CONFIGURABLE CABLE MANAGEMENT DEVICE
A cable management system and method are disclosed for organizing cables at the interface of a panel. A panel assembly integrates the cable management device along the front edge of the panel so that cables routed from the panel remain supported during operation. The system includes a cable management device having a base structure attachable to a front edge of the panel, a set of mounting posts extending from the base structure, and a set of support beams. Each support beam including a receiver removably engaging a respective mounting post and a cable support for guiding cables.
1 . A cable management device comprising:
a base structure configured to attach to a front edge of a panel, the base structure comprising a set of mounting posts extending from the base structure; and
a set of support beams, each support beam comprising
a receiver configured to removably engage a respective mounting post; and
a cable support configured to support a set of cables.
2 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the base structure and the mounting posts are integrally formed as a single molded body.
3 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the set of support beams are selectively removable from the base structure to provide a configurable arrangement.
4 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the cable support is configured as a T-shaped member for routing the one or more cables.
5 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein each support beam further comprises:
a beam flange at an end of the cable support, the beam flange configured to retain a fastener securing the set of cables to the cable support.
6 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein each support beam further comprises:
a latch lock configured to secure the receiver to the base structure.
7 . The cable management device of claim 6 , wherein the support beam is rotatable relative to the respective mounting post when the latch lock is disengaged.
8 . The cable management device of claim 6 , wherein each support beam further comprises:
a latch release configured to disengage the latch lock from the base structure.
9 . The cable management device of claim 8 , wherein the latch release is manually deflectable to release the support beam from the base structure.
10 . The cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the base structure further comprises a set of card slots configured to receive a port identification card.
11 . A panel assembly comprising:
a panel having a front edge; and
a cable management device coupled to the front edge, the cable management device comprising:
a base structure secured to the front edge of the panel;
a set of mounting posts extending from the base structure; and
a set of support beams, each support beam comprising a receiver configured to removably engage a respective mounting post and a cable support configured to support one or more cables routed from the panel.
12 . The panel assembly of claim 11 , wherein the base structure is attached to the front edge of the panel by a set of screws received into hollows of the mounting posts.
13 . The panel assembly of claim 11 , wherein each support beam further comprises a latch lock configured to secure the support beam to the base structure and a latch release configured to disengage the latch lock.
14 . The panel assembly of claim 11 , wherein each support beam further comprises a beam flange configured to retain a tie-down securing the one or more cables.
15 . The panel assembly of claim 11 , wherein the base structure further comprises a set of card slots configured to receive port identification cards corresponding to connections on the panel.
16 . A method of managing cables in a panel, the method comprising:
attaching a base structure to a front edge of the panel;
mounting a set of support beams to respective mounting posts of the base structure;
routing one or more cables across at least one of the support beams; and
securing the one or more cables to the set of support beams.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein securing the one or more cables comprises:
fastening the one or more cables with a tie-down coupled to a beam flange of the at least one support beam.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein mounting the support beams further comprises:
positioning the receivers of the support beams around a respective mounting post;
rotating the support beams relative to the respective mounting post; and
engaging a latch lock to secure the support beam to the base structure.
19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing a selected support beam from the base structure, the removing including:
actuating a latch release to disengage a latch lock and.
rotating at least one of the support beams relative to a respective mounting post.
20 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
inserting a port identification card into a card slot of the base structure.