WO2016170549A2

WO2016170549A2 - Changeable cable manager

Info

Publication number: WO2016170549A2
Application number: PCT/IN2016/050118
Authority: WO
Inventors: J.N. Mylaraiah; Pappu YADAV; Shrinivas HUBLIKAR
Original assignee: Te Connectivity India Private Limited
Priority date: 2015-04-23
Filing date: 2016-04-22
Publication date: 2016-10-27
Also published as: WO2016170549A3

Abstract

A changeable management panel allows the user to customize the size of the management panel. The management panel includes an interior volume that has first and second sections. The management panel also includes a first access door that is configured to allow access to the first section and a second access door that is configured to allow access to the second section. The management panel further including a wall divider that separates the first section and the second section. The wall divider defines a management panel width. The wall divider includes at least one hinge that is configured to alter the configuration of the wall divider so as to change the management panel width.

Description

CHANGEABLE CABLE MANAGER

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 2081/CHE/2015, filed on April 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

The act of installing patch panels, subracks, network switches, and other telecommunications equipment into the telecommunications racks involves the maneuvering and connecting of many cables. Once cables are attached to the telecommunications components within the rack, any excess cable length needs to be stored and arranged with respect to the rack so that its cables do not interfere with day-to-day operations. Additionally, it is important to properly store the excess cable to ensure that it is not accidently damaged. To solve this problem, cable managers are used.

Vertical cable managers are often used in networking systems alongside telecommunications racks. The cable managers aid in organizing the excess cabling, allow for easier daily use of the rack, and simplify installations or removals of rack components. Vertical cable managers typically have fixed dimensions, but are available in a variety of widths. These fixed dimensions restrict the capacity for network expansion as the cable managers are often already full prior to expansion; thus, resulting in installing of an additional rack or cable manager. This scenario leads to wasted floor space, wasted components, and increased costs. Also, a cable manager that is too large wastes space.

Therefore, improvements in cable manager designs are needed.

Summary

The present disclosure relates generally to a changeable cable manager for use with telecommunications equipment. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cable manager is expandable. In another aspect, the cable manager is collapsible.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a management panel is disclosed. The management panel includes an interior volume that has first and second sections. The management panel also includes a first access door that is configured to allow access to the first section and a second access door that is configured to allow access to the second section. The management panel further including a wall divider that separates the first section and the second section. The wall divider defines a management panel width. The wall divider includes at least one hinge that is configured to alter the configuration of the wall divider so as to change the management panel width.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a management panel is disclosed. The cable manager includes a first section. The first section includes a first interior volume and a first access door that is configured to allow access to the first interior volume. The first section also includes a pair of side walls that include a plurality of fingers positioned generally perpendicular to the first access door. The plurality of fingers define a plurality of passageways that allow for access to the first interior volume. The cable manager also includes a second section. The second section includes a second interior volume and a second access door configured to allow access to the second interior volume. The second section further including a pair of side walls that include a plurality of fingers positioned generally perpendicular to the second access door. The plurality of fingers define a plurality of passageways allowing for access to the second interior volume. The cable manager also includes a wall divider positioned between the first and second sections. The wall divider defines the width of the first and second sections and includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures define a plurality of passageways that connect the first section to the second section. The wall divider also includes at least one hinge. The hinge is configured to help alter the configuration of the wall divider so as to change the width of the first and second sections.

In additional aspects, a management panel is disclosed including a wall portion which includes a hinge to allow the wall portion to vary in width, and a door which is variable in width which opposes the wall portion. In further aspects, the disclosed management panels can include cable areas on a front side, a rear side, or both sides of the divider and/or wall portions. In still further aspects, the disclosed management panels can include cable management spools and/or other devices for managing cables inside of the management panels.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to 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 broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. Brief Description of the Drawings

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a networking system machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate perspective views of a cable manager in three separate width configurations, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the cable manager of FIGS. 2-4;

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate front views of an access door in three separate width configurations, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate rear views of the access door of FIGS. 6-8;

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate top views of the cable manager in three separate width configurations, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate side views of a wall divider in three separate width configurations, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

The changeable cable manager of the present disclosure is configured to be changeable between at least two of different width dimensions to allow the user to customize the size of the cable manager for each installation. If more space is needed, the cable manager can be expanded. If less space is needed, the cable manager can be collapsed.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a telecommunications networking system 100. The depicted system 100 includes a pair of telecommunications racks 102 and a plurality of cable managers 104. The system 100 is configured to be installed as a network solution inside of a building. The telecommunications racks 102 are configured to house a variety of different telecommunications components 106. For example, subracks, drawers, modules, and switches, etc. can all be mounted to the racks 102. The racks 102 provide users access to the components 106 for installation, maintenance, and removal.

As shown, the cable managers 104 are configured to be in a vertical orientation; however, the cable managers 104 may also be orientated in a horizontal orientation, depending on the application. In the depicted embodiment, the cable managers 104 are positioned adjacent to the racks 102. Each cable manager 104 provides a protected storage area and a routing area for excess cabling that is attached to the telecommunications components 106 within the racks 102. The cable managers 104 are configured to allow cabling to pass from the cable managers 104 to the telecommunication components 106. Also, the cable managers 104 allow cabling to be routed upwardly out of the cable managers 104 for installation. The cable managers 104 are changeable so that the amount of interior storage and routing space can be customized to the user's particular application. This allows users to use a single cable manager 104 for a variety of different installations that require a range of different widths of cable managers 104. Additionally, it allows for the expansion of the cable managers 104's capacity in the case of a network expansion, where more cabling is added to the overall system 100.

FIGS. 2-4 show perspective views of the cable manager 104 in a variety of different widths Wi_, W_2, and W₃. FIG. 2 shows the cable manager 104 in the small width Wi, FIG. 3 shows the cable manager 104 in the medium width W₂, and FIG. 4 shows the cable manager 104 in the large width W₃. In some embodiments, Wi is about 6 inches, W₂ is about 8 inches, and W₃ is about 12 inches. It is appreciated that the cable manager 104 may have a plurality of different widths. In some embodiments, the widths W have preset dimensions. In other embodiments, the width W may be completely customizable by the user. The cable manager 104 includes a front access door 108, a rear access door 110, a pair of side walls 112, a front storage space 114, a rear storage space 116, and a wall divider 118.

In the depicted embodiment, front and rear access doors 108, 110 are substantially identical; therefore, to avoid repetition, the front access door 108 will only be described. The doors 108, 110 are configured to expand as the cable manager 104 is expanded. The front and rear access doors 108, 110 are configured to allow a user access to the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116 respectively. In some embodiments, the doors 108 and 110 are removable from the cable manager 104. In other embodiments, the doors 108, 110 are hinged and are configured to be opened by moving the doors 108 and 110 about a hinge. The doors 108, 110 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6-11.

The side walls 112 of the cable manager 104 include a pair of panels 120 and a plurality of fingers 122. The side walls 112 are configured to be positioned adjacent to telecommunications racks (like those shown in FIG. 1). The side walls 112 permit access to front and rear storage spaces 114, 116 from the adjacently positioned telecommunications equipment. By allowing passage through the side walls 112, cabling may be easily routed to the front and rear storage spaces. The side walls 112 will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

The front and rear storage spaces 114, 116 are configured to provide a protected area to store and route cabling. The front storage space 114 is defined between the side walls 112, wall divider 118, and front access door 108. The rear storage space 114 is defined between the side walls 112, wall divider 118, and rear access door 110. As the cable manager 104 is expanded, the volumes of the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116 increase.

The wall divider 118 is positioned between the side walls 112, generally parallel to the front and rear access doors 108, 110, and is configured to separate the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116. Because the wall divider 118 is attached to the side walls 112, the wall divider 118 defines the width W of the cable manager 104. Therefore, as the cable manager 104 is expanded, the wall divider 118 is configured to expand, while maintaining a barrier between the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116. The wall divider 118 will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 13-17.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the cable manager 104, specifically showing a side wall 112. The panel 120 of the side wall 112 includes mounting holes 124 that are configured to secure the cable manager 104 to an adjacent telecommunication rack.

The fingers 122 of the side wall 112 are attached to the panel 120 and extend outwardly from the panel 120 to the front and rear access doors 108, 110. The fingers 122 define a plurality of passages 126 that allow cables to pass into the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116. The passages 126 allow for separation of different types of cables so as to properly organize the cabling for easy installation and removal of equipment. The fingers 122 provide horizontal support to the cables passing through the passages 126, as well as an anchor point to secure cables. In some embodiments, the fingers 122 are made of a material that poses little threat to harming any cable passing through the passages 126. This is important, as damage to cabling caused by sharp edges or abrasive material can cause the telecommunications equipment to operate ineffectively. The side walls 112 also include anchor points 128 for the front and rear access doors 108, 110. The anchor points 128 provide a rigid area for the doors 108, 110 to latch to when the doors are secured to the cable manager 104.

FIGS. 6-8 show front views of the front access door 108 having three separate widths Wi, W₂, W₃. As noted above, the front and rear access doors are substantially identical. The front access door 108 includes a pair of handles 130, a main panel 132, expanding panels 134, and latches 136.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the front access door 108 is at its smallest width Wi, the main panel 132 overlaps the expandable panels 134. As the front access door 108 expands in width W, the expandable panels 134 extend outwardly from behind the main panel 132. The main panel 132 also includes a pair of latch covers 138 that are configured to be removable and generally covers the latches 136 when the front access door 108 is at widths Wi and W₂.

The expandable panels 134 are each configured to have a width of about half the width of the main panel 132. This is to ensure proper overlapping when the front access door 108 is at its smallest width Wi. The panels 134 each include a pair of troughs 140. Each trough 140 is recessed in the expandable panels 134, and each trough 140 holds a latch 136. The troughs 140 are recessed to ensure that the latches 136 are able to slide behind the main panel 132 when front access door is at the small and medium widths Wi, W₂.

The latches 136 are configured to interface with the anchor points 128 on the side walls 112 so as to secure the front access door 102 to the cable manager 104. The latches can be operable by hand. In some embodiments, a latch 136 can be operated between a disengaged and engaged position from the front of the front access door 108.

FIGS. 9-11 show a back view of the front access door 108. The front access door 108 further includes a pair of articulating support structures 142, and a plurality of locking mechanisms 145.

The articulating support structures 142 allow the expandable panels 134 to move outwardly from the main panel 132 smoothly and in unison. The articulating support structures 142 each include a pair of lever arms 144 that are anchored to both each other and the main panel 132 in the middle of the each arm 144 at an anchor point 146. Additionally, the lever arms 144 are also each slidably attached to opposing expandable panels 134, with each end of each lever arm 144 being slidably secured within a channel 148 on the expandable panels 134. During expansion, as the panels 134 move outwardly, the lever arms 144 rotate in opposite directions of one another about the anchor point 146. Concurrently during expansion, the lever arms 144 slide within the channels 148 in a direction toward the anchor point 146. The articulating support structures 142 allow the front access door 108 to expand smoothly without having to use a rail/channel system or hinges.

The locking mechanisms 145 allow the expandable panels 134 to be secured in place with respect to the main panel 132. In the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanisms 145 include locking arms 150 with bolts 152 that ride in channels 154 on the main panel 132.

Once front access door 108 is at the desired width, the bolts 152 may be rotated to secure the expandable panels 134 in place with respect to the main panel 132.

FIGS. 12-14 show top views of the cable manager 104 at the three different widths

Wi_, W_2, and W₃. As shown, as the width W of the cable manager 104 increases, the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116 increase in volume. Additionally, as the width of the cable manager 104 expands, the wall divider 118 adapts to maintain a barrier between the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116.

The wall divider 118 includes a first panel 156, a second panel 158, and a third panel

160. Additionally, the wall divider 118 includes a dynamic locking mechanism 161. The three panels 156, 158, 160 are pivotally attached to one another. Specifically, the first panel

156 is attached to the side wall 112 and hinged to the second panel 158. The third panel is hinged to opposite side wall 112 and hinged to the second panel 158.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the cable manager 104 is at the width Wi, the second and third panels 158, 160 are pivoted in a position where they are substantially perpendicular with the first panel 156, and parallel with the side walls 112. As shown in FIG. 13, when the cable manager 104 is at the width W_2, the first and second panels 158, 160 are pivoted away from one another to maintain a barrier between the front and rear storage spaces 114, 116. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cable manager 104 is at width W₃, the first, second and third panels 156, 158, 160 form the wall divider 118 that is substantially perpendicular to the side walls 112.

While only a single dynamic locking mechanism 161 can be viewed from the top view of the cable manager 104, the cable manager 104 can include a plurality of dynamic locking mechanisms 161. The dynamic locking mechanisms 161 are configured to lock the wall divider 118 in its particular width configuration when the desired width of the cable manager 104 is achieved. For example, when the cable manager 104 is expanded from Wi to W_2, the dynamic locking mechanisms 161 are secured to prevent the wall divider 118 from accidently collapsing back to Wi or expanding to W_3. The dynamic locking mechanisms 161 include a hinged lever 163 and a locking knob 165. The hinged lever 163 is attached to a plate 167 that is attached to the side wall 112 of the cable manager 104. The knob 165 of the dynamic locking mechanism 161 is attached to the first panel 156 of the wall divider 118. To lock the wall divider 118 in place, the knob 165 is rotated to compress the hinged lever 163 to the first panel 156, thereby firmly securing the wall divider 118 in its particular width configuration.

FIGS. 15-17 show side views of the wall divider 118 at widths Wi, W₂, and W₃. The wall divider 118 also includes a plurality of apertures 162 in each of the first, second, and third panels 156, 158, 160.

The apertures 162 in the first, second, and third panels 156, 158, 160 allow cabling to pass from the front storage space 114 to the rear storage space 116 and vice versa. By allowing cabling to pass through the wall divider 118, it allows the user more freedom to customize both the storage and routing of the cabling. For example, a user may want to store excess length of a cable in the front storage space 114 but then route the cabling through the wall divider 118 to the rear storage space 116. The user may then chose to route the cabling upwardly out of the cable manager to a ceiling mounted channel for installation.

In some embodiments, the apertures 162 include gaskets 164 positioned around the edges of the apertures 164 to prevent any abrasive or sharp surface from coming into contact with the cabling.

As shown, the wall divider 118 includes a plurality of dynamic locking mechanisms 161. Also, as can be seen in FIGS. 15-17, the hinged lever 165 is configured to pivot about a hinge 168 as the wall divider 118 is expanded. The hinge 168 allows the hinged lever 165 to expand and shrink with the wall divider 118.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS:

1. A management panel comprising:

a body construction defining an interior volume having first and second sections; a first access door configured to allow access to the first section;

a second access door configured to allow access to the second section; and

a wall divider separating the first section and the second section, the wall divider defining a management panel width, the wall divider including:

at least one hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to alter the configuration of the wall divider so as to change the management panel width.

2. The management panel of claim 1, wherein the wall divider has a plurality of apertures, wherein the apertures allow access from the first section to the second section through the wall divider.

3. The management panel of claim 1, wherein the wall divider includes a plurality of panels that are pivotably connected to one another, wherein the at least one hinge is connected to at least two of the panels.

4. The management panel of claim 3, wherein the panels are configured to fold and unfold as the management panel width is altered.

5. The management panel of claim 4, wherein the wall divider includes a plurality of locking mechanisms, the locking mechanisms being configured to prevent the folding and unfolding of the wall divider panels

6. The management panel of claim 1, wherein the wall divider includes a plurality of locking mechanisms, the locking mechanism being configured to fixedly secure the wall divider at a desired width.

7. The management panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second access doors have expandable widths so as to substantially match the management panel width.

8. The management panel of claim 7, wherein the first and second access doors each have a main panel and at least two expanding panels, wherein the expanding panels are configured to move outwardly from behind the main panel when the access doors expand in width.

9. The management panel of claim 8, wherein the expanding panels of each access door are attached to one another and extend outwardly from the main panel in unison.

10. The management panel of claim 8, wherein the first and second access doors include a plurality of locking mechanisms, the locking mechanism being configured to secure the expanding panels in place with respect to the main panels.

11. A cable manager comprising:

a first section including:

a first interior volume;

a first access door configured to allow access to the first interior volume; and a pair of side walls including a plurality of fingers positioned generally perpendicular to the first access door, wherein the plurality of fingers define a plurality of passageways allowing for access to the first interior volume;

a second section including:

a second interior volume;

a second access door configured to allow access to the second interior volume; and a pair of side walls comprising a plurality of fingers positioned generally perpendicular to the second access door, wherein the plurality of fingers define a plurality of passageways allowing for access to the second interior volume; and

a wall divider positioned between the first and second sections, the wall divider defining the width of the first and second sections, the wall divider including:

a plurality of apertures, the apertures defining a plurality of passageways that connect the first section to the second section; and

at least one hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to alter the configuration of the wall divider so as to change the width of the first and second sections.

12. The cable manager of claim 11, wherein the first and second access doors and wall dividers are substantially the same width.

13. The cable manager of claim 11, further including mounting features configured to the mount the management panel to a telecommunications fixture.

14. A method of expanding a management panel comprising:

moving a pair of substantially parallel side walls in a direction away from one another until a desired width is achieved;

extending a wall divider positioned generally perpendicular to, and between the side walls;

locking a locking mechanism attached to the wall divider to prevent the wall divider from collapsing or expanding; and

removably securing a front access door to an end of the pair of the side walls.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the side walls include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of passageways allowing for access into the management panel.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising removably securing a rear access door to an opposite end of the pair of the side walls than the front access door.