Cable management system

• US 20080236858A1
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Quijano, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,622,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/007 Devices for relieving mechanical stress
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cable management system. In one embodiment, the cable management system comprises a housing, a plurality of baffles extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to resist movement of a connector relative to a port in a connection direction and receive the connector in an access direction generally traverse to the connection direction, and an access panel configured to enable access to the port and the connector.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of baffles extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to resist movement of a connector relative to a port in a connection direction and receive the connector in an access direction generally traverse to the connection direction; and

an access panel configured to enable access to the port and the connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises an L-shaped cross-section.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a face portion and a guide portion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the guide portion extends from adjacent one end of the face portion toward an upper end or lower end of the housing.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising an upper tab extending from an upper wall of the housing and a lower tab extending from a lower wall of the housing, wherein the upper and lower tabs are configured to cooperate with a coupling to secure the housing to an electronic device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of baffles are positionally adjustable relative to the housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a coupling feature configured to couple with a mating feature of the housing.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising a fastener configured to secure the housing to an electronic device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fastener comprises a locking mechanism, a security screw, or both.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a cavity formed by the housing, the plurality of baffles, and the access panel is configured to be large enough to sufficiently cover the connector and small enough to provide resistance to movement of the connector.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein an angle between first and second portions of each of the plurality of baffles is adjustable.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the angle is configured to deflect the connector away from the port when the connector is inserted between the plurality of baffles into the housing in the connection direction.

13. A system, comprising:

a first side wall;

a second side wall disposed opposite the first side wall;

a plurality of baffles extending between the sidewalls, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a face portion having a height extending substantially parallel to the side wall and a width extending substantially perpendicular to the side wall and a guide portion having a width extending substantially perpendicular to the side wall and a depth extending along the sidewall at an angle transverse to the face portion.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising:

upper wall extending between the first and second side walls in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls at an upper end of the first and second side walls; and

a lower wall extending between the first and second side walls in the direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls at a lower end of the first and second sidewalls.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged based on a location of ports on an electronic device such that the plurality of baffles deflect direct coupling of a connector to the ports.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of baffles are positionally adjustable.

17. The system of claim 13, comprising a fastener configured to secure the first and second sidewalls to an electronic device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the fastener comprises a locking mechanism, a security screw, or both.

19. The cable management system of claim 13, wherein the face portion and the guide portion are separate components.

20. A system, comprising:

a computer comprising a port configured to facilitate communicative coupling with a peripheral device or power source; and

a cable management system positioned over port, the cable management system comprising;

a housing;

a plurality of baffles extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to resist movement of a connector relative to the port in a connection direction and receive the connector in an access direction generally traverse to the connection direction; and

an access panel configured to enable access to the port and the connector.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises an L-shaped cross-section.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein an angle between first and second portions of each of the plurality of baffles is adjustable.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the angle is configured to deflect the connector away from the port.