CABLE MANAGEMENT BRACKET
A device, method and system for supporting and managing cables are disclosed herein. The exemplary device may have two or more vertical support posts. The two or more support posts may support one or more equipment shelves. The two or more support posts may support one or more cable supports for supporting cables. The two or more support posts may be partially or completely enclosed. The enclosures may be solid, slotted or perforated on one or more sides including the top as in a cabinet enclosure.
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This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/866,307 filed on Nov. 17, 2006 entitled Cable Management Bracket, which is incorporated fully herein by reference
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to cable management and more particularly, relates to managing cables routed above a rack.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONIn many industries such as banking, telecommunications, and Internet-based business there exists a need for high-speed communications services. It is now common for companies to have multiple racks 1,
Traditionally, these cables have been routed using cable ladders 2,
One such disadvantage of the known designs is that they are often difficult to install, particularly in a retrofit situations. In many applications, a drop ceiling is used in the room. However, most drop ceilings cannot support the weight of a loaded cable ladder 2. As a result, the rods 3 of the cable ladder 2 must be secured directly to the structural ceiling rather than the drop ceiling and require the drop ceiling to be removed. Unfortunately, removing a drop ceiling can introduce a significant amount of dust/debris into the air which can damage the communication and computer equipment in the room.
Yet another disadvantage of the known designs is that they take up a lot of valuable space. Because of the difficulty in installing ceiling-hung cable ladders 2, independent, standalone floor supports are used. However, the floor supports take up space that could otherwise be used more productively. Additionally, floor support cable ladder systems are expensive due to the amount of material needed.
Accordingly, what is need is an improved cable management system. The improved cable management system should preferably be easily retrofitted to an existing facility. The improved cable management system should preferably not require removal of a drop ceiling and should preferably utilize wasted space in the facility. Moreover, the improved cable management system should be a cost effective solution for cable routing that can be easily installed.
It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
According to one embodiment, the present invention features a bracket 10, as shown in
The bracket 10,
The bracket 10 also features a plurality of channel members 14, 16 disposed along the longitudinal length L of the base 12 a spaced distance apart from each other. The channel members 14, 16 extend generally outwardly and upwardly from the base 12 to form a channel or passageway for supporting the cables above the rack 1. While the channel members 14, 16 may feature any shape that forms a passageway for retaining the cables, the channel members 14, 16 preferably have a generally “L” shape and include substantially horizontal sections 20, 21 and substantially vertical sections 22, 23.
The base cable support 12 and plurality of channel members 14, 16 may be constructed from a single sheet of material as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the channel members 14, 16 feature long and short horizontal sections 20, 21 that extend generally perpendicularly horizontally from the base 12 on opposite sides of the base 12 and vertical sections 22, 23 that preferably extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the long and short horizontal sections 20, 21. For illustrative purposes only, the long and short horizontal sections 20, 21 preferably have a length of approximately 4.5 and approximately 1.5 inches, respectively, and vertical sections 22, 23 preferably have a length of approximately 2.5 inches.
Referring specifically to
In an alternative embodiment, the bracket 10,
In an alternative embodiment, the bracket 10 may be used to couple the rack 1 to other racks 1 to provide a cable runway between racks 1. The brackets may be the same size or larger to allow for passage of individuals between coupled racks 1. The brackets may also be of different shapes, for example, the bracket may be curved and connect racks at ninety degree angles from another. In another example, the bracket may be “T” shaped and provide a multiple path runway between separate rows of racks that are perpendicular to each other.
While the channel members 14, 16 of the present invention have been shown having a generally “L” shape, this is not a limitation of the present invention. The channel members 14, 16 may also have a curved or “V” shape. Additionally, the present invention may also feature channel members 14, 16 that extend outwardly from the base 12 substantially along the entire longitudinal length L of the base 12.
As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention.
The invention claimed is:
Claims
1. A cable rack device comprising:
- two or more vertical support posts;
- one or more equipment shelves supported by the two or more support posts; and
- one or more cable supports supported by the two or more support posts above the one or more equipment shelves.
2. A cable rack device of claim 1, further comprising a base coupled to a bottom end of each support post.
3. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cable supports comprise one or more cable support bases extending between and coupling one of the two or more support posts to another of the two or more support posts.
4. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cable supports comprise a cable support base extending between two of the two or more support posts and a horizontal sections extending by telescoping means from both lateral sides of the cable support base.
5. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cable supports comprise a cable support base extending between two of the two or more support posts, a horizontal sections extending by telescoping means from both lateral sides of the cable support base and a vertical section extending by telescoping means vertically from a distal end of each horizontal section.
6. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cable supports comprise a cable support base extending between two of the two or more support posts, a horizontal sections extending from both lateral sides of the cable support base and a vertical section extending vertically from a distal end of each horizontal section and wherein the cable support base, the horizontal sections, and the vertical section are constructed from bending a single sheet of material.
7. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cable supports is located six feet or higher on the support posts
8. A cable rack device of claim 1, wherein the components of the cable rack device are bolted together to allow for multiple configurations.
9. A cable rack device of claim 1, further comprising an additional cable support base coupling one of the support posts to a support post of another cable rack device.
10. A cable rack stand comprising:
- a rack base providing lateral stability
- two vertical support posts extending from opposite sides of the base;
- one or more equipment shelves coupled and supported by the two or more support posts; and
- one or more cable supports supported by the two or more support posts above the one or more equipment shelves wherein the cable supports comprises: a support base extending between the two support posts, horizontal sections extending by telescoping means generally horizontally from both lateral sides of the support base, and a vertical section extending by telescoping means generally vertically from a distal end of each horizontal section.
11. A cable rack stand of claim 10, wherein the one or more cable supports are located six feet or higher on the vertical support posts from the rack base.
12. A cable rack stand of claim 10, wherein the components of the cable rack device are bolted together to allow for assembly of multiple configurations.
13. A cable rack stand of claim 10, further comprising an additional cable supports coupling one of the support posts to a support post of another cable rack stand.
14. A cable rack stand of claim 10, wherein the one or more cable supports are sized to receive a hundred or more communication cables.
15. A cable rack stand of claim 10, wherein the one or more equipment shelves extend laterally from one side of the support posts.
16. A cable rack stand of claim 10, wherein the horizontal sections extend generally horizontal from each side of the cable support base in an alternating pattern.
17. A component cable rack system comprising:
- two or more cable racks each comprising a base providing lateral stability, two support posts extending from opposite sides of the base, one or more equipment shelves coupled and supported by the two support posts, and a cable support supported by the two support posts above the one or more equipment shelves wherein the cable support comprises a support base extending between the two support posts, horizontal sections extending by telescoping means from both lateral sides of the support base, vertical section extending by telescoping means from a distal end of each horizontal section and;
- a cable support couple one of the two support posts of one of the two or more cable rack with one of the two support posts of another of the two or more cable racks.
18. A component cable rack system of claim 17, wherein the one or more equipment shelves extend laterally from a front side of the support posts.
19. A component cable rack system of claim 17, wherein the components of the cable racks are bolted together to allow for multiple configurations.
20. A component cable rack system of claim 17, wherein the cable rack is partially enclosed on one or more sides by one of: a solid, slotted, and perforated panels.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 15, 2007
Publication Date: May 22, 2008
Applicant: C.E. Communication Services, Inc. (Franklin, MA)
Inventors: Theodore Datri (Millis, MA), Mark Weinegger (Franklin, MA)
Application Number: 11/940,587
International Classification: A47B 81/00 (20060101); A47B 55/00 (20060101);