Abstract:
A mechanism on which cables, wires, and leads may be secured.The mechanism includes a bar assembly, which has a hollow member in telescopic engagement with an insertable member. Preferably, the insertable member slides in and out of the hollow member, so that a dimension of the bar can be varied. The bar assembly of the present invention also includes telescopically engaged end members, one at each end of the mechanism. A length of the end members can be varied, such that the depth of the mechanism may be varied.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most modern equipment for implementing telecommunications systems contain an electronic apparatus housed in a casing. The casing is generally enclosed, with a front access door, sidewalls, and a backplane. Generally, the electronic apparatus located within the casing is electrically coupled to the backplane. In most instances, the backplane performs an interconnect function between the electronic apparatus within the casing and external cables, wires, and leads (hereinafter “cables”) located outside the casing. 
     In most instances, the mass of cables which may emanate from the backplane, are allowed to freely dangle from the backplane. In this configuration, the cables may become easily dislodged, which may cause a disruption in the service being provided by the equipment. The mass of cables may also become entangled with other equipment systems, which may pose a hazard to technicians and others who work in close proximity to the equipment system. Finally, because the cables freely dangle form the backplane, undue strain may be placed on the cables, which may cause them to become dislodged or else may cause them to break. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism secures the cables which may emanate from a piece of equipment, such as telecommunications equipment. The present invention reduces the possibility of cables becoming dislodged, entangled, and/or broken, which can cause service disruption or other undesired hazards. The mechanism of the present invention, includes a bar assembly, which has a hollow member in telescopic engagement with an insertable member. Preferably, the insertable member can slide in and out of the hollow member, such that the length of the bar can be varied from a first dimension to a second dimension. The bar assembly of the present invention, also includes telescopically engaged end members, one positioned at each end of the mechanism. Beneficially, the depth of the mechanism, measured from the back of the equipment, may be varied to accommodate differently sized equipment components. 
     The ability to vary the length and the depth of the mechanism is particularly advantageous since it allows the mechanism to be used universally with equipment having different widths, and having differently sized components. Advantageously, the cables may be tied, anchored, secured, or otherwise fastened to the mechanism, such that the cables cannot be inadvertently dislodged from the equipment system. Because the cables are secured to the mechanism, and therefore not allowed to freely dangle, the potential for straining, tangling, or breaking the cables is reduced, which substantially reduces the possibility of danger to technicians and others. 
    
    
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a perspective view of the mechanism of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified illustrations of a front view of an embodiment of the mechanism of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified illustrations of a side view of an embodiment of the mechanism of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 4A-4C are simplified illustrations of one embodiment of the mechanism of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a perspective view of the mechanism of the present invention. Mechanism  100  includes a bar assembly  102 . Bar assembly  102  includes a hollow member  104 , having a first end  106 , which is open, and a second end  108 . Bar assembly  102  also includes an insertable member  110 , which also has a first end  112  and a second end  114 . In a preferred embodiment, first end  112  of insertable member  110  is telescopically engaged with open first end  106  of hollow member  104 . In this configuration, at least a portion of insertable member  110  is slideable within hollow member  104 . The inner and outer diameters of hollow member  104  and insertable member  110  may be any suitable dimension. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of hollow member  104  may range from about 0.4 in. to about 0.7 in., preferably about 0.5 in. The inner diameter of hollow member  104  may range from about 0.2 in. to about 0.6, preferably about 0.384 in. The diameter of insertable member  110  may range from between about 0.19 in. to about 0.58 in., preferably about 0.375 in. Regardless of the diameters used for hollow member  104  and insertable member  110 , the tolerance between an inner diameter of hollow member  104  and an outer diameter of insertable member  110  should allow insertable member  110  to smoothly slide in hollow member  104 , and, at the same time, prevent insertable member  110  from wobbling within hollow member  104 . In one embodiment, the tolerance between an inner diameter of hollow member  104  and an outer diameter of insertable member  110  is about +/−0.014 in., preferably about +/−0.010 in. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, mechanism  100  also includes telescoping first and second telescoping end members  116  and  118 . In one embodiment, first telescoping end member  116  is positioned proximate to second end  108  of hollow member  104 . Similarly, second telescoping end member  118  is positioned approximate to second end  114  of insertable member  110 . First and second telescoping end members  116  and  118  may be welded or similarly fastened on to ends  108  and  114  of bar assembly  102 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified illustrations of an embodiment of first and second telescoping end members  116  and  118 , with the description of the telescoping end members being made with reference to second telescoping end member  118 . Second telescoping end member  118 , includes a hollow end  122  and an insertable end  124 . In one embodiment, insertable end  124  telescopically engages with hollow end  122 . In this configuration, at least a portion of insertable end  124  is slideable within hollow end  122 . The inner and outer diameters of hollow end  122  and insertable end  124  may be any suitable dimension. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of hollow end  122  may range from about 0.4 in. to about 0.7 in., preferably about 0.5 in. The inner diameter of hollow end  122  may range from about 0.2 in. to about 0.6, preferably about 0.384 in. The diameter of insertable end  124  may range from between about 0.19 in. to about 0.58 in., preferably about 0.375 in. Regardless of the diameters used for hollow end  122  and insertable end  124 , the tolerance between an inner diameter of hollow end  122  and a diameter of insertable end  124  should allow for smooth relative movement between the ends  122  and  124 , but should prevent wobble. In one embodiment, the tolerance between the inner diameter of hollow end  122  and the outer diameter of insertable end  124  may be about +/−0.14 in., preferably +/−0.010 in. 
     The strength of mechanism  100  should be great enough to support the weight of numerous cables. To ensure that mechanism  100  does not fail during use, the strength of the mechanism should be great enough to keep from breaking when, for example, a technician leans on the mechanism or otherwise uses it as a handle. Any suitable high strength material may be used for mechanism  100 , such as steel, aluminum, composites, high strength plastics and stainless steel. In one embodiment, the material is selected which provides enough strength, such that mechanism  100  is capable of supporting at least about 75 lbs. to about 250 lbs., preferably no less than about 200 lbs. 
     The length of mechanism  100  can be adjusted by sliding insertable member  110  within hollow member  104  between a first position and a second position. In an exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the first position the length of mechanism  100  may be L 1 . When in the second position the length of mechanism  100  may be adjusted to L 2 . Conversely, the length of mechanism  100 , may be adjusted from L 2  to L 1 . For example, the length of mechanism  100  may be adjusted from about 15 in. to about 30 in., preferably from about 19 in. to about 23 in. Mechanism  100  may be designed longer or shorter to accommodate any particular piece of equipment. In one embodiment, the length of hollow member  104  maybe between about 8 in. and 12 in., preferably about 8 in. The length of insertable member  110  may be between about 6 in. and about 10 in., preferably about 7 in. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the depth of mechanism  100  is adjusted by adjusting the lengths of telescoping end members  116  and  118  between a first position and a second position. In an exemplary embodiment, when in the first position, the length of telescoping end member  118  may be D 1 . When in the second position the length of telescoping end member  118  may be adjusted to D 2 . Conversely, the depth of mechanism  100 , may be adjusted from D 2  to D 1 . The depth of telescoping end member  116  is adjusted in the same manner as telescoping end member  118 . Mechanism  100  may be designed to adjust to any desired depth to accommodate a particular piece of equipment. In one embodiment, the depth of mechanism  100  may e adjusted from about 1 in. to about 10 in., preferably from about 3.5 in. to about 5 in., and more preferably from about 3.5 in. to about 4.5 in. 
     In one embodiment, the length of mechanism  100  may be fixed at either L 1  or L 2  using brackets  126  and  128  (FIG.  1 ), in conjunction with a conventional wall mount screw type fastener. Brackets  126  and  128  may be fastened to secure mechanism  100  to a support frame of a piece of equipment. When brackets  126  and  128  are secured in place, the movement of insertable member  110  is impeded, and, thus, the length of mechanism  100  is fixed. 
     The depth D 1 or D 2  of mechanism  100  may also be fixed using set screw assemblies  130  (FIGS.  3 A and  3 B). Insertable end  124  may be held within hollow end  122  when set screw assembly  130  is set (i.e. the screw is tightened). accordingly, the movement of insertable end  124  is impeded and thus, the depth of mechanism  100  is fixed. 
     FIGS. 4A-4C are simplified illustrations of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a telecommunications equipment system  140  is shown mounted on a support frame  142 . System  140  has cables  144  which emanate from the rear of the system. Cables  144  are typically bunched together and secured on mechanism  100 , by using tie wraps, tape, cinching collars, or lacing. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4A, mechanism  100  may be extended horizontally across the back of system  140  and attached by brackets  126  and  128  to frame  142 . The depth of mechanism  100  is set to accommodate system  140  as shown in FIG.  4 B. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 4C, mechanism  100  may be extended vertically along system  140 . In this alternative embodiment, brackets  126  and  128  may be rotated up to 90° to facilitate the attachment of mechanism  100  to frame  142  in the vertical position. 
     Having thus described the preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus the invention is limited only by the following claims.