Cable management arm assembly

• US 6,435,354 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Gray, Randolph D., Williams, Tiffany J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin-Shue, Alvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PUROL, SARAH L
• Application Number:
  US09/633,449
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 211/26, 211/80, 211/81, 211/85, 211/96, 211/104, 211/116, 211/119.004, 211/132.1, 211/168, 361/826, 361/829
• US Class Current: 211/26
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06

Abstract

In present disclosure, a system and method are described for managing cables within a rack. In one aspect, a computer rack system for disposing one or more computers is disclosed that includes a rack that has a standard interface and a cable management assembly. The cable management assembly acts to secure cables connecting computer components housed within the rack system. The cable management assembly includes a rack connector, a first dual hinge assembly, a first arm, a second arm, and a component connector. The rack connector is formed to releaseably connect to the standard interface of the rack and the first dual hinge assembly is connected to the rack connector.

Claims

1. A rack system for releaseably mounting a computer system component therein comprising:

a rack having a standard interface;

a cable management assembly operable to secure a plurality of cables, to an attached component

a rack connector formed to releaseably connect the cable management assembly to the standard interface;

a first dual hinge assembly connected to the rack connector;

a first arm connected to the dual hinge assembly distal the rack connector;

a second arm hingedly connected to the first arm distal the dual hinge assembly;

a component connector hingedly connected to the second arm distal the first arm; and

the component connector operable to attach a computer system component to the cable management assembly.

2. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the rack connector further comprises:

a keyed interface for connecting with the standard interface; and

a threaded hole for releaseably securing the rack connector to the standard interface with a fastener.

3. The rack system of claim 2 wherein the fastener further comprises a thumbscrew.

4. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the dual hinge assembly further comprises a Z-shaped configuration operable to vertically offset the rack connector from the first arm.

5. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising the rack connector and dual hinge assembly formed to be selectively reversible.

6. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the component connector further comprises a spring-loaded hinge assembly operable to releaseably engage the component housed within the rack system.

7. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising:

the first arm having removed portions to allow air flow through the first arm; and

the second arm having removed portions to allow air flow through the second arm.

8. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cable ties attached to the first arm and the second arm to releaseably secure at least one cable thereto.

9. The rack system of claim 8 further comprising tabs associated with the cable ties operable selectively tighten the cable ties.

10. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising:

a detent assembly associated with the second arm operable to selectively retain the cable management assembly; and

the detent assembly further operable to selectively allow the cable management assembly to pivot away from the rack.

11. The rack system of claim 10 further comprising:

a spring-loaded detent arm selectively movable between a first position and a second position;

the first position operable to retain the cable management assembly; and

the second position operable to allow the cable management assembly to pivot away from the rack.

12. A cable management assembly comprising:

a first hinge assembly having a dual hinge connected to a rack connector;

a first arm connected to the first hinge assembly;

a second arm hingedly connected to the first arm; and

a component connector hingedly connected to the second arm.

13. The cable management assembly of claim 12 wherein the rack connector further comprises a thumb screw operable to attach to a standard rack interface without the use of a tool.

14. The cable management assembly of claim 12 further comprising the first arm and the second arm hingedly connected by a second hinge assembly having a dual hinge.

15. The cable management assembly of claim 12 further comprising a detent assembly associated with the second arm operable to selectively retain the cable management within a standard rack.

16. The cable management assembly of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of cable ties disposed along the first arm and the second arm.

17. A method for managing cabling with a rack comprising:

securing a rack connector portion of a cable management assembly to a standard rack interface within a rack, the rack connector attached to a dual hinge;

securing a component connector to a component housed within the rack; and

securing component cables within tabs disposed along the first arm and the second arm.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

selectively retaining the first arm and second arm within the rack; and

selectively releasing the first arm and second arm to pivot rearward from the rack.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising tool-lessly securing the rack connector portion of the cable management arm to the standard rack interface.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

selectively moving the component forward thereby extending the cable management assembly; and

selectively moving the component rearward thereby folding the cable management assembly.