching equipment. The connected switching devices may be located within the same rack, in adjacent racks, in racks within the same linear row or aisle, or in racks in different aisles. Furthermore, power and thus power cables must be provided to the switching devices. All of these cables must provide a path or cable management structure within and between the equipment racks. Copper cables, fiber optic cables, and hybrid cables may all require proper management to protect the cables and make them well-lined.

A rack within a particular telecommunications facility may have a series of horizontal paths or slots that can be used for both types of cross-connect cables. Other cables may need to be managed as well. Vertical paths or slots may also be provided. To improve the efficiency of operation and maintenance, some means for organizing and isolating these as intra-bay and inter-bay should be provided. Other improvements are needed to allow the cable to more easily enter and exit the slot.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention relates to a cable guide that includes first and second cable loops that define first and second cable channels, respectively. The first and second cable loops may be mounted back-to-back by the same mounting features on the telecommunications equipment rack or cabinet.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a cable loop on a telecommunications equipment rack having through holes.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable loop including mounting structure thereon for mounting a door for use with a telecommunications equipment rack or cabinet.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable management device. The cable management device can include a panel including a front side, an opposing rear side, and a first end positioned opposite a second end.

The horizontal panel may include a left mounting bracket at a left end of the panel and a right mounting bracket at a right end of the panel.

The front and rear sides of the panel may share a mounting interface integrally formed therewith. The at least one first cable loop may have a first connection interface interfitting with the mounting interface at the front side of the panel, and the at least one second cable loop may have a second connection interface interfitting with the mounting interface at the rear side of the panel. The at least one first cable loop and the at least one second cable loop are adapted to be mounted in a back-to-back orientation at the same mounting interface to provide a double-sided panel.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable loop for providing access for fiber optic cable routing. The cable loop may include a connection interface including an anchor plate and an engagement member on the anchor plate. The engagement members may each have a hook member extending parallel to the anchor plate. The anchor plate may have first and second arm members that together form a loop defining an interior region. The first arm member extends in a transverse direction with respect to the anchor plate, and the second arm member extends parallel to the first arm member. The first and second arm members may each have a proximal end secured to the anchor plate and a distal free end. The distal free ends together define an opening that provides access to the interior region.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a telecommunications system that includes a cable management frame for connecting to a telecommunications rack. The cable management frame may include a front side, an opposing rear side, and a left end positioned opposite the right end. The cable management frame may include a left mounting bracket at a left end of the cable management frame and a right mounting bracket at a right end of the cable management frame. The front and rear sides of the cable management frame may share a mounting interface integrally formed therewith. The telecommunications system may include a plurality of first cable loops, each of which may have a first connection interface interfitting with a mounting interface at the front side of the cable management frame, and at least one second cable loop having a second connection interface interfitting with a mounting interface at the rear side of the cable management frame. The at least one second cable loop may be adapted to be mounted at the same mounting interface in a back-to-back orientation with at least one first cable loop of the plurality of first cable loops to provide a double-sided cable management frame.

Various other aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects may relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. The brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a telecommunications equipment rack according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the telecommunications equipment rack of FIG. 1 showing a horizontal cable management device having a cover and an equipment panel according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the telecommunications equipment rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the telecommunications equipment rack of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the horizontal cable management device of FIG. 4 showing a plurality of cable loops and equipment panels mounted thereon on one and two sides;

fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the horizontal cable management device showing the cable loop mounted one side thereof.

FIGS. 7-9 are various views of the cable loop shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of the horizontal cable management device of FIG. 5 showing the cover and equipment panel mounted thereon; and

fig. 11 is a partial exploded view of the horizontal cable management device and equipment panel of fig. 10 with the cover and some of the cable loops removed.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in any manner and/or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

Telecommunications component racks or cabinets are used to hold a plurality of telecommunications components, typically in a vertical stack. Such racks are used in many environments, such as network server farms, telephone switching stations, electronic equipment closets of office buildings containing large numbers of network electronic equipment, or in countless other environments where electrical or optical signals need to be switched between numerous electronic components. In some cases, the telecommunications components are either active or passive. It is not uncommon for multiple racks to be tightly packed side-by-side in a room, with each rack containing multiple vertically stacked components, such as routers, patch panels, cable trays, data processing equipment, switching equipment, and the like. Furthermore, the number of wires and cables entering and exiting the components in the rack may be bulky, resulting in an environment where it is difficult to mount and dismount the components to and from the rack.

These telecommunications component racks typically include a base, four vertical posts, and some horizontal rails extending between the posts to hold the structure together. The post and/or the rail may include a hole for mating with a hole on the component such that a bolt may be placed through the mating hole to attach the component to the frame. For example, holes in the component or flange may be aligned with corresponding holes in the frame so that the component or flange may be bolted to the frame through mating holes to secure the component to the frame.

Fig. 1 and 3 illustrate an exemplary telecommunications equipment rack 10 for receiving components according to the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications equipment rack 10 in the figures is exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited to application in such racks. The present disclosure may be applied to other forms of racks as well as cabinets and the like.

Fig. 2 and 4 illustrate exemplary components, such as the cable management device 12 and the telecommunications equipment 15. The rack 10 can include a plurality of cable management devices 12 and a plurality of telecommunications equipment 15, as desired. In this example, a cable management device 12 is provided for managing cables entering and exiting the device 15. The device 15 may be a telecommunications panel, a cable management frame, a cross-connect patch panel, or otherwise.

The cable management device 12 includes a frame 14a for holding a cable management structure (e.g., a cable loop). The telecommunication device 15 comprises a further frame 14b (in this case a device frame). The device 15 may be used to mount at least one connector module 11, which includes a plurality of receptacles 16. In the example shown, a plurality of connector modules 11 are depicted, each connector module comprising a plurality of jacks 16. The connector modules 11 may each include any of a variety of jacks for receiving plugs of patch cords or other transmission cables. The jacks and plugs allow for relatively quick connection and disconnection with patch cords between two jacks in the same patch panel or between one jack in a patch panel and another jack in a nearby patch panel. One jack and plug arrangement for a patch panel is an RJ45 type connector. Fiber optic face plates with fiber optic adapters and fiber optic cables may also be used. Active or passive panels may be used. As shown, the connector module 11 is a passive copper module.

Although the cable management devices 12 are shown in a horizontal orientation in this example, a vertical orientation may also be provided by rotating the frame 14a 90 degrees.

In certain examples, the frame 14a of the cable management device 12 may include through-holes 18 to facilitate separation and routing of cables through the rack 10 (not shown so as not to obscure the disclosure), although alternatives are also possible. The air flow can also be promoted. In some cases, the through-holes 18 may be covered, or the through-holes 18 may not be present at all.

The stand 10 includes a base 20, four posts 22 (although two are shown) rising vertically from the base 20, and a top 24. It may also include one or more horizontal rails (not shown) to provide structural support for the frame 10. A number of components, such as cable management devices 12, may be mounted in the rack 10. Typically, the posts 22 and/or the rails include holes 26 for receiving bolts or other fasteners 28 that may be used to secure the cable management devices 12 to the rack 10. These apertures 26 will align with apertures 30 defined in the frame 14 a. The frame 14b is mounted in a similar manner. Each

frame

14a, 14b may be secured to the rack 10 by nuts and bolts 28 or other fasteners that pass through mating holes 26 of the rack 10 and holes 30 of the

frames

14a and 14 b.

In some examples, as shown in fig. 2, the

frames

14a, 14b may each have a flange 32 (e.g., a mounting bracket) extending laterally from a front face 34 thereof. The flange 32 may carry the apertures 30 for alignment with corresponding apertures 26 on the chassis 10.

In some examples, the frame 14a of the cable management device 12 may be formed by injection molding plastic, but alternatives are possible. Alternatively, for example, the frame 14a may be formed of aluminum and formed by a casting process. It should be understood that the frame 14a may be formed of any material and may be manufactured by any forming process known to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Turning to fig. 5, the frame 14a of the cable management device 12 can include a front side 36, an opposing rear side 38, and a left end 40 positioned opposite a right end 42. The frame 14a of the cable management device 12 includes a left mounting bracket 32a at a left end 40 of the frame 14a and a right mounting bracket 32b at a right end 42 of the frame 14 a. In some examples, the left and right mounting

brackets

32a, 32b may be integrally formed with the frame 14a (e.g., as one seamless piece with the frame), although alternatives are possible.

Referring to fig. 6-9, the front side 36 and the rear side 38 of the frame 14a of the cable management device 12 share a mounting interface 44 (e.g., opening, cutout, aperture) defined and integrated therewith. The mounting interface 44 is generally rectangular, but alternatives are possible. The frame 14a may include any number of mounting interfaces 44. In the example shown in fig. 5, there are five mounting interfaces 44, but alternatives are also possible.

The cable management device 12 also includes a cable loop 46 that may be arranged and configured to be installed in the mounting interface 44. The cable loop 46 may be used to provide a path for routing fiber optic cables or patch cords horizontally to other equipment (e.g., a vertical organizer). In some examples, the frame 14a may be adapted for back-to-back mounting of the cable loop 46 (see fig. 10). That is, the cable loop 46 may be arranged and configured bilaterally on the frame 14a such that the cable loop 46 is configured on the front side 36 and the back side 38 of the frame 14 a.

In some examples, the frame 14a may be adapted for single installation of the cable loop 46. That is, the cable loop 46 may be unilaterally disposed and configured on the frame 14a (see fig. 6) such that the cable loop 46 is configured on the front side 36 of the frame 14 a. Alternatively, the ring 46 may be on the posterior side 38 only.

When the cable loop 46 is mounted back-to-back, the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b (e.g., front and rear cable loops) are both mounted in the same mounting interface 44. That is, when the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b are mounted in a back-to-back orientation, the

cable loops

46a, 46b may share a single mounting interface 44, which allows for additional cable loop mounting and reduces the likelihood of extending beyond the mounting location. Thus, when the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b are mounted to the frame 14a, the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b are not positioned offset from one another, but are positioned back-to-back with one another in axial alignment.

In the example shown, five cable loops 46 may be mounted on the frame 14a at the front side 36 and/or five cable loops 46 may be mounted on the frame 14a at the rear side 38. It should be appreciated that any number of cable loops may be mounted on the frame 14a so long as a plurality of corresponding mounting interfaces 44 are provided.

In certain examples, the at least one first cable loop 46a may be mounted at the front side 36 of the frame 14a and the at least one second cable loop 46b may be mounted at the rear side 38 of the frame 14a, although alternatives are also possible.

In certain examples, the cable loops 46 may each have a connection interface 48, the connection interface 48 being arranged and configured to interfit with the mounting interface 44 at the front side 36 and/or the rear side 38 of the frame 14 a. In some examples, the connection interface 48 of the cable loop 46 may be interfitted with the mounting interface 44 by a snap-fit connection, although alternatives are also possible. In some examples, the connection interface 48 of the cable loop 46 may interfit with the mounting interface 44 via a friction fit engagement, although alternatives are possible.

The connection interfaces 48 of the cable loop 46 may each include an anchor plate 50 having an engagement member 52. Engaging members 52 may be positioned at opposite ends of anchor plate 50. First engaging member 52a may be positioned near proximal end 49 of anchor plate 50 and second engaging member 52b may be positioned near the opposite distal end 51 of anchor plate 50. The first and

second engagement members

52a, 52b may be offset from one another such that the first and

second engagement members

52a, 52b are not positioned directly below or above one another as in the exemplary orientation. In some examples, first engagement member 52a may be positioned adjacent to first side 53 of anchorage plate 50, and second engagement member 52b may be positioned adjacent to second side 55 of anchorage plate 50.

The engagement members 52 may each have a hook member 54 that extends parallel to the anchor plate 50. The mounting interfaces 44 may each define an opening 56 in the frame 14a, forming an edge 58 in the frame 14 a. When the connection interface 48 of the cable loop 46 and the mounting interface 44 are interfittable, the engagement member 52 is adapted to engage a corresponding opening 56 defined by the mounting interface 44 of the frame 14a such that the hook member 54 receives an edge 58 of the frame 14 a. In some examples, the connection interface 48 of the cable loop 46 may be interfitted with the mounting interface 44 via a snap connection, by a snap 90, which includes a ramp 92 and a shoulder 94. The shoulder 94 engages a top edge 96 of the opening 56 in which it is positioned. This configuration prevents inadvertent removal of the cable loop 46 from the mounting interface 44.

The anchor plate 50 may also define recesses 62 that are correspondingly positioned adjacent the engaging

members

52a, 52b such that the recesses 62 are offset from each other in an opposite manner as the engaging

members

52a, 52 b. That is, the first recess 62a may be positioned adjacent the second side 55 of the anchor plate 50 at the proximal end 49, and the second recess 62b may be positioned adjacent the first side 53 of the anchor plate 50 at the distal end 51.

When the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b are mounted to the mounting interface 44 of the frame 14a in a back-to-back orientation, the front surfaces 60 of the

respective engagement members

52a, 52b of the anchor plate 50 of the first cable loop 46a may be received in the

respective recesses

62a, 62b of the anchor plate 50 of the second cable loop 46b such that the hook member 54 may have sufficient space to engage with the edge 58 of the frame 14a when mounted on the frame 14a, and the front surfaces 60 of the

respective engagement members

52a, 52b of the anchor plate 50 of the second cable loop 46b may be received in the

respective recesses

62a, 62b of the anchor plate 50 of the first cable loop 46a such that the hook member 54 may have sufficient space to engage with the edge 58 of the frame 14a when mounted on the frame 14 a. In this manner, the engagement members 52a of the respective first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b may be mounted in the same opening 56 of the mounting interface 44, and the engagement members 52b of the respective first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b may be mounted in the same opening 56 of the mounting interface 44 to allow for non-offset back-to-back mounting.

Still referring to FIG. 9, the cable loop 46 may include first and second loops

The

arm members

64, 66, in one example, the first and second arm members together form a loop that defines an interior region 68 that provides a path for routing. The first arm member 64 may extend in a transverse direction with respect to the anchor plate 50, and the second arm member 66 may extend in a transverse direction with respect to the anchor plate 50, such that the second arm member 66 also extends in a direction parallel to the first arm member 64. The first and

second arm members

64, 66 may each have a proximal end 70 and a distal free end 72 secured to the anchor plate 50. The distal free ends 72 of the first and

second arm members

64, 66 may together define an opening 74 (e.g., a gap) that provides cable access to the interior region 68.

In certain examples, the first arm member 64 may include a bend

A portion 76 forming the distal free end 72 thereof. In certain examples, the curved portion can include a protrusion 78 (e.g., a bump, stud, tab, ramp) on a first side 80 (e.g., a top side) and an opposite second side 82 (e.g., a bottom side) thereof. The

arm members

64, 66 are configured without sharp edges or ends that could damage the cables.

When the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b are mounted to the frame 14a in axially aligned back-to-back relation to each other, the respective connection interfaces 48 do not interfere with each other.

When only one of the first and

second cable loops

46a, 46b is mounted to the frame 14a at a given pair of locations 44, the opening 56 is still fully covered. See fig. 6. In some circumstances, this may be important for no exposed openings in the frame 14 a.

Referring to fig. 10-11, the cable management device 12 may optionally include a cover 84 (e.g., a removable cover, a door) that may be arranged and configured to attach to the plurality of cable loops 46 located on the front side 36 of the frame 14a and/or the back side 38 of the frame 14 a. The cover 84 may include a body 86 and opposing first and

second flanges

88, 90 extending outwardly from the body 86 in a direction generally perpendicular to the body 86. The first and

second flanges

88, 90 may each define apertures 92 spaced along the length L of the respective first and

second flanges

88, 90 between the

ends

94, 96 thereof. The aperture 92 may be arranged and configured to receive the protrusion 78 of the cable ring 46 to be secured thereto.

In some examples, the cover 84 may be coupled to

The cable loop 46 is snap-fit engaged, although alternatives are possible. In some examples, the cover 84 may be in friction fit engagement with the cable loop 46, but alternatives are possible. In certain examples, the cover 84 may be hingedly coupled to the cable loop 46. In some examples, the cover 84 may be in press fit engagement with the cable ring 46, but alternatives are possible.

In some examples, the cover 84 and/or the cable loop 46 may be made of a polymeric material, although alternatives are possible. In some examples, the cover 84 may be made of a metallic material, but alternatives are also possible.

The various examples described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the examples and applications illustrated and described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cable management device, comprising:

a panel including a front side, an opposing rear side, and a left end portion opposing a right end portion, the panel including a left mounting bracket at the left end portion of the panel and a right mounting bracket at the right end portion of the panel;

the front side and the rear side of the panel share a mounting interface integrated with the panel;

at least one first cable loop having a first connection interface interfitting with a mounting interface at the front side of the panel; and

at least one second cable loop having a second connection interface interfitting with the mounting interface at the rear side of the panel;

wherein the at least one first cable loop and the at least one second cable loop are adapted to be mounted in a back-to-back orientation at the same mounting interface to provide a double-sided panel.

2. The cable management device of claim 1, wherein the connection interface of the at least one first cable loop and the at least one second cable loop interfits with the mounting interface via a snap-fit connection.

3. The cable management device of claim 1, wherein the first and second connection interfaces each include an anchor plate having an engagement member, each engagement member having a hook member extending parallel to the anchor plate, wherein when the first and second connection interfaces are capable of interfitting with the mounting interface, the engagement members are adapted to engage a respective opening defined in the panel such that the hook members receive an edge of the panel.

4. The cable management device of claim 3, wherein the first connection interface and the second connection interface each include a snap for engaging a panel.

5. The cable management device of claim 4, wherein the front surfaces of the hook members of the engagement members of the anchor plates of the first connection interface are received in respective recesses defined in the anchor plates of the second connection interface when the first and second cable loops are mounted to the panel in a back-to-back orientation.

6. The cable management device of claim 5, wherein for each cable loop, the hook members are offset from each other on the anchor plate.

7. The cable management apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mounting interface is an opening through the panel.

8. The cable management device of claim 1, further comprising a first removable covering adapted to be attached to the at least one first cable loop at a front side of the panel.

9. The cable management device of claim 8, wherein a first removable covering is in snap-fit engagement with the at least one first cable loop.

10. The cable management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel is mounted to a telecommunications rack.

11. The cable management apparatus of claim 10, wherein the equipment panel is mounted to the telecommunications rack.

12. A cable loop for providing access to telecommunications cable wiring, the cable loop comprising:

a connection interface comprising an anchor plate;

engaging members on the anchor plate, the engaging members each having a hook member extending parallel to the anchor plate, wherein the anchor plate defines a recess for receiving a front surface of an engaging member of another securing plate of another cable loop; and

a first arm member and a second arm member that together form a ring defining an interior region,

a first arm member extending in a transverse direction with respect to the anchor plate, a second arm member extending parallel to the first arm member;

the first and second arm members each have a proximal end and a distal free end,

the proximal end is secured to the anchor plate and the distal free ends together define an access opening providing access to the interior region.

13. The cable loop of claim 12, wherein the first arm member includes a curved portion forming a distal free end of the first arm member.

14. The cable loop of claim 13 wherein the bent portion comprises protrusions on a top side and an opposite bottom side thereof.

15. The cable loop of claim 12 wherein the respective hook members and the respective recesses are offset from each other.

16. A telecommunications system, comprising:

a cable management frame for connecting to a telecommunications rack, the cable management frame including a front side, an opposing rear side, and a left end portion opposing a right end portion, the cable management frame including a left mounting bracket at the left end portion of the cable management frame and a right mounting bracket at the right end portion of the cable management frame;

the front and rear sides of the cable management frame share a mounting interface integrated therewith;

a plurality of first cable loops, each first cable loop having a first connection interface that is interfittable with a mounting interface at a front side of the cable management frame; and

at least one second cable loop having a second connection interface that is interfittable with the mounting interface at the rear side of the cable management frame;

wherein the at least one second cable loop is adapted to be mounted at the same mounting interface in a back-to-back orientation with at least one first cable loop of the plurality of first cable loops to provide a double-sided cable management frame.

17. The telecommunications system of claim 16, wherein the connection interfaces of the plurality of first cable loops and the at least one second cable loop are interfitted with the mounting interface by a snap-fit connection.

18. The telecommunications system of claim 16, further comprising a first removable cover adapted to attach to the plurality of first cable loops at a front side of a cable management frame.

19. The telecommunications system of claim 18, wherein a first removable cover is snap-fit engaged with the plurality of first cable loops.

20. The telecommunications system of claim 16, wherein the first and second connection interfaces each include an anchor plate having an engagement member, each engagement member having a hook member extending parallel to the anchor plate, wherein when the first and second connection interfaces are capable of interfitting with the mounting interface, the engagement members are adapted to engage respective receptacles defined in the cable management frame such that the hook members receive an edge of the cable management frame.

21. The telecommunications system of claim 20, wherein the first connection interface and the second connection interface each include a snap for engaging the frame.

22. The telecommunications system of claim 21, wherein the front surfaces of the engagement members of the anchor plates of the first connection interface are received in respective recesses defined in the anchor plates of the second connection interface when the first and second cable loops are mounted to the frame in a back-to-back orientation.

23. The telecommunications system of claim 22, wherein for each cable loop, the hook members are offset from each other on the anchor plate.

24. The telecommunications system of claim 16, wherein the mounting interface is an opening through the frame.

25. A cable management device, comprising:

at least one first cable management device having a first connection interface interfitting with the mounting interface at the front side of the panel; and

at least one second cable management device having a second connection interface interfitting with the mounting interface at the rear side of the panel;

wherein the at least one first cable management device and the at least one second cable management device are adapted to be mounted in a back-to-back orientation at the same mounting interface to provide a double-sided panel.

26. The cable management apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one first cable management device and the at least one second cable management device are at least one first cable loop and at least one second cable loop.

27. A sheet metal blank for fiber optic cable routing, comprising:

a body having a length extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the body further having a height extending from a first edge to an opposing second edge, the length of the body being longer than the height of the body;

a first end flange positioned adjacent the first end of the main body and a second end flange positioned adjacent the second end of the main body, the first and second end flanges adapted to be mounted to a telecommunications rack;

at least two through openings defined in the body for passage of fiber optic cables; and

at least a single set of vertically aligned square bores defined in the body between the at least two through openings.

28. The sheet metal blank of claim 27, wherein there are at least four sets of vertically aligned square holes, each of the at least four sets of vertically aligned square holes being correspondingly positioned between the through openings defined in the body.