Cable management system and method of installation and operation thereof

• US 20050057912A1
• Filed: 09/15/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hardt, Thomas T., McGrew, Allison R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,092,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/826
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/202 Cable lay-outs
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/36 with withdrawable units

Abstract

A system and method for supporting at least one electrical cable is provided. The at least one electrical cable may be secured to a movable electronic device disposed within a chassis. A harness is provided that is securable to at least one electrical cable. A flexible support member is provided to support the harness and the at least one electrical cable. The flexible support member may move with the electrical device as the electrical device is moved. The flexible support member may comprise wire. A wire reel may be provided to extend and retract the wire. The wire of the wire reel may be unwound as the electrical device is moved from a normal position to a withdrawn position. The wire of the wire reel may be wound as the electronic device is moved from the withdrawn position to the normal position.

Claims

1. A harness for supporting at least one flexible member, comprising:

a flexible longitudinal member; and

a plurality of straps secured to the longitudinal member, each of the plurality of straps being adapted to secure the harness to the at least one flexible member.

2. The harness, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a first securing member adapted to secure the harness to a movable device.

3. The harness, as set forth in claim 2, comprising a second securing member adapted to secure the harness to a first supporting member.

4. The harness, as set forth in claim 3, comprising a third securing member adapted to secure the harness to a second supporting member.

5. The harness, as set forth in claim 4, comprising a fourth securing member adapted to secure the harness to a stationary object.

6. The harness, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one strap has a first securing portion and a second securing portion, the first and second securing portions being adapted for securing engagement to secure the at least one strap around the at least one flexible member.

7. The harness, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the first and second securing portions comprise a self-securing material.

9. A harness for supporting at least one cable, comprising:

a plurality of straps operable to secure the harness to the at least one cable; and

a first harness member coupled to the plurality of straps, wherein the first harness member is adapted to be coupled to an external support member to enable the external support member to support the at least one cable.

8. The harness, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one flexible member is at least one electrical cable.

10. The harness, as set forth in claim 9, comprising a flexible spine, wherein the plurality of straps and the first harness member are secured to the flexible spine.

11. The harness, as set forth in claim 9, comprising a second harness member secured to the flexible spine, wherein the second harness member is adapted to be coupled to a second external support member to enable the second external support member to support the at least one cable.

12. The harness, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the second harness member is displaced axially along the flexible spine from the first harness member.

13. The harness, as set forth in claim 12, comprising a third harness member secured to the flexible spine and operable to connect the harness to a movable device.

14. The harness, as set forth in claim 13, comprising a fourth harness member secured to the flexible spine and operable to connect the harness to a fixed member.

15. The harness, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the third harness member and fourth harness member are disposed at opposite ends of the flexible spine.

16. The harness, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the plurality of straps are self-securing.

17. A harness for supporting at least one cable, comprising:

means for securing a plurality of straps of a cable harness around at least one cable to secure the electrical cable to the harness; and

means for connecting a first support member to the harness to enable the first support member to suspend the at least one electrical cable therefrom.

18. The harness, as set forth in claim 17, comprising means for connecting a second support member to the harness to enable the second support member to suspend the at least one electrical cable therefrom.

19. The harness, as set forth in claim 17, comprising means for securing a first end of the harness to a movable device.

20. The harness, as set forth in claim 19, comprising means for securing a second end of the harness to a fixed member.

21. A harness for routing a cable to a movable electronic device housed in a rack, comprising:

a flexible spine;

a plurality of straps disposed along the spine to enable the harness to be secured to the cable at a plurality of locations along the cable; and

a first harness member secured to the spine and coupleable to the electronic device.

22. The harness, as set forth in claim 21, comprising a second harness member secured to the spine, wherein the second harness member is operable to enable a first support member to apply a lifting force to the second harness member.

23. The harness, as set forth in claim 22, comprising a third harness member secured to the spine, the third harness member being displaced longitudinally along the spine from the second harness member, wherein the third harness member is operable to enable a second support member to apply a lifting force to the third harness member.

24. The harness, as set forth in claim 23, comprising a fourth harness member secured to the spine and coupleable to the rack.