Cable carrier/retractor

• US 4,614,383 A
• Filed: 12/31/1984
• Issued: 09/30/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS Mission Solutions, Inc. (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
• Inventors: Polley, Bradford L., Priester, Gary P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US06/687,957
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 312/270, 312/271, 312/272, 312/272.5, 312/273, 312/274, 312/320, 174/69, 174/DIG. 9, 361/390, 361/391
• US Class Current: 312/273
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0083 Cable or current inlet for drawer or shelf
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/202 Cable lay-outs
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/006 using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring extensible conductors or cables H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 174/09 Pull-out cabinet or drawer with retractable cable

Abstract

A cable carrier/retractor for supporting, protecting and guiding a cable to an equipment drawer in a cabinet including a framework while at the same time allowing for addition or removal of cables without any disassembly of the mechanism. The carrier supports a cable from an entry position adjacent to the framework of the drawer to an exit position adjacent to the back panel of the drawer. The carrier generally comprises a first having an entry end for supporting a cable from the entry position to an intermediate position, and a second channel for supporting the cable from an intermediate position to the exit position, a hinged mount connecting the first channel to the frame, and an intermediate hinge for connecting the channels. In a preferred embodiment, a retaining hinge connected to a drawer-mounted slide member or the drawer back panel holds the exit end of the second channel in a position adjacent to the back panel. The channels are vertically offset relative to one another on the intermediate hinge such that the channels may attain in a fully retractable position a substantially top-to-bottom relationship in a plane perpendicular to the direction of drawer travel. The intermediate hinge is under center whereby a rearward force on the exit end decreases the angle between the channels moving them to the retracted position.

Claims

1. In a cabinet including a framework having a drawer therein, and a cable extending from said drawer to the rear of said framework, said cable being of a length substantially greater than the distance between the rear of said drawer and the rear of said framework, a device for supporting said cable in a substantially horizontal configuration from an entry position adjacent said framework to the rear of said drawer, to an exit position adjacent the rear of said drawer, said device comprising:

a mounting hinge for mounting on said frame to the rear of said drawer for connecting an entry end of a first channel to said frame;

a first channel for supporting said cable from said entry position adjacent said framework to the rear of said drawer to an intermediate position, said first channel comprising;

an entry end; and

a second end;

a connecting hinge connecting said second end of said first channel with a first end of a second channel;

a second channel for supporting said cable from said intermediate position to said exit position adjacent the rear of said drawer, said second channel comprising;

a first end; and

an exit end for positioning adjacent the rear of said drawer; and

a retaining hinge connected to said drawer and to said exit end of said second channel for retaining said exit end adjacent the rear of said drawer; and

wherein

said first and second channels have a horizontal width and have walls defining a continuous orifice along a length of said channel for insertion and removal of said cable, said walls for supporting and retaining said cable within said channel; and

wherein

said connecting hinge is under center between said mounting hinge and said retaining hinge, said connecting hinge being located approximately mid-width of the channel, and wherein said channels are vertically offset relative to one another on said connecting hinge whereby, in a fully retracted position, said channels may attain a top-to-bottom relationship in a plane perpendicular to the direction of drawer travel, and, when said drawer is moved forward and said channels are in a fully extended position, said channels may attain a substantially linear relationship in a substantially horizontal plane.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the width of said orifice is just sufficient for passage therethrough of said cable.