Modular cable management system for related electronics equipment

• US 4,681,378 A
• Filed: 05/20/1986
• Issued: 07/21/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MicroComputer Accessories, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MicroComputer Accessories, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Hellman, Nat III
• Primary Examiner(s): Falk, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US06/866,399
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 312/107, 312/108, 312/194, 312/195, 312/223, 312/208, 312/111, 211/188, 211/194
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/0253 Shelves stackable by means of vertical parts integrated or already fixed to the shelves, the parts not being frames or made of tubes or wire

Abstract

A module (20) comprising a top panel (22) that is attached to a pair of opposed side panels (32). The assembly forms a channel or "U" shaped structure with a rear channel cover (42) snapped into place over a channel (26) defining a horizontal raceway. A pair of cable recess covers (46) enclose a recess (34) in the sides (32) providing a duct that forms a path for wires and cables. Electronic equipment is positioned upon the top panel (22) of the module (20) with ancillary components in the area underneath; thus providing a management system for the equipment, including a passageway for interconnecting the wires and cables. A number of modules (20) may be stacked together on a base (60) having casters (62) in each corner. A paper basket (64) and a keyboard storage board (66) may also be added to allow an entire electronic system, such as a computer complex, to be self-contained within the structure.

Claims

1. An electronic equipment cable management system module comprising:

(a) a top panel having a flat upper surface with a slot centrally located therein, auxillary mounting holes extending therethrough, reinforcing members on the underside and a channel formed in the rear;

(b) a pair of opposed side panels each having a top, bottom, and two ends with both ends having an integral vertical cable recess with cap engaging means at each end, also the side panels having attachment means at the upper ends thereof for connecting to opposite sides of said top panel, forming a channel shaped modular structure that comprises a raised surface upon which electronic equipment may be mounted;

(c) a rear channel cover having a plurality of breakaway tabs integral therewith resiliently fastened to said channel formed in the rear defining a rear channel cover enclosed raceaway for receiving cablery from said electronic equipment, allowing egress of cables at selected locations by removal of selected tabs;

(d) a plurality of side cable recess covers in "U" shape having both ends open contiguously joined with said side panel recess forming an open ended passageway with the side panel recesses at the rear end in communication with the rear channel cover enclosed raceway;

(e) at least two top corner caps frictionally connected to said top panel at the end opposite the rear end, with the corner caps having means for superimposing the interface of said top and side panels cosmetically enveloping the juncture;

(f) a plurality of removable bottom corner caps, each having a resilient foot diposed thereunto frictionally connecting the bottom corner caps to the bottom corners of said side panels, said removable bottom corner caps providing a resilient base allowing said module to rest upon a flat surface without slipping; and

,

(g) said channel shaped modular structure allowing electronic equipment to be disposed upon the panel, such as a computer printer with space between the sides allowing storage for paper, said panel slot providing access for paper to be fed into printers having bottom loading capabilities.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said top panel further comprises:

a plurality of threaded bosses positioned in the proximity of the corners receiving said attaching means connecting therewith, said channel formed in the rear having the ends terminate prior to the edge allowing electrical cables to be directed into said side panel, also said channel having a plurality of cavities in the bottom portion permitting electrical cables to exit therethrough at convenient locations from electronic equipment placed thereupon.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said side panel further comprises:

(a) a handle recess integral with the center for lifting with one hand on each panel providing finger room and a flat surface thereupon, said panel also having a plurality of openings therethrough for cable exit and convenience;

(b) a plurality of mating flanges contiguous with said top panel allowing said fastening means to attach the panels to the top; and

,

(c) an open "U" shaped portion formed into each vertical end creating a cable recess in line with said top panel channel permitting electrical cables to be positioned therein.

4. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said rear channel cover further comprises:

an interlocking raised portion integral with the underside ends corresponding inversely to said top panel corners and interlocking therewith, allowing the top to cosmetically envelop the corner.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said side cable recess covers further comprise:

a plurality of reinforcing gussets formed on the outside surface for adding stiffness and to provide structural integrity to the element, also a resilient hooked finger projecting from the top to urgingly interface with said side panel for attachment thereunto.

6. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said attaching means further comprise:

a threaded fastener with a spring clip retainer restraining the structure at each corner.

7. An electronic equipment cable management system modular assembly with a base comprising:

(a) a plurality of modules nestingly detained on top of each other in a vertical array, each modual having;

a top panel with a flat surface having a slot centrally located therein, reinforcing members on the underside and a channel formed in the rear,

a pair of opposed side panels each having a top, bottom, and two ends with both ends having an integral vertical cable recess with cap engaging means at each end, also the side panels having attachment means at the upper ends thereof for connecting said side panels to opposite sides of said top panel, forming a channel shaped modular structure creating a raised surface in shelf manner upon which electronic related equipment may be positioned,

a rear channel cover having a plurality of breakaway tabs integral therewith reresiliently fastened to said channel formed in the rear defining rear channel cover enclosed raceaway for receiving cablery from said electronic equipment allowing egress of cables by removal of selected tabs,

a plurality of side cable recess covers in "U" shape having both ends open contiguously joined with said side panel recess forming an open ended passageway with the side panel recess at the rear end in communication with the rear channel cover enclosed raceway, the side panel recesses being in communication the entire height of said modular assembly, each module in communication with each said rear channel cover enclosed raceway

(b) at least two top corner caps frictionally connected to the uppermost top panel at the end opposite the rear end, with the top corner caps having means for superimposing the interface of said top and side panels cosmetically enveloping the juncture; and

,

9. The invention as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

a paper receiving basket detachably affixed to one of the modules having a printer as a workpiece located thereon, said basket having a bottom, sides and open top slightly larger in size than printer paper for receiving and temporarily storing the paper.

10. The invention as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

an electrical power strip having a plurality of female connectors on one end, a plug on the other with a flexible stranded wire linked therebetween mounted adjacent to one of the cable raceways for transmitting electrical energy from an external source to said modular assembly powering the electronic equipment positioned thereupon.

11. The invention as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

a keyboard storage drawer having a base and a pair of interlocked slides rigidly connected to one of the modules on the inside surface of the opposed side panels providing a tray for receiving a keyboard allowing storage inside the module and repositioning to the outside when in use by an operator.

12. The invention as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

a wireform paper folding guide attached to said module through said auxillary mounting holes shaped in such a manner as to guide printer paper by refolding into a vertical stack onto said module top panel.

13. The invention as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

a mounting platform having a pair of legs in "C" shape, the top surface attached to a mounting plate and the bottom surface containing a pair of locating pins, said platform disposed contiguously upon said modular top panel, the pins intimately engaging said auxillary mounting holes providing a flat extended surface to which an electronic component may be securely mounted.

8. (c) a rectangular base rigidly affixed to the bottom-most module having a plurality of casters, at least one at each corner, providing mobility for said modular assembly for moving from one location to another, said assembly also providing a plurality of shelves allowing electronic correlated equipment and ancillary items to be positioned in associated relationship within, the modular assembly also permitting one of the modules to receive a printer with bottom loading capabilities said top panel slot providing access for paper to be fed therethrough.