GB2321786A - Equipment rack with retractable cable management system - Google Patents

Abstract

A rack or cabinet with a cable management system is described. The rack (12) has a recess (16) for equipment and comprises a retractable frame (18) which forms a cable duct for cables to and from the rack interior, the frame being positioned in a second recess (17) at one side of the recess. Cable management members (e.g.22) comprise shelves (e.g.24) having at one end thereof guide hoops (e.g.26) through which the cables are passed. The uppermost cable management member has one guide hoop, the next lowest member has two hoops and so on, with corresponding hoops on each member being vertically aligned under each other. A shelf (32,Fig.4, not shown) is also provided just above the base of the rack in order to enlarge the area of the rack without increasing its "footprint".

Description

EQUIPMENT RACK The invention relates to an equipment rack which incorporates a novel cable management system.

The management of cables in general, and in equipment racks in particular, is a well known problem. Loose cables can become entangled in peoples' feet or other pieces of equipment. In telecom and datacom cabinets where several hundred or more cables are used, the problem is particularly acute. One solution is to secrete the cables away beneath covers or enclosures. These covers or enclosures can be made detachable to provide access to the cables. Nevertheless, there is still a problem in that when a user gains access to, say, the rear of an equipment rack, the cables are randomly and loosely arranged.

Indeed, it is difficult to trace and, where necessary, replace, cables since the route each cable follows is not immediately apparently or readily accessible.

A further problem is cable strain due to bending torques acting on cables in the system. This is particularly acute in the portion of the cable to the rear of a horizontally mounted connector as a result of the weight of the cable, acting downwards. Copper wire cables, are less susceptible to this problem. However, fibre optic cable can develop faults, or may even break in similar circumstances.

Therefore, at present racks designed for copper cable are not necessarily suitable for fibre optic cable.

In telecom and datacom applications, equipment racks are typically of a standard size adding to the difficulties of cable management in such situations because space is limited. For example the standardised footprint of a typical equipment rack is 600 x 600 mm2, or 300 x 600 mm2 for each rack in a two rack system. Therefore, where external cable management ducts have been used the equipment rack accommodates up to an additional 200 mm, in width, or depth.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to alleviate these problems of the prior art.

According to the invention there is, therefore, provided an equipment rack with a recess for equipment and comprising a retractable frame which forms a cable duct for cables to and from the rack interior, the frame being retractable into a further recess positioned at the side of the equipment recess.

The provision of a retractable cable duct adjacent the main equipment recess allows access to and organisation of the cables to the equipment. Further this is achieved without requiring removal of the equipment.

In a preferred embodiment, the recess is offset to one side, from a centralised position within the rack, and the frame is positioned at the other side of the recess. Such an arrangement maximises efficient use of the available space within the rack, particularly when the size of the rack is restricted such as standard rack systems for telecom or datacom applications.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rack and frame extend vertically. Preferably, the frame comprises means for distributing the cables at intervals along the frame.

Thus, the cables can be managed in stages where required.

Preferably, the means comprises one or more guide ducts.

An increasing number of guide ducts may be provided lower down the frame. Preferably, the highest cable distributing means for distributing cables comprises one guide duct, the next highest comprises two guide ducts, the next highest, if present, comprises three guide ducts and so on. Towards the lower end of the frame, an enlarged guide duct, preferably substantially equal to the size of two or more of the usual guide ducts, may be provided. Preferably, thc guide ducts are hoops. The hoops may be arranged so thal their central axes is substantially vertical. Each hooE may be provided with a diagonal slot so that the cables arc easily accessible. The provision of series of ducts such ac hoops enables the cables to be grouped as and where necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame slides into and out oS the rack interior. Preferably the frame slides on rails.

The rails may be telescopic and may latch at the end oi travel of each rail or rail portion. Preferably, the rails are positioned at the top and bottom of the frame. Rails and especially telescopic rails enable the frame to bc extracted a sufficient distance for ease of access to thc cables.

In a further preferred embodiment, the means foi distributing cables at intervals along the frame comprises one or more shelves. Thus, the weight of the cables is supported, at least in part, by one or more shelves.

In circumstances where both a shelf and one or more guide hoops are provided, these may be at the same height anc could be formed from a single unitary article.

The frame may be made from rectangular hollow sections ir metal for example. The shelves and hoops are alsc preferably in metal, but nevertheless, like the frame, may be made from plastic or other materials.

The invention also extends to a cabinet incorporating C rack as described in the preceding paragraphs.

In a preferred embodiment, the rack or cabinet is provides with a shelf positioned at the base of the cabinet or racE which enlarges the effective area of the cabinet or racE without enlarging the footprint of the cabinet or rack.

The shelf may be of L-shaped cross section. Thus, where c cabinet or rack is placed on a floor tile having a standard size which matches that of the footprint, neighbouring floor tiles are still accessible.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cabinet according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view in close up of a rack with the frame extended.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a rack according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of a rack with the frame extended.

Figure 5A is a side view of a one hoop cable management member.

Figure 5B is a plan view of the member of figure 5A.

Figure 6A is a side view of a two hoop cable management member.

Figure 6B is a plan view of the member of figure 6A.

Figure 7A is a three hoop cable management member.

Figure 7B is a plan view of the member of figure 7A.

Figure 8A is a side view of a four hoop cable management member.

Figure 8B is a plan view of the member of figure 8A.

Figure 9 is a side view of a lower portion of a rack illustrating schematically the cable routes through the rack.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the rack illustrating cable routes through the rack.

Figure 11 is a close up of a telescoping rail.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the rack. The inserts in figure 12 illustrate the extrusions and joints used to form the rack in figure 12.

Figure 13 shows plan, front and side views of the base of the rack with an extension shelf.

Figure 14 is the same as figure 13 except that items of equipment have been placed in the equipment recess.

Referring to figure 1, a cabinet 2 incorporating a rack according to the invention is shown. The cabinet has front door or cover 4 side wall 6, top wall 8 and is undercut at its base by means of an extension shelf to provide a recess 10.

Figure 2 shows the retractable mechanism of rack 12 in some detail. Rack 12 incorporates a frame 18 which is mounted on telescopic runners 26. Equipment is positioned in the rack within recess 16. Frame 18 is slidably retractable into recess 17 just to one side of recess 16. Conventional mounting rails 14 can be used to mount equipment in recess 16.

Frame 18 includes a support 20 formed of rectangular hollow section members. Support 20 includes five horizontal struts distributed at intervals along frame 18 (see figure 4). Seen in figure 2, mounted on the highest horizontal strut is a cable management member 22 which includes a cable hoop 19 and a plate or cable shelf 24. Primarily hoop 26, but also shelf 24, serves to guide cables in ths direction of arrow 19.

Referring now to figure 3, cable management members 22A te 22E can be seen distributed along support 20 of frame 18.

Runners 26 are positioned at the top and bottom of frame 18. Recess 16 is offset to one side in order to provide recess 17 for accommodating frame 18 when retracted.

Typically, vertical freestanding racks are designed tc accommodate 19 inch wide equipment. In this case, the equipment recess is offset by about 4 inches.

Referring now to figure 4, frame 18 is shown in an extended position. Typically, telescopic rails 26 latch at partially and fully extended positions to restrict the movement of frame 18 unless positively impelled by ar external force. Frame 18 is secured when retracted to thc interior of the rack by a conventional anti-vibratior latching mechanism 28, typically incorporating a spring.

Extension shelf 32 enlarges the load bearing area of rack 12 without enlarging its foot print.

Referring now to figures 5A to 8B, cable management members 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D are illustrated. Each cable management member has a shelf 24 which supports at least some of the weight of the cables distributed via that cable management member. The highest cable management member is provided with a single guide hoop 26A. Cables which are distributed from the highest cable management member alsc pass through guide hoop 26A in cable management member 22E and again through guide hoop 26A in cable management members 22C and 22D. Similarly, cables which are distributed to the equipment rack via guide hoop 26B on the next highest cable management member 22B also pass through hoop 26B in cable management members 22C and 22D. Each guide hoop has a diagonal hole for easily slotting cablec into the hoop. Cable management members 22 are typicall made of separate metal pieces which are welded together bul can, for example, be made of plastic and/or be made in one piece.

An enlarged guide hoop 22E can be provided at the lower end of support 20 (see figure 3).

The effect of providing a series of guide hoops through the system can be seen in figure 9. Here, cables 32A pass through four guide hoops in cable management members 22A to 22D. Cables 32B pass through three guide hoops in members 22B to 22D. Cables 32C pass through two guide hoops in composite members 22C and 22D, whilst cables 32D, which are distributed at a lower level in the rack, merely pass through one guide hoop 22D in cable management member 32D.

Thus, when frame 18 is extracted from recess 17 the cables are neatly and simply arranged on the frame in, in this embodiment, separate bunches.

Cables 32E join cables 32A to 32D to pass through enlarged guide hoop 22E (not shown), if provided, and exit the rack near its base.

It can be seen from figure 10 that a sufficient loop of cable is provided so that when frame 18 is withdrawn from recess 17, the loop is taken up and the cables are not stretched.

It will be apparent that the provision of a frame 18 with cable management components such as shelves 24 and guide ducts 26 along frame 18 ensures that when the frame 18 is withdrawn from recess 17, the cables are supported, guided and arranged in an orderly manner at all times. Thus, not only are the cables accessible and neatly arranged, they do not drag or weigh down on the portions of cable which extend across to equipment recess 16, and in particular those parts of the cable directly adjacent to a connection with the equipment.

Referring to figure 11, the arrangement of telescoping rails is shown in close up. The rails are situated directly beneath mounting rail 14 to save space.

Referring now to figure 12, a plan view of cabinet 2 is shown. It can be seen that mounting rails 14 are offset from a central position with respect to side walls 6 to provide a space 17 open to the front of the rack at the side of equipment space 16. Thus, the frame is easily accessible from the front of the rack or cabinet. Examples of joints and extrusions used in the rack are illustrated in the inserts in figure 12.

Referring now to figure 13, plan, front and side views of the lower part of the rack are illustrated. A shelf 36, which is L shaped, is positioned at the base of the rack to extend the effective load bearing area of the rack without enlarging the footprint. The footprint in this case is defined by depth X. Such an arrangement enables mounting rails 14 to be positioned proud of the front face of the rack and also provides a base for a cover as illustrated in figure 1.

Referring now to figure 14, similar views of the rack to those in figure 13 are shown. In addition, it can be clearly seen that equipment has been placed within space 16.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the retractable cable management frame within the rack of the invention enables the cables to be arranged in an orderly manner in separate bunches, if desired, and supported, where necessary. The cables are easily accessible within the cable management frame by the provision of open hoops.

Also, the cable management frame itself is easily accessible from the front of the rack, the advantages of which are immediately apparent. In the case of a standard size rack, the advantages have been achieved without the need to enlarge the overall dimensions of the rack by offsetting the equipment recess to one side and positioning the frame recess at one side of the equipment recess.

Cable management and cable strain relief, even for optical fibre cables, is achieved, without the necessity of enlarging the rack.

Claims (21)

1. An equipment rack with a recess for equipment and comprising a retractable frame which forms a cable duct for cables to and from the rack interior, the frame being retractable into a further recess positioned at the side of the equipment recess.

2. A rack according to claim 1 in which the frame slides into and out of the rack interior.

3. A rack according to claim 1 or 2 in which the frame slides on rails.

4. A rack according to claim 3 in which the rails are telescopic.

5. A rack according to claim 3 or 4 in which the frame is latched in position at the end of travel along the rail, or along each telescopic rail portion.

6. A rack according to any of claims 3 to 5 in which rails are positioned at the top and bottom of the frame.

7. A rack according to any preceding claim, in which the recess is offset to one side, of a central position within the rack, the frame being positioned at the other side of the recess.

8. A rack according to any preceding claim, in which the rack and frame extend vertically and the frame is provided with means for distributing cables at intervals along the frame.

9. A rack according to claim 8, in which the means comprises one or more guide hoops.

10. A rack according to claim 8 or 9, in which the means comprises a shelf.

11. A rack according to any of claims 9 to 10, in which successively lower cable distributing means comprise an increasing number of guide hoops.

12. A rack according to claim 11, in which the highest cable distributing means comprises a shelf and one guide hoop, and the next highest means comprises a shelf and two guide hoops.

13. A rack according to claim 12, in which one or more relatively lower cable distributing means are provided each having one more guide hoop than its higher neighbour.

14. A rack according to claim 11, 12 or 13, in which guide hoops in neighbouring cable distributing means are aligned to the extent that the number of guide hoops is the same.

15. A rack according to any of claims 10 to 14, in which one or more guide hoops are provided towards the front of the frame and a shelf is provided towards the rear of the frame.

16. A rack according to any of claims 10 to 15, in which a unitary component comprising a shelf and one or more guide hoops is provided.

17. A rack according to any of claims 9 to 16, in which the one or more guide hoops have, in use, a substantially vertical central axis.

18. A rack according to any preceding claim, in which a shelf is provided at the base of the rack above the lower most surface or the rack.

19. A rack according to claim 18, in which the shelf has an L-shaped cross-section.

20. A cabinet comprising a rack according to any of claims 1 to 18.

21. A rack or a cabinet substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.