Abstract:
A system and method for managing electric cables. A cable arm is utilized to contain cables running to an electronic device. The cable arm having a mounting bracket that enables movement between at least two vertical positions relative to a base bracket is thus selectively moveable between a plurality of positions to permit access to the electronic device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Cable management systems are used in environments where electronic devices are connected with multiple cables. For example, in environments such as data center environments, multiple servers are stacked in rack units to efficiently utilize floor space. Each server may have numerous cables, such as power cords, video cables, mouse cables, keyboard cables, optic cables, universal serial bus cables, serial cables, and numerous other potential cables, that exit the rear of the server. Cable management systems confine the cables to a zone at the rear of the server. The confinement protects the cables against inadvertent unplugging, scraping, and/or crimping that could have detrimental effects on data integrity. 
   Cable arms are used to collectively hold the cables coupled to each server. However, the cable arm limits access to the rear of the server chassis. Accordingly, access to fans, power supplies, peripheral component interface cards, and other existing or future components is limited. This creates difficulty in the servicing, removal, and/or installation of various components or features at the rear of the device chassis. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
       FIG. 1  is a rear view of a system illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view similar to  FIG. 1  with an embodiment of a cable arm disposed in a different position; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the cable arm illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the cable arm illustrated in  FIG. 3  in a different orientation. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a system  10  is illustrated as an example of embodiments of the present invention. System  10  may comprise a variety of components, such as a rack  12 , an electronic device  14 , and a cable management system  16 . Cable management system  16  is designed to manage or control a bundle  18  of cables  20 . 
   Rack  12  is representative of a variety of potential racks, such as server racks, utilized in mounting at least one and often multiple electronic devices. Rack  12  may comprise vertical supports  22  to which at least one electronic device  14  is mounted via, for example, rails (not shown). The vertical supports  22  also may comprise a variety of mounting features  24 , such as rectangular openings  26 . Rectangular openings  26  can be used to facilitate the mounting of rails, cable arms or other attachments. 
   Electronic device  14  may comprise a variety of electronic devices. For example, a server  28  is illustrated as an example of devices that can be mounted in rack  12 . However, other types of devices  14 , such as computers, computer equipment, peripheral devices, telecommunications devices and other electronic devices may be mounted in rack  12 . Additionally, a plurality of electronic devices  14  may be mounted sequencially in a generally vertical direction along vertical supports  22 . 
   Cable management system  16  may have a variety of configurations. In the embodiment illustrated, cable management system  16  comprises a cable arm  30  having a first end  32  and a second end  34  disposed on generally opposite ends of an arm portion  36 . By way of example, first end  32  may be coupled to a selected vertical support  22  of rack  12 , and second end  34  may be coupled to electronic device  14 . Cable bundle  18  is secured along arm portion  36  via appropriate retention mechanisms, such as straps  38 . 
   When cable management system  16  is in the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 , cable bundle  18  and cable arm  30  are secured at the rear of electronic device  14 . For example, the cable arm  30  and cable bundle  18  may be confined to a zone no larger than the size of a back or rear region  40  of electronic device  14 . Such configuration maintains cables  20  directly to the rear of electronic  14  when the electronic device is statically positioned within rack  12  and when the device is pulled forward to a service position, e.g. pulled forward on slide rails. 
   However, to enable access to rear region  40  of electronic device  14 , cable management system  16  may be selectively moved between vertical positions. For example, the cable arm  30  may be selectively moved between a raised vertical positon, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a lowered position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , cable management system  16  comprises a mounting bracket  42  disposed at first end  32  and a mounting bracket  44  disposed at second end  34  that enable selective movement of cable arm  30  between the raised position (see  FIG. 1 ) and the lowered position (see  FIG. 2 ). Mounting brackets  42  and  44  also can be configured to permit the selective movement to additional positions, e.g. additional vertical positions. Thus, cable management system  16  maintains cables  20  in a position behind electronic device  14  during normal service, but it enables the selective movement of cables  20  and arm portion  36  to a non-obstructing position with respect to rear region  40  of electronic device  14 . Accordingly, access is provided to the rear of electronic device  14  for servicing, component replacement, component removal, component addition, troubleshooting or other operations. 
   A representative embodiment of cable management system  16  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this embodiment, cable arm  30  is connected to a base bracket  46  by which cable management system  16  may be coupled to rack  12 . For example, base bracket  46  may comprise a pair of mounting tabs  48  sized for receipt in rectangular openings  26 . Additionally, base bracket  46  may comprise a spring mounted pin  50  positioned for insertion into an opening between mounting tabs  48  once base bracket  46  is securely positioned on vertical support  22 . In other words, spring mounted pin  50  is biased into a rectangular opening  26  to prevent inadvertent separation of base bracket  46  from rack  12 . 
   Base bracket  46  may be mounted to cable arm  30  via a pivot  52 , as illustrated best in  FIG. 3 . Pivot  52  may comprise a variety of pivoting mechanisms, such as a hinge. For example, pivot  52  may be formed with at least one, e.g. a pair, of plungers  54  that enable a separable pivot between base bracket  46  and cable arm  30 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated, mounting bracket  42  comprises a first bracket portion  56  and a second bracket portion  58 . First bracket portion  56  and second bracket portion  58  may be slideably mounted to each other via a peg  60  slideably captured by a groove  62 . By way of example, peg  60  may extend from first bracket portion  56 , and groove  62  may be formed in second bracket portion  58 . Furthermore, in this example, second bracket portion  58  is coupled to arm portion  36 , and first bracket portion  56  is coupled to base bracket  46  which may be secured to rack  12 . Thus, the relative position of first bracket portion  56  and second bracket portion  58 , as well as cable arm portion  36  and base bracket  46 , changes as peg  60  translates along groove  62 . 
   As illustrated, groove  62  may be formed as a generally J-shaped groove having a short groove portion  64  supported on peg  60  when cable arm  30  is in the raised position. Groove  62  also comprises an extended groove portion  66  through which peg  60  translates as cable arm  30  is moved to its lowered position. Additionally, mounting bracket  42  may comprise a locking mechanism  68 , such as a lock screw, that may be selectively engaged between first bracket portion  56  and second bracket portion  58  to secure mounting bracket  42  in a desired orientation, e.g., the raised position. 
   Mounting bracket  44 , or alternatively mounting bracket  42 , can be replaced with other mechanisms that enable the lowering of cable arm  30  to provide access to the rear of electronic device  14 . The illustrated embodiment, however, provides an example in which mounting bracket  44  is similar to the illustrated mounting bracket  42 . In other words, mounting bracket  44  comprises a first bracket portion  70  and a second bracket portion  72  slideably engaged with first bracket portion  70 . A peg  74  may be slideably captured in a corresponding groove  76  to enable translation of the cable arm  30  between a raised and a lowered position. For example, peg  74  may extend from first bracket portion  70  for engagement with groove  76  formed in second bracket portion  72 . 
   Additionally, groove  76  may again be formed as a generally J-shaped groove having a short groove portion and an extended groove portion for operation similar to that described above with respect to mounting bracket  42 . Also, a locking mechanism  78  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be utilized to lock mounting bracket  44  at a desired position, such as the raised position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated, second bracket portion  72  is coupled to arm portion  36 , and first bracket portion  70  is connected to a mounting mechanism  80  via a pivot  81 , mounting mechanism  80  is used to secure cable arm  30  to electronic device  14 . The configuration of mounting mechanism  80  may vary substantially depending on a variety of parameters, including the type of electronic device  14  to which cable arm  30  is attached. For example, mounting mechanism  80  may comprise threaded fasteners  82  positioned for threaded engagement with a corresponding feature on electronic device  14 . 
   With the embodiment illustrated, movement of the cable arm  30  from a raised to a lowered position involves unlocking of mechanisms  68  and  70 . Arm portion  36  is then lifted slightly and pulled outwardly to permit the transition of pegs  60 ,  74  from the short groove portions to the extended groove portions. Arm portion  36  is then moved downwardly as second bracket portions  58 ,  72  translate with respect to first bracket portions  56 ,  70  until cable arm  30  is in a lowered position. In this lowered position access is provided to rear region  40  of electron device  14 . The cable arm can be moved from the lowered to the raised position by simply reversing this procedure. 
   It should be noted that although a variety of cable arm portions  36  may be utilized with cable management system  16 , the illustrated embodiment of cable arm  30  utilizes an arm portion  36  having a plurality of pivot regions  84 . Pivot regions  84  may be formed by hinges  86  that enable the flexing of cable arm portion  36  at a plurality of regions. 
   Additionally, one or more locking tabs  88  may be used in conjunction with corresponding pivot regions  84  to selectively limit the pivotal motion at that region. 
   It should further be noted that the system and system components described herein may have a variety of other shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, the overall system may utilize a variety of racks, electronic devices, cable bundles and cable arm styles.