Cable management arm supporting device and mounting assembly thereof

A cable management arm supporting device is provided to be mounted between first and second slide rail assemblies. The first slide rail assembly includes first and second rails and a third rail movably connected therebetween. The cable management arm supporting device includes: two movably connected arms; first and second mounting members respectively connected with end portions of the arms and respectively mounted to the first and second rails; a supporting base including two supporting portions; two telescopically connected supporting members respectively connected with one supporting portion of the supporting base and the third rail; and a third mounting member movably connected with the other supporting portion of the supporting base and releasably connected with the second slide rail assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable management arm (CMA) and, more particularly, to a cable management arm supporting device whose supporting members can be rapidly assembled to applicable slide rail assemblies and be easily and rapidly detached from the slide rail assemblies when desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 7,746,667 B1 discloses a telescoping support crossbar for a cable management arm. According to the specification and drawings of this patent, a cable management arm (CMA) (24) includes two pivotally connected support sections (26,28) which are respectively connected to a chassis member (22) and to a cabinet member (18) of a drawer slide. A telescoping support crossbar (42), on the other hand, includes a first member (46) and a second member (48) slidably extensible from the first member (46).FIGS. 3˜5of the patent also show that the telescoping support crossbar (42) has two ends (50,52) which are respectively mounted to an end of an intermediate member (20) of a drawer slide and to the cabinet member (18) of another drawer slide via a pivot fastener (60).

While the patent cited above discloses the technical feature of mounting the telescoping support crossbar (42) to drawer slides, it is highly desirable to develop a different cable management arm supporting device which realizes the concept of product simplification and takes into account the ease of mounting so as to meet the changeable needs of related industries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable management arm supporting device whose supporting members can be rapidly assembled to and easily and rapidly detached from applicable slide rail assemblies.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cable management arm supporting device is provided to be mounted to a first slide rail assembly and a second slide rail assembly. The first slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail movably connected between the first rail and the second rail. The cable management aim supporting device includes a first arm, a first mounting member, a second arm, a second mounting member, a plurality of cable supporting features, a supporting base, a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a third mounting member. The first arm has a first end and a second end. The first mounting member is connected to the first arm at a position adjacent to the first end of the first arm. In addition, the first mounting member is mounted to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly. The second arm is movably connected to the first arm at a position adjacent to the second end of the first arm. The second mounting member is connected with the second arm and is mounted to the second rail of the first slide rail assembly. The cable supporting features are connected with at least one of the first arm and the second arm. The supporting base has a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion generally perpendicularly connected with the first supporting portion. The first supporting member is movably connected with the first supporting portion of the supporting base. The second supporting member is telescopically connected with the first supporting member and is mounted to the third rail of the first slide rail assembly. The third mounting member is pivotally connected with the second supporting portion of the supporting base and is releasably connected with the second slide rail assembly.

Preferably, the first slide rail assembly further includes a first connector connected with the first rail, and the first mounting member is releasably mounted to the first connector.

Preferably, the first slide rail assembly further includes a second connector connected with the second rail, and the second mounting member is releasably mounted to the second connector.

Preferably, the second slide rail assembly further includes a connector, and the third mounting member further includes a mounting wall and an operation arm connected with the mounting wall. The mounting wall includes at least one fixing portion and a first opening. The operation arm includes a connecting portion connected with the at least one fixing portion and further includes a first elastic portion. The first elastic portion is connected with one side of the connecting portion, corresponds to the first opening, and includes at least one engaging portion for blocking the connector.

Preferably, the mounting wall of the third mounting member further includes a second opening, the operation arm further includes a second elastic portion connected with another side of the connecting portion and corresponding to the second opening and also includes an engaging section connected with the second elastic portion, and the second supporting portion of the supporting base further includes a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion. The engaging section can be selectively engaged with either of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion.

Preferably, the cable management arm supporting device further includes an elastic element connected between the third mounting member and the second supporting portion of the supporting base, and the second supporting portion of the supporting base further includes a first stop portion and a second stop portion. When pivoted to a first direction, the third mounting member is pressed against the first stop portion due to the elastic element; when pivoted to a second direction opposite the first direction, the third mounting member is pressed against the second stop portion due to the elastic element.

Preferably, the first slide rail assembly further includes an auxiliary element connected with the third rail of the first slide rail assembly and a positioning element connected with the second supporting member. The auxiliary element includes a mounting opening and an elastic arm. The elastic arm has a blocking edge for forming a blockage at the mounting opening. The positioning element is mounted in the mounting opening and can be blocked by the blocking edge of the elastic arm.

Preferably, the cable management arm supporting device further includes a hinge member, and the first arm and the second arm are pivotally connected by the hinge member.

Preferably, the first mounting member is pivotally connected with the first end of the first arm.

Preferably, the second mounting member is pivotally connected with the second arm.

Preferably, the first supporting member is pivotally connected with the first supporting portion of the supporting base.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly applicable to a supporting member includes a supporting base and a mounting member. The supporting base has a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion generally perpendicularly connected with the first supporting portion. The supporting member is movably connected with the first supporting portion. The mounting member is pivotally connected with the second supporting portion of the supporting base.

Preferably, the mounting member further includes a mounting wall and an operation arm connected with the mounting wall. The mounting wall includes at least one fixing portion and a first opening. The operation arm includes a connecting portion connected with the at least one fixing portion and further includes a first elastic portion. The first elastic portion is connected with one side of the connecting portion, corresponds to the first opening, and includes at least one engaging portion for blocking an object.

Preferably, the mounting wall of the mounting member further includes a second opening, the operation arm further includes a second elastic portion connected with another side of the connecting portion and corresponding to the second opening and also includes an engaging section connected with the second elastic portion, and the second supporting portion of the supporting base further includes a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion. The engaging section can be selectively engaged with either of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion.

Preferably, the mounting assembly further includes an elastic element connected between the mounting member and the second supporting portion of the supporting base, and the second supporting portion of the supporting base further includes a first stop portion and a second stop portion. The mounting member is pressed against the first stop portion due to the elastic element when pivoted to a first direction and is pressed against the second stop portion due to the elastic element when pivoted to a second direction opposite the first direction.

One advantageous feature of implementing the present invention is that the supporting members can be rapidly assembled to applicable slide rail assemblies and be easily and rapidly detached from the slide rail assemblies when desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the cable management arm supporting device20in an embodiment of the present invention is mounted to a first slide rail assembly22and a second slide rail assembly24. Each of the slide rail assemblies22and24is mounted to a corresponding pair of posts26.

Each of the slide rail assemblies22and24includes a first rail28, a second rail30, and a third rail32movably connected between the first rail28and the second rail30so as to increase the distance by which the second rail30can be longitudinally displaced relative to the first rail28. The chassis34of a server can have its two opposite lateral sides mounted to the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly24respectively in order for the two slide rail assemblies22and24to support the chassis34. (The second rail and the third rail of the second slide rail assembly24are not shown in the drawings due to limitations of the viewing angle.)

The cable management arm supporting device20includes a first arm36, a first mounting member38, a second arm40, a second mounting member42, a plurality of cable supporting features44, a supporting base46, a first supporting member48, a second supporting member50, and a third mounting member52.

The first arm36has a first end54aand a second end54b. The first mounting member38is connected to the first arm36at a position adjacent to the first end54a. For example, the first mounting member38is pivotally connected to the first arm36at a position adjacent to the first end54a. In use, the first mounting member38is mounted to the first rail28of the first slide rail assembly22. Preferably, the first slide rail assembly22includes a first connector56connected with the first rail28of the first slide rail assembly22(e.g., the first connector56being connected to the first rail28at a position adjacent to an end portion thereof), and the first mounting member38is mounted to the first connector56. For example, the first mounting member38is releasably mounted to the first connector56.

The second arm40is movably connected to the first arm36at a position adjacent to the second end54b. In a preferred embodiment, the second arm40is pivotally connected with the first arm36via a hinge member58(or a hinge structure) in order to be extended (seeFIG. 11) or retracted relative to the first arm36.

The second mounting member42is connected with the second arm40. For example, the second mounting member42is pivotally connected to the second arm40at a position adjacent to an end portion thereof. In use, the second mounting member42is mounted to the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22. Preferably, the first slide rail assembly22includes a second connector60connected with the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22(e.g., the second connector60being connected to the second rail30at a position adjacent to an end portion thereof), and the second mounting member42is mounted to the second connector60. For example, the second mounting member42is releasably mounted to the second connector60.

The cable supporting features44are connected with one of the first arm36and the second arm40. In a preferred embodiment, the cable supporting features44are connected with both the first arm36and the second arm40. The cable supporting features44serve to hold the cables (not shown) of a server.

The supporting base46has a first supporting portion62and a second supporting portion64generally perpendicularly connected with the first supporting portion62.

The first supporting member48is movably connected with the first supporting portion62of the supporting base46. The second supporting member50is telescopically connected with the first supporting member48. The first supporting member48and the second supporting member50are below one of the first arm36and the second arm40in order to serve supporting purposes, preventing the first arm36and the second arm40from falling because of the weight of the cables they carry.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 3A, the second supporting member50is mounted to the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22. In a preferred embodiment, the first slide rail assembly22further includes an auxiliary element66connected with the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22(e.g., at a position adjacent to an end portion of the third rail32) and also includes a positioning element68connected with the second supporting member50.

More specifically, referring toFIG. 3AandFIGS. 4A˜4C, the auxiliary element66includes a mounting opening70and an elastic arm72. The elastic arm72has one end fixed at an appropriate position and has a blocking edge74for forming a blockage at the mounting opening70. The positioning element68can be mounted in the mounting opening70and be blocked by the blocking edge74of the elastic arm72.

For example, once the positioning element68connected with the second supporting member50enters the mounting opening70of the auxiliary element66, the blocking edge74of the elastic arm72can block the positioning element68such that the positioning element68is mounted in the mounting opening70of the auxiliary element66(seeFIG. 4A). Preferably, either of the positioning element68and the elastic arm72has a guiding feature (e.g., an inclined surface), such that the elastic arm72of the auxiliary element66can be directly pushed up by the positioning element68upon connection between the second supporting member50and the auxiliary element66and then return to its original position to keep the positioning element68in place. In that case, manual operation of the elastic arm72will be unnecessary. On the other hand, when it is desired to release the positioning element68from the mounted state, the free end of the elastic arm72of the auxiliary element66can be lifted up to rid the mounting opening70of the blockage of the blocking edge74of the elastic arm72(seeFIG. 4B). The positioning element68can now be removed from the mounting opening70of the auxiliary element66(seeFIG. 4C), allowing the second supporting member50to be rapidly detached from the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22. According to the above, the second supporting member50is configured to be mounted to the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22in a releasable manner.

Referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the first supporting member48is pivotally connected with the first supporting portion62of the supporting base46via a pivotal connector49so as to pivot with respect to the first supporting portion62of the supporting base46. The third mounting member52is pivotally connected with the second supporting portion64of the supporting base46via a pivotal connector53so as to pivot with respect to the second supporting portion64of the supporting base46. In addition, the third mounting member52is connected with the second slide rail assembly24in a releasable manner, as detailed further below.

It is worth mentioning that the supporting base46and the third mounting member52can be viewed as a mounting assembly applicable to a supporting member (e.g., the first supporting member48). The mounting assembly enables the supporting member to pivot to different directions via the third mounting member52so that the supporting member can be mounted to different objects. For instance, the supporting member can be mounted to the second slide rail assembly24via the third mounting member52, or the supporting member can be mounted to the first slide rail assembly22via the third mounting member52(seeFIG. 12).

In a preferred embodiment, the second slide rail assembly24further includes a connector76connected with the first rail28of the second slide rail assembly24, and the third mounting member52further includes a mounting wall78and an operation arm80corresponding to and connected with the mounting wall78. The mounting wall78includes at least one fixing portion82and a first opening84. The operation arm80includes a connecting portion86corresponding to and fixedly connected with the at least one fixing portion82. The operation arm80also includes a first elastic portion88connected with one side of the connecting portion86and corresponding to the first opening84.

The first elastic portion88includes at least one engaging portion90for blocking an object. For example, when the third mounting member52is connected with the connector76of the second slide rail assembly24, the at least one engaging portion90corresponds to and blocks a portion of the connector76to keep the third mounting member52and the connector76in a mounted state. An operator can operate (e.g., press) the first elastic portion88through the first opening84to displace the at least one engaging portion90with respect to the portion of the connector76, thus releasing the third mounting member52and the connector76from the mounted state, allowing the third mounting member52to be detached from the connector76.

Preferably, the mounting wall78of the third mounting member52further includes a second opening92and a through hole93, and the operation arm80further includes a second elastic portion94connected with another side of the connecting portion86(for example, but without limitation, the second elastic portion94and the first elastic portion88are located on two opposite sides of the connecting portion86respectively and use the connecting portion86as a common fulcrum) and corresponding to the second opening92. In addition, an engaging section96is connected with the second elastic portion94. The engaging section96corresponds to and can pass through the through hole93of the mounting wall78. On the other hand, the second supporting portion64of the supporting base46further includes a first positioning portion97aand a second positioning portion97b. The engaging section96can engage with the first positioning portion97aor the second positioning portion97bafter passing through the through hole93of the mounting wall78.

More specifically, referring toFIG. 7, the third mounting member52, which is pivotally connected with the second supporting portion64of the supporting base46, can be pivoted to a first direction D1or a second direction D2. Preferably, the first direction D1and the second direction D2are opposite directions. The third mounting member52, therefore, can be mounted to the connector76of the second slide rail assembly24when pivoted to the first direction D1and can be mounted to a connector of the first slide rail assembly22when pivoted to the second direction D2(as explained further below with reference toFIGS. 9˜12).

Referring toFIGS. 8A˜8B in conjunction withFIG. 7, once the third mounting member52is pivoted to the first direction D1, the engaging section96sequentially passes through the through hole93of the mounting wall78and the first positioning portion97aof the supporting base46and becomes engaged with the first positioning portion97ato limit and fix the third mounting member52in position. Thus, the stability of the third mounting member52is increased, which is advantageous to the mounting process.

When it is desired to pivot the third mounting member52from the first direction D1to the second direction D2, the operator can apply a force F to (i.e., press) the second elastic portion94of the operation arm80through the second opening92to disengage the engaging section96from the through hole93and the first positioning portion97aof the supporting base46. Then, the third mounting member52can be pivoted from the first direction D1to the second direction D2, allowing the engaging section96to engage with the second positioning portion97bof the supporting base46and thereby limit and fix the third mounting member52in position. Consequently, the stability of the third mounting member52is increased, which facilitates mounting. It can be known from the above that the engaging section96can selectively engage with either of the first positioning portion97aand the second positioning portion97b.

Referring toFIG. 9, when the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22and the second rail30of the second slide rail assembly24are in a retracted position relative to their respective first rails28, the second arm40is close to the first arm36, and the second supporting member50is retracted relative to the first supporting member48.

Referring toFIG. 10, when the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22and the second rail30of the second slide rail assembly24are longitudinally displaced a distance L1in a direction D from the retracted position toward an extended position relative to their respective first rails28, the chassis34is also displaced in the direction D. Meanwhile, the second mounting member42of the cable management arm supporting device20is displaced relative to the first mounting member38in the direction D, and the second arm40is extended relative to the first arm36. Since the third rail32(seeFIG. 2) of the first slide rail assembly22is also driven to displace longitudinally in the direction D by the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22, the second supporting member50, which is connected with the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22via the positioning element68, is displaced relative to the first supporting member48in response to extension of the second arm40relative to the first arm36.

Referring toFIG. 11, when the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22and the second rail30of the second slide rail assembly24are longitudinally displaced further in the direction D so as to be a distance L2from the retracted position relative to their respective first rails28, the chassis34is also displaced in the direction D. In the meantime, the second mounting member42of the cable management arm supporting device20is further displaced relative to the first mounting member38in the direction D, and the second arm40is further extended relative to the first arm36. Since the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22is also driven by the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22to displace longitudinally further in the direction D, the second supporting member50, which is connected with the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22via the positioning element68, is further displaced relative to the first supporting member48in response to further extension of the second arm40relative to the first arm36.

It can be known fromFIGS. 9˜11that the second arm40is extended (or folded) relative to the first arm36in response to displacement of the second rail30of the first slide rail assembly22, and that the second supporting member50is displaced relative to the first supporting member48in response to displacement of the third rail32of the first slide rail assembly22. Therefore, in the course in which the chassis34is pulled out or pushed back in place, the first arm36and the second arm40jointly provide cable management (e.g., to keep the cables behind the server chassis34in neat arrangement) while the first supporting member48and the second supporting member50cooperate in providing support (e.g., to support the first arm36).

FIG. 12shows how the cable management arm supporting device20in another embodiment of the present invention is applied to and works with the first slide rail assembly22and the second slide rail assembly24.

When the third mounting member52is pivoted to the second direction D2(seeFIG. 7), it can be mounted in a different way from that illustrated in the foregoing embodiment (as shown inFIGS. 9˜11), or more particularly be mounted to the first connector56on the first rail28of the first slide rail assembly22. Meanwhile, the first mounting member38and the second mounting member42, which are respectively pivotally connected with the first arm36and the second arm40, can also be pivoted to the second direction D2in order to be mounted to the connector76and another connector76of the second slide rail assembly24respectively. The connecters76are connected with the first rail28and the second rail30of the second slide rail assembly24, respectively. In use, therefore, the arrangement of the cable management arm supporting device20with respect to the first slide rail assembly22and the second slide rail assembly24can be inverted to suit practical needs.

FIG. 13shows how the third mounting member300of the cable management arm supporting device in the second embodiment of the present invention is arranged in relation to the supporting base302. As in the previous embodiment, the third mounting member300is pivotally connected with the second supporting portion304of the supporting base302. However, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment (seeFIG. 7) in that the cable management arm supporting device further includes an elastic element306connected between the third mounting member300and the second supporting portion304of the supporting base302, and that the second supporting portion304of the supporting base302further includes a first stop portion308and a second stop portion310.

As shown inFIG. 14, when the third mounting member300is pivoted to a first direction D1, it is pressed against the first stop portion308due to the elastic element306and is thus limited in position. Once the third mounting member300is pivoted from the first direction D1to a second direction D2opposite the first direction D1, it is pressed against the second stop portion310due to the elastic element306and hence limited in position.

While the present invention has been disclosed through the foregoing preferred embodiments, it is understood that the embodiments are not intended to be restrictive of the present invention. The scope of patent protection sought is defined by the appended claims.