U.S. patent application number 12/803575 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for cable management system with twist latch.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chad J. Sjodin.
Application Number | 20100272409 12/803575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39113545 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100272409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sjodin; Chad J. |
October 28, 2010 |
Cable management system with twist latch
Abstract
A cable management assembly, and methods related thereto,
including a panel having a plurality of discrete openings,
including first shaped apertures and second shaped apertures. The
assembly further including cable management devices having
low-profile mounting arrangements. The low-profile mounting
arrangements being configured to mount the cable management devices
at selected locations on the panel.
Inventors: |
Sjodin; Chad J.; (Shakopee,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
ADC Telecommunications,
Inc.
Eden Prairie
MN
|
Family ID: |
39113545 |
Appl. No.: |
12/803575 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11510523 |
Aug 25, 2006 |
7764857 |
|
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12803575 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/135 ;
174/535 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4452 20130101;
G02B 6/4471 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/135 ;
174/535 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/00 20060101
G02B006/00 |
Claims
1. A mounting arrangement for attaching a cable management device
to a panel, the mounting arrangement comprising: a) a back plate
having a front surface and an opposite rear surface, the front
surface defining a front plane, the rear surface defining a rear
plane, the back plate defining mounting structure for attachment of
a cable management device body; b) a first attaching element
projecting outward from the rear surface of the back plate; and c)
a second attaching element including a flexible lever arm that
provides a snap-fit connection when the back plate is attached to
the panel, the flexible lever arm including a first end
interconnected to the back plate and a second free end, the lever
arm having a length defined between the first end and the second
free end, the entire length of the lever arm being located within
the front and rear planes of the back plate.
2. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second
attaching element further includes a catch located adjacent to the
free end of the flexible lever arm.
3. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flexible lever
arm is located adjacent to a bottom edge of the back plate.
4. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the length of the
flexible lever arm extends in a direction generally parallel with
the front and rear planes defined by the back plate.
5. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second
attaching element further includes a locating element offset from
the rear plane defined by the back plate.
6. The mounting arrangement of claim 5, wherein the locating
element is disposed at the free end of the flexible lever arm.
7. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first attaching
element has a generally elliptical shape.
8. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the mounting
structure of the back plate includes holes sized for receipt of
fasteners.
9. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flexible lever
arm remains within the front and rear planes of the back plate
during flexure.
10. A mounting arrangement for attaching a cable management device
to a panel, the mounting arrangement comprising: a) a back plate
having a front surface and a rear surface; b) a first attaching
element offset from the rear surface of the back plate by a panel
thickness; and c) a second attaching element that provides a
snap-fit connection; d) wherein each of the first and second
attaching elements extends a total distance outward from the rear
surface of the back plate, the total distance being no greater than
the sum of the panel thickness and about 0.08 inches.
11. The mounting arrangement of claim 10, wherein the second
attaching element includes a flexible lever arm that provides the
snap-fit connection.
12. The mounting arrangement of 11, wherein the flexible lever arm
includes a first end interconnected to the back plate and a second
free end, the lever arm having a length defined between the first
end and the second free end, the entire length of the lever arm
being located within a front plane defined by the front surface of
the back plate and a rear plane defined by the rear surface of the
back plate.
13. The mounting arrangement of claim 12, wherein the length of the
flexible lever arm extends in a direction generally parallel with
the front and rear planes defined by the back plate.
14. The mounting arrangement of claim 13, wherein the flexible
lever arm remains within the front and rear planes of the back
plate during flexure.
15. The mounting arrangement of claim 11, wherein the second
attaching element further includes a locating piece disposed
adjacent to a free end of the flexible lever arm, the locating
piece being interconnected to the flexible lever arm by a neck.
16. The mounting arrangement of claim 15, wherein the first
attaching element includes a keying piece, the keying piece being
interconnected to the back plate by a neck.
17. A mounting arrangement for attaching a cable management device
to a panel, the mounting arrangement comprising: a) a back plate
having a front surface and a rear surface extending between first
and second edges of the back plate, the back plate defining a
plurality of mounting holes; b) a first attaching element
projecting outward from the rear surface of the back plate; and c)
a second attaching element interconnected to the back plate, the
second attaching element including a flexible lever arm that
provides a snap-fit connection when the back plate is attached to
the panel, the flexible lever arm having a length extending
generally parallel with one of the first and second edges of the
back plate, the flexible lever arm being arranged to flex in a
direction toward the other of the first and second edges of the
back plate.
18. The mounting arrangement of claim 17, wherein the front surface
of the back plate defines a front plane, and the rear surface of
the back plate defines a rear plane, the entire length of the lever
arm being located within the front and rear planes of the back
plate.
19. The mounting arrangement of claim 18, wherein the flexible
lever arm remains within the front and rear planes of the back
plate during flexure.
20. The mounting arrangement of claim 17, wherein the flexible
lever arm includes a first end interconnected to the back plate and
a second free end, the second attaching element further including a
catch located adjacent to the free end of the flexible lever
arm.
21. The mounting arrangement of claim 17, wherein the first
attaching element has a generally elliptical shape.
22. A cable management device, comprising: a) a mounting
arrangement for attaching the cable management device to a panel,
the mounting arrangement including: i) a back plate having a front
surface and an opposite rear surface, the front surface defining a
front plane, the rear surface defining a rear plane; ii) a first
attaching element projecting outward from the rear surface of the
back plate; and iii) a second attaching element including a
flexible lever arm that provides a snap-fit connection when the
back plate is attached to the panel, the flexible lever arm
including a first end interconnected to the back plate and a second
free end, the lever arm having a length defined between the first
end and the second free end, the entire length of the lever arm
being located within the front and rear planes of the back plate;
and b) a cable management body extending from the front surface of
the back plate of the mounting arrangement, the cable management
body including a radius limiting surface that prevents cable from
exceeding a minimum bend radius.
23. A cable management device, comprising: a) a mounting
arrangement for attaching the cable management device to a panel,
the mounting arrangement including: i) a back plate having a front
surface and a rear surface; ii) a first attaching element offset
from the rear surface of the back plate by a panel thickness; and
iii) a second attaching element that provides a snap-fit
connection; iv) wherein each of the first and second attaching
elements extends a total distance outward from the rear surface of
the back plate, the total distance being no greater than the sum of
the panel thickness and about 0.08 inches; and b) a cable
management body extending from the front surface of the back plate
of the mounting arrangement, the cable management body including a
radius limiting surface that prevents cable from exceeding a
minimum bend radius.
24. A cable management device, comprising: a) a mounting
arrangement for attaching the cable management device to a panel,
the mounting arrangement including: i) a back plate having a front
surface and a rear surface extending between first and second edges
of the back plate, the back plate defining a plurality of mounting
holes; ii) a first attaching element projecting outward from the
rear surface of the back plate; and iii) a second attaching element
interconnected to the back plate, the second attaching element
including a flexible lever arm that provides a snap-fit connection
when the back plate is attached to the panel, the flexible lever
arm having a length extending generally parallel with one of the
first and second edges of the back plate, the flexible lever arm
being arranged to flex in a direction toward the other of the first
and second edges of the back plate; and b) a cable management body
mounted at the holes of the back plate of the mounting arrangement,
the cable management body including a radius limiting surface that
prevents cable from exceeding a minimum bend radius.
25. A cable management panel, comprising: a) an interface portion
having a length and a width, the interface portion defining first
and second shaped apertures aligned in rows, the rows extending
across a majority of the width of the interface portion; b) wherein
the second shaped apertures include a receiving aperture portion, a
slide aperture portion, and a notch, the receiving aperture portion
being located at a first end of the slide aperture portion, the
notch being located at a second end of the slide aperture
portion.
26. The panel of claim 25, wherein the receiving aperture portion
of the second shaped aperture has a radius greater than that of the
slide aperture portion.
27. The panel of claim 26, wherein the receiving aperture portion
of the second shaped aperture has a generally circular shape.
28. The panel of claim 25, wherein the first shaped aperture has a
generally elliptical shape.
29. The panel of claim 25, wherein the rows include a row of only
first shaped apertures and a row of only second shaped
apertures.
30. The panel of claim 29, wherein the rows include alternating
rows of only first shaped apertures and only second shaped
apertures.
31. The panel of claim 25, further including mounting flanges
extending generally perpendicular to the interface portion.
32. A cable management panel, comprising: a) an interface portion
defining a repeating pattern of first and second shaped apertures;
b) wherein the first shaped apertures are elliptical; and c)
wherein the second shaped apertures include a receiving aperture
portion, a slide aperture portion, and a notch, the receiving
aperture portion being located at a first end of the slide aperture
portion, the notch being located at a second end of the slide
aperture portion.
33. The panel of claim 32, wherein the receiving aperture portion
of the second shaped apertures has a radius greater than that of
the slide aperture portion.
34. The panel of claim 32, wherein the receiving aperture portion
of the second shaped apertures has a generally circular shape.
35. The panel of claim 32, wherein the repeating pattern includes
at least a first row of only first shaped apertures and at least a
first row of only second shaped apertures.
36. The panel of claim 35, wherein the repeating pattern includes
alternating rows of only first shaped apertures and only second
shaped apertures.
37. The panel of claim 32, further including mounting flanges
extending generally perpendicular to the interface portion.
38. A method of assembling a cable management assembly, the method
of assembling comprising the steps of: a) providing a panel having
a front side and a back side, the panel defining a plurality of
discrete openings, the plurality of discrete openings including
first shaped apertures and second shaped apertures; and b) mounting
a cable management device at a selected location on the panel, the
step of mounting the cable management device including: i) aligning
first and second attaching elements of the device with the
respective first and second shaped apertures; ii) inserting the
attaching elements of the device through the respective first and
second shaped apertures; and iii) rotating the device generally
about an axis perpendicular to the front side of the panel until
the device snap-fits to the panel.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of rotating the device
until the device snap-fits to the panel includes flexing a lever
arm of the second attaching element by rotation of the device.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of flexing the lever
arm includes flexing the lever arm such that the arm remains within
front and rear planes defined by a back plate of the cable
management device.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of flexing the lever
arm includes biasing the lever arm in an upward direction by
engaging the lever arm with a slide aperture portion of the second
shaped apertures.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of rotating device
until the device snap-fits to the panel includes engaging a catch
located adjacent to a free end of the lever arm with a notch of the
second shaped aperture.
43. The method of claim 38, further including mounting the panel
between adjacent telecommunication racks.
44. The method of claim 38, further including mounting the panel
within a telecommunications enclosure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
11/510,523, filed Aug. 25, 2006; which application is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices and
methods for enhancing cable management of telecommunications
systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
cable management panel and devices for managing cables of
telecommunications systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Telecommunications systems utilize cables, such as fiber
optic cables and copper twisted pair cables, for interconnecting
pieces of telecommunications equipment or components. The systems
commonly include telecommunication racks that hold a variety of
different pieces of telecommunications equipment. Often thousands
of cables are used to interconnect the various pieces of
telecommunications equipment mounted on the racks.
[0004] Because of the large number of cables associated with
telecommunications equipment, cable management is crucial. Cable
management involves efficiently routing cables to minimize the
occupied space, and routing cables in an orderly manner so as to
reduce the likelihood of cable tangling. Ease of cable organization
is also a factor related to effective cable management.
[0005] In general, conventional arrangements for managing cables
can be improved.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a cable management
assembly including a panel to which cable management devices can be
selectively mounted. One aspect of the assembly concerns a
low-profile back plate of the cable management devices. The
low-profile back plate is sized to provide greater versatility for
use in applications where space is limited. Another aspect of the
assembly concerns the panel. The panel includes a plurality of
discrete openings including first shaped apertures and second
shaped apertures. Yet another aspect of the assembly concerns the
combination of the devices and the panel wherein the combination
provides a cable management assembly that is easy to use.
[0007] A variety of aspects of the invention are set forth in part
in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of
the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to
individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to
be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,
and are not restrictive of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a
cable management system, partially shown, and including a cable
management assembly in accordance with the principles
disclosed;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a panel of the cable
management assembly of FIG. 1, shown in isolation;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial, rear perspective view of the panel of
the cable management assembly of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a back plate of a
device of the cable management assembly of FIG. 1, shown in
isolation;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the back plate of FIG.
4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the back plate of FIG.
5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the back plate of
FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a cable management system, partially shown, and including another
cable management assembly in accordance with the principles
disclosed; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a panel of the cable
management assembly of FIG. 8, shown in isolation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of
the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a telecommunications system 100 for
managing cables interconnected to telecommunications components is
illustrated. The telecommunications system 100 includes a cable
management assembly 10 mounted between adjacent first and second
telecommunication racks 12 (schematically and only partially
represented). The telecommunication racks 12 can be configured to
receive a variety of telecommunications components. For example,
the racks 12 can hold fiber termination panels (not shown) having
fiber optic adapters. Similar telecommunication racks 12 to which
the present cable management assembly 10 can be mounted are
described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040094491, which
application is incorporated herein by reference. In alternative
embodiments, the cable management assembly 10 can be used with
other telecommunication structures to manage cables. For example,
the cable management assembly 10 can be mounted within a cabinet or
within a termination panel enclosure.
[0019] The cable management assembly 10 includes a panel 14 (e.g.,
riser structure or back plane). The panel 14 includes an interface
portion 16 and first and second mounting structures 18, 20 (see
also FIG. 2) configured to mount or couple the cable management
assembly 10 to the adjacent telecommunication racks 12. In one
embodiment, the first and second mounting structures 18, 20 include
flanges that extend generally perpendicular or outward from the
interface portion 16 of the panel 14. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first and second mounting flanges 18, 20 are
located along the sides of the panel 14; although the flanges may
also be located along the top and bottom of the panel as well.
Fasteners, such as rivets or screws, are typically used to mount
the panel 14 to the telecommunication racks 12.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the interface portion 16 of the panel
14 defines a plurality of discrete openings 22. Cable management
devices 24 (FIG. 1) used to manage cables are secured to the panel
14 at the discrete openings 22. The discrete openings 22 are
provided such that a user can organize and arrange the devices, and
accordingly the cables, in a variety of configurations, as needed
for the particular application.
[0021] With the present cable management assembly 10, a user has
the flexibility to choose from a number of different cable
management devices, each being configured to secure to the panel
14. FIG. 1 illustrates the panel 14 with one complete device 24
including a device body 26 and a back plate 30. For purposes of
clarity, only one complete device with a device body 26 is shown.
The other devices 24 are shown with only the back plate 30 to which
an associated device body attaches.
[0022] The device bodies (e.g. 26) can include a number of cable
managing structures. The illustrated device body of FIG. 1 includes
a spool 26 that is attached to a front surface 38 of the back plate
30. Fastener holes 70 are provided in the back plate 30 of the
device 24 to receive fasteners (not shown) for securing the various
device bodies to the back plate. In the illustrated embodiment, the
fastener holes 70 are vertically aligned along the sides of the
back plate 30; although a variety of hole configurations or
patterns can be used in association with the variety of device
bodies. In addition, other ways of fastening or attaching the
device body to the back plate can be employed.
[0023] The spool 26 of FIG. 1 can be used to hold excess cabling
and includes a radius limiting surface or curved surface that
prevents cables from exceeding a minimum bend radius. The spool is
only one example of a cable management device body that can be
attached to the back plate 30 and secured to the panel 14. Other
cable management device bodies can include, for example, cable
guides, tie-off brackets, edge protectors, channel guides, and
radius limiters. Such device bodies are described in U.S. Patent
Application No. 20040094491, previously incorporated herein by
reference. Additional types of cable management devices or device
bodies may include cable termination devices and flip-out trays. It
is to be understood that the spool 26 is only one example of a
number of cable management devices and device bodies that can be
used with the presently disclosed cable management system 100.
[0024] Referring back to FIG. 2, the plurality of discrete openings
22 of the panel 14 is arranged to permit a user to position any of
the different cable management devices 24 at a variety of locations
on the panel 14 of the cable management assembly 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, the plurality of discrete openings 22
includes a first type of shaped apertures 32 and a second type of
shaped apertures 34. The first and second types of shaped apertures
32, 34 are configured to securely attach the cable management
devices 24 to the interface portion 16 of the panel.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second shaped apertures
32, 34 of the discrete openings 22 are arranged on the panel 14 in
an array of vertical columns 40 and horizontal rows 42. The columns
and rows 40, 42 of the first and second shaped apertures 32, 34
define a repeating pattern that spans a majority of the width of
the panel and that extends along a majority of the height of the
panel 14. The pattern preferably permits placement of the devices
at various selected vertical and horizontal locations to provide a
variety of cable management systems.
[0026] While the repeating pattern of the panel 14 includes a
repeating pattern of vertical columns and/or horizontal rows, it
will be appreciated that the arrangement of discrete openings of
the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure need not be
limited to vertical and horizontal columns and rows. Rather, array
arrangements oriented at various angular degrees from vertical and
horizontal are within the scope of the present disclosure. In yet
another alternative embodiment, the discrete openings 22 may be
more randomly formed in the panel 14.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment,
the first and second shaped apertures 32, 34 of the panel 14 are
each arranged in rows of similarity. That is, the discrete openings
22 of the panel 14 are arranged to provide rows of only the first
shaped aperture 32 and rows of only the second shaped aperture 34.
The rows of the first shaped apertures 32 and the rows of the
second shaped apertures 34 alternate along the height of the panel
14. Other row and column patterns of the first and second shaped
apertures 32, 34 can also be used.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the back plate 30 of the
cable management devices 24 includes securing structure 60 that
securely attaches the device to the panel 14. The discrete openings
22 of the panel 14 are sized and shaped to receive mating elements
of the securing structure 60 (FIG. 4) of the back plate 30. The
securing structure 60 of the cable management devices 24 is
configured to permit attachment and detachment of the device 24
from a front side 28 (FIG. 1) of the panel 14 (i.e., attachment and
detachment can be performed via access to only the front side 28).
This simplifies use of the present cable management assembly 10 by
eliminating the need for a user to access the back side of the
panel 14 for installation or removal of the device 24.
[0029] Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4, the securing structure 60
of the back plate 30 includes first and second attaching elements
44, 46. The first and second attaching elements 44, 46 correspond
to the shape of the first and second shaped apertures 32, 34. In
particular, the first attaching element 44 has a keying piece 48
sized and shaped to correspond to the first shaped aperture 32 of
the panel 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first shaped
aperture 32 has an elliptical or oval shape. The keying piece 48
correspondingly has an elliptical or oval shape. Other
corresponding aperture and keying piece shapes can be used. When
attaching the back plate 30 to the panel 14, the back plate 30 is
oriented so that keying piece 48 fits through the first shaped
aperture 32. As shown in FIG. 6, the keying piece 48 is offset or
spaced a distance from a rear surface 36 of the back plate 30 by a
neck 50. The distance accommodates the thickness of the panel 14
when the back plate 30 is attached to the panel 14.
[0030] Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second attaching
element 46 includes a flexible lever arm 52 (e.g., a spring arm)
and a locating piece 54. The locating piece 54 of the second
attaching element 46 is sized and shaped to correspond to the
second shaped aperture 34 of the panel 14. The second shaped
aperture 34 (FIG. 2) of the panel 14 defines a receiving aperture
portion 62, a slide aperture portion 64, and a notch 74. The
receiving aperture portion 62 is located at a first end of the
slide aperture portion 64, and the notch 74 is located at a second
opposite end of the slide aperture portion. In the illustrated
embodiment, the receiving aperture portion 62 has a circular shape.
The locating piece 54 (FIG. 3) correspondingly has a circular
shape. Other corresponding aperture and locating piece shapes can
be used. When attaching the back plate 30 to the panel 14, the back
plate 30 is oriented so that locating piece 54 fits through the
receiving aperture portion 62 of the second shaped aperture 34. As
shown in FIG. 6, the locating piece 54 is offset or spaced a
distance from the rear surface 36 of the back plate 30 by a neck
74. The distance accommodates the thickness of the panel 14 when
the back plate 30 is attached to the panel 14.
[0031] The flexible lever arm 52 (FIG. 4) of the second attaching
element 46 secures or fixes the cable management device 24 to the
panel 14. The flexible arm 52 is formed adjacent to a bottom edge
56 of the back plate 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the arm 52 has a
length L that extends from a first end 66 to a second free end 68.
The arm 52 is oriented relative to the rear surface 36 of the back
plate such that the length L of the arm 52 extends generally
parallel with a plane P1 (FIG. 6) of the rear surface 36, as
opposed to being perpendicular. In the illustrated embodiment, the
flexible lever arm 52 resides within (i.e., between) the plane P1
defined by the rear surface 36, and a plane P2 defined by the front
surface 38.
[0032] Referring attain to FIG. 5, the locating piece 54 of the
second attaching element 46 is provided at the free end 68 of the
flexible arm 52. The first end 66 of the arm 52 is integrally
constructed from or integrally connected to the back plate 30. A
latch or catch 58 is located adjacent to the free end 68 of the
flexible arm 52. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the catch 58 is
located on the neck 74 of the locating piece 54. As will be
described in greater detail hereinafter, the catch 58 provides an
easy to use snap-fit connection.
[0033] The presently disclosed back plate 30 of the cable
management device 24 is a low-profile back plate. In some
conventional arrangements, the attachments extend from a back
surface a distance that requires greater clearance space to
accommodate the attachments. When mounting conventional
arrangements within a cabinet, for example, accommodations must be
made for the required clearance space. As can be understood, space
within a cabinet is often very limited. The present back plate 30
has a low-profile that requires less space and is more easily
adaptable for use in cabinets.
[0034] In particular, referring to FIG. 5, the present back plate
has a width W, a height H, and a depth D1 (FIG. 6). The width W of
the back plate is preferably between 1.25 and 3.0 inches; more
preferably between about 1.5 and 2.0 inches. Similarly, the height
H of the back plate is preferably between 1.25 and 3.0 inches; more
preferably between about 1.5 and 2.0 inches. Other sizes of back
plates can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed.
[0035] The low-profile feature of the present back plate is defined
by the depth D1 of the back plate 30; and more particularly, by a
dimension D2 of the keying piece 48 and the locating piece 54 of
the back plate 30. The dimension D2 is the distance from the panel
14 which the attaching elements 44, 46 extend. In particular,
referring to FIG. 6, the attaching elements 44, 46 extend outward
from the rear surface 36 of the back plate 30 a total distance no
greater than the sum of the panel thickness and the dimension D2.
The dimension D2 is therefore generally the clearance space
required to accommodate the device 24.
[0036] The overall depth D1 of the back plate is typically less
than 0.260 inches; more preferably less than about 0.240 inches. As
can be understood, the overall depth D1 depends upon the panel
thickness, which is accommodated by the necks 50, 74 of the
attaching elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth D1 of
the back plate 30 is about 0.230 inches. The dimension D2, which
partially defines the depth D1 of the back plate, is defined by the
thickness of the keying piece 48 and the locating piece 54. The
dimension D2 is preferably less than 0.08 inches; more preferably
less than about 0.06 inches.
[0037] The arrangement and orientation of the flexible lever arm 52
(residing within or between the planes P1, P2 of the front and rear
surfaces 38, 36 of the back plate 30) and the reduced thickness
dimension D2 of the keying and locating pieces 48, 54 permits the
low-profile back plate 30 to be mounted within enclosures that have
limited space. The low-profile design of the back plate 30 requires
less clearance space for attaching devices to panels and therefore
provides greater versatility for use in applications previously not
feasible.
[0038] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the installation of the back plate
30 of the cable management device 24 to the panel 14. While the
illustrations show only a back plate 30, it is to be understood
that the chosen device body (e.g. 26) is secured to the front
surface 38 of the back plate 30 prior to attaching the back plate
30 to the panel 14.
[0039] Installation of the device 24 is tool-free; that is, the
back panel 30 is designed to secure to the panel 14 without the use
of tools or separate fastening components. The cable management
device 24 attaches to and detaches from the panel 14 from one side
(e.g., the front side 28) to simplify the installation and removal
of the device.
[0040] To install a device, the device is oriented such that the
keying piece 48 of the first attaching element 44 is aligned with
the first shaped aperture 32, and such that the locating piece 54
of the second attaching element 46 is aligned with the receiving
aperture portion 62 of the second shaped aperture 34. This
particular orientation is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2.
While aligned, the first and second attaching elements 44, 46 are
inserted through the first and second shaped apertures 32, 34. The
device 24 is then twisted or turned clockwise, as represented by
arrows A in FIG. 2.
[0041] The device is twisted such that the neck 74 (FIG. 5) of the
second attaching element 46 slides along the slide aperture portion
64 of the second shaped aperture 34. The receiving aperture portion
62 of the second shaped aperture 32 has a radius R1 (FIG. 2) that
is greater than the radius R2 of the slide aperture portion 64. The
radius R1 of the receiving aperture portion 62 is sized so that
both the locating piece 54 and the catch 58 of the second attaching
element 46 fit through the receiving aperture portion 62 without
interference. However, when the device is twisted, the catch 58
contacts the slide aperture portion 64 of the second shaped
aperture 34 and biases the flexible lever arm 52 upward, i.e., away
from the bottom edge 56 (FIG. 4) of the back plate 30.
[0042] As previously described, the flexible lever arm 52 resides
within the planes P1, P2 defined by the front and rear surfaces 38,
36 of the back plate 30; preferably, the flexible lever arm is
configured to flex in a direction (e.g., upward toward a top edge
76 of the back plate 30) such that the arm 52 remains within or
between the planes P1, P2 defined by the back plate 30. This
arrangement maintains the low-profile feature of the present back
plate 30.
[0043] As the device 24 continues to twist (i.e., pivot or turn) in
the clockwise direction A, the catch 58 follows the slide aperture
portion 64 until the catch 58 seats within or engages the notch 72
(FIG. 2) formed at the end of the slide aperture portion 64. The
catch 58 of the back plate 30 and the notch 72 of the panel
apertures 34 define a snap-fit connection that securely attaches
the device 24 to the panel 14 without the use of tools.
[0044] While the back plate 30 is being rotated or turned, the
first attaching element 44 is also rotating or turning within the
first shaped aperture 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the keying piece 48
thereby turns to a locked position (i.e., a non-aligned or
rotationally offset position) so that the back plate 30 is axially
secured to the panel 14. The locating piece 54 of the second
attaching element 46 is also captured to axially secure the back
plate 30 to the panel. In particular, axial movement of the back
plate 30, relative to the panel 14, is prevented when the neck 74
of the second attaching element 46 is positioned within the slide
aperture portion 64 of the second shaped aperture 34.
[0045] When snap-fit to the panel 14, the cable management device
24 cannot be inadvertently pulled, pushed, or pivoted out of
position. The securing structure 60 of the device 24 provides an
easy-to-use, but reliably attachment. To remove the cable
management device 24 from the panel, the flexible lever arm 52 is
simple flexed upward to disengage the catch 58 of the back plate 30
from the notch 72. The device 24 can then be pivoted or twisted in
a counterclockwise direction so that the keying piece 48 and the
locating piece 54 of the first and second attaching elements 44, 46
align with the apertures 32, 34 to detach or remove the device 24
from the panel 14. Removal of the device 24 is again accomplished
without the use of tools and from one side of the panel, i.e., the
front side 28.
[0046] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a
telecommunications system 200 including a cable management assembly
110. The cable management assembly 110 includes the same features
previously described with respect to the cable management assembly
10 of FIG. 1, but is sized to fit within a smaller area. In
particular, the cable management assembly 110 includes a panel 114
that is sized to fit within a cabinet 212 (schematically
represented). In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 114 includes
only a single row 42 of first shaped apertures 32 and a single row
42 of second shaped apertures 34, as space is often limited inside
the cabinet 212. As previously described, the low-profile back
plate 30 of the devices 24 requires less clearance space and is
particularly useful for managing cables within cabinets.
[0047] The presently disclosed cable management assemblies 10, 110
provide flexibility in permitting a user to position any of a
number of different cable management devices at a plurality of
selected locations on the panel 14, 114. In particular, the
preferred panel is constructed to provide a plurality of placement
coordinates (i.e. vertical and horizontal locations) from which a
user may choose to position the cable management devices 24. With
this design, a user is not limited to a pre-made, fixed cable
management system, which may not fit a particular need. In
addition, the present cable management assembly 10, 110 is easily
adapted to accommodate the changing needs of a user. That is, the
securing structure (e.g., 60) of the cable management devices 24
permits a user to easily attach and detach the device to and from
the panel. This feature permits a user to quickly and easily modify
a system's cable management strategy to accommodate growth in a
quickly changing industry.
[0048] Further, the presently disclosed devices 24 include a back
plate 30 that is low-profile in design. The low-profile back plate
30 requires less clearance space for attaching devices to the panel
and therefore provides greater versatility for use in applications
where space is limited.
[0049] The above specification provides a complete description of
the cable management assembly, system, and method. Since many
embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the
claims hereinafter appended.
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