Cable management system and method of use thereof

• US 20050076479A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Rolla, Michael P., Masson, Denise M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/302
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1449 with connections to the back board
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/318 Strap connector

Abstract

What is disclosed is a cable management system having a flexible main strap with an upper portion adapted to be secured to a first supporting surface in an electronic device, a middle portion with a plurality of mini straps attached thereon, and a lower portion adapted to be secured to a second supporting surface in the electronic device. The mini straps are capable of forming loops around a cable or cable assembly to restrict movement of the cable or cable assembly. Also disclosed is a method for managing cables in an electronic device. The method contains the steps of: attaching an upper portion of a main strap having a plurality of mini straps attached thereon to a first surface on the electronic device; organizing cables in the electronic device using the mini straps attached to the main strap; and attaching a lower portion of the main strap to a second surface on the electronic device.

Claims

1. A cable management system, comprising:

a flexible main strap comprising an upper portion adapted to be secured to a first supporting surface, a middle portion, and a lower portion adapted to be secured to a second supporting surface, and

a plurality of mini straps capable of attachment to the middle portion of the main strap and forming loops around a cable or cable assembly to restrict movement of the cable or cable assembly.

2. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the main strap comprises attachment means for mounting the upper portion to the first supporting surface.

3. The cable management system of claim 2, wherein the attachment means comprises an L-bracket and at least one screw.

4. The cable management system of claim 1, further comprising a tensioner for flexibly securing the lower portion of the main strap to the second supporting surface.

5. The cable management system of claim 4, wherein the lower portion of the main strap comprises means for attaching to the tensioner.

6. The cable management system of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching to the tensioner is a snap hook.

7. The cable management system of claim 4, wherein the tensioner comprises a spring, a cable reel, a cable having one end attached to the cable reel and another end attached to a receptacle, and a housing.

8. The cable management system of claim 4, wherein the tensioner is mounted on the second supporting surface by at least one screw.

9. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the mini straps are removably attached to the middle portion of the main strap.

10. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the main strap and mini straps comprise at least one of polyester, polypropylene, polyimide, fluoroelastomer, acrylic, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), urethane, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride, polydimethylsiloxane, polysulfone, siloxane, polyamide, plastic laminated paper, seat belt webbing, and Velcro.

11. The cable management system of claim 10, wherein the main strap comprises Velcro.

12. The cable management system of claim 10, wherein the main straps comprise seat belt webbing.

13. The cable management system of claim 10, wherein the mini straps comprise Velcro.

14. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the mini straps are permanently attached to the main strap.

15. A cable management system kit, comprising:

a flexible main strap comprising an upper portion adapted to be secured to a first supporting surface, a middle portion, and a lower portion adapted to be secured to a second supporting surface, and

a plurality of mini straps capable of attachment to the middle portion of the main strap and forming loops around a cable or cable assembly to restrict movement of the cable or cable assembly;

fastening means for mounting the upper portion and the lower portion of the main strap to the first and the second supporting surfaces.

16. The cable management system kit of claim 15, wherein the fastening means comprise an L-bracket for attaching the upper portion of the main strap to the first supporting surface, and a tensioner for flexibly attaching the lower portion of the main strap to the second supporting surface.

17. The cable management system kit of claim 15, wherein the mini straps are permanently attached to the main strap.

18. A method for managing cables in a complex electronic device, comprising:

attaching an upper portion of a main strap having a plurality of mini straps attached thereon to a first surface on the electronic device;

organizing cables in the electronic device using the mini straps attached to the main strap; and

,

attaching a lower portion of the main strap to a second surface on the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

attaching a plurality of mini straps to the main strap.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching a lower portion of the main strap to a second surface on the electronic device comprises:

attaching a tensioner to the second surface on the electronic device; and

attaching the lower portion of the main strap to the tensioner.