Cable management apparatus

A cable management apparatus configured to be secured to a desk or similar structure wherein the cable management apparatus is operable to provide support and routing for a plurality of electronic cables. The cable management apparatus further includes a support plate. The support plate includes an outer surface having a plurality of hooks extending outward and upward therefrom. A support member is provide that is planar in manner and being manufactured from a flexible material. The support member is square in shape and includes an upper edge and a lower edge. A first group of apertures are present along the upper edge and a second group of apertures are proximate the lower edge of the support member. The support member is configured to have a plurality of openings arranged in a consistent pattern to allow a user to independently route one cable in an alternate direction.

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States Provisional Patent Application entitled: Cable Management Apparatus, Application No. 62/041,110 filed Aug. 24, 2014, in the name of Carolina Heuel, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic device cable management, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a cable management apparatus that is operably coupled to a structure such as but not limited to a desk that facilitates the management and routing of a plurality of cables associated with electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have proliferated into almost every facet of our lives. We utilize computers at work and at home both. Most homes have at least two computers and additionally have other types of electronic equipment such as but not limited to televisions and stereo equipment. The aforementioned electronic equipment typically requires a plurality of wires for each device. By way of example but not limitation, a typical computer will have a power cord, a network cable and can further have additional output and/or input cables. Stereo equipment typically also has a plurality of cables such as but not limited to power cables and speaker cables.

One problem with existing electronic equipment is the over abundance of cables required for each one. Whether it is at a desk or within an entertainment center, the routing and management of these cables has proven to be challenging. Conventional methods include utilization of items such as but not limited to cable ties. User's will typically utilize a cable tie to bundle all of the adjacent cables in order to try to maintain some sort of order. One problem with the utilization of cables ties is that they do not provide support of the cables not do they allow a single cable from the group of cables that have been bundled to be routed in an alternate direction.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cable management apparatus that is operable to secure to a conventional furniture structure such as but not limited to a desk wherein the cable management apparatus includes a flexible support member that is operable to facilitate the support and routing of a group of cables and further allow at least one cable of the group of cables to be routed in an alternate direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a cable management apparatus that is operable to couple to a desk or similar structure that includes support plate wherein the support plate is configured to secure to a conventional desk or similar structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus that is operable to provide support and routing of a plurality of cables wherein the support plate further includes a plurality of hooks extending outward from the support plate.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus that is operably secured to a desk or similar structure that includes a support member wherein the support member is planar in manner and flexible and wherein the support member is manufactured having a open net style pattern.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus operable to provide support and routing of a plurality of cables associated with an electronic device wherein the support member is square in shape and includes a plurality of apertures along a first edge and a second edge of the support member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus operable to support and route a plurality of electronic cables wherein the support member is manufactured from a flexible durable material such as but not limited to rubber or plastic.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus configured to secure to a desk or similar structure wherein the support member includes a first position and a second position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable management apparatus that is secured to a desk or similar structure that is configured to provide support and routing of a plurality of cables wherein the configuration of the support member allows a cable from the group of cables engaged therewith to be routed in an alternate direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in particular toFIG. 1, the cable management apparatus100includes a support plate10. The support plate10is rectangular in shape having a first end11and a second end12. The support plate10is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic or metal. The support plate10is secured to the exemplary desk99utilizing suitable durable chemical and/or mechanical techniques. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the support plate10can either be permanently secured to an exemplary desk99or similar structure or be releasably secured thereto. The support plate10includes outer surface15that is oriented so as to be directed away from the exemplary desk. Secured to the outer surface15of the support plate10are a plurality of hooks20. The hooks20are secured utilizing suitable durable techniques. The hooks20extend perpendicularly outward from the support plate10and further have a portion that extends in a generally upward direction. The hooks20are operable to engage with the apertures40of the support member30as further discussed herein. While five hooks20are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the support plate20could have numerous different quantities of hooks20secured thereto.

The support member30is illustrated in its first position inFIG. 1herein. The support member30is manufactured from a durable flexible material such as but not limited plastic or rubber. The support member30is square in shape and includes an upper edge32and a lower edge34. The support member30is suspendedly mounted on the hooks20in its first position with the first group of apertures50be engaged with hooks20as shown inFIG. 1herein. The support member30includes a body37that is manufactured to have a plurality of openings39. The openings39create a body37that resembles a net style pattern wherein the openings39are arranged in a relatively consistent pattern in both directions on the body37. The body37is structured so as to include the plurality of openings39so as to allow a user to route an exemplary cable98therethrough upon a need to direct the cable to an alternate device in a different location. While no particular size of the openings39are required, good results have been achieved utilizing openings39that are approximately two inches in width. Furthermore, while the openings39are illustrated herein as being square in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the openings39could be formed in various different shapes and be present in different quantities and patterns.

A second group of apertures60are present along lower edge34. The second group of apertures are in general axial alignment with the first group of apertures50so as to facilitate the maintenance of a square alignment of the support member30subsequent being placed in its second position. In its second position, the support member30has been folded upward so as to provide a cradle for the exemplary cables98. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the support member30could be manufactured in numerous different sizes so as to accommodate different quantities of cables. While the cable management apparatus100has been illustrated herein being secured to an exemplary desk, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the cable management apparatus100could be secured to various types of furniture.