NZ228237A - Cable ducting with removable covers adjacent desks - Google Patents

Description

22 8 2 37 Priority Date(s):.

Complete Specification Filed: Class: r: r" rswiw Publication Date: | P.O. Journal; -^o: Patents form No 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A CABLE DUCTING SYSTEM J7WE COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN CONSULTANCY LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 14 Woodward Street, Wellington, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for whichyf/we pray that a Patent may be granted to rr>fe/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 22 8 2 37 The invention comprises a cable ducting system for the cabling to terminals or other operator equipment in a multiple terminal, multiple user computer work area.

A foreign exchange dealing room is a typical multiple terminal, multiple operator computer work area. In such an area or installation a number of operators work in close proximity. At each operators position a number of computer terminals through which the operator carries out foreign exchange dealing are provided. Each terminal typically includes equipment such as VDU's or screens, key boards, recording equipment, modems, and so forth. With modern equipment it is possible for the operator to operate a number of separate computer terminals via a single keyboard but it is still necessary to have a multiple number of screens at each operators position. In addition, one or more telephones are provided at each operators position and there may also be other operator equipment. All of this equipment requires electric power to drive it and thus a multiplicity of power outlets and transformers is also required at each operators position. Accommodating the communications and power cabling for the terminals and other operator equipment to the operators positions in such, an installation is a considerable logistical problem. At the same time it is necessary for the cabling to be relatively accessible for maintenance and for the laying of additional 228237 \ cabling for the addition of new terminals, or for the removal of existing terminals or other operator equipment.

One known foreign exchange dealing room system provides a separate console at each operators position integrally comprising a number of computer terminals including VDU's., This system suffers from the disadvantage that it is difficult to add or remove terminals or VDU's as necessary. Each operators console comprises an integral ■ ■.I" ' r. desk and it is not possible to move the desk for any reason. In another desking system each desk unit comprises a system of hollow legs for carrying the cabling from under the floor to terminals atop the desks. This system also has the disadvantage that it is not possible once the system has been installed to move the desk and again the cabling is relatively inaccessible for maintenance or addition or removal of terminals or other equipment.

The present invention provides an improved or at least alternative form of cable ducting system for applications as described.

In broad terras the invention may be said to comprise a cable ducting system for the cabling to terminals or other operator equipment in a multiple terminal, multiple user computer work area, comprising a cable ducting unit extending within the work area and comprising a hollow 228237 interior and carrying the cabling to terminals or other operator equipment at operators positions and of a size whereby operators desks may be positioned adjacent a unit against a side or sides of the unit at the operators positions, the unit being at least as high as such operators desks and the unit comprising panels or other cover parts of the unit which are removable from said side or sides of the unit on withdrawal of the desks away from the unit for access to the interior of the ducting unit for installation or maintenance of cabling.

Most preferably the cable ducting unit supports the terminals or other operator equipment at the operators positions independent of the operators desks. The terminals or other operator equipment may be supported by arms extending from the unit for example.

The cable ducting unit may also provide power outlets for the terminals or operator equipment at the operators positions and carry the wiring for same.

The cable ducting system of the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show different forms of the system of the invention by way of example. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a computer installation such as employing the cable ducting system of the invention a dealing coom— H.Z. PATSWT OfFKF MAY 1991 RECEIVES) 22 8 2 3 7 Fig. 2 shows the cable ducting unit of Fig. 1 without operators desks or terminals, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cable ducting unit of Figs 1 and 2 along line I-I of Fig. 2, showing a separate desk adjacent the unit, and Fig. 4 is view from above of a computer installation employing the cable ducting system of the invention in a hexagon configuration.

Reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 generally indicates the cable ducting unit of the invention in the installation shown therein. The cable ducting unit extends longitudinally in the work area which the installation occupies and there are operators positions on either side thereof. At each operators position is provided a desk 2, so that in the installation shown in Fig. 1 there are six operators positions. The cable ducting unit 1 is shown with the desks 2 removed in Fig. 2 and in cross-section in Fig. 3. The cable ducting unit is generally rectangular in cross-section as shown in Fig. 3 and its major top surface is substantially as high as the work surfaces of the desks 2.

Within the interior of the cable ducting unit 1 are provided cable tracks 3, which in the form of the unit 22 8 2 shown in the drawings extend on either side of an internal partition 4. The partition 4 extends downwardly from the top of the unit 1, but does not connect to the floor of the unit so that a maintenance man may access the tracks 3 on both sides of the partition from one side of the unit 1, and to enable cables to cross over from a track 3 on one side to terminals on the, other, and also so that equipment such as Reuters or Telecoms transformers or other equipment or devices may be located within the unit. In addition, apertures 5 are formed through the partition 4 to also enable crossing over of cables from one track to another.

On either side of the unit 1 are provided removable covers or panels 6 (see Fig. 2) which enable access to the cabling for maintenance or for removal of cabling or addition of new cabling when terminals or other equipment are removed or added at any operators position. In Fig. 2 one such panel 6 is shown as removed. Such panels may be provided on both sides of the cable ducting unit, or on only one side where operators positions are provided on only one side and the other side of the unit forms a room divider or is against a wall for example. Most preferably the size of the removable panels 6, or their equivalent in other forms of cable ducting unit of the invention, is relatively large so that access to the cabling is possible with the minimum of obstruction. In the unit shown in the drawings the panels 6 form the major part of the sides of 22 8 2 37 the unit. The panels may be removed once the desks 2 have been pulled away from the unit.

At the operators positions the cable ducting unit supports the computer terminal screens and may also support other operator equipment if desired. In the drawings VDU's or screens 7 are,shown as supported at each operators position by way of arms 8 forming part of the unit 1 (only some shown). With the arrangement of the arms 8 the operators may position the screens at a suitable angle.

Instead of such arms the screens or terminal equipment could be carried directly on the unit 1 in some other arrangement. For example the shelf 9 carrying the arms 8 in the system shown could be made slightly wider so that the screens 7 could sit directly on the shelf 9. To provide two rows of screens one on top of the other at each operators position a second series of taller arms for supporting the second row of screens above the first could be provided behind the first arms 8, or a second shelf behind and above the first could be provided.

Each screen or other item of terminal equipment connects to the cabling within the cable ducting unit. The cabling to an operators position from the interior of the cable ducting unit may terminate at a panel of cable connections such as co-ax connections adjacent each operators position, with the screens and other equipment 22 8 2 37 being connected by fly leads. Alternatively the cabling to the screens or other equipment carried by the arms 8 or equivalent may pass through hollow interiors of the arms in another arrangement.

The cable ducting system of the invention preferably also parries cabling for telephones at each operators position which may terminate in jack points provided on the exterior of the unit. Preferably the cable ducting unit also carries mains power wiring to a number of power points at each operators position for providing power to the terminals and other operator equipment. In the form shown in Figs 1 to 3 the power wiring passes along separate tracks 9 in a subsidiary unit 10 so that the mains power wiring is separately located from the computer equipment or other communications cabling to prevent interference, and also so that a maintenance worker working on the communications cabling is not in danger from the power wiring. The front panel 11 on either side mounts power outlets as shown. Various other arrangements are possible.

In the system shown in the drawings the cabling enters and exits the cable ducting unit 1 at either end through end units 13 as shown, where the cables may pass under the floor of the work area for example. The cables could alternatively enter the unit via the ceiling through a cable column,between the unit 1 and ceiling, or at some central point rather than at either end. 22 8 2 37 With the system of the invention as shown, the cabling to the computer terminals and other equipment at the operators positions is carried independently of the actual operators desks 2 and the desk at the operators positions are thus movable without interference with the cabling being required. Access to the cabling for any purpose involves simply pulling the desks 2 away from the unit 1, and the side panels 6 on the units 1 may be then removed to access the cabling without difficulty.

The cable ducting unit 1 shown in Figs 1 to 3 is generally rectangular as shown but other forms are possible. -The sides of the unit could slope upwardly so that the unit is narrower at the top than at the bottom, or vice versa, for example. The unit need not necessarily be of a uniform cross-section throughout. It is possible for the front panels of the desks at the operators positions to act as the panels 6 in another form of the invention, so that the need for separate side access panels for the cable ducting unit is obviated. It will be apparent that various designs embodying the principles of the invention are possible. Within the interior of the unit any suitable form of cable tracks may be provided.

The cable ducting unit 1 may be produced in a standardised modular form so that the system is flexible to fulfill the requirements of any particular installation. The size of the unit modules may be standardised in relation 22 8 2 37 to the size of the desks with which the system is intended to be used.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative configuration of cable ducting system of the invention wherein the cable ducting unit is configured as a hexagon with the desks 2 provided around same as shown. The cable ducting unit 1 could comprise some other suitable shape such as an L shape or T shape for example• The advantages of the cable ducting system of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing. The cabling for a multiple terminal, multiple user computer work area is ducted in an out-of-the-way fashion and also such that the cabling is very readily accessible for maintenance or installation or removal of terminals or other equipment. The actual operators desks carry neither the computer terminal equipment nor the cabling therefor and yet the operator is not disadvantaged by being positioned in some way distant from the terminal equipment. The ducting system! may be designed in any particular embodiment to be aesthetically pleasing and may blend in very much as a piece of furniture in the work area.

Alterations and modifications to the system of the invention as described in the foregoing are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof, as defined in the following claims. 22823

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS;

1. A cable ducting system for the cabling to terminals or other operator equipment in a multiple terminal, multiple user computer work area, comprising a cable ducting unit extending within the work area and comprising a hollow interior and carrying the cabling to terminals or other operator equipment at operators positions, and desks for human operators of said terminals or other operator equipment positioned adjacent the unit against a side or sides of the unit at the operators positions, the cable ducting unit being at least as high as said operators desks and comprising panels or other cover parts of the unit which are removable from said side or sides of the unit on withdrawal of the desks away from the unit for access to the interior of the ducting unit for installation or maintenance of cabling.

2. A cable ducting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cable ducting unit supports the terminals or other operator equipment at the operators positions independent of the operators desks.

3. A cable ducting system according to claim 2, wherein the terminals or other operator equipment are supported from the unit by arms extending from the unit to position the terminals or operator equipment over the front part of the operators desks. 22 8 2 37 - 12 -

4. A cable ducting system according to any of the proceeding claims wherein the removable panels or other cover parts of the unit comprise removable side panels which form the major part of the side or sides of the cable ducting unit.

5. A cable ducting system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the removable panels or other cover parts of the unit comprise removable side panels which are carried as front parts of the operators desks.

6. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the unit comprises cable tracks within the interior of the unit for carrying the cabling within.

7. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the unit also provides power outlets for the terminals or operator equipment at the operators positions and carries the wiring for same.

8. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unit comprises terminating connections for the cabling within the unit at the operators positions whereby the terminals or operator equipment at the operators positions may be connected to or disconnected from service. 22 8 2 3 - 13 -

9- A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the operators desks are separate from the unit and may be positioned flush against the side or sides of the unit at the operators positions.

10. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the unit is of a modular construction whereby it may be formed to different lengths or configurations for different work areas.

11. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unit extends longitudinally and provides a number of operator positions on either longitudinal side of the unit.

12. A cable ducting system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the unit comprises a hexagon or other multi sided shape and provides operators positions on the different faces of the unit.

13. A cable ducting system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. WEST-WALKER, McCABE per ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT c\ MAR1989*