Method for managing cables

• US 6,996,904 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1997
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Howell, Matthew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUGBANG, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US08/987,005
• Time in Patent Office: 2,990 Days
• Field of Search: 29/33.F, 298/25, 295/642, 297/55, 297/82, 297/60, 297/61, 298/57, 298/68, 174/48, 174/49, 174/72.A, 174/101, 522/207, 439/719, 439/445
• US Class Current: 29/868
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/16 Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/045 provided with perforations or slots permitting introduction or exit of wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5187 Wire working
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53243 Multiple, independent conductors

Abstract

A method is to be used with a device that is capable of carrying a cable and has a cover with a port. The method includes: (1) arranging the cable in the tray; (2) determining that the port is to be used to connect the cable; and (3) connecting the cable to the port.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

mounting a tray, the tray including a longitudinal groove that has a substantially uniform cross-section and is defined between first and second longitudinally-extending edges of the tray, the first edge comprising first a notch and the second edge comprising a second notch;

placing a cable in the groove;

selectively routing the cable through the first notch;

selectively routing the cable through the second notch, the cable extending through the first notch in a first direction that is substantially orthogonal to a second direction along which the cable extends through the second notch; and

placing a cover that extends between the first edge and the second edge to close the groove and conceal the cable in the groove.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein placing comprises contacting at least one of the first and second longitudinal edges with the cover.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notch in the first edge comprises one out of a plurality of notches in the first longitudinal edge.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the notch in the second edge comprises one out of a plurality of notches in the second longitudinal edge.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of notches are uniformly spaced with respect to each other along the first longitudinal edge.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second longitudinal edges impart a slope to the cover relative to the edges when the cover closes the groove.

7. A method comprising:

forming a tray, the tray including a longitudinal groove that has a substantially uniform cross-section and is defined between first and second longitudinally-extending edges of the tray, the first edge comprising a first notch and the second edge comprising a second notch;

adapting the tray to hold at least one cable so that the first edge includes the first notch and the second edge includes the second notch so that when the cable is routed through the first notch, the cable extends through the first notch in a first direction and when the cable is routed through the second notch, the cable extends through the second notch in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; and

forming a cover to extend between the first edge and the second edge to close the groove and conceal the cable in the groove.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming comprises adapting the cover to contact at least one of the first and second longitudinal edges.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the notch in the first edge comprises one out of a plurality of notches in the first longitudinal edge.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the notch in the second edge comprises one out of a plurality of notches in the second longitudinal edge.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said plurality of notches are uniformly spaced with respect to each other along the first longitudinal edge.