Cable management system

• US 7,622,673 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Quijano, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US11/728,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20080236858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/53, 174/58, 174/60, 174/64, 439/535, 439/501, 385134-137, 361/724, 361/687, 361/689, 361/826, 361/692, 340/825.79, 220/4.02
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/007 Devices for relieving mechanical stress
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cable management system. In one embodiment, the cable management system includes a housing, a plurality of baffles extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to resist movement of a connector relative to a port in a connection direction and receive the connector in an access direction generally traverse to the connection direction, and an access panel configured to enable access to the port and the connector.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a housing comprising;

a detachable access cover; and

a plurality of baffles extending from the housing;

wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a face portion to separate a plurality of cables within the housing and a guide portion to direct the plurality of cables within the housing;

wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to resist movement of at least one connector in a connection direction when the access cover is attached; and

wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to permit the movement of receive the at least one connector in an access direction when the access cover is removed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises an L-shaped cross-section.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide portion extends from adjacent one end of the face portion toward an upper end or lower end of the housing.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising an upper tab extending from an upper wall of the housing and a lower tab extending from a lower wall of the housing, wherein the upper and lower tabs are configured to cooperate with a coupling to secure the housing to an electronic device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of baffles are positionally adjustable relative to the housing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a coupling feature configured to couple with a mating feature of the housing.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising a fastener configured to secure the housing to an electronic device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a locking mechanism, a security screw, or both.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a cavity formed by the housing, the plurality of baffles, and the access cover is configured to be large enough to sufficiently cover the connector and small enough to provide resistance to movement of the connector.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein an angle between first and second portions of each of the plurality of baffles is adjustable.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the angle is configured to deflect the connector away from the port when the connector is inserted between the plurality of baffles into the housing in the connection direction.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer comprising a port configured to facilitate communicative coupling with a peripheral device or power source; and

wherein the housing is disposed proximate at least a portion of the port.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises an L-shaped cross-section.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein an angle between first and second portions of each of the plurality of baffles is adjustable.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the angle is configured to deflect the connector away from the port.

16. A system, comprising:

a housing having a first side wall;

a second side wall disposed opposite the first side wall;

a plurality of baffles are mounted on the first side wall and extending between the sidewalls, wherein each of the plurality of baffles comprises a face portion having a height extending substantially parallel to the first side wall and a width extending substantially perpendicular to the first side wall and a guide portion having a width extending substantially perpendicular to the first side wall and a depth extending along the sidewall at an angle transverse to the face portion;

wherein the face portion separates a plurality of cables within the housing; and

wherein the guide portion directs the plurality of cables within the housing.

17. The system of claim 16, comprising:

upper wall extending between the first and second side walls in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls at an upper end of the first and second side walls; and

a lower wall extending between the first and second side walls in the direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls at a lower end of the first and second sidewalls.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged based on a location of ports on an electronic device such that the plurality of baffles deflect direct coupling of a connector to the ports.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of baffles are positionally adjustable.

20. The system of claim 16, comprising a fastener configured to secure the first and second sidewalls to an electronic device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the fastener comprises a locking mechanism, a security screw, or both.

22. The cable management system of claim 16, wherein the face portion and the guide portion are separate components.