Abstract:
A cable management arm supporting device includes an extendable supporting frame which has a first and second frames, a fixing member and a coupling member. The first frame has a pivotal portion and a casing portion. The second frame has an inserting portion and a fixing portion. The inserting portion is connected to the casing portion. The pivotal portion is connected to the coupling member. The fixing portion is connected to the fixing member. The fixing member is connected with a fixed object. The coupling member is selectively connected to either a movable loading object, a sliding member, or a cable management arm. Thereby, the cable management arm extends along with the movement of the loading object or the sliding member so that one end of the supporting frame is extendable and the weight of the cable management arm is carried by the supporting frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a cable management arm supporting device, and more particularly to an extendable supporting frame having one end fixed and another end extendable so that the supporting frame is able to carry the weight of a cable management arm. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In general, most electronic products are carried by a sliding member (such as a sliding rail) and stored in a closet. The electronic products always have many wires at the rear end thereof. In order to prevent those wires from dropping to affect other products placed underneath, a cable management arm is provided to accommodate the wires. 
         [0005]    A conventional cable management arm is connected to an installed apparatus or incorporated with a sliding member. The cable management arm has a main frame composed of two sections connected to each other. The frame has one end and another end as a supporting point. Upon the frame is collapsed, the cable management arm has its outer connecting end located away from the supporting point in a suspension status. However, due to the weight of the wires and the cable management arm, the collapsed cable management arm somewhat drops, which may influence the operation of each electronic product. 
         [0006]    Another conventional cable management arm is provided with a loading board secured to the underneath of the cable management arm. However, the loading board is unable to support the cable management arm when the cable management arm is extended along with a loading object and the sliding member. 
         [0007]    Taiwanese patent publication Nos. I249605 (US early publication Nos. 2006/0081735 A1 and 2006/0081736 A1) and I276276 (US early publication No. 2006/0113433 A1) disclosed a cable management arm incorporated with a slide assembly, which enables the cable management arm to extend and still has the support to prevent the cable management arm from dropping. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to a cable management arm supporting device to prevent it from dropping or falling, and also to facilitate the installation. 
         [0009]    In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable management arm supporting device comprising: 
         [0010]    a first frame having a pivotal portion and a casing portion at respective ends thereof; 
         [0011]    a second frame having an inserting portion and a fixing portion at respective ends thereof, the inserting portion of the second frame being inserted into the casing portion of the first frame; 
         [0012]    a coupling member connected to the pivotal portion of the first frame; 
         [0013]    a sliding member comprising a traveling rail, a fixing rail, and a connecting portion; and 
         [0014]    a fixing member connected to the fixing portion of the second frame and to the connecting portion, respectively. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the fixing member further comprises a fastening unit to be secured to the sliding member. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the fastening unit comprises a base, a resilient seat, and a latch, the base having an accommodating room, an open groove, and a through hole, the resilient seat being inserted into the accommodating room, the latch having a front section inserting through the open groove, a middle section passing the resilient seat and a rear section inserting into the through hole, the resilient seat having a resilient leg and an engaging projection, the latch having a stress portion to hold against the resilient leg, the engaging projection engaging with the base, the base further having a holding portion. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the connecting portion is provided on one end of the fixing rail. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the fixing rail of the sliding member is connected with a bracket, the connecting portion being provided on one end of the bracket. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the cable management arm supporting device further comprises a plurality of fixing posts, the fixing member further comprising a fastening unit to be secured to the fixing posts. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the coupling member is connected to the traveling rail of the sliding member. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the cable management arm supporting device further comprises a loading object connected to the sliding member, and the coupling member being connected to the loading object. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the first frame and the second frame have a restricting groove and a protuberance corresponding to each other, the protuberance being confined to slide within the restricting groove. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the coupling member further comprises a coupling portion, the coupling portion having an engaging section, the sliding member comprising an actuating portion, the actuating portion activating the engaging section to release the coupling portion from a synchronal action. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the coupling member is disposed in the fixing rail of the sliding member to slide. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the sliding member comprises a fixing rail, an extension rail, and a traveling rail, the coupling member is disposed in the extension rail of the sliding member to slide. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the coupling member is disposed in the fixing rail of the sliding member and further comprises a coupling portion connected to the extension rail to slide synchronously. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the coupling member is direct connected to the extension rail to slide. 
         [0028]    In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable management arm supporting device comprising a plurality of fixing posts and at least a pair of sliding members secured to the fixing posts, respectively, each the sliding member comprising a fixing rail and a traveling rail, the traveling rail carrying a loading object, the device further comprising: 
         [0029]    a supporting frame comprising a first frame, a second frame, a coupling member, and a fixing member, the first frame having a pivotal portion and a casing portion at respective ends thereof, the second frame having an inserting portion and a fixing portion at respective ends thereof, the inserting portion of the second frame being inserted into the casing portion of the first frame, the pivotal portion of the first frame being connected to the coupling member, the fixing portion of the second frame being connected to the fixing member; wherein the fixing member being selectively connected to either the fixing rail or the fixing posts; and wherein the coupling member being selectively connected to either the traveling rail or the loading object. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the fixing rail is connected with a bracket, the bracket being connected to the fixing member. 
         [0031]    In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable management arm supporting device comprising an extendable supporting frame, a sliding member and a foldable cable management arm; 
         [0032]    wherein the supporting frame comprising at least a first frame and a second frame which are extendable with each other, a coupling member, and a fixing member, the first frame having a pivotal portion and a casing portion at respective ends thereof, the second frame having an inserting portion and a fixing portion at respective ends thereof, the inserting portion of the second frame being inserted into the casing portion of the first frame, the pivotal portion of the first frame being connected to the coupling member, the fixing portion of the second frame being connected to the fixing member, the fixing member of the supporting frame being connected to a fixed object of an installed equipment, when a loading object carried by the sliding member on the installed equipment moves, the coupling member of the supporting frame being linked to move and the supporting frame extending and holding against the cable management arm. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the cable management arm comprises a first arm, a second arm, a movable portion, and a fixed portion, one end of the first arm being pivotally connected to one end of the second arm, another end of the first arm being connected to the movable portion, another end of the second arm being connected to the fixed portion, the cable management arm further comprising a restricting member located between the movable portion and the fixed portion relative to the supporting frame. 
         [0034]    Preferably, a first shift member is pivoted between the first arm and the movable portion of the cable management arm, and a second shift member is pivoted between the second arm and the fixed portion. 
         [0035]    Preferably, an intermediate shelf is pivoted between the first arm and the second arm of the cable management arm. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the intermediate shelf is provided with a restricting member, the restricting member holding against the supporting frame to secure the cable management arm in place. 
         [0037]    It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a cable management arm supporting device, which provides a good support to the cable management arm. 
         [0038]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a cable management arm supporting device, which provides a selective connection by the supporting frame having one end fixed and another end extendable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a supporting frame in the type of two sections according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a coupling member and a coupling portion according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a cable management arm with less joints according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a cable management arm with more joints according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a sliding member in the type of three sections according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the supporting frame mounted to the sliding member and fixing posts according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the supporting frame and the cable management arm mounted to the sliding member and the fixing posts according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a connecting portion provided on a rear bracket of the sliding member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a fixed portion of the cable management arm connected to the connecting portion of the rear bracket according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a fixing member of the supporting frame connected to the connecting portion of the rear bracket according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the fixed portion of the cable management arm connected to the fixing post according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the fixing member of the supporting frame connected to the fixing post according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 13  is a top view showing the cable management arm and the supporting frame at a first position in a collapsed status according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 14  is a top view showing the cable management arm and the supporting frame being pulled along with the sliding member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 15  is a top view showing the cable management arm and the supporting frame being further pulled along with the sliding member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 16  is a top view showing the cable management arm and the supporting frame being pulled along with the sliding member to a second position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 17  is a top view showing the supporting frame being pulled along with the sliding member at the second position and the cable management arm being further extended according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 18  is a top view showing the supporting frame being pulled to the second position and the cable management arm being extended to the terminal at a third position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 19  is a top view showing the coupling member of the supporting frame and an extension rail of the sliding member being provided with a releasing structure according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 20  is a top view showing the releasing structure of the coupling member of the supporting frame and the extension rail of the sliding member being in a first operating status according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 21  is a top view showing the releasing structure of the coupling member of the supporting frame and the extension rail of the sliding member being in a second operating status according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 22  is a top view showing the sliding member in the type of two sections and a releasing structure to disengage from the coupling member according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 23  is a top view similar to  FIG. 22  showing the coupling member being released; 
           [0062]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing an equivalent coupling member corresponding to a second connecting portion of the extension rail according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view showing the supporting frame in the type of three sections with a configuration to restrict the extension thereof according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 26  is an exploded view of a fastening unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing the fastening unit in another form of equivalent configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0066]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing the fastening unit coupled to the fixing post (applied to the cable management arm) according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0067]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing the fastening unit coupled to the fixing post (applied to the supporting frame) according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a supporting frame  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first frame  11 , a second frame  12 , a coupling member  13 , and a fixing member  14 . The first frame  11  has a pivotal portion  111  and a casing portion  112  at respective ends thereof. The second frame  12  has an inserting portion  121  and a fixing portion  122  at respective ends thereof. The inserting portion  121  of the second frame  12  is inserted into the casing portion  112  of the first frame  11 . The pivotal portion  111  is connected to the coupling member  13 . The fixing portion  122  of the second frame  12  is connected to the fixing member  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the coupling member  13  is in the form of a sliding base to carry a loading object and to slide freely (please refer to the description regarding  FIGS. 13 through 16  hereinafter). The coupling member  13  further comprises a coupling portion  15 . In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the coupling portion  15  is an engaging section  152  provided on a resilient rod  152 . The resilient rod  152  has a handle  153  for pulling the engaging section  152  away from its original position. Further, the fixing member  14  comprises a fastening unit  6 . 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a cable management arm  2  with less joints composes a first arm  21 , a second arm  22 , a movable portion  23 , and a fixed portion  24 . The first arm  21  has one end connected with one end of the second arm  22 . The movable portion  23  is connected with the other end of the first arm  21  while the fixed portion  24  is connected with the other end of the second arm  22 . The movable portion  23  and the fixed portion  24  comprise a fastening unit  6 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , another type of cable management arm  2  with more joints further comprises a first shift member  25  between the first arm  21  and the movable portion  23 , a second shift member  26  between the second arm  22  and the fixed portion  24 , and an intermediate shelf  27  between the first arm  21  and the second arm  22 . This design provides a longer length and pivot capability. The cable management arm  2  further comprises a restricting member  28  located between the moveable portion  23  and the fixed portion  24  corresponding to the supporting frame  1 . The restricting member  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is located at the bottom of the intermediate shelf  27  so as to hold against the side of the supporting frame  1  to secure the cable management arm  2  in place in a collapsed status, pleas refer to  FIG. 13  for a further details. 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a sliding member  3  in the form of three sections comprises a fixing rail  31 , an extension rail  32 , and a traveling rail  33  for installation of the supporting frame  1  and the cable management arm  2 . The fixing rail  31  has a connecting portion  34 . The extension rail  32  has a second connecting portion  35 . The traveling rail  33  has a third connecting portion  36 . The coupling member  13  of the supporting frame  1 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , is slidably disposed in the fixing rail  31 . The coupling portion  15  (the engaging section  152 ) of the coupling member  13  corresponds to the second connecting portion  35  of the extension rail  32  to create a relative movement, allowing the coupling member  13  to move along with the extension rail  32 . The fixing member  14  at the other end of the supporting frame  1  is connected to another sliding member  3 ′. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fixing member  14  is engaged with a connecting portion  34 ′ of a fixing rail  31 ′ of the sliding member  3 ′. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show the installation of the cable management arm  2  with more joints. The movable portion  23  of the first arm  21  of the cable management arm  2  is connected to the third connecting portion  36  of the traveling rail  33 , and the fixed portion  24  of the second arm  22  is connected to the connecting portion  34  of the fixing rail  31 . When the cable management arm  2  is collapsed, most of the cable management arm  2  will lean on the supporting frame  1  that provides a supporting to prevent the cable management arm  2  from dropping. 
         [0072]    The sliding members  3  and  3 ′ comprise front brackets  37  and  37 ′ and rear brackets  38  and  38 ′ to facilitate installation of fixing posts  4 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fixing posts  4  are vertically located at four corners thereof, the sliding members  3  and  3 ′ are mounted at respective sides thereof, and a loading object  5  is carried by the sliding members  3  and  3 ′ to slide along with the sliding members  3  and  3 ′. The rear bracket  38  of the sliding member  3  may be deemed an extension of the fixing rail  31 , therefore, the connecting portion  34   a,  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , is provided on the rear bracket  38  to connect with the fixed portion  24  of the second arm  22  of the cable management arm  2 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the fixing member  14  of the supporting frame  1  may be connected with the connecting portion  34   a ′ of the rear bracket  38 ′. 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the back racket  38   a  is coupled to the fixing post  4 , and the fixed portion  24  of the second arm  22  of the cable management arm  2  is also connected to the fixing post  4 . With such an arrangement, the fixing member  14  at the other end of the supporting frame  1  may be connected to the fixing post  4 ′, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the cable management arm  2  is in a collapsed status. When cable is winding in the cable management arm  2 , the cable management arm  2  will swing backwards due to the tension from the cable. The backward swing of the cable management arm  2  is confined by the restricting member  28  at the bottom of the intermediate shelf  27 , and the restricting member  28  holds against one side of the supporting frame  1 . 
         [0075]    When the cable management arm  2  is pulled and extended along with the sliding member  3  outwardly, as shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 , the first arm  21  of the cable management arm  2  and the coupling member  13  of the supporting frame  1  will move along with the pulling force from the traveling rail  33  and the extension rail  32 . The traveling rail  33  and the extension rail  32  slide synchronously with the sliding member  3  to a preset distance. The fixing member  14  of the second frame  12  of the supporting frame  1  is connected to a rear end of the fixing rail  31 ′ of the sliding member  3 ′, so that when the coupling member  13  of the supporting frame  1  departs its original position, the first frame  11  and the second frame  12  of the supporting frame  1  will be extended relatively and slanted forwards. The more of the traveling rail  33  pulling, the wider angle the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  will be, and the longer the first frame  11  and the second frame  12  of the cable management arm  2  will extend. The second arm  22  of the cable management arm  2  leans on the first frame  11  of the supporting frame  1 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0076]    When the traveling rail  33  and the extension rail  32  of the sliding member  3  are pulled to a second preset position, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the pulling force against the extension rail  32  will be stopped. The coupling member  13  of the supporting frame  1  is positioned in place. The traveling rail  33  of the sliding member  3  continues moving. The continuous extension of the traveling rail  33  will bring the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  of the cable management arm  2  to expand to a wider angle, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0077]    When the traveling rail  33  of the sliding member  3  reaches its final position, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  of the cable management arm  2  will expand to the widest angle. The cable management arm  2  has its center portion leaning on the supporting frame  1  that prevents the cable management arm  2  from dropping. 
         [0078]    Another situation of the above-mentioned embodiment is that the coupling member  13   b  of the supporting frame  1   b  is pulled along with the extension rail  32   b  to the second preset position, and the extension rail  32   b  requires passing over the second preset position or the supporting frame  1   b  is confined with its length. In a preferred embodiment, this may be done by releasing the connection of the coupling member  13   b  and the extension rail  32   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the fixing rail  31   b  of the sliding member  3   b  is provided with an actuating portion  311   b.  When the second connecting portion  35   b  at the rear end of the extension rail  32   b  moves towards the actuating portion  311   b  and the engaging section  152   b  of the coupling member  13   b  touches the actuating portion  311   b,  the engaging section  152   b  will be pushed away by the actuating portion  311   b,  the supporting frame  1   b  will extend to the terminal, and the extension rail  32   b  will be further pulled. The second connecting portion  35   b  is forced to disengage from the engaging section  152   b,  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The extension rail  32   b  disengages from the coupling member  13   b  of the supporting frame  1   b,  and is free to move independently. 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIG. 22 , the above-mentioned embodiment is applied to the sliding member  3 C in the type of two sections, the fixing rail  31 C and the traveling rail  33 C. The traveling rail  33 C of the sliding member  3 C is provided with a fourth connecting portion  332 C at a rear end thereof to facilitate the coupling member  13   c  of the supporting frame  1   c  to be secured in the fixing rail  31   c  of the sliding member  3   c.  This arrangement provides a linking relation between the coupling member  3   c  and the fourth connecting portion  332   c.  The linking relation may be released, as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . The actuating portion  311   c  is provided on the fixing rail  31   c.  When the supporting frame  1   c  extends to its terminal and the fourth connecting portion  332   c  at the rear end of the traveling rail  33   c  passes over the actuating portion  311   c,  the fourth connecting portion  332   c  will be forced to disengage from the engaging section  152   c  of the coupling member  13   c.  The traveling rail  33   c  may be further pulled independently. 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 24 , the coupling member  13   d  of the supporting frame  1   d  may be designed like the fixing member  14   d.  The coupling member  13   d  is coupled to the second connecting portion  35   d  of the extension rail  32   d.    
         [0081]    As shown in  FIG. 25 , the supporting frame  1   e  may be in the type of three sections, a first frame  11   e,  a second frame  12   e,  and a third frame  17   e.  The supporting frame  1   e  comprises a coupling member  13   e  and a fixing member  14   e.  The second frame  12   e  and the third frame  17   e  are inserted into two ends of the first frame  11   e.  The outer end of the second frame  12   e  is connected to the fixing member  14   e.  The outer end of third frame  17   e  is connected to the coupling member  13   e.  A further design is to confine the extension of both the second frame  12   e  and the third frame  17   e  with respect to the first frame  11   e.  The first frame  11   e  has a restricting groove  11   e.  The second frame  12   e  and the third frame  17   e  are provided with protuberances  123   e  and  171   e,  respectively. By the protuberances  123   e  and  171   e  sliding within the restricting groove  111   e,  the extension of the supporting frame  1   e  is restricted. 
         [0082]    Furthermore, the above-mentioned fastening unit  6  is the same configuration but installed in different directions, and is applied to the fixing member  14  of the supporting frame  1 , the movable portion  23  and the fixed portion  24  of the cable management arm  2 . The fastening unit  6  comprises a base  61 , a resilient seat  62 , and a latch  63 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . The base  61  has an accommodating room  611 , an open groove  612 , and a through hole  613 . The accommodating room  611  is adapted for the resilient seat  62  to seat therein. The latch  63  has a front section inserting through the open groove  612 , a middle section passing the resilient seat  62 , and a rear section inserting into the through hole  613 . The resilient seat  62  has a resilient leg  621  and an engaging projection  622 . The latch  63  has a stress portion  631  to hold against the resilient leg  621 . The engaging projection  622  is engaged with the base  61  and secured thereat. The base  61  further has a holding portion  64  to secure a loading object which can be locked by the latch  63 . Furthermore, the base  61  further comprises a single or a pairs of pivot ears  65  in order to connect the supporting frame  1  and the cable management arm  2 . The holding portion  64   f  of the base  61   f,  as shown in  FIG. 27 , can be formed in different directions or in different shapes. The base  61   f  may work with the second arm  22   f  of the cable management  2   f,  as shown in  FIG. 28 , for connecting to the fixing post  4   f.  As shown in  FIG. 29 , the base  61   f  is coupled to the second frame  12   f  of the supporting frame If for connecting to the fixing post  4   f.