Abstract: A unitary-construction shielding system obstructs an energy source opening within a connector housing when no connector is present within the housing. The shield is at least as wide as the energy source opening and is configured to rest in a position, when no connector is present in the housing, that obstructs the laser source opening. When a connector is inserted into the connector housing, the connector supplies an obstruction force to the shielding device, causing the shielding device to remain in a deflected position. When the connector is removed from the connector housing, and the obstruction force is therefore removed from the shielding device, and the bias portion of the shielding device causes the device to return to a rest position that again obstructs the energy source opening. A method for providing a shielding system provides that the installation and removal of the shielding device may be accomplished without removing the connector from the connector housing.

Abstract: A connector retainer panel provides a number of openings for connector adapters, where the number of openings is an integer power of 2. Each of the adapters is any type of optical adapter that mates two connectors. The connector adapters are placed within the panel in a vertical orientation, in a side-by-side relation to one another. Mounting holes may be provided in order to attach the connector adapters to the panel. Additional mounting holes may be provided to mount the retainer panel to a chassis. Within a chassis, multiple retainer panels are provided in a top-to-bottom orientation.

Abstract: A railing system for printed circuit boards, an apparatus and method advantageously allow modular arrangements of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in a shelf and maximize space in a shelf by providing rails on the PCBs that are slidably connectable with card guides in the shelf. The railing system includes a PCB having two sides, at least one of the sides with electronic components disposed thereon, and at least one rail secured to the PCB, the rail being perpendicular to the sides of the PCB, wherein the rail permits insertion of the PCB into a shelf outfitted with one or more guides for securing the rail and the PCB within the shelf by suspension from the rail and independent of further support. The rail in combination with the one or more card guides provide a crude alignment for mating the electrical components on the PCB with connectors disposed in the shelf.

Abstract: An apparatus provides storage for cable slack and also provides for segregation of interface cables on the front of a chassis and for segregation of intrasystem cables on the back of the chassis. A and B copies of intrasystem cables are segregated on opposite sides of the chassis. Cable slack spools are provided at the top and bottom, on each side of the front and rear surfaces. This configuration allows for convenient cable slack storage for both top-entry and bottom-entry cables.

Abstract: A cable storing apparatus including a device for storing communications cable such as fiber optic cable. The device includes a plurality of cable guide structures located on a panel. The cable guide structures define a plurality of cable storage pathways positioned in an outward progression from a hub. The cable can be individually stored in each cable storage pathway. In one example the cable guide structures include discontinuous wall structures with radial cable entry gaps for allowing cable to enter the cable storage pathways. The cable guide structures may also include posts located in the radial cable entry gaps for defining portions of the cable storage pathways and portions of the cable entry pathways leading towards the cable storage pathways. In one example, the cable storage pathways encircle the hub. The cable storage device can be implemented with an add-on structure utilized for shipment and installation of a fiber optic carrier.

Abstract: A multi-part shielding system obstructs an energy source opening within a connector housing when no connector is present within the housing. The shield is at least as wide as the energy source opening and is configured to rest in a position, when no connector is present in the housing, that obstructs the laser source opening. When a connector is inserted into the connector housing, the connector supplies an obstruction force to the shielding device, causing the shielding device to remain in a deflected position. When the connector is removed from the connector housing, and the obstruction force is therefore removed from the shielding device, and the bias portion of the shielding device causes the device to return to a rest position that again obstructs the energy source opening. The bias portion receives support from a bias support member.