Cable management apparatus for a computer workstation housing

A cable management apparatus for a computer workstation housing is disclosed. The cable management apparatus includes an outer surface having at least one hinge element and an associated snap element. The cable management apparatus also includes at least one rigid member having first and second ends, the first end being attachable to the snap element and the second end being attachable to the hinge element. The rigid member cooperates with the outer surface to form a space therebetween for securement of cables exiting the computer workstation housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to computer housings and more particularly to 
deskside computer housings which use plug-in circuit boards. 
2. Related Applications 
This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
07/462,099, filed Jan. 8, 1990, and entitled "DESKSIDE COMPUTER 
WORKSTATION HOUSING." 
3. Description of the Related Art 
Computer housings for desktop computers have been known in the art to 
contain both horizontally and vertically oriented slots for insertion of 
plug-in circuit boards. 
However, heretofore, deskside, stand-alone computers have used housings 
which only receive horizontally installed boards. Typically, plug-in 
boards are installed or inserted into the back of the housing in a 
horizontal direction. This orientation makes access to boards difficult 
because the deskside computer housing is typically positioned against a 
wall under a desk. Furthermore, vulnerable parts of the cabling (strain 
relief and connection points to the plug-in boards) face rearward. These 
vulnerable parts are often damaged when the housing is pushed against a 
wall or furniture--a common cause of equipment failure. Additionally, to 
engage the plug-in board with the mother board, the plug-in board must be 
pushed in sideways, thus likely causing the unit to roll away. 
Typical deskside computer systems presently used have aircooling mechanisms 
in which air is passed through the housing from top to bottom, bottom to 
top, front to sides or any other combination thereof. However, the use of 
horizontally installed boards precludes the ability to pass cooling air 
from the top of the housing to the bottom, which is more efficient, 
because the air can travel in a straighter path than the above-mentioned 
cases. Additionally, the use of vents on the top or bottom of the housing 
allow dust or other foreign matter to more easily enter the machine. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a cable management apparatus for a computer 
workstation housing. The cable management apparatus includes an outer 
surface having at least one hinge element and an associated catch element. 
The cable management apparatus also includes at least one rigid member 
having first and second ends, the first end being attachable to the hinge 
element and the second end being snapped to the catch element. The rigid 
member cooperates with the outer surface to form a space therebetween for 
securement of cables exiting the computer workstation housing. 
Preferably, cable management apparatus comprises a plurality of rigid 
members which are vertically spaced along a V-shaped trough formed on an 
outer rear surface of the housing. The trough is adapted to receive the 
cables. The user can easily route and secure the cables exiting the 
machine by laying them in the trough and closing the rigid elements. 
Removal of the cables is accomplished by simply unsnapping and pivoting to 
an open position the rigid members and lifting the cables out of the 
trough. The rigid members preferably extend beyond the rear surface of the 
computer workstation housing thus ensuring that the computer workstation 
housing has adequate space behind it, which protects the cables from being 
crushed and allows air to freely exit the rear surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, 
the computer workstation housing of the present invention is shown 
designated generally as 10. The computer workstation housing 10 is shown 
in proximity to a computer controlled display device 12 and associated 
keyboard 14. The computer workstation housing 10 is shown to the side of 
the desk 16; however, such computer workstation housings are often 
positioned against the wall underneath the desk. As shown in this figure, 
when fully assembled, the computer workstation housing includes numerous 
covers so that when fully assembled the covers make up a computer 
workstation housing 10 which is substantially rectangular. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, the computer workstation housing 10 is illustrated 
with covers removed to expose a frame assembly 17 having a stepped top 
surface having vertically oriented slots formed therein adapted for 
insertion of plug-in circuit boards, an example of such a circuit board 
designated 22. The frame assembly 17 is supported by a base 19. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a top view of the computer workstation 
housing 10 is illustrated. Three 9-U circuit cards 18 ("U" is a VME bus 
standard representative of the size of the card) are positioned along a 
centrally disposed step 20. Two 6-U cards 22 are disposed on lower step 
24, and two memory expansion cards 26 are disposed on step 28. 
Referring again to FIG. 2, the computer workstation housing 10 includes a 
front plastic bezel 30 with a plurality of horizontally disposed slots 32 
for the introduction of cooling air. Computer workstation housing 10 also 
includes a rear plenum 34 which has various slots for allowing the exiting 
of cooling air, as will be described below. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the left side of the computer workstation housing 
10 is illustrated. Disposed beneath the side access cover 36 is an 
optional tape or hard drive 38, optional hard drive 40, and a power supply 
42. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, a right side view of the computer workstation 
housing 10 is illustrated. The side access cover 44 provides access for 
the memory expansion cards 26 and the 6-U cards 22. The circuit boards 
plug into the mother board 46 shown in phantom. Cables 48 extend from the 
top of the circuit boards and are directed toward the rear of the housing. 
At this point the cables 48 spill down the rear of the housing, as will be 
described in detail below. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, the plastic rear plenum 34 is illustrated in 
position between cover 49 and base 19. The plenum 34 provides the novel 
cable management abilities of the present invention. The plenum 34 
includes vertical slots or exit vents 50, 52. The exit vents 50, 52 
cooperate with entrance vents 32 to allow effective front to rear cooling. 
The rear plenum also includes side perforation 31 (FIG. 2) to assit in the 
exit of cooling air. Disposed between vents 50, 52 are angularly disposed 
sides 54 which form a V-shaped trough 55. The V-shaped trough 55 is 
centered in the rear surface. 
The cable management apparatus includes vertically spaced rigid members 56 
which retain the cables as the cables descend down the outer rear surface 
of the computer workstation housing 10. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, the upper front portion of the computer 
workstation housing 10 is illustrated, the front door 13 being shown in an 
open position. The front portion includes drives 58, power switch 60 and 
air intake vents 62. 
Referring now to FIG. 8, the retaining mechanism for the cable management 
apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. A hinge element 64 is 
fixed to one side 54 of the trough and an associated catch element 66 is 
located at the same elevation as the hinge element 64 but on the other 
side of the trough. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the rigid member 56 includes a 
restraining tab 67 on one end which cooperates with hinge element 64 on 
the trough 54. As shown in FIg. 8, the rigid member 56 may be inserted 
onto the hinge element 64 from the top as indicated by arrow 68, a hinging 
action resulting. The rigid member 56 may only be inserted when the rigid 
member is in the "open" orientation. That is, when the rigid member is 
attached and a hinging action results, the hinge is in the open position. 
Once the rigid member 56 is attached and closed, it can not be pulled 
upward off the hinge. 
As illustrated in FIG. 10, it may be seen that the other end of the rigid 
member 56 includes an interior snap 70. The interior snap cooperates with 
snap element 66 to allow the rigid member 56 to snap into position. To 
release the snap element end of the rigid member 56, a compressive force 
may be applied to the serrated surface 71 of the rigid member to disengage 
the snap 70 from the catch 66. Thus, the rigid member 56 may be opened to 
allow insertion or removal of cables. 
Referring again to FIG. 8, it may be seen that the end of the rigid member 
56 which contains the restraining tab 67 has a slit 72. The slit provides 
sufficient flexibility to the portion of the rigid member 56 that contains 
the restraining tab 67 to allow the rigid member 56 to be pulled off the 
hinge element without damaging the apparatus. In addition, if the rigid 
member is forced to an overextended open position (which may occur from an 
inadvertent force due to someone pushing against the rigid member when the 
rigid member is in an open position), the rigid member will not break due 
to the force, but will pop-off cleanly without breakage. 
By combining the hinge with a positive snap, there is little chance of the 
rigid member 56 accidently falling off. It cannot be removed when the 
rigid member is snapped shut. The rigid member is removed by placing the 
rigid mamber in the open position and pulling up. 
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present ivnention are 
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood 
that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be 
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.