Vertical cable manager

• US 7,285,027 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: McGrath, Michael J., Hibner, Max W., Wong, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/086,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20050221683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/719, 439/532, 211/26, 361325-327, 174 99-101
• US Class Current: 439/719
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0406 Details thereof installation or suspension of conduit channels and other supports H02G3/263
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/045 provided with perforations or slots permitting introduction or exit of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/062 vertical management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/186 for supporting telecommunication equipment selecting apparatus H04Q1/02

Abstract

Cable managers of the present invention include a panel, at least two adjacent spaced-apart projections, which define an opening therebetween, and a tab connected to at least one of the projections. The tab assists in cable routing and retention. In one embodiment, the tab extends to a distance at least midway between a top surface of the one projection and the bottom surface of the other projection. In another embodiment, a distance between a top surface of the tab on one projection and the bottom surface of another adjacent projection is between about 0.10 inches and about 0.30 inches. In yet another embodiment, a cable manager comprises separable portions, and at least one spacer member which is adapted to be attached to each of separable first and second portions. The spacer member increases the width of the manager to provide additional space to run cable within the manager.

Claims

1. A cable manager comprising:

a first portion comprising a first base member and first spaced apart projections extending in a direction transverse from said first base member;

a second portion removably attachable to the first portion, the second portion comprising a second base member and second spaced apart projections extending in a direction transverse from said second base member; and

at least one spacer member adapted to attach said first portion to said second portion positioning said first base member spaced apart from said second base member.

2. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein said first and second base members are substantially rectangular.

3. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein said first and second base members are each defined by at least one through-hole adapted to route cable.

4. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein the first spaced apart projections are generally parallel to one another and the second spaced apart projections are generally parallel to one another.

5. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein the first spaced apart projections extend in a direction perpendicular to the first base member and the second spaced apart projections extend in a direction perpendicular to the second base member.

6. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein the first portion further comprises a first plurality of projections positioned in a first row along a first side of the first base member and additionally comprises a second plurality of projections in a second row along a second opposing side of the first base member, while the second portion further comprises a third plurality of projections positioned in a third row along a first side of the second base member and additionally comprises a fourth plurality of projections in a fourth row along a second opposing side of the second base member.

7. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein said at least one spacer member is made out of sheet metal.

8. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein said at least one spacer member is defined by at least one through-opening which is adapted to allow cable to be run through said at least one through-opening.

9. The cable manager of claim 1, wherein said at least one spacer member is attached to each of said first and second base portions.

10. The cable manager of claim 9, wherein said at least one spacer member is defined by a plurality of through-holes, said first and second base portions are each defined by one or more through-apertures, and said at least one spacer member is attached to said first and second base portions by extending a plurality of rivets through the plurality of through-holes of the spacer member into said one or more through-apertures of each of said first and second base portions.

11. The cable manager of claim 9, wherein said at least one spacer member is attached to each of said first and second base portions using a snap-fit.

12. The cable manager of claim 9, including two spacer members, one of said spacer members is attached to one side of said first and second base portions, and the other of said spacer members is attached to an opposing side of said first and second base portions.

13. The cable manager of claim 12, wherein each of said spacer members is defined by a plurality of through-holes, said first and second base portions are each defined by one or more through-apertures, and each of said spacer members is attached to said first and second base portions by extending a plurality of rivets through the plurality of through-holes of the spacer members into said one or more through-apertures of each of said first and second base portions.

14. The cable manager of claim 12, wherein both of said spacer members are defined by at least one through-opening, and said at least one through-opening of each of said spacer members are aligned.