Horizontal Cable Manager

• US 20080121423A1
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Vogel, Mark A., Moehle, Walter J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/480
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/064 horizontal management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/066 arranged on the front side
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06

Abstract

A cable slack manager apparatus for use in a zone box comprises a base plate and two or more cable slack management members. The cable slack management members may be releasably secured to the base plate and may comprise at least two straight portions and a rounded portion positioned therebetween. The management members may be angled relative to a front edge of the base plate. A distance between slack management members and opposing sidewalls of the base plate may be progressively smaller for slack management members positioned closer to the front edge of the base plate. Various configurations are possible.

Claims

1. A cable slack manager apparatus comprising:

a base plate comprising a front edge,

two or more cable slack management members, each cable stack management member comprising at least two straight portions and a rounded portion positioned therebetween, with said cable slack management members positioned in spaced apart locations on said base plate and a plane defined by said at least two straight portions of each cable slack management member intersecting an axis positioned along said front edge of said base plate at an angle, wherein said angles formed by said plane and said axis are progressively larger for cable slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

2. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base plate comprises opposing sidewalls extending upwardly relative to said base plate, said opposing sidewalls comprising one or more cable tie receiving members.

3. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 2, wherein a distance between said slack management members and opposing sidewalls is progressively smaller for slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

4. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two or more slack management members extend circumferentially about 180 degrees.

5. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 1, wherein said angle is between about 20 degrees and 60 degrees.

6. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cable slack management members are releasably securable to said base plate.

7. A cable slack manager apparatus comprising:

a base plate comprising a front edge and opposing sides;

a plurality of cable slack management members, each cable slack management member comprising a rounded portion, said cable slack management members positioned in spaced apart locations on said base plate, wherein cable slack management members positioned closer to said front edge are positioned closer to said opposing sides.

8. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 7, wherein said opposing sidewalls comprise one or more cable tie receiving members.

9. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 7, wherein a distance between said slack management members and opposing sidewalls is progressively smaller for slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

10. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 7, wherein said slack management members extend circumferentially about 180 degrees.

11. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an overhang positioned above said rounded portion, said overhang adapted to retain and prevent unwanted slippage of cable slack.

12. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 7, wherein said slack manager members comprise at least two straight portions defining a plane that intersects an axis positioned along said front edge of said base plate at an angle, wherein said angles formed by said plane and said axis are progressively larger for cable slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

13. A cable slack manager apparatus comprising:

a base plate comprising a front edge;

a plurality of cable slack management members, each comprising at least two straight portions with a rounded portion positioned therebetween and at least one corner where said straight portions and said rounded portion meet, wherein each of said cable slack management members is angled relative to said front edge, such that when cable slack is routed around said cable slack management members, said cable slack cannot contact said at least one corner.

14. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 13, wherein said base plate comprises opposing sidewalls extending upwardly relative to said base plate, said opposing sidewalls comprising one or more cable tie receiving members.

15. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 14, wherein a distance between said slack management members and opposing sidewalls is progressively smaller for slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

16. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 13, wherein said slack management members extend circumferentially about 180 degrees.

17. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an overhang positioned above said rounded portion, said overhang adapted to retain and prevent unwanted slippage of cable slack.

18. The cable slack manager apparatus of claim 13, wherein said straight portions define a plane intersecting an axis positioned along said front edge of said base plate at an angle, wherein said angles formed by said plane and said axis are progressively larger for cable slack management members positioned closer to said front edge of said base plate.

19. In an enclosure apparatus comprising vertical rails, at least one patch panel and at least one switch, the improvement comprising a cable slack manager apparatus comprising a base plate carrying a plurality of cable slack management members, said cable slack management members comprising a rounded portion and said base plate mounted to said vertical rails between said at least one patch panel and said at least one switch, with said base plate positioned transverse to said vertical rails.

20. The enclosure apparatus of claim 19, wherein said enclosure apparatus is a zone box.

21. The enclosure apparatus of claim 19, wherein said cable manager apparatus renders the enclosure compliant with a Class 1 Environment standard set by the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Engineers.

22. The enclosure apparatus of claim 19, wherein said enclosure apparatus further comprises one or more inlets associated with said at least one switch and the presence of said cable manager within said enclosure maintains a temperature of less than about 85°

F. it an ambient temperature of about 72°

F.

23. The enclosure apparatus of claim 19, wherein said cable slack management members are positioned in spaced apart locations on said base plate and cable slack management members positioned closer to said front edge are positioned closer to said opposing sides.

24. The enclosure apparatus of claim 19, wherein said cable slack management members are positioned in spaced apart locations on said base plate, with at least one of said cable slack management members angled relative to a front edge of said base plate.