VERTICAL CABLE MANAGER

Abstract

A cable manager includes one or more cable manager units. Each cable manager unit includes a pair of side cable guides, each comprised of a plurality of finger-like projections extending forwardly from a support column. At least one of the pair of support columns has a socket arranged at a side thereof. Each cable manager unit further includes a separate midsection member capable of insertion into the socket for interconnecting the pair of side cable guides.

Claims

1. A method of arranging or assembling a modular cable manager without the aid of tools, the method comprising: providing first and second side cable guides each comprised of a plurality of projections that extend forwardly from a support column; providing a first midsection member having a first length and a generally uniform cross-sectional shape; inserting a first end of the first midsection member into a socket of the support column of the first side cable guide such that a locking tab of the support column of the first side cable guide engages the first end of the first midsection member; and inserting a second end of the first midsection member, opposite the first end, into a socket of the support column of the second side cable guide such that a locking tab of the support column of the second side cable guide engages the second end of the first midsection member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, for each of the first and second side cable guides, the locking tab is beveled.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, for each of the first and second side cable guides, inserting a respective end of the first midsection member includes applying a pushing force against the first midsection member that is sufficient to deflect the locking tab.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, for each of the first and second side cable guides, inserting a respective end of the first midsection member further includes releasing the deflected locking tab so that a catch portion extends through a respective locking aperture of the first midsection member, thereby securing the first midsection member to the first and second side cable guides.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: depressing the locking tabs so that the catch portions no longer extend through the respective locking apertures; and withdrawing the first midsection member from the socket of each of the first and second side cable guide.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: providing a second midsection member having a second length, different from the first length, and a generally uniform cross-sectional shape; inserting a first end of the second midsection member into the socket of the support column of the first side cable guide such that the locking tab of the support column of the first side cable guide engages the first end of the second midsection member; and inserting a second end of the second midsection member, opposite the first end, into the socket of the support column of the second side cable guide such that the locking tab of the support column of the second side cable guide engages the second end of the second midsection member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, for each of the first and second side cable guides, inserting a respective end of the first midsection member includes positioning a shelf disposed at an interior of each socket within a respective alignment slot at each end of the first midsection member.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, for each of the first and second side cable guides, each socket is tapered such that a width at an entrance thereto is greater than a width at an interior thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a cover having a panel with first and second hinge structures disposed at opposite edges thereof, each of the first and second hinge structures including a pair of fingers that define a channel; and arranging the cover relative to a selected one of the first and second side cable guides such that at least one of the plurality of projections of the selected side cable guide is received within the channel of one of the first and second hinge structures.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cover has a single-piece extruded construction.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second hinge structures is a separate component fitted to a respective edge of the panel.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one of the plurality of projections of the selected side cable guide is a hinge boss.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising pivoting the cover toward the other of the first and second side cable guides so that at least one of the plurality of projections of the other of the first and second side cable guides is received within the channel of the other of the first and second hinge structures.

14. A method of arranging or assembling a modular cable manager without the aid of tools, the method comprising: providing upper and lower cable manager units, each comprised of a pair of side cable guides interconnected via a separate midsection member, each side cable guide including a plurality of projections that extend forwardly from a support column; providing a splice plate having a beveled locking catch at each of first and second opposite ends thereof; positioning the first end of the splice plate within a first receiving area disposed at a top of a selected one of the support columns of the lower cable manager unit; maneuvering the splice plate so that the beveled locking catch at the first end deflects and then releases a lock tab, disposed at an interior of the first receiving area, into a locked position, thereby securing the first end of the splice plate to the lower cable manager unit; positioning the second end of the splice plate within a second receiving area disposed at a bottom of a selected one of the support columns of the upper cable manager unit; and maneuvering the splice plate so that the beveled locking catch at the second end deflects and then releases a lock tab, disposed at an interior of the second receiving area, into a locked position, thereby securing the second end of the splice plate to the upper cable manager unit; wherein, upon securement of the splice plate to each of the upper and lower cable manager units, the upper and lower cable manager units are secured in an end-to-end relationship.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper cable manager unit has a first height and the lower cable manager unit has a second height different from the first height.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: providing a cover having a panel with first and second hinge structures disposed at opposite edges thereof, each of the first and second hinge structures including a pair of fingers that define a channel; and arranging the cover relative to one of the upper and lower cable manager units such that at least one of the plurality of projections of one of the pair of side cable guides is received within the channel of one of the first and second hinge structures.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cover has a single-piece extruded construction.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the first and second hinge structures is a separate component fitted to a respective edge of the panel.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: depressing the lock tab at one of the first and second cable manager units so that the lock tab becomes deflected, thereby freeing the splice plate to be removed from the respective receiving area; and separating the upper and lower cable manager units from one another.

20. A method of arranging or assembling a modular cable manager without the aid of tools, the method comprising: providing first, second, third and fourth side cable guides each comprised of a plurality of projections that extend forwardly from a support column; providing first and second midsection members each having a generally uniform cross-sectional shape; providing a splice plate having a locking catch at each of first and second opposite ends thereof; inserting a first end of the first midsection member into a socket of the support column of the first side cable guide and inserting a second end of the first midsection member, opposite the first end, into a socket of the support column of the second side cable guide, thereby forming a first cable manager unit; inserting a first end of the second midsection member into a socket of the support column of the third side cable guide and inserting a second end of the second midsection member, opposite the first end, into a socket of the support column of the fourth side cable guide, thereby forming a second cable manager unit; positioning the first end of the splice plate within a first receiving area disposed at a top of a selected one of the support columns of the first cable manager unit so that a locking catch at the first end engages a lock tab disposed at an interior of the first receiving area; and positioning the second end of the splice plate within a second receiving area disposed at a bottom of a selected one of the support columns of the second cable manager unit so that a locking catch at the second end engages a lock tab disposed at an interior of the second receiving area; wherein, upon engagement of the locking catches of the splice plate with the respective lock tabs, the first and second cable manager units are secured in an end-to-end relationship.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a mounting fixture system utilizing a vertical cable manager in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 2A is a front isometric view of the vertical cable manager of FIG. 1, shown in isolation;

[0057] FIGS. 2B and 2C are enlarged views of portions of the vertical cable manager of FIG. 2A;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a side isometric view of the vertical cable manager of FIG. 1, shown in isolation;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded isometric view of the vertical cable manager of FIGS. 2A and 3;

[0060] FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear isometric view of a lower portion of one of the side columns of FIG. 4;

[0061] FIG. 6 is a reverse side isometric view of one of the T-shaped projections of FIG. 5;

[0062] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one of the midsection members of FIG. 4;

[0063] FIG. 8 is an end view of the midsection member of FIG. 7;

[0064] FIGS. 9 and 10 are isometric views of the midsection member of FIG. 7 being connected to the lower end of the side cable guide of FIG. 5;

[0065] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 10, taken along line 11-11;

[0066] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 10, taken along line 12-12;

[0067] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary rear isometric view of a portion of the side cable guide and midsection member of FIGS. 11 and 12;

[0068] FIG. 14 is a profile view of an end of an alternative door for use in one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention;

[0069] FIG. 15 is a profile view of an end of one of the doors of FIG. 4, shown in a partially disassembled state;

[0070] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an end of one of the doors of FIG. 4, shown in a partially disassembled state;

[0071] FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic top views of one of the doors and two of the side cable guides of FIG. 4;

[0072] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary isometric view of an upper portion of one of the doors and one of the side cable guides of FIG. 4;

[0073] FIGS. 20 and 21, which are schematic top views of the door and one of the side cable guides of FIGS. 17 and 18;

[0074] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of one of the splice plates of FIG. 4;

[0075] FIGS. 23 and 24 are fragmentary side isometric views of the splice plate of FIG. 22 and one of the side cable guides of FIG. 4;

[0076] FIG. 25 is a side plan view of the splice plate of FIG. 22 and two of the side cable guides of FIG. 4;

[0077] FIGS. 26 and 27 are fragmentary isometric views of a portion of the rear of one of the side cable guides of FIG. 4;

[0078] FIG. 28 is a fragmentary isometric view of a cable management accessory being attached to a pair of side cable guides;

[0079] FIG. 29 is a fragmentary isometric view of two such cable management accessories mounted on the pair of side cable guides of FIG. 28;

[0080] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a set of four midsection members of different lengths;

[0081] FIG. 31 is a side plan view of a set of two side cable guides of different lengths;

[0082] FIG. 32 is a side plan view of a three different pairs of side cable guides representing three different cable manager heights (lengths); and

[0083] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a double-sided vertical cable manager in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (Ordinary Artisan) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being preferred is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0085] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[0086] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

[0087] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used hereinas understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such termdiffers in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[0088] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, a and an each generally denotes at least one, but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having an apple describes a picnic basket having at least one apple as well as a picnic basket having apples. In contrast, reference to a picnic basket having a single apple describes a picnic basket having only one apple.

[0089] When used herein to join a list of items, or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese or crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese without crackers, a picnic basket having crackers without cheese, and a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, and denotes all of the items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese and crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers, as well as describes a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.

[0090] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0091] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a mounting fixture system 10 utilizing a vertical cable manager 30 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system 10 includes a conventional two-post mounting rack 20, next to which is disposed the vertical cable manager 30. Each two-post mounting rack 20 includes a pair of vertical support members 12,14, connected at their upper ends by a pair of upper cross-members 16 and at their lower ends by a pair of lower cross-members 18. The posts 12,14 are arranged to support a variety of electronic equipment, accessories and the like, all as is well known.

[0092] It will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan that the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 may be a preferred implementation of one or more of the vertical cable managers described and illustrated herein. However, it will be appreciated that the vertical cable manager of the present invention may be utilized with a variety of mounting fixtures, for example including mounting fixtures formed from four support posts that may or may not be covered by panels to form an enclosure; and that mounting fixtures may be alternatively located on one or both sides of the cable manager 30, or alternatively may be used in isolation, as described below.

[0093] FIGS. 2A and 3 are front and side isometric views of the vertical cable manager 30 of FIG. 1, shown in isolation, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are enlarged views of portions of the vertical cable manager of FIG. 2A. As shown therein, the vertical cable manager 30 includes one or more vertical cable manager units 32, each including a pair of side cable guides 42, one or more midsection members 80, and a door 38. Two or more vertical cable manager units 32 may be interconnected using a pair of splice plates 34. Each of these components will be described in greater detail herein.

[0094] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded isometric view of the vertical cable manager 30 of FIGS. 2A and 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear isometric view of a lower portion of one of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4. Each side cable guide 42 has a plurality of T-shaped rib or finger projections 63 extending forwardly from a vertical support column 46. The vertical support column 46 includes at least one, and preferably two or more, midsection member socket 44 for receiving and retaining an end of a midsection member 80 as further described hereinbelow. Other notable features of the side cable guide 42, discussed below, include door attachment hinge bosses 76 disposed at the ends of some of the T-shaped projections 63, mounting bolt holes 45 which align with corresponding holes on the vertical support member 12,14 of the rack 20, cable strapping slots 48 to allow cable bundles to be securely attached inside the cable trough, and rear accessory attachment holes 49.

[0095] Each T-shaped projection 63 includes a shaft 66 and a crosspiece 67. Each pair of adjacent T-shaped projections 63 defines a cable ring 68 formed by the respective shafts 66 and crosspieces 67 of the projections 63 and the body of the support column 46. An opening into each cable ring 68 is provided by a gap 69 between the ends of the crosspieces 67 of each pair of adjacent projections 63. This gap 69 permits cables to be inserted into the ring 68 by passing them sideways through the gap 69, as described further in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,282 to Krietzman et al., the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a reverse side isometric view of one of the T-shaped projections 63 of FIG. 5. The shaft 66 of the projection 63 utilizes a reinforced construction characterized by a series of interlocking crescent-shaped reinforcement walls or ribs 65. This geometry is designed to minimize deflection under load in the vertical, horizontal, and twist directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6. The finger cross section is U-shaped which gives the greatest strength in the vertical and horizontal direction. The interior ribs are designed to minimize the twist and also to add strength in the vertical and horizontal direction.

[0097] The respective projections 63 are evenly spaced along the length of the vertical support column 46 at a standardized spacing. In the embodiment shown and described, the spacing between the respective projections 63 is equal to a single standard rack mounting unit (RMU) (conventionally, 1.75 inches), but it should be obvious that other standard spacings could be used such as spacings measured in alternative units or spacings which are multiples of the RMU. By using such a standard spacing, it is ensured that a cable ring 68 is disposed at, and dedicated to, each RMU along the height of a rack 20. Benefits of this arrangement are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,282.

[0098] In at least one embodiment, the T-shaped projections 63 are integrally formed with the vertical support column 46 using an injection molding process. In at least some aspects of the present invention, however, the side cable guides 42 may be constructed according to the teachings of commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/350,216 to Garza et al., which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0236117 A1, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0099] Because each cable guide 42 is formed separately from the midsection members 80 and subsequently attached thereto, rather than being formed integrally therewith, each cable guide 42 may be formed from a different material than the midsection members 80. Thus, although the midsection members 80 may preferably be formed from metal, each cable guide 42 may be injection-molded from plastic in order to create rounded or beveled edges along the edges of the T-shaped projections 63. Various advantages of such an arrangement are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,282.

[0100] Interconnection between the side cable guides 42 is provided by the midsection members 80. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one of the midsection members 80 of FIG. 4. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, two midsection members 80 are utilized in each vertical cable manager unit 32 and they are disposed near the ends thereof. However, it will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan that, in at least some embodiments, greater numbers of midsection members 80 may be used, that they may be spaced evenly or irregularly, and that optional mounting locations may be available, provided, of course, that appropriate mounting means and locations are provided on the support columns 46.

[0101] FIG. 8 is an end view of the midsection member 80 of FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, each midsection member 80 includes a web 82 and two flanges 83,84, thereby forming a structure that is generally I-shaped in cross-section. The web 82 is preferably penetrated by a plurality of mounting openings that may include pairs of slots 87, individual apertures 101, groupings of apertures (not shown), or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple pairs of slots 87 are arranged vertically along the length of the web 82, and a single aperture 101 is included near the center of the web 82. However, it will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan that other arrangements may be provided, such as any of those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0236117 A1.

[0102] Each midsection member 80 further includes a number of elements to facilitate connection of the member 80 to a pair of the side cable guides 42, including one or more cable guide locking holes 81 near each end of the web 82, an alignment slot 86 extending inward from each end of the web 82, and one or more cable guide alignment bosses 88 disposed near each end of the web 82. As described below, the alignment slots 86 at the ends position the midsection member 80 within the socket 44 in the cable guide 42 in the vertical direction by fitting over a corresponding shelf (not illustrated) provided in the back of the socket 44 for that purpose. The alignment bosses 88 position the midsection member 80 laterally within the socket 44. The cable guide locking holes 81 engage with cable guide locking tabs 47, described below, to retain the midsection member 80 in the socket 44. The accessory attachment features (slots and hole) are for mounting optional accessories such as cable spools and cable lashing bars.

[0103] In an alternative not illustrated herein, midsection members comprising two telescoping sections may be substituted for the fixed-length midsection members 80 illustrated herein.

[0104] The midsection members 80 may be formed sheet metal; however, other manufacturing methods could be used such as an extrusion. The flanges 83,84 preferably have a formed closed profile that gives the member 80 stiffness and also provides a smooth radius edge that prevents damage to cables that pass over the member 80, as perhaps best understood with reference to FIG. 8.

[0105] FIGS. 9 and 10 are isometric views of the midsection member 80 of FIG. 7 being connected to the lower end of the side cable guide 42 of FIG. 5. As evident therefrom, the end of the midsection member 80 is received within the socket 44, whose cross-sectional shape corresponds to that of the midsection member 80. FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of the assembly of FIG. 10, taken along lines 11-11 and 12-12 respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, the socket 44 has a large taper such that the width 36 of the slot 44 at the entrance is much wider than that of the midsection member 80, making it easy to insert the member 80, while the base of the socket 44 is much narrower and is only slightly wider than the thickness of the midsection member 80. This geometry tends to hold the end of the midsection member 80 securely within the socket 44.

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the midsection member 80 is seated within the socket 44, a shelf 43 located in the back of the socket 44 is inserted into the alignment slot 86, thus enabling the midsection member 80 to be positioned vertically within the socket 44 with relative precision. The alignment bosses 88 of the midsection member bear on interior walls of the socket 44, thereby enabling the midsection member 80 to be positioned laterally within the socket 44 with relative precision. In order to retain the midsection member 80 in this disposition, a pair of locking tabs 47 are provided within the socket 44 so as to interface with the locking holes 81 in the midsection member 80. When enough force is exerted on the midsection member 80 relative to the side cable guide 42, the end of the web 82 thereof is forced past the locking tabs 47, which are beveled for this purpose, and the locking tabs 47 then snap into the locking holes 81, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0107] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary rear isometric view of a portion of the side cable guide 42 and midsection member 80 of FIGS. 11 and 12. As illustrated therein, a portion of each locking tab 47 extends through the body of the cable guide 42 and protrudes therefrom, where it may be accessed by a user. By depressing the tabs 47, the catch portions thereof are withdrawn from the locking holes 81 in the midsection member 80. In this state, the midsection member 80 may be removed from the socket 44.

[0108] With reference to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that a single vertical cable manager unit 32 may be assembled by connecting two side cable guides 42 together using two midsection members 80 in the manner described.

[0109] FIGS. 15 and 16 are a profile view and an isometric view of an end of one of the doors 38 of FIG. 4, shown in a partially disassembled state. As shown therein, each door 38 includes a center panel 70 and two edge pieces 71. The panel 70 may be of any shape but includes series of outwardly-extending tabs 72 along the edges thereof. Viewed in profile, each edge piece 71 includes a hinge structure 75, described in greater detail hereinbelow, as well as two fingers 73,74 that define a channel into which fits a respective edge of the panel 70. One finger 74 is hooked to fit over and engage the tabs 72 along the edge of the panel 70. Thus, each edge piece 71 may be attached to the panel 70 by inserting the panel edge into the channel defined by the fingers 73,74 of the edge piece and snapping the hooked finger 74 over the tabs 72. The composite construction of the door 38 permits the edge pieces 71 and panels 70 to be manufactured separately and from different materials. In at least one embodiment, the edge pieces 71 are extruded plastic while the panel 70 is constructed of sheet metal. The composite construction also permits panels 70 of different widths to be used with the same edge pieces 71 to form doors 38 of different widths.

[0110] FIG. 14 is a profile view of an end of an alternative door 138 for use in one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the door 138 of FIG. 14 is a single piece, such as a single piece plastic extrusion. Such a construction, which utilizes a hinge structure 75 similar to that of the edge pieces 71 of the door 38 of FIGS. 15 and 16, may generally be substituted for the composite door 38, but may be particularly suitable for cable managers of narrow widths.

[0111] Regardless of construction, the door 38,138 is mounted on the side cable guides 42 by snapping the hinge structure 75 onto the hinge bosses 76 located on the ends of some of the T-shaped projection 63. This is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, which are schematic top views of one of the doors 38 and two of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 19, which is a fragmentary isometric view of an upper portion of one of the doors 38 and one of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4. As shown therein, the hinge structure 75 includes two arms 77,78, defining a hinge channel 79, that may be snapped around the hinge bosses 76. Although the friction inherent in these couplings tends to support the door 38 at the proper height without need for vertical support, slippage may be further prevented using stops 39, an example of which is shown in FIG. 19, inserted into the hinge channel 79 so as to bear on the tops of the hinge bosses 76 when the door 38 is installed at the proper height. The stops 39 may be of molded or extruded plastic and may be glued or otherwise affixed in place.

[0112] With reference to FIG. 19, the outer arm 77 of the hinge structure 75 is adapted to rotate around one side of the hinge boss 76 and includes a hook at its distal end that serves as a door retaining stop, while the inner arm 78 includes a structure having a semi-cylindrical inner surface adapted to rotate around another side of the hinge boss 76. The door 38 is mounted on the side cable guides 41,42 by snapping the hinge structure 75 onto the hinge bosses 76. Once installed, the door 38 may be opened along either side by unsnapping the hinge structure 75 of the respective edge piece 71 from the hinge bosses 76 and rotating the door about the hinge bosses 76 on the opposite side of the door 38. This rotation is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, which are schematic top views of the door 38 and one of the side cable guides 42 of FIGS. 17 and 18. As shown therein, portions of the hinge arms 77,79 rotate around semi-cylindrical surfaces of the hinge boss. As the door 38 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 21, it will be appreciated that the door retaining stop at the end of the outer hinge arm 77 reaches a cam located at the distal end of the hinge boss 76. When it does so, it snaps into place, thereby holding the door 38 in place in that position. The force required to rotate the door 38 out of that position is intended to be relatively minimal such that a user may manipulate the door 38 easily to remain open or to be closed, as desired.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 3 and 4, two or more vertical cable manager units 32 may be stacked on top of each other to create a modular vertical cable manager 30 of greater length. This may accomplished using splice plates 34 to connect side cable guides 42 together. FIG. 22 is an isometric view of one of the splice plates 34 of FIG. 4. As shown therein, the splice plate 34 is a flat, elongated structure having a notch 92 at each end. Each notch 92 includes at least one and preferably two locking catches 93 arranged therein.

[0114] FIGS. 23 and 24 are fragmentary side isometric views of the splice plate 34 of FIG. 22 and one of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 23, the side cable guide 42 includes a plurality of ribs 94, forming a bed for receiving the splice plate 34, and a plurality of tabs 95 cover the bed for retaining the splice plate 34 on the bed, thereby forming a receptacle for receiving an end of the splice plate 34. An upright lock tab 96 is disposed at the inner end of the bed. To connect the splice plate 34 to the cable guide 42, the splice plate 34 may be inserted beneath the tabs 95 and onto the ribs 94 of the bed. When the slot 92 in the end of the splice plate 34 encounters the lock tab 96, a beveled portion of one of the locking catches 93 forces the lock tab 96 to bend aside until the splice plate 34 is fully seated in the cable guide 42, at which point the lock tab 96 snaps into place behind the locking catch 93 as shown in FIG. 24, thereby locking the splice plate 34 in place. The opposite end of the splice plate 34 may be connected to the end of a second side cable guide 42 in the same manner. FIG. 25 is a side plan view of the splice plate 34 of FIG. 22 and two of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4, wherein the lock tab 96 of the second side cable guide 42 is being forced aside by the locking catch 93. This construction facilitates the assembly of a cable manager 30 without the use of any tools.

[0115] The splice plate 34 may be removed from either of the cable guides 42 by depressing the respective lock tab 96, thereby removing it as an obstacle to removal of the locking catch 93, and pulling the splice plate 34 out of the cable guide 42. The lock tabs 96 protrude slightly from their surroundings to facilitate this purpose. Disassembly is thus likewise achievable without the use of any tools.

[0116] Returning to FIG. 5, the rear accessory mounting holes 49 make it possible to quickly and easily connect additional accessories to the rear of the single-sided vertical cable manager units 32. FIGS. 26 and 27 are fragmentary isometric views of a portion of the rear of one of the side cable guides 42 of FIG. 4, while FIG. 28 is a fragmentary isometric view of a cable management accessory 50 being attached to a pair of side cable guides 42, and FIG. 29 is a fragmentary isometric view of two such cable management accessories 50 mounted on the pair of side cable guides 42 of FIG. 28. As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 26 and 27, the rear accessory mounting hole is a slot of T-shaped cross section that is arranged in the body of the vertical support column 46 and open to the side such that the head of a bolt 52 may be inserted into the slot in such a way that the shank of the bolt 52 protrudes from the rear of the column 46. When used with a hex-headed bolt 52 of the proper size, the head of the bolt 52 is restrained from turning when it is retained in the slot. Thus, as shown in FIG. 28, bolts 52 may be inserted into the mounting holes 49 on a pair of cable guides 42 such that their respective shanks may be used to mount an accessory 50, such as a conventional cable ring, on the rear of the cable manager 30. As shown in FIG. 29, a plurality of such accessories 50 may be attached in a column, thereby enhancing the cable management capabilities of the assembly.

[0117] Advantageously, the accessory mounting holes 49, which may be molded into the side cable guides 42 in an injection molding process, permit accessories 50 to be attached quickly and easily by requiring only a single tool, rather than two, to manipulate the bolt 52. This is because the head of the bolt 52 is imprisoned in the hole 49 and need not be restrained from turning with a separate tool. Furthermore, for an accessory 50 like the cable ring shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the spacing of the apertures 54 in the ring 50 prevents the bolts 52 from sliding out of the holes 49 once their shanks have been inserted through the apertures 54.

[0118] It will be appreciated that other accessories may be substituted for the cable rings shown in FIGS. 28 and 29.

[0119] The modular construction of the vertical cable manager units permits cable managers of a variety of dimensions to be constructed from a limited number of part sizes. Cable manager units 32 of multiple different widths may be constructed using the same side cable guides 32 by substituting midsection members 80 of different lengths. FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a set of four midsection members 80,180,280,380 of different lengths, which in one commercial embodiment may include lengths of 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches. The third of these lengths (i.e., the 10-inch version) is featured in the vertical cable manager 30 of FIGS. 2A, 3 and 4, while the smallest of these lengths (i.e., the 6-inch version) is featured in the vertical cable manager 130 of FIG. 33, discussed below. Other widths are likewise possible as well. It will be appreciated, of course, that the width of the door 38 must likewise be changed, although as described previously, when the composite door structure is utilized, only the center panel 70 needs to be changed; the edge pieces 71 are usable with any width center panel 70.

[0120] Cable managers 30 of multiple different heights (lengths) may likewise be constructed using the same midsection members 80 by substituting side cable guides 32 of different lengths. FIG. 31 is a side plan view of a set of two side cable guides 42,43 of different lengths, which in one commercial embodiment may include lengths of 36 inches (3 feet) and 42 inches (3.5 feet). When arranged on the basis of standard RMUs, as described previously, the 36-inch length includes twenty T-shaped projections (fingers) 63 and the 42-inch length includes twenty-six T-shaped projections (fingers) 63. Thus, cable managers of either 36 inches or 42 inches may be created using only a single cable manager unit 32, depending on which length is chosen. In addition, however, cable managers 30 of at least three different standardized lengths may be created by pairing two cable manager units 32. FIG. 32 is a side plan view of a three different pairs of side cable guides representing three different cable manager heights (lengths). The pairing on the left is of two 36-inch lengths (6 feet total); the pairing in the center is of one 36-inch length and one 42-inch length (7 feet total); and the pairing on the right is of two 42-inch lengths (8 feet total).

[0121] It will be further appreciated that any of a variety of cable management accessories (not shown) may be installed in a cable manager unit 32 by mounting them to the midsection members 80. Examples of such accessories are described and illustrated, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0236117 A1.

[0122] The various features described above contribute to a cable manager 30 that is fast to assemble, requires minimal tools to assemble, and makes a small packaging footprint. The mounting of the cable manager 30 to a rack 20 is faster since it requires only a single wrench; the mounting bolts are prevented from rotating by hex shaped holes 45 in the side cable guides 42.

[0123] The cable manager units and resulting cable managers described so far are single-sided cable managers in that they include T-shaped projections extending only in one direction, and thus comprise only one vertical cable trough for routing cables on either the front or back of the rack 10. FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a double-sided vertical cable manager 130 in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. Like the single-sided cable manager 30, the double-sided vertical cable manager 130 includes one or more vertical cable manager units 132, each including a pair of side cable guides 142 and one or more midsection members 80. The cable manager units 132 may have the same or different heights. In FIG. 33, two cable manager units 132 are shown, each with a different height. The double-sided cable manager also includes two doors 38, rather than one, because it includes two vertical cable troughs. Two or more vertical cable manager units 132 may be interconnected using a pair of splice plates 34.

[0124] The various components of the double-sided cable manager units 132 are similar to those of the single-sided units 32 except that the side cable guides 142 include T-shaped projections 63 extending both forwardly and rearwardly. Advantages and uses of a double-sided vertical cable manager are similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0236117 A1. The side cable guides 142 also fail to include rear accessory mounting holes 49.

[0125] As described herein, the invention is disclosed in a vertical orientation. However, it will be appreciated that all or part of the invention as described herein may be implemented in a horizontal orientation. For example, it is contemplated that the cable manager as described herein may be implemented for use in a horizontal orientation.

[0126] Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

[0127] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.