Cable management system with patch panel

• US 7,087,840 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Herring, Nathaniel L., Baxter, Robert C., Kierstead, Glenn T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US11/003,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20060118321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/68.1, 174/68.3, 174/96, 174/99.E, 174/100, 174/101, 174/50, 174/53, 174/58, 174/65.R, 174/67, 174/480, 174/481, 174/484, 174/95, 174/97, 211/26, 211 96- 98, 211/101, 211/102, 211/169, 211/173, 211/174, 248/59, 248/65, 361/600, 361/601, 361/610, 361/616, 361/645, 361/825, 361/826, 361/828, 361/829
• US Class Current: 174/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0431 Wall trunking

Abstract

A patch panel assembly having a bracket with a base extending between first and second side walls. The bracket defines a cable receiving passageway. First and second patch panels are coupled to the first and second side walls for pivotal movement about first and second vertical pivot axes between open and closed positions. The patch panels are selectively engageable with one another in their closed positions for limiting access across the cable receiving passageway.

Claims

1. A cable management system, comprising:

a rack including a support frame having a wall, and an electronic device support;

a bracket including a base extending between first and second side walls, and defining a cable receiving passageway;

a first patch panel vertically coupled to said first side wall for pivotal movement about a first vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions;

a second patch panel vertically coupled to said second side wall for pivotal movement about a second vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions, said second patch panel being selectively engageable with said first panel in said closed positions thereof for limiting access-to and extending across the cable receiving passageway; and

a plurality of electrical connectors disposed in a plurality of openings for receiving said electrical connectors located in one of said first and second patch panels.

2. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

the other of said first and second patch panels includes a plurality of openings for receiving electrical connectors.

3. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

each said electrical connector is snap-fit into one of said plurality of openings.

4. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

a securing element is disposed upon a surface of said base for retaining cables, wires, or connectors.

5. A cable management system according to claim 4 wherein

said securing element is a hook.

6. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

a panel hinge couples said first and second patch panels to said first and second side walls.

7. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

a retaining element secures said first and second patch panels in the closed positions.

8. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

a fastener extends through said base for securing said bracket to said wall.

9. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein

a fastener extends through a flange integrally connected to said base for securing said bracket to said wall.

10. A cable management system, comprising:

a rack including a support frame having a wall, and an electronic device support;

a bracket including a base extending between first and second side walls, and defining a cable receiving passageway;

a first patch panel vertically coupled to said first side wall for pivotal movement about a first vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions; and

a second patch panel vertically coupled to said second side wall for pivotal movement about a second vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions, said second patch panel being selectively engageable with said first panel in said closed positions thereof for limiting access to and extending across the cable receiving passageway;

a fastener extending through a flange integrally connected to said base for securing said bracket to said wall; and

a patch panel stop member disposed upon an edge of said flange for limiting rotation about said second vertical pivot axis.

11. A patch panel assembly, comprising:

a bracket including a base extending between first and second side walls, and defining a cable receiving passageway;

a first patch panel coupled to said first side wall for pivotal movement about a first vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions;

a second patch panel vertically coupled to said second side wall for pivotal movement about a second vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions, said second patch panel being selectively engageable with said first panel in said closed positions thereof for limiting access to and extending across the cable receiving passageway; and

a plurality of electrical connectors disposed in a plurality of openings for receiving said electrical connectors located in one of said first and second patch panels, each said electrical connector being snap-fit into one of said plurality of openings.

12. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

the other of said first and second patch panels includes a plurality of openings for receiving electrical connectors.

13. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

a fastener extends through said base for securing said bracket to a wall.

14. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

a fastener extends through a flange integrally connected to said base for securing said bracket to a wall.

15. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

a securing element is disposed upon a surface of said base for retaining cables, wires, or connectors.

16. A patch panel assembly according to claim 15 wherein

said securing element is a hook.

17. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

a panel hinge couples said first and second patch panels to said first and second side walls.

18. A patch panel assembly according to claim 11 wherein

a retaining element secures said first and second patch panels in the closed positions.

19. A patch panel assembly, comprising:

a bracket including a base extending between first and second side walls, and defining a cable receiving passageway;

a first patch panel coupled to said first side wall for pivotal movement about a first vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions;

a second patch panel vertically coupled to said second side wall for pivotal movement about a second vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions, said second patch panel being selectively engageable with said first panel in said closed positions thereof for limiting access to and extending across the cable receiving passageway;

a plurality of electrical connectors, each said electrical connector being snap-fit into one of a plurality of openings located in one of said first and second patch panels;

a fastener extending through a flange integrally connected to said base for securing said bracket to a wall; and

a patch panel stop member disposed upon an edge of said flange for limiting rotation about said second vertical pivot axis.

20. A patch panel assembly, comprising:

a bracket including a base extending between first and second side walls, and defining a cable receiving passageway;

a first patch panel coupled to said first side wall for pivotal movement about a first vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions;

a second patch panel vertically coupled to said second side wall for pivotal movement about a second vertical pivot axis between open and closed positions, said second patch panel being selectively engageable with said first panel in said closed positions thereof for limiting access to and extending across the cable receiving passageway; and

a fastener extends through a flange integrally connected to said base for securing said bracket to a wall;

a patch panel stop member is disposed upon an edge of said flange for limiting rotation about said second vertical pivot axis.

21. A patch panel assembly according to claim 20 wherein

one of said first and second patch panels includes a plurality of openings for receiving electrical connectors.

22. A patch panel assembly according to claim 21 wherein

the other of said first and second patch panels includes a plurality of openings for receiving electrical connectors.

23. A patch panel assembly according to claim 21 wherein

each said electrical connector is snap-fit into one of said plurality of openings.

24. A patch panel assembly according to claim 20 wherein

a fastener extends through said base for securing said bracket to a wall.

25. A patch panel assembly according to claim 20 wherein

a securing element is disposed upon a surface of said base for retaining cables, wires, or connectors.

26. A patch panel assembly according to claim 25 wherein

said securing element is a hook.

27. A patch panel assembly according to claim 20 wherein

a panel hinge couples said first and second patch panels to said first and second side walls.

28. A patch panel assembly according to claim 20 wherein

a retaining element secures said first and second patch panels in the closed positions.