Cable management system

Abstract

An electronic module rack system includes a rack housing and opposing first and second rail members attached to the housing. A stabilizer bar is attached to the first and second rail members. The rail members support a cable trough assembly, and at least one cable separator retainer extends from the cable trough assembly. A method for managing cables for an electronic module includes connecting a first cable to the electronic module and connecting a second cable to the electronic module. The first cable is placed in a cable trough assembly and the second cable is placed in a cable separator retainer extending from the cable trough assembly. A cable support system includes a cable trough assembly and means for supporting cables outside the cable trough assembly.

1 . An electronic module rack system, comprising:
 a rack housing;   opposing first and second rail members attached to the housing;   a stabilizer bar attached to the first and second rail members;   a cable trough assembly supported by the first and second rail members;   at least one cable separator retainer extending from the cable trough assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The rack system of  claim 1  wherein the cable trough assembly includes two arms hingedly attached at one end of each arm, wherein the cable trough assembly is configured to rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The rack system of  claim 2  wherein each arm comprises two side walls connected by a base surface. 
   
   
       4 . The rack system of  claim 3  wherein each arm further includes at least a first and second upper retainer. 
   
   
       5 . The rack system of  claim 4  wherein each upper retainer is configured to extend from an opposing side wall a distance greater than one half a width of the base surface and less than three-quarters of the width of the base surface. 
   
   
       6 . The rack system of  claim 1  wherein the cable separator retainer comprises a wire form. 
   
   
       7 . The rack system of  claim 1  wherein the stabilizer bar extends between the first and second rail members. 
   
   
       8 . A cable support system, comprising:
 a cable trough assembly; and   means for supporting cables outside the cable trough assembly.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the cable trough assembly includes at least two arms hingedly attached at one end of each arm. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each arm further includes at least a first and second upper retainer. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein each upper retainer is configured to extend from an opposing side wall a distance greater than one half a width of the base surface and less than three-quarters of the width of the base surface. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a stabilizer bar extending between, and connected to, a first and second rail member. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the cable trough assembly further includes at least one retainer pin assembly, each retainer pin assembly extending from the cable trough assembly substantially near a hinged connection between a first and a second arm, wherein the retainer pin assembly is configured to define a line with at least one cable separator retainer. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the cable separator retainer comprises a wire form. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a rack housing;   opposing first and second rail members attached to the housing;   a stabilizer bar attached to the first and second rail members; and   at least one cable separator retainer extending from the cable trough assembly.   
   
   
       16 . A method for managing cables for an electronic module, the method comprising:
 connecting a first cable to the electronic module;   connecting a second cable to the electronic module;   placing the first cable in a cable trough assembly; and   placing the second cable in a cable separator retainer extending from the cable trough assembly.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 rotating the cable trough assembly between an open and a closed configuration.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein placing the second cable in a cable separator retainer comprises:
 winding the second cable over a first cable separator retainer;   winding the second cable over a retainer pin assembly; and   winding the second cable over a second cable separator retainer.