Supports: racks – Special article – Electrically powered
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2001-10-23
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Electrically powered
C211S175000, C312S223200, C361S826000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305556
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to techniques for managing computer cables in a rack mount environment.
BACKGROUND
In commercial settings, multiple computer enclosures are sometimes mounted in a vertical rack structure. This technique is referred to as “rack mounting,” and is most frequently used with server-type computers that are accessed remotely via a network. Most rack structures include numerous horizontal slots or drawers in which computer enclosures are received, thereby creating a stacked arrangement of the computer enclosures.
Each computer in a rack has numerous cables associated with it (for example, a power cable and a network connection cable). In addition, numerous computers are housed in each rack. Consequently, managing the aggregation of cables in the rack can become a challenge.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved technique for managing computer cables inside a rack structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention includes a hinging cable management arm that may be disposed inside a rack behind a slidingly mounted computer enclosure. When the computer enclosure slides into the rack, the cable management arm folds into a retracted position. When the computer enclosure slides out of the rack, the cable management arm unfolds into an extended position. Cables from the computer are secured to the hinging arm so that they follow the folding and unfolding motion of the arm.
In another aspect, a cable management arm according to the invention may include two elongate members, each having first and seconds. The first ends of the elongate members are hingingly coupled to one another. The second end of one of the members is hingingly coupled to the rack. The second end of the other member is hingingly coupled to a sliding mount for the computer enclosure.
In another aspect, wrap-around cable ties may be used to secure the computer cables to the arm. The wrap-around cable ties may be made of straps having hooks on one side and loops on the other side so that the ties will be reusable and easily fastened and unfastened. The straps may also be made captive to the elongate members by anchoring them at a first slot formed in the elongate member, threading them through a second slot formed in the elongate member, and then wrapping them over the computer cables and around the profile of the elongate member until the hook-and-loop material secures to itself.
In a further aspect, the elongate members may be generally u-shaped in profile to better retain the computer cables.
In a still further aspect, the hinges used to fasten the elongate members to one another, to the rack, and to the sliding mount for the computer enclosure may be implemented using swaged pins for robustness and low cost.
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Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Hart Kevin M
Hewlett--Packard Company
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