Cable management device for use in connection with a power center, and cable management system comprising same

A cable management device for use in connection with a power center (210, 500, 810) comprises a perimeter wall (110, 410, 710) defining a passageway (120, 420, 720) capable of receiving a cable (820) coupled to the power center, and an attachment feature (130, 430, 450, 730) adjacent to the perimeter wall and capable of removably engaging the cable management device with at least one of the power center and a power cord (220, 817) of the power center.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cable management, and relates more particularly to a cable management device capable of removable attachment to a power center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As advancing technology makes possible an increasing number of electronic devices, the problem of cable management becomes both more difficult and more important. Left unmanaged, the various power cords and other cables used by electronic devices can combine to create an unsightly and potentially unsafe situation in which such cables can become tangled and disorganized. A large number of cable management devices have been developed, and many of these are at least somewhat effective in increasing cable organization. What is lacking, however, is a versatile cable management device that is adaptable to multiple cable management situations and needs. Accordingly, there exists a need for a cable management device that is versatile enough to provide multiple cable management options.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner. The phrase “adjacent to,” as used herein, encompasses the meanings of “next to,” “close to,” “lying near,” “adjoining,” and the like, whether or not the elements described as being adjacent to each other are in physical contact with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one embodiment of the invention, a cable management device for use in connection with a power center comprises: (a) a perimeter wall defining a passageway capable of receiving a cable coupled to the power center; and (b) an attachment feature adjacent to the perimeter wall and capable of removably engaging the cable management device with at least one of the power center and a power cord of the power center. The phrase “power center,” as used herein, includes power strips, power bars, surge protectors, multi-outlet adaptors, uninterruptible power supplies, televisions and other components of home entertainment systems, computer equipment, computer peripherals, and any electronic device that is associated with a plurality of cords or cables, whether such cords or cables are an integral part of such device or whether such cords or cables may be attached to or connected with such device.

Referring now to the figures,FIG. 1is an elevational view of a cable management device100according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1, cable management device100comprises a perimeter wall110defining a passageway120capable of receiving one or more cables (not shown inFIG. 1). In one embodiment, cable management device100further comprises a support piece140within passageway120that separates passageway120into separate passageways—passageway121and passageway122—both of which are capable of receiving a cable coupled to a power center.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, perimeter wall110contains an opening111capable of admitting the cable coupled to the power center. As an example, opening111can be large enough that such a cable may pass between the portions of perimeter wall110that surround opening111. As another example, perimeter wall110may be flexed enough to allow the passage of a cable larger than the dimensions exhibited by opening111when perimeter wall110is in its normal, relaxed position. In a non-illustrated embodiment, cable management device100does not contain an opening analogous to opening111.

Cable management device100still further comprises an attachment feature130adjacent to perimeter wall110. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, attachment feature130protrudes away from perimeter wall110and has a substantially semicircular shape so as to be compatible with the substantially circular shape of a typical power cord. Attachment feature130, like the rest of cable management device100, may be made of a strong, flexible material such as polypropylene or the like.

FIGS. 2 and 3are perspective views of cable management device100showing alternate methods of attaching cable management device100to a power center210according to an embodiment of the invention. As explained above, the phrase “power center” herein includes within its scope any electronic device that is associated with a plurality of cords or cables, whether such cords or cables are an integral part of such electronic device or whether such cords or cables may be attached to or connected with such electronic device. InFIGS. 2 and 3, power center210is a surge protector or other power strip having a power cord220.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2, and3, attachment feature130of cable management device100is capable of removably engaging cable management device100with power center210(seeFIG. 2) and with power cord220(seeFIG. 3). InFIG. 2, attachment feature130is shown as being engaged with an attachment slot310that is obscured from view by attachment feature130inFIG. 2but that is visible inFIG. 3. InFIG. 3, attachment feature130is shown as being engaged with power cord220. A similar attachment slot built into other types of power centers would facilitate attachment of cable management device100to those other types of power centers.

FIG. 4is an elevational view of a cable management device400according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated inFIG. 4, cable management device400comprises a perimeter wall410defining a passageway420capable of receiving one or more cables (not shown inFIG. 4) and a support piece440. As an example, perimeter wall410, passageway420, and support piece440can be similar to, respectively, perimeter wall110, passageway120, and support piece140, all of which were first shown inFIG. 1.

Cable management device400further comprises an attachment feature430, which can be similar to attachment feature130that was first shown inFIG. 1, and an attachment feature450adjacent to perimeter wall410. Attachment feature430, like attachment feature130, is capable of removably engaging cable management device400with a power cord such as power cord220(first shown inFIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, attachment feature430comprises an indentation in support piece440.

In the illustrated embodiment, perimeter wall410comprises a wall section412and a wall section413, and support piece440has an end441and an end442that is located opposite end441. End441of support piece440is coupled to wall section412and extends away from wall section412, while end442of support piece440is coupled to wall section413. As illustrated, attachment feature430forms a channel or indentation in wall section413. A different way of thinking of what is depicted inFIG. 4involves considering attachment feature430as being a channel or indentation in support piece440and wall section413as containing a gap that allows access to attachment feature430. Attachment feature450is coupled to wall section412.

Attachment feature450is capable of removably engaging cable management device400with a power center such as power center210(also first shown inFIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, attachment feature430comprises an indentation in perimeter wall410and has a substantially semicircular shape capable of engagement with a power cord. Attachment feature450protrudes away from perimeter wall410and comprises a substantially planar portion451capable of engagement with a power center, as further described below.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a portion of a power center500according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 6is a perspective view of a portion of power center500showing an engagement between power center500and cable management device400according to an embodiment of the invention. Power center500comprises electrical outlets510, RJ-45 jacks520, RJ-11 jacks530, coaxial cable inputs540, and an attachment slot550. Attachment slot550comprises an entry portal551and an overhang552, and is capable of receiving attachment feature450. As illustrated inFIG. 6, substantially planar portion451of attachment feature450may be inserted into entry portal551and slid under overhang552such that cable management device400is removably attached to power center500.

The cable management devices depicted in the foregoing figures have dual passageways separate by a support piece.FIG. 7is an elevational view of a cable management device700according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, cable management device700contains only a single cable passageway. As illustrated inFIG. 7, cable management device700comprises a perimeter wall710, an opening711in perimeter wall710, a passageway720, and an attachment feature730. As an example, perimeter wall710, opening711, passageway720, and attachment feature730can be similar to, respectively, perimeter wall110, opening111, passageway120, and attachment feature130, all of which were first shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a cable management system801including cable management device400and a power center810according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated inFIG. 8, power center810comprises a housing815, a plurality of electrical outlets816in housing815, and a power cord817coupled to housing815. An attachment slot in housing815is obscured by cable management device400but can be similar to attachment slot310ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 8depicts cable management device400being used in a first manner to organize and manage cables820. More specifically,FIG. 8depicts cable management device400directly engaged with power center810such that cables820are routed away from power cord817and toward coaxial cable inputs540. Depending on the environment in which cable management system801is used, the manner of use for cable management device400illustrated inFIG. 8may be the most effective and sensible manner, or simply the desired manner, in which to use cable management device400.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of cable management system801showing cable management device400attached in an alternate manner to power center810according to an embodiment of the invention. An attachment slot910, which was obscured from view inFIG. 8as explained above, is visible inFIG. 9.

FIG. 9depicts cable management device400being used in a second manner to organize and manage cables820. More specifically,FIG. 9depicts cable management device400engaged with power cord817of power center810such that cables820are routed toward power cord817. Depending on the environment in which cable management system801is used, the manner of use for cable management device400illustrated inFIG. 9may be the most effective and sensible manner, or simply the desired manner, in which to use cable management device400. In a non-illustrated embodiment, cable management device400may be used in a third manner, in which cables820are introduced into a passageway of cable management device400but where cable management device400is neither attached to a power center nor to a power cord of the power center. Instead, the third manner of use is one in which cable management device400“floats” on cables820themselves, meaning cable management device400moves freely along the lengths of cables820. It will be readily apparent that cable management device400, as well as the other cable management devices disclosed herein, may be used at least in what have been described above as the second and third manners in connection both with power centers that have attachment slots and with those that do not.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of a cable management system1000according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, cable management system1000comprises a mounting rail1010, a cable management device1020, a cable management device1030, and a cable management device1040. Although the illustrated embodiment of cable management system1000comprises three cable management devices, in a non-illustrated embodiment, cable management system1000can comprise one or two cable management devices or can comprise more than three cable management devices. Also, any of the cable management devices that are part of cable management system1000can fit the description of any of the cable management devices described or disclosed herein.

Referring specifically again to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, cable management device1020is similar to cable management device100, first shown inFIG. 1, cable management device1030is similar to cable management device700, first shown inFIG. 7, and cable management device1040is similar to cable management device400, first shown inFIG. 4.

Mounting rail1010has a flat side1011that is capable of being mounted to a surface. As an example, flat side1011of mounting rail1010can be mounted to a near a computer workstation, a desk, a home entertainment center, or the like. As another example, mounting rail1010may be mounted to a surface such as those mentioned above (or another suitable surface) using adhesive, screws, a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®, or the like. With mounting rail1010mounted in such a location, cable management system1000is in position to effectively manage and organize any cables that are in use nearby.

In one embodiment, one or more of cable management devices1020,1030, and1040are capable of sliding freely along at least a portion of the length of mounting rail1010. In another embodiment, one or more of cable management devices1020,1030, and1040are permanently fixed to a particular location on mounting rail1010. It should be understood that the length of mounting rail1010can vary as necessary or suitable for the particular environment or application in which cable management system1000is used.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. As an example, surge protectors or power strips of other shapes and forms may act as a power center with which the cable management device is used. As another example, the attachment slots and attachment features depicted and described herein may be replaced by analogous features that have a different appearance but perform the same functions. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the cable management device discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the invention.