The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 2026
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2024
Ciena Corporation, Hanover, MD (US);
Michael Y. Frankel, Hallandale Beach, FL (US);
Daniel Rivaud, Ottawa, CA;
Gerard Leo Swinkels, Ottawa, CA;
Vladimir Pelekhaty, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ciena Corporation, Hanover, MD (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for increasing space for external connectors on network components mounted on a rack or cabinet. According to one implementation, a Network Element (NE) assembly includes a blade module having a relatively flat form factor. The blade module, for instance, includes at least a front section, a rear section, a left-side section, and a right-side section. When the blade module is mounted in a rack, the front section thereof is arranged at or near a front portion of the rack and the rear section thereof is arranged at or near a back portion of the rack. Furthermore, the NE assembly further includes a first side-plane connector module configured to be coupled with the left-side section or right-side section of the blade module.