# US 12,222,571 B2 · Cassette adapter and method of installation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,571 B2 - Document ID: US12222571B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/129,933 - Filed: 2023-04-03 - Published: 2023-07-27 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-22 - Assignees: Panduit Corp. - Applicants: Panduit Corp. - Inventors: Benjamin J. Berridge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222571B2 ## CPC - H04Q 1/13: {Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules} - G02B 6/4452: {Distribution frames} - G02B 6/44526: {Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack} - G02B 6/4453: {Cassettes} - H05K 7/1401: {comprising clamping or extracting means (H05K7/10 takes precedence)} - H05K 7/1489: {characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays (H05K7/1491 takes precedence)} - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A cassette adapter for the installation of a cassette in a patch panel of a data rack including a base configured to accept the cassette, a front frame connected to a distal end of the base, at least one latch connected to the base, and a mounting portion configured to mount the cassette adapter to the panel. The cassette adapter being configured to retain the cassette within the cassette adapter and connect the cassette to the patch panel in a removable fashion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cassette adapter for installing onto a patch panel, the cassette adapter comprising: a frame comprising: a first mounting post configured to attach to a first mounting feature at a front portion of the patch panel; and a second mounting post configured to attach to a second mounting feature at the front portion of the patch panel; and a base comprising: a pair of front cassette retainers including a pair of slots configured to secure respective front protrusions on a front side of a cassette during an install of the cassette into the cassette adapter; and a pair of rear cassette retainers configured to secure a rear side of the cassette during an install of the cassette into the cassette adapter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cassette adapter of claim 1, wherein the frame of the cassette adapter is directly attached to the patch panel about a rectangular opening of the patch panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cassette adapter of claim 1, further comprising: a first latch on a first side of the cassette adapter and near a first rear cassette retainer; and a second latch on a second side of the cassette adapter and near a second rear cassette retainer, wherein the first latch and the second latch are configured to restrict movement of the cassette when the cassette is installed into the cassette adapter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cassette adapter of claim 1, the base further comprising: at least one opening configured to allow access to a bottom of the cassette installed into the cassette adapter, to assist in removing the cassette from the cassette adapter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cassette adapter of claim 1, wherein each of the rear cassette retainers includes a rear receiving feature for receiving a respective rear protrusion on the cassette. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cassette adapter of claim 5, wherein the rear receiving feature is a receiving opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cassette adapter of claim 1, the base further comprising: a pair of second front cassette retainers configured to secure a front side of a second cassette during an install of the second cassette into the patch panel; and a pair of second rear cassette retainers configured to secure a rear side of the second cassette during an install of the second cassette into the patch panel, wherein the cassette and the second cassette are arranged in a stacked orientation when installed into the cassette adapter. ### Claim 8 A cassette adapter for installing onto a patch panel, the cassette adapter comprising: a frame comprising: a first mounting post configured to attach to a first mounting feature at a front portion of the patch panel; and a second mounting post configured to attach to a second mounting feature at the front portion of the patch panel; and a base comprising: a pair of first front cassette retainers including a first pair of slots configured to secure respective front protrusions on a front side of a first cassette during an install of the first cassette into the patch panel; a pair of first rear cassette retainers configured to secure a rear side of the first cassette during an install of the first cassette into the patch panel; a pair of second front cassette retainers including a second pair of slots configured to secure respective front protrusions on a front side of a second cassette during an install of the second cassette into the patch panel; and a pair of second rear cassette retainers configured to secure a rear side of the second cassette during an install of the second cassette into the patch panel, wherein the first cassette and the second cassette are arranged in a stacked orientation when installed into the cassette adapter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, wherein the frame of the cassette adapter is directly attached to the patch panel about a rectangular opening of the patch panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, further comprising: a first latch on the first side of the cassette adapter and near the rear cassette retainers; and a second latch on the second side of the cassette adapter and near the rear cassette retainers, wherein the first latch and the second latch are configured to restrict movement of the first cassette and the second cassette when they are installed into the cassette adapter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, the base further comprising: at least one opening configured to allow access to a bottom of one of the first cassette or second cassette installed into the cassette adapter, to assist in removing the first cassette or second cassette from the cassette adapter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, wherein each of the rear cassette retainers includes a rear receiving feature for receiving a respective rear protrusion on a cassette. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cassette adapter of claim 12, wherein the rear receiving feature is a receiving opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, wherein when four of the cassette adapters are installed onto the patch panel, at least eight cassettes are installable per RU space on the patch panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, wherein when four of the cassette adapters are installed onto the patch panel, the patch panel supports at least 96 connections in an RU space on the patch panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The cassette adapter of claim 8, wherein the cassette adapter enables the first cassette and the second cassette to be installed into a single opening of the patch panel.