Cable management apparatus and method

• US 6,483,033 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ivas, Stanley, Simoes, Michael, Moran, John L. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALKENHORST, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US09/686,238
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 174/72.A, 174/69, 174/99.E, 174/135, 242/165, 242/360, 242/364, 242/388, 439/578, 439/761, 439/803
• US Class Current: 174/72.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4457 Bobbins; Reels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1449 with connections to the back board

Abstract

A cable management system for electronic patchboard and routing systems. Cables are fabricated in a uniform length with appropriate termination Functional sets of cables are bundled and enclosed in a distinctly identifiable bundling material. Bundles are wrapped around a reel which has features for removable attachment to a cabinet. Reels are removably mounted to the cabinet at locations chosen to facilitate neat cable dressing. Appropriate lengths of cable are unwound from the reel. Cables are connected to associated connection points while leaving excess cable lengths wrapped around the reel.

Claims

1. A cable apparatus comprising:

a bundle having multiple cables and ends;

a reel, allowing said bundle to be wrapped around said reel; and

retaining means to maintain a desired wrapping of said bundle around said reel;

wherein said retaining means allows any of said ends of said bundle to extend up to all of the length available from said reel.

2. The cable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reel is removably mountable to a mounting structure.

3. The cable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reel is removably mountable to a mounting structure by hook and loop mounting tape.

4. The cable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means allows said ends of said bundle to extend an unequal length from said reel.

5. The cable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means are C-clips.

6. The cable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identifiable grouping structure at least partially encloses said bundle.

7. The cable apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said identifiable grouping structure includes a flexible mesh sleeve.

8. The cable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the desired wrapping of said bundle is within a single channel on said reel.