Patents by Inventor Chris M. Vacca

Chris M. Vacca has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9997899
    Abstract: Improved cable management spools for patch panel assemblies/patching systems are provided. The present disclosure provides improved systems/methods for the design and use of modular cable management spool assemblies configured to mount with respect to media patching systems (e.g., to patch panel assemblies configured to support multiple media connections). The modular cable management spools are configured to mount with respect to media patching systems and/or to related supporting structures (e.g., to cable management plates, to racks, etc.) for cable management purposes. Disclosed herein is a patching system utilizing modular cable management spools for cable management purposes, the patching system (e.g., high density patching system) configured to support copper-based and/or fiber optic connections in the same patching system/enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Grandidge, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Patent number: 9806510
    Abstract: Improved cable guide assemblies and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved cable guide assemblies configured to support media cables, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of cable bundle pass-through guide assemblies configured to support media cables associated with a rack or the like. The exemplary cable guide assembly includes attachment features/structures that are advantageously configured and dimensioned to releasably mount with respect to a supporting structure. In general, the cable guide assembly provides a smooth surface with bend relief for fiber or copper cables to pass through the sidewall or panel of an open rack system. The cable guide assembly can include first and second guiding members that are mounted to one another and to a first side of a sidewall/panel of an open rack to form a bisected ring-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic Trapassi, Chris M. Vacca
  • Publication number: 20170207615
    Abstract: Improved cable guide assemblies and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved cable guide assemblies configured to support media cables, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of cable bundle pass-through guide assemblies configured to support media cables associated with a rack or the like. The exemplary cable guide assembly includes attachment features/structures that are advantageously configured and dimensioned to releasably mount with respect to a supporting structure. In general, the cable guide assembly provides a smooth surface with bend relief for fiber or copper cables to pass through the sidewall or panel of an open rack system. The cable guide assembly can include first and second guiding members that are mounted to one another and to a first side of a sidewall/panel of an open rack to form a bisected ring-like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic Trapassi, Chris M. Vacca
  • Patent number: 9548597
    Abstract: A cable management assembly is provided that facilitates routing of cables from a rack, frame or cabinet. The cable management assembly may be mounted in a vertical or a horizontal orientation, and generally includes a flange, a pair of fingers extending outwardly relative to the flange and defining a routing region therebetween, at least one mounting element extending rearwardly relative to the flange; and a polygonal locking face mounted with respect to the at least one mounting element. The cable management assembly may be mounted with respect to a rack structure by introducing the polygonal locking face to a correspondingly shaped aperture and rotating the cable management assembly, e.g., by a quarter turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Chris M. Vacca, Michael J. Moldoch
  • Patent number: 9466959
    Abstract: An exemplary cable guide can be provided that can include a base having a base radius sized to prevent breakage of a cable running over the base. At least two arms can extend from the base in a direction approximately perpendicular to a direction of travel of the cable raceway, the at least two arms having an arm radius sized to prevent breakage of the cable running around the at least two arms. At least two legs can be attached to the base extending in a direction approximately opposite of the at least two arms, the at least two legs having a leg radius sized to prevent breakage of the cable running around the at least two legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Patent number: 9429252
    Abstract: Improved cable troughs and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved cable troughs configured to support media cables, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of cable troughs configured to support media cables associated with a rack or the like. Disclosed herein is an advantageous cable trough having front and rear walls extending from a bottom wall, with the front, rear and bottom walls defining a channel that is configured and dimensioned to support and/or at least partially house media cables or the like. The exemplary cable trough includes attachment features/structures that are advantageously configured and dimensioned to releasably mount with respect to a supporting structure. Moreover, the attachment features/structures of the cable trough allow the cable trough to be releasably mounted at various angled positions relative to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Patent number: 9363922
    Abstract: A filler panel/horizontal manager for a rack includes two latching regions that mirror each other. The latching regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel into a rack. The latching region further includes a pair of locator walls configured to enter square shaped holes along with the guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each latching region includes one or more latching members having surfaces for engaging a railing of a rack. At least one pair of latching members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses. One or more outwardly extending cable management elements may be associated with a front face of the filler panel/horizontal manager to facilitate wire/cable management functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, Robert R. Adams, Frank Ruotolo
  • Patent number: 9303440
    Abstract: Improved door assemblies and related methods of use are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of door assemblies configured to mount with respect to a mounting structure associated with a rack or the like. The present disclosure provides for mechanisms for mounting, opening, closing and releasing a door assembly relative to a mounting structure. The present disclosure provides for a rack-mounted door assembly having alternative pivoting axes. Exemplary door assemblies of the present disclosure are configured so as to be simultaneously hinged at the left and at the right, and to permit easy opening from either the right or left, as well as to allow for the complete removal of the door from its mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, James P. Quinn, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150362092
    Abstract: Improved cable management spools for patch panel assemblies/patching systems are provided. The present disclosure provides improved systems/methods for the design and use of modular cable management spool assemblies configured to mount with respect to media patching systems (e.g., to patch panel assemblies configured to support multiple media connections). The modular cable management spools are configured to mount with respect to media patching systems and/or to related supporting structures (e.g., to cable management plates, to racks, etc.) for cable management purposes. Disclosed herein is a patching system utilizing modular cable management spools for cable management purposes, the patching system (e.g., high density patching system) configured to support copper-based and/or fiber optic connections in the same patching system/enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Grandidge, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Publication number: 20150366100
    Abstract: Improved cable troughs and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved cable troughs configured to support media cables, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of cable troughs configured to support media cables associated with a rack or the like. Disclosed herein is an advantageous cable trough having front and rear walls extending from a bottom wall, with the front, rear and bottom walls defining a channel that is configured and dimensioned to support and/or at least partially house media cables or the like. The exemplary cable trough includes attachment features/structures that are advantageously configured and dimensioned to releasably mount with respect to a supporting structure. Moreover, the attachment features/structures of the cable trough allow the cable trough to be releasably mounted at various angled positions relative to the supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: ORTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Publication number: 20150362094
    Abstract: A cable management assembly is provided that facilitates routing of cables from a rack, frame or cabinet. The cable management assembly may be mounted in a vertical or a horizontal orientation, and generally includes a flange, a pair of fingers extending outwardly relative to the flange and defining a routing region therebetween, at least one mounting element extending rearwardly relative to the flange; and a polygonal locking face mounted with respect to the at least one mounting element. The cable management assembly may be mounted with respect to a rack structure by introducing the polygonal locking face to a correspondingly shaped aperture and rotating the cable management assembly, e.g., by a quarter turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris M. Vacca, Michael J. Moldoch
  • Publication number: 20150361704
    Abstract: Improved door assemblies and related methods of use are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of door assemblies configured to mount with respect to a mounting structure associated with a rack or the like. The present disclosure provides for mechanisms for mounting, opening, closing and releasing a door assembly relative to a mounting structure. The present disclosure provides for a rack-mounted door assembly having alternative pivoting axes. Exemplary door assemblies of the present disclosure are configured so as to be simultaneously hinged at the left and at the right, and to permit easy opening from either the right or left, as well as to allow for the complete removal of the door from its mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: ORTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, James P. Quinn, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150214703
    Abstract: An exemplary cable guide can be provided that can include a base having a base radius sized to prevent breakage of a cable running over the base. At least two arms can extend from the base in a direction approximately perpendicular to a direction of travel of the cable raceway, the at least two arms having an arm radius sized to prevent breakage of the cable running around the at least two arms. At least two legs can be attached to the base extending in a direction approximately opposite of the at least two arms, the at least two legs having a leg radius sized to prevent breakage of the cable running around the at least two legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: ORTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca
  • Publication number: 20150163955
    Abstract: A filler panel/horizontal manager for a rack includes two latching regions that mirror each other. The latching regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel into a rack. The latching region further includes a pair of locator walls configured to enter square shaped holes along with the guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each latching region includes one or more latching members having surfaces for engaging a railing of a rack. At least one pair of latching members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses. One or more outwardly extending cable management elements may be associated with a front face of the filler panel/horizontal manager to facilitate wire/cable management functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ortronics, Inc,
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, Robert R. Adams
  • Patent number: 8955693
    Abstract: A filler panel for a rack includes two latching regions that mirror each other. The latching regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel into a rack. The latching region further includes a pair of locator walls configured to enter square shaped holes along with the guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each latching region includes one or more latching members having surfaces for engaging a railing of a rack. At least one pair of latching members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, Robert R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20120091090
    Abstract: A filler panel for a rack includes two latching regions that mirror each other. The latching regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel into a rack. The latching region further includes a pair of locator walls configured to enter square shaped holes along with the guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each latching region includes one or more latching members having surfaces for engaging a railing of a rack. At least one pair of latching members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ORTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lars R. Larsen, Chris M. Vacca, Robert R. Adams