GB2151857A - Multi-channel trunking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable management system, for guiding segregated cables around an object, such that the cables can be laid in directly comprises cable channels arranged horizontally so that they lie one on top of the other in a vertical plane. A selected cable can be taken out of its channel across any other channel whilst still maintaining its isolation by use of an exit box 20. The exit box 20 comprises a channel section 22 with a removeable exit section 21. Cables 14, 15 are laid in their channels 24, 25 with the exit section 21 removed; the exit section 21 is then replaced; and the cable 13 which is to be brought out of the channel system is laid in its channel 23, then laid into the exit section 21 through a side opening 26 and out through a nylon brush 27a or 27b. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to cable management systems for use with office furniture The invention relates to systems for guiding cables, particularly though not exclusively for use with office furniture.

As the use of electronic machines and telecommunications equipment grows, dealing with the large numbers of cables in use in an office, particularly around desks and tables, is becoming increasingly difficult. Trailing wires can cause accidents and electrical connections which are in positions where liquid, such as tea or coffee, can be spilt over them create the danger of electric shocks. Also, with the increasing use of computers, it has become necessary to find a simple way of segregating cables according to their purpose ie power, telecommunications and data. Therefore a system of controlling and guiding cables around office furniture is required.

There are several known cable management systems for guiding the cables which are present in increasing number in offices. Most of these systems have channels, to hold cables according to their purpose, which run alongside each other in the horizontral plane. There are three alternative methods of fitting cable-guiding channels to desks and other office furniture: 1) A cable management system which is integral in the desk top. This has a major disadvantage in that the desk has to be designed around the channels and the desk and cable management system have to be made as one ie the cable management system cannot be added on afterwards; 2) A cable management system which is underneath the desk top.Access holes have to be made in the desk top to feed the cables through and the cables cannot be laid directly in the channels - they have to be threaded through which is awkward and time-consuming; 3) A cable management system which is attached to the rear end of the desk. As the channels run alongside each other in the horizontal plane the guidance system protrudes from the edge of the desk so, although it can be added on to the desk after manufacture and the cables can be laid into the channels easily, the system is bulky, difficult to support and vulnerable to damage.

A possible solution to the problems of this third method is to arrange the guiding channels so that they are stacked in a vertical plane to provide a cable management system which is more compact and easier to attach, but then segregation of the cables as they leave the channels becomes a problem.

The object of this invention is to provide a cable management system which can easily be attached to a desk or other furniture without protruding far from the edge of the furniture and in which cables can easily be laid in.

The invention provides a cable management system for guiding cables around an object wherein cables are segregated according to use and where the cables can be laid in directly, comprising: 1) one or more channels to guide cables, the channels being arranged horizontally so that they lie one on top of another in a vertical plane; 2) an exit box which allows any cable to be taken out from its channel across any other channel whilst maintaining the segregation of the cable from other cables.

Preferably the exit box is arranged so that cables can exit to the table top or to the underneath of the table top and can also pass directly through the exit box from underneath the table out onto the table top.

Preferably the exit box comprises an integrated channel section, the number of channels corresponding to the number of guiding channels, which is provided with a rectangular recessed portion for receiving a removeable open-faced, boxlike exit section. Continuous cables are laid in appropriate channels with the exit section removed.

The exit section is then replaced and the cable to be brought out of the channel system is laid in its channel, then laid into the exit section through a side opening and out through an opening at the top or bottom of the exit section, as required.

The segregated exit of a cable is therefore achieved by passing the cable through the exit section and out while the other cables pass round behind the exit section.

Preferably the top and bottom openings are covered by nylon brush which allows cables to pass through and holds them in place but prevents liquid from pouring through should something such as coffee be spilt over it.

Preferably riser channels are provided to take cables from floor level to the horizontal channels.

Preferably the cables are taken from the riser channels to the horizontal channels via a riser feed which keeps the cables segregated. The cables can be kept separate at the foot of the riser channels by anchor grips on a bracket at the bottom of the riser channels.

Channel connectors can be used to link channels from one desk to another in straight runs or at different angles. Underlink connectors can be used to take cables from one side of a desk configuration to the other, the cables being fed from the horizontal channels into an underlink connector and back into the opposite horizontal channel section.

Preferably, once the cables have been laid in, ducting covers are fitted over the channels to protect the cables and give the system an attractive appearance.

Conveniently the cable management system has three channels to allow cables to be segregated into date, telecommunications and power cables which can be kept separate.

Conveniently the channels are made of extruded plastic which can be cut to the lengths required for fitting to furniture. Conveniently the riser feed and the exit box are made from moulded plastic.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures la, b and c show the prior art system available; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cable management system of the invention, with the ducting cover removed; Figures 3a and 3b are a perspective and an exploded view of an exit box respectively.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of riser channels and cable anchor bracket, with the ducting cover removed; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plug socket fitted to the cable management system in place on a desk, with the ducting cover on.

Figure 1 shows the prior art system. Figure la shows a cable management system wherein channels 1 are integral in a desk top 2. A cable 3 can be laid directly in the channels 1 and a cover (not shown) can be fitted over the top.

In Figure 1b the channels 1 are attached to a desk leg 4 below the desk top 2. A hole 5 is made in the desk top 2 and the cable 3 is threaded through into the channels 1.

In Figure 1c the channels 1 are attached at the end of a desk top A cable 3 can be laid into the channels 1 and a cover (not shown) can be fitted over the top.

Referring to Figure 2, the cable management system of the invention is shown with the cover removed. Channels 10, 11, 12 are made in a vertically stacked configuration. Cables 13, 14, 15 pass into the channels 10, 11, 12 via a riser feed 16.

With the cover (not shown) removed, the cables 13, 14, 15 can be laid directly into the channels 10, 11, 12 and the riser feed 16 without being threaded through.

The cable 13 leaves the channel 10 via an exit box 20, which is shown in more detail in Figures 3a and 3b. The system is clamped to a desk top (not shown) using brackets 17, 18, 19.

Figure 3a shows the exit box 20 as it forms part of the channel system and Figure 3b shows the exit box 20 separated into its component parts of a removeable open-faced, box-like exit section 21 and an integrated channelled section 22. In the channel section 22 three channels 23, 24, 25, corresponding to channels 10,11,12 of the complete system (Figure 2), allow cables 13, 14, 15 to exit from the exit box 20 or pass round behind the exit section 21. The exit box 20 comprises an integrated channelled section 22 provided with a rectangular recessed portion for receiving the removeable open-faced, box-like exit section 21.

The exit section 21 has an open side 26 and its upper and lower sides 27a, 27b are formed of nylon bursh. Continuous cables 14, 15 can be laid into appropriate channels with the exit section 21 removed; the exit section 21 is then replaced and the cable 13 to be brought out is laid in its channel, through the open side 26 of the exit section 21 and out through the top or bottom brush nylon side, 27a or 27b. Thus the cable 13 is taken from channel 23, across channels 24 and 25 while allowing the three cables 13, 14, 15 to remain segregated.

Figure 4 shows the riser section 30, which comprises three riser channels 31, 32, 33 which guide the cables 13, 14, 15 from floor level to the riser feed 16 (Fig. 2). The cables 13, 14, 15 are anchored at the foot of the riser section 30 by clamps 34, 35, 36 to a bracket 37 which can also be used to clamp the riser section 30 to a desk foot (not shown).

Figure 5 shows the cable management system in place on a desk 40. A cover 41 is in place over the channels 10, 11, 12 (Fig. 2) and an exit box 20 (Fig.

3). A plug socket 42 is clamped to the desk 40 using clamps 43, 44 and its cable 45 is fed into the exit box 20 via the nylon brush opening 27a and then via one of the channels 10, 11 or 12 (Fig. 2) to a power source (not shown).

Although the cable management system of the invention has been described with reference to a desk, it will be obvious that it can be fitted onto any suitable piece of furniture including tables, cupboards, cabinets, bench seats etc.

Although the drawings show the channels as integrated units it would be possible to use individual channels stacked together. In this case the exit boxes can be made with the requisite number of integrated channels to accommodate the individual channels.

The system of the invention has many advantages as a cable management system in that: it can be fitted easily onto existing furniture; cables can be laid in directly without having to be threaded through; the system is compact and fits close to the furniture edge so that it is not vulnerable to damage; it allows cables to be segregated according to their purpose without danger of them coming into contact inadvertently; and by means of an exit box any one cable can be taken from its guiding channel out onto the desk top without interfering with other cables.

Claims (11)

1. A cable management system for guiding cables around an object wherein cables are segregated according to use wherein the cables can be laid in directly, comprising: 1) one or more channels to guide cables, in use the channels being arranged horizontally so that they lie one on top of another in a vertical plane; and 2) an exit box which allows any cable to be taken out of its channel across any other channel whist maintaining the segregation of the cable from other cables.

2. A cable management system according to claim 1 wherein in use the exit box is arranged to that a cable can exit from a channel to a table top or to the underneath of a table top or a further, non-guided, cable can pass directly through the exit box while being segregated from the channelled cables.

3. A cable management system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the exit box comprises an integrated channel section provided with a rectangular recessed portion and a removeable openfaced, box-like exit section which fits into the recessed portion.

4. A cable management system according to Claim 3 wherein the exit section is provided with an opening in one side and openings in the top and bottom sides for passage of the cable to be taken out of the exit box.

5. A cable management system according to Claim 4 wherein the openings at the top and bottom of the exit section are covered by nylon brush.

6. A cable management system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein riser channels are provided to take cables from floor level to the horizontal channels.

7. A cable management system according to Claim 6 wherein the cables are taken from the riser channels to the horizontal channels via a riser feed which keeps the cable segregated.

8. A cable management system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein ducting covers are fitted over the channels once the cables have been laid in.

9. A cable management system according to any one preceding claim wherein there are included three channels, one being provided for each of data, communications and power cables.

10. A cable management system according to any one preceding claim wherein the channels are made of extruded plastic which can be cut to the length required for fitting to furniture.

11. A cable management system substantially as described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.