Cable organization apparatuses and systems

Systems and apparatuses are provided for cable management. One apparatus embodiment includes an arm having an open and a closed position and two arm portions. Each arm portion has two ends and a bend formed at one end. The ends of each arm portion having the bend are hinged together.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to electronic device rack structures and, in particular, relates to apparatuses and systems for organizing cables in a rack structure.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, such as computing devices for example, are often housed in vertical racks. For example, components often included in computing devices and systems using a rack include computers, such as servers (e.g., a network server, a data server, etc.) and direct access storage devices, such as disk drives, tape drives, and the like.

Racks enable electrical components to be installed vertically, taking up less floor space in a computer operations area. Multiple rack structures can, for example, be installed in a computer area allowing for growth and flexibility of the components installed. Racks typically have a number of components arranged vertically. The individual components are mounted in the rack by side mounted slides that attach to an exterior rack structure. The individual components can then be slid into and out of the rack. In this manner, the individual components can be accessed for repairing the component, providing upgrades, configuring the component, and connecting the component to other devices and/or components, among other tasks.

In many instances, the back of a component will have to be accessed in order to accomplish such tasks. In such instances, a component is able to be slid out of the rack structure such that the cable connections on the back of the component can be accessed.

Electronic devices within racks typically include a large number of cables that are connected to the various components of the electrical device. For instance each electrical component in a rack can have a number of cables associated with it. For example, a typical computer system component is connected to a video display device for an operator to view the operation of the computer system, a printer for printing, a network adapter for communicating with other computer systems on a local area network (LAN), a modem for connecting to other computers over the telephone system, and external storage devices such as disk drives, optical disks, and tape drives. Each of these connections usually involves attaching a cable to the component. These connections are typically made at the back of the unit by connecting the cable to connectors provided on the electrical component.

In addition, numerous electrical components can be housed in each rack. Consequently, managing the cables in the rack can become challenging. For instance, if not managed properly, the cables can become tangled which can result in cables becoming disconnected and/or damaged. It can also be difficult to determine what each cable is connected to when cables become crossed or tangled. Additionally, the tangling of the cables can restrict the slidable movement of the various components thereby making access to the components difficult.

Apparatuses and systems have been designed that use a folding cable arm to support and organize cables within rack structures. In such apparatuses and systems, the cables are aligned and/or attached to the arm as it actuates from a closed to an open position. The cable arm is typically positioned behind the electrical components in the rack. In such arrangements, the space available for the cable arm and cables attached thereto can be restricted by the size of the component, the size of the arm, the number of cables to be attached to the arm, and the proximity of the back of the rack structure to a wall or the back of a cabinet in which the rack is a part of or installed in.

Additionally, most cables have a minimum bend radius at which the cables can be bent without damage, such as breakage of the conductive flow through the cable, breakage of the non-conductive portions of the cable, and/or plastic deformation of the cable, such that the cable remains permanently bent. When cables are positioned in a rack structure with a foldable arm, the cable can be bent around the arm in such a manner as to exceed the minimum bend radius, thereby potentially damaging the cables aligned and/or attached thereto.

Further, in some situations, racks can be installed in environments where they encounter abrupt movements or vibrational movements. For example, when installed in a vehicle such as an air craft, water craft, space craft, or land craft, these abrupt or vibrational movements can result in an arm being bent, getting tangled in the cables, the cables becoming tangled together, the sharp edges of the arm cutting or otherwise damaging the cables, the arm becoming loosened or detached from the rack, among other such issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a number of cable organization apparatuses and systems. Embodiments of the present invention provide cable arms that reduce the amount of space used by the cable arm. Embodiments of the present invention can also maintain a desired bend radius for the cabling aligned with and/or attached to the arm. In this way, damage due to over-bending of the cables can be reduced. Embodiments of the present invention also provide support for cable arms that can reduce the effects of abrupt and/or vibrational forces.

The embodiments of the present invention can be used with racks having single cable arms and those having multiple cable arms. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used in various fields in which rack structures having cable arms are used. For example, electronic components such as computer components and audio components are two types of electrical components that use rack structures within their fields.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cable management apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arm having an open and a closed position and two arm portions. The embodiment also includes that each arm portion has two ends and a bend formed at one end. The ends of each arm portion that have the bend are hinged together.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can include that the ends of each arm portion having the bend are hinged to form a knuckle when the arm is in the closed position. The knuckle can be of any size. For example, the knuckle can be sized to maintain a particular bend radius. Such bend radii can include a radius sized to maintain a bend radius of a cable above that of a damaging bend radius. A damaging bend radius can be determined based upon the characteristics of the cables to be used with the apparatus, for example. In some embodiments, the use of a knuckle can allow for the use of thinner arm portions or arm portions that are positioned closer together, while allowing a desired bend radius at the end of the arm to be maintained. For example, an apparatus embodiment can have an arm width of ½ inch, while the knuckle has a diameter of 1 inch. In this way, the arm takes up half the space of the knuckle along its length, while the 1 inch knuckle can provide the apparatus with a particular bend radius that, in some instances, may be above that of a damaging bend radius.

Embodiments of the present invention include cable arms of any suitable configuration. For example, one such suitable configuration includes a cable arm that has hinged arm portions that are foldable to half their combined length; however, the embodiments of the present invention are not so limited.

Various embodiments include a cable arm having a number of arm portions and each arm portion having a back surface. In some embodiments, when the arm is in the closed position, the back surfaces can be substantially parallel with each other. In this way, the amount of space used by the arms can be reduced. For example, in arms that could not be bent such that they were parallel to each other, the arms, based upon the angled orientation, would take up a substantial amount of space (e.g., an inch between the back surfaces of the arms at one end).

Embodiments of the present invention can be used to reduce the amount of space that is used by the arms. For instance, when a knuckle on the arm is used, space can be reduced over much of the arm's surface, while a desired bend radius that is larger than the bend radius of typical straight arm portions can be maintained. As stated above, in some embodiments, the parallel arrangement of the backs of the arms is another way in which embodiments of the present invention can be designed to save space.

In another aspect of the present invention, embodiments include an electronics system including an electronic component, a rack, and a cable management apparatus. The rack is designed such that the electronic component can be slidably mounted therein. In various embodiments, the cable management apparatus can include a number of arms each arm having an open and a closed position and two arm portions. In such embodiments, each arm portion can include two ends and a bend formed at one end. The ends of each arm portion having the bend can be hinged together to form a knuckle.

In various embodiments, the system can include multiple arms. For example, three arms can be used. In such embodiments, the multiple arms can be used with a single component or with multiple components. Additionally, the multiple arms can be arranged in parallel to each other. In this way, contact between the arms themselves, the arms and cables, and the cables themselves can be reduced.

Additionally, in various multiple arm embodiments, the multiple arms can be positioned on opposite sides of the rack. For example, in one embodiment a rack system includes three arms with two arms arranged parallel to each other on one side of the rack and the third arm arranged on the other side of the rack.

Additionally, in various embodiments of the present invention, the edges of the arms can be blunted to reduce the possibility of damage to the cables if a cable should come in contact with an edge of an arm. For example, one or more of the edges of an arm can be rounded or chamfered in order to reduce the possibility of damage.

In another aspect of the present invention, various embodiments include an electronics system having an electronic component, a rack, and a cable management apparatus. In these embodiments the rack is designed to have an electrical component slidably mounted therein. The cable management apparatus includes a number of arms each having an open and a closed position and two arm portions. Each arm portion includes two ends, a cable side, and a back side, with one end of each arm portion hinged together. The embodiments also include back sides that are substantially parallel to each other when the arm is in the closed position.

Various embodiments can also include a number of vertical movement supports. The vertical movement supports can be positioned to restrict vertical movement of one of the arms when the arm is in the closed position. For example, the vertical supports can each include vertical support members positioned above and below each arm when each arm is in the closed position.

Embodiments can also include a number of horizontal movement supports positioned to restrict horizontal movement of one of the arms when the arm is in the closed position. Additionally, embodiments can include a number of horizontal and vertical movement supports that frictionally engage an arm of the apparatus or system. In this way, the frictionally engaging contact between the arm and the one or more supports can aid in resisting movement of the arm due to abrupt and vibrational movements of the environment.

In another aspect of the present invention, embodiment can include a rack apparatus having a number of slidable component mounts, a number of arms, and a movement support member. The number of slidable component mounts each having a fixed portion and a slidable portion. In various embodiments, the number of arms each has an open and a closed position and two arm portions and each arm portion having two ends and a bend formed at one end. In such embodiments, the ends of each arm portion having the bend can be hinged together and one of the other ends can be attached to the fixed portion of one of the mounts. The movement support member can be used to control the movement of the arm when the arm is in a closed position. Examples of movement support members include the horizontal and vertical supports discussed above.

In various embodiments, one or more of the arms can include a number of apertures formed therein for threading a cable fastener therethrough. For example, an aperture can be formed in a bottom surface of the arm and/or in a side surface of the arm. Additionally, the arm can include a number of side walls forming a channel. An arm can also include cable fasteners attached thereto for holding a number of cables with or without apertures formed in the arm.

In another aspect of the present invention, embodiments can include a rack apparatus having a number of slidable component mounts and a number of arms. The number of slidable component mounts includes a fixed portion and a slidable portion. The number of arms can each have an open and a closed position and two arm portions with each arm portion having two ends and a bend formed at one end. In such embodiments, the ends of each arm portion having the bend can be hinged together and one of the other ends can be attached to the fixed portion of one of the mounts.

Various embodiments of this aspect of the present invention can include arm portions that have a back surface. In some embodiments, two arm portions can have back surfaces that abut each other when the arm is in a closed position. In various embodiments, the arms can also be detachable from the mounts. For example, a removable pin can be used to hold the arm to the mount and can be removed to detach the arm from the mount. In such embodiments, the removable nature of the arms allows the arms to be repaired or replaced without substantial time or effort.

Additionally, the arms discussed with respect to the various embodiments of the present invention can be sized to accommodate various cable sizes and types. For example, in various embodiments, an arm can be sized to accommodate a number of cables and in some embodiments, an arm can be sized to accommodate a ribbon cable, however, the embodiments of the invention are not so limited.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and apparatuses for cable organization. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, which will at least assist in illustrating the various features of the various embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bare illustrations of an apparatus embodiment.FIG. 1Aillustrates the apparatus embodiment in a closed position. This position is typically used when the electronic component is in normal operation.FIG. 1Billustrates the apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1Ain an open position. This position is typically used when the back of the electrical component is being accessed, such as when new components are being connected thereto, the component is being disconnected from other devices or component, maintenance is being performed, and other such situations. The embodiment ofFIG. 1Aincludes an electrical apparatus100having an electrical component102. The electrical component102is slidably attached to the rack structure104having a slidable portion103-1and a fixed portion103-2. The arm105in this embodiment includes first and second arm portions106-1and106-2and upstanding sidewalls116forming a channel. The channel has an aperture formed in the bottom surface118and apertures220formed in the sidewalls116.

The embodiment also includes a knuckle114formed from bends in at least one of the arm portions106-1and106-2. In the illustrated example, both arm portions106-1and106-2include a bend therein. As stated above, the knuckle can have various sizes, for example, the size of the knuckle can be based upon the cable to be used with the arm and the space available for the knuckle, among other factors.

The arm portions106-1and106-2are joined by a hinge110. Although a mechanical hinge is illustrated inFIGS. 1A–3B, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from reading the present disclosure that other flexible joining mechanisms can be used in place of a mechanical hinge to provide the folding functionality of the embodiments of the present invention. Examples of other mechanisms include flexible materials, such as elastomers, and the like.

The embodiment ofFIG. 1Aalso includes a movement support member108. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1A, the movement support member108includes an upper and a lower vertical movement support member112-1and112-2, respectively. These members112-1and112-2can be positioned to frictionally engage the arm105as the apparatus100is moved from the open to the closed position. Additionally, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 1Athe members can have a flange bent outward to aid in receiving and/or positioning the arm105.

Movement support members can also include horizontal movement supports. An example of a horizontal movement support is shown and described below with respect toFIGS. 3A and 3B. Although movement support members are shown extending to restrict the knuckle114portion of the arm105, the movement support member108can be longer or shorter to contact the arm105in a different position and can be designed to engage the arm105to a greater or lesser extent than shown in the accompanying figures.

The embodiment shown inFIG. 1Aalso includes a removable pin122for securing the arm105to the rack104. InFIG. 1A, one portion106-2of the arm105is attached by the removable pin122to the fixed portion103-2of the rack104. The end of the other portion106-1of the arm105is attached to the slidable portion103-1of the rack104. In this way, as is shown inFIG. 1B, the arm105can be unfolded to extend as the electrical component102is slid out of the rack104.

FIG. 1Bis an illustration of the apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1Ain its open position. In this illustration, the electrical component102has been slid out of the rack104from the closed position shown inFIG. 1Ato the open position shown inFIG. 1B. The sliding has resulted in the movement of rack portion103-1relative to rack portion103-2and the unfolding of arm105. When the arm105is unfolded, the arm portions106-1and106-2are extended to allow cable mounted to the arm105to be supported by the arm as the electrical component102is slid out of the rack104as shown inFIG. 1Dand described in more detail below. As illustrated inFIG. 1B, the knuckle114of the arm105is unfolded as well, due to the flexible joinder of the arm portions106-1and106-2at hinge110.

FIG. 1Cis an illustration of the apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1Ahaving a number of cables positioned on the arm. In this illustration, a number of cables111are connected to the electrical component109. The cables111are routed around the arm105. For instance, in the example illustrated inFIG. 1C, the cables111are routed along the back of the electrical component102and onto the arm portion106-1at a position proximate to the end of the arm portion106-1that is attached to the rack104. If a channel is present, the cables111are routed along the back of the electrical component102and enter the channel of the arm portion106-1formed by sidewalls116. If no channel is present, the cables111are aligned along the surface of arm portion106-1.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1C, a number of cable fasteners113(e.g., zip ties, string, wire, etc) have been threaded through the apertures120. In embodiments using cable fasteners, the cable fasteners113can also, or alternatively, be threaded through one of the apertures118formed in the bottom surface of arm portion106-1.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1C, the cables111continue down the arm portion106-1until the cables111reach the knuckle114. The cables111extend around the knuckle114and are aligned along arm portion106-2. The cables111continue down arm portion106-2and then off the arm portion106-2at a position proximate to the end of the arm portion106-2that is attached to the rack104.

In various embodiments, the channel formed from the upstanding sidewalls116and the cable fasteners113, illustrated inFIG. 1C, can aid in keeping the cables aligned with the arm105and can be beneficial either individually or in combination in reducing tangling of the various cables111along the arm105and with other cables that may not be along arm105. Additionally, the upstanding sidewalls116can provide other benefits, such as protecting the cables from damage due to contact with other components, arms, and the like, and can add rigidity to the arm. In the latter respect, sidewalls can also be angled downward instead of being upstanding to provide rigidity to the arm.

FIG. 1Dis an illustration of the apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1Bhaving a number of cables positioned on the arm. In this illustration, the path of the cables111from their connection109to the electrical component102can be more easily identified. As can be seen from this illustration, if the cables111are routed along the arm portions106-1and106-2and over the knuckle114, when the arm portions106-1and106-2are extended, the cables111are straightened and thereby the electrical component102can be slid out of the rack104without disconnecting the cables111.

FIG. 2Ais an illustration of an embodiment of an arm andFIG. 2Ba side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2A. In these figures, some of the features that can be used in various embodiments of an arm205are shown in greater detail. For example, the apertures220are shown and several additional apertures are provided along the junction of the upstanding sidewalls216and the bottom surface of the arm portions206-1and206-2.

Another detail that is more prominently shown inFIGS. 2A and 2Bis the rounding and chamfering of the edges including the corners of the arm portions206-1and206-2. For example, the ends of the upper edge of the sidewalls216are chamfered and the bends forming knuckle214are rounded to reduce the possibility of damaging the cables if contact between the arm205and the cables were made. Although the bends forming the knuckle214are not at the edge of the lateral periphery of the arm205, for purposes of the present disclosure, protrusions of the surface of the arm205, such as the bends forming the knuckle214and forming the upstanding sidewalls216, can be considered edges of the arm205.

FIGS. 2A and 2Balso show greater detail regarding possible mechanisms for attaching the arm205to the rack and for joining the arm portions206-1and206-2together. In the examples shown, the attachment of the arm205to the rack can be provided by a removable pin222, as briefly discussed above. In this embodiment, the removable pin222includes a ring at one end to aid in removal of the pin222and a detent on the other end of the pin222to aid in keeping the pin222in place. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the joinder of arm portions206-1and206-2is accomplished by fastening a hinge210to each of the arm portions206-1and206-1. In the embodiment shown, this attachment is made by a number of nuts and bolts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from reading the present disclosure, however, that any fixed or removable mechanism can be used for attachment of the arm205to the rack or for joinder of the arm portions206-1and206-2.

FIG. 2Balso illustrates space saving features incorporated into the design of the arm embodiment shown inFIG. 2B. For example, the embodiment uses a knuckle214and parallel back sides224-1and224-2of the arms206-1and206-2.

The use of these features together allows for the amount of space used by the arms206-1and206-2to be reduced along most of the length of the arms206-1and206-2, while still providing a turning radius that is desirable to reduce the damage due to the bending of cables utilizing the arms206-1and206-2.

FIG. 3Ais an illustration of an apparatus embodiment, having several arms and an electrical component slidable thereon in its closed position.FIG. 3Bis an illustration of the apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 3Ain its open position. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a number of arms305-1,305-2, and305-M, where M can be any number and is used to represent that various embodiments can have any number of arms. The arms305-1,305-2, and305-M are attached at one end to the fixed portion303-2of the rack304and at the other end, to the slidable portion303-1of the rack304which moves with electrical component302when the electrical component302is slid out of the rack304.

The embodiment shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Balso includes a movement support member308having a number of vertical support members312-1,312-2, and312-N where N can be any number and is used to represent that various embodiments can have any number of vertical support members.

Additionally, the surface of movement support member308extends such that the a portion of the surface will restrict the horizontal movement of the arms305-1,305-2, and305-M in one direction, thereby acting as a horizontal support. In some embodiments, horizontal movement in the other direction can be restricted by the back of the electrical component302and/or by cables positioned between the arms305-1,305-2, and305-M and the electrical component302. In various embodiments, horizontal support members can be provided and attached or unitarily formed on movement support member308.

The use of the symbols M and N herein is used to represent the numbers of particular components, but should not be construed to limit the number of any other items described herein. Additionally, the terms horizontal and vertical have been used to illustrate relative orientation with respect to each other and should not be viewed to limit the elements of the invention to such directions as they are described herein.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one.

Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the invention includes various other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.