Cable management system and method of installation and operation thereof

Abstract

A system and method for supporting at least one electrical cable is provided. The at least one electrical cable may be secured to a movable electronic device disposed within a chassis. A harness is provided that is securable to at least one electrical cable. A flexible support member is provided to support the harness and the at least one electrical cable. The flexible support member may move with the electrical device as the electrical device is moved. The flexible support member may comprise wire. A wire reel may be provided to extend and retract the wire. The wire of the wire reel may be unwound as the electrical device is moved from a normal position to a withdrawn position. The wire of the wire reel may be wound as the electronic device is moved from the withdrawn position to the normal position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cable management system, comprising: 
 a flexible cable harness adapted to support at least one electrical cable;    a first support member securable to the cable harness; and    a second support member securable to the cable harness, wherein the harness is suspended between the first and second support members.    
     
     
         2 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first support member comprises wire.  
     
     
         3 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 2 , comprising a first reel, the first support member being wound thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first reel is adapted to retract the first support member onto the first reel.  
     
     
         5 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one electrical cable is securable to a movable electronic device disposed within a chassis, the first reel being movable with the electronic device.  
     
     
         6 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first support member is unwound from the first reel as the electronic device is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the chassis and retracted as the electronic device is moved from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         7 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 6 , comprising a second reel movable with the electronic device and having the second support member wound thereon, wherein the second support member is unwound from the second reel as the electronic device is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the chassis and retracted as the electronic device is moved from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         8 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first support member is secured to the harness at a first location along the harness and the second support member is secured to the harness at a second location along the harness.  
     
     
         9 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the harness is adapted to be secured to a movable electronic device disposed within a chassis.  
     
     
         10 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the harness is adapted to be secured to the chassis.  
     
     
         11 . A cable management system, comprising: 
 means for securing a harness to at least one electrical cable secured to a movable electrical device;    means for supporting the harness from a first flexible member; and    means for supporting the harness from a second flexible member.    
     
     
         12 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the movable electrical device is movable relative to a storage rack adapted to house the movable electrical device.  
     
     
         13 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the cable management system coils the flexible member as the movable electrical device is moved toward a first position relative to the rack.  
     
     
         14 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the cable management system uncoils the flexible member as the movable electrical device is moved toward a second position relative to the rack.  
     
     
         15 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the electrical device has a top surface and a bottom surface and the cable management system is adapted to maintain the portion of the at least one electrical cable secured to the harness below the top surface of the electrical device and above the bottom surface of the electrical device.  
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a cable management system, comprising: 
 securing a harness to at least one electrical cable secured to a movable electrical device;    coupling a first flexible member to the harness to enable the first flexible member to support the harness therefrom; and    coupling a second flexible member to the harness to enable the second flexible member to support the harness therefrom.    
     
     
         17 . The method of assembling, as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein coupling a first flexible member to the harness comprises connecting a first wire from a reel to a first portion of the harness.  
     
     
         18 . The method of assembling, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein coupling a second flexible support member to the harness comprises connecting a second wire from a reel to a second portion of the harness.  
     
     
         19 . The method of assembling, as set forth in  claim 16 , comprising securing the cable harness to the movable electronic device.  
     
     
         20 . The method of assembling, as set forth in  claim 19 , comprising securing the cable harness to a support housing for the electronic device.  
     
     
         21 . A cable management system for a movable device, comprising: 
 a flexible harness securable to at least one cable coupleable to the movable device; and    a first support member coupled to the device and securable to the harness to suspend a first portion of the at least one cable as the device is moved.    
     
     
         22 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the first support member comprises a first reel, the first reel having a first line wound thereon, wherein the first reel is spring-loaded to maintain a tensile force on the first line.  
     
     
         23 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 21 , comprising a second support member coupled to the device and securable to the harness to suspend a second portion of the at least one cable as the device is moved.  
     
     
         24 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the second support member comprises a second reel, the second reel having a second line wound thereon, wherein the second reel is biased to maintain a tensile force on the second line.  
     
     
         25 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the harness comprises a connector operable to suspend a third portion of the at least one electrical cable from the device.  
     
     
         26 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the harness comprises a connector operable to suspend a fourth portion of the at least one electrical cable from a fixed member.  
     
     
         27 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the flexible harness comprises a flexible spine and a plurality of straps secured to the spine and operable to capture the at least one cable.  
     
     
         28 . The cable management system, as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of straps comprise a self-securing.