Fiber trough system including a locking mechanism

Abstract

A system and method for securing telecommunication cables and preventing unauthorized access thereto. The system includes a fiber management trough system, including a trough and a cover, and a locking bracket. The locking bracket may be removably secured around the fiber management trough system and includes a hinge for transitioning the locking bracket between an open position and a closed position. The locking bracket further includes a locking mechanism which is capable of locking the locking bracket in the closed position.

Description

FIBER TROUGH SYSTEM INCLUDING A LOCKING MECHANISMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 670,661, filed on July 12, 2024; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the management of telecommunications cables. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and method of restricting access to a cable management system.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cable management structures play an important role in efficiently housing and organizing the large number of telecommunications cables that are associated with equipment- mounted racks in modem telecommunications systems. In particular, these cable management structures aid in ensuring that the cables extending to and from the equipment, as well as those mounted within the racks, are effectively managed and organized.

[0004] In some cases, the cable management structures can be in the form of cable racks or raceways to provide a trough-like structure mountable to the ceiling or floor of a data center. These racks or raceways enable management and routing of cables within the data center. In many cases, these cable management structures are modular, meaning that the structures can use a range of generic components such as straight sections or lateral troughs, elbows or bends, size reducers, cable drops, and other elements, which are typically joined together by a coupler or junction component to form a complete cable management structure. By utilizing these components, a customized cable management structure can be created to cater to the specific requirements of each installation. US6715719 and US7471868 show various troughsystems and components that can be assembled in a variety of configurations. An example fiber management trough system with a cover is disclosed in US6916986.SUMMARY

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for restricting access to cable management systems. Generally, the systems described herein include a locking bracket which may be installed around a fiber management trough system including a fiber management trough and a cover. Once installed, the locking bracket locks the cover in place thereby preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the fiber management trough.

[0006] A fiber management system is provided comprising: a fiber management trough system including: a trough for routing telecommunication cables, the trough having a bottom, first and second sidewalls, an interior, and an open top opposite the bottom to access the interior; and a cover, wherein the cover covers the trough at the open top. A locking bracket is provided, removably secured around the fiber management trough system, the locking bracket including: a first member and an opposite a second member, wherein the first member is adjacent to a downward facing surface of the bottom of the trough, and wherein the second member is adjacent to an upward facing surface of the cover; a third member with first and second ends which extends between a first end of the first member and a first end of the second member, wherein the third member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the first sidewall of the trough; and a fourth member with first and second ends which extends between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member, wherein the fourth member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the second sidewall of the trough. A plurality of connections points are provided wherein the third member and the first member form a first connection point; wherein the third member and the second member form a second connection point; wherein the fourth member and the first member form a third connection point; wherein the fourth member and the second member form a fourth connection point. A first hinge is provided which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at one of the plurality of connection points and defining a first hinge axis. A locking mechanism is located at another one of the plurality of connection points such that thelocking bracket may be locked in the closed position, wherein access to the interior of the trough is restricted when the locking bracket is locked.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fiber management system in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an end view of the fiber management system shown in FIG. 1, with the locking bracket in the secured position;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an end view of the fiber management system shown in FIG. 1, with the locking bracket in the unsecured position;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking bracket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 3;

[0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 4;

[0014] FIG. 7 is an end view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 5;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a first side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 5;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a second side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a top view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 4;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a locking bracket in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position;

[0022] FIG. 15 is an end view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the unsecured position;

[0023] FIG. 16 is an end view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position;

[0024] FIG. 17 is a side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the unsecured position;

[0025] FIG. 18 is a first side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position;

[0026] FIG. 19 is a second side view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position;

[0027] FIG. 20 is a top view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position;

[0028] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the locking bracket shown in FIG. 13, in the secured position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments shown in the drawings and described here below should not be construed as limiting as there are other embodiments which may be utilized without departing from the current disclosure. Rather the embodiments shown and described herein are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments described herein can be combined in any way and / or combination to provide additional embodiments.

[0030] Systems, devices and methods are provided for restricting access to cable management systems. Generally, the systems described herein include a locking bracket which may be installed around a fiber management trough system including a fiber management trough and a cover. An example fiber management trough and cover is disclosed in US6,916,986, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Once installed, the locking bracket locks the cover in place in the closed position thereby preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the fiber management trough.

[0031] FIGS. 1-3 show an example embodiment of a fiber management system 10 including a fiber management trough system 12 and locking bracket 40.

[0032] Fiber management trough system 12 includes a trough 20. Trough 20 includes a bottom 22 having a downward facing surface 23, and an open top 28 opposite bottom 22. Trough 20 further includes a first sidewall 24 having an outside facing surface 25, and a second sidewall 26 having an outside facing surface 25. First sidewall 24 and the second sidewall 26 extend upwards from bottom 22 towards the open top 28 such that first sidewall 24, bottom 22, and second sidewall 26 define an interior space 21, which is accessible via open top 28 and through which telecommunications cables 15 may be routed.

[0033] In some embodiments, trough 20 is made of molded plastic.

[0034] In some embodiments, trough 20 includes multiple trough segments each having the features of trough 20 described above, and which are joined together at their ends to form the entire trough 20.

[0035] Fiber management trough system 12 further includes a cover 30. Cover 30 removably covers trough 20 at open top 28. Cover 30 includes a bottom 32 having a downward facing surface 33 and a top 34 having an upward facing surface 35. When cover 30 is covering trough 20, downward facing surface 33 further defines the interior space 21 of trough 20.

[0036] In some embodiments, cover 30 is made of molded plastic.

[0037] In some embodiments, cover 30 includes multiple covers each having the features of trough 20 described above.

[0038] Locking bracket 40 is removably securable around fiber management trough system 12 and includes a closed position 42 and an open position 44.

[0039] Locking bracket 40 includes a first member 50 having a first end 52 and a second end 54, and an opposite second member 70 having a first end 72 and a second end 74. Locking bracket further includes a third member 60 having a first end 62 and a second end 64 which extend between first end 52 of first member 50 and first end 72 of second member 70, and a fourth member 80 having a first end 82 and a second end 84 which extend between second end 54 of first member 50 and second end 74 of second member 70.

[0040] First member 50 further includes an interior surface 56 and an exterior surface 58. Second member 70 includes an interior surface 76 and an exterior surface 78. Third member 60 includes an interior surface 66 and an exterior surface 68. Fourth member 80 includes an interior surface 86 and an exterior surface 88. Interior surfaces56, 66, 76, and 86 define an interior 41 of locking bracket 40 through for receiving fiber management trough system 12 such that when locking bracket 40 is secured to the fiber management trough system 12 and in closed position 42, interior surface 56 is adjacent to the bottom 22 of trough 20 at downward facing surface 23; interior surface 76 is adjacent to the cover 30 at upward facing surface 35; interior surface 66 is adjacent to first sidewall 24 at outside facing surface 25; and interior surface 86 is adjacent to the second sidewall 26 at outside facing surface 27.

[0041] In some embodiments, one or more of members 50, 60, 70, 80 have strengthening flanges 43 which strengthen and provide additional stability to locking bracket 40.

[0042] Locking bracket 40 further includes a plurality of connection points 90. Connection point 90a is located at the junction of first member 50 and third member 60. Connection point 90b is located at the junction of second member 70 and third member 60. Connection point 90c is located at the junction of first member 50 and fourth member 80. Connection point 90d is located at the junction of second member 70 and fourth member 80.

[0043] Locking bracket 40 includes a first hinge 46 which defines a first axis 47, located at any one of the plurality of connection points 90. First hinge 46 allows one or more of the members 50, 60, 70, 80 to pivot about axis 47 between closed position 42 and open position 44. Locking bracket 40 may additionally include a second hinge 48 which defines a second axis 49, located at any other one of the plurality of connection points 90, and which likewise allows one or more of the members 50, 60, 70, 80 to pivot about axis 49 between closed position 42 and open position 44.

[0044] Locking bracket 40 further includes a locking mechanism 100, located at any other one of the plurality of connection points 90.

[0045] Locking mechanism 100 may be any appropriate known locking mechanism, however, in a preferred embodiment, locking mechanism 100 is a lock 101 including a rotating tab 102. In this embodiment, locking mechanism 100 further comprises a slot 103 for receiving rotating tab 102 when 40 locking bracket is locked and in closed position 42.

[0046] In some embodiments, locking bracket 40 is made of sheet metal. In other embodiments, locking bracket 40 is made of plastic.

[0047] In some embodiments, a plurality of locking brackets 40 having the features of locking bracket 40 are provided to secure a single cover 30, or a plurality of covers 30.

[0048] Fiber management system 10 may also include a fastener 105 for securing locking bracket 40 to trough 20. In the embodiments of fiber management system 10, locking bracket 40 includes an opening 106 for receiving fastener. Additionally, trough 20 may include structure 107 for receiving fastener 105 where structure 107 is aligned with opening 106 such that fastener 105 is able to pass through opening 106 and into structure 107. In a preferred embodiment, fastener 105 is a thumbscrew which secures a portion of locking bracket to trough 20, along the side and / or along the bottom. In other embodiments, fastener 105 may be any appropriate known fastener.

[0049] FIGS. 4-12 illustrate in greater detail a preferred embodiment of the current disclosure. In the shown embodiment, first hinge 46 is located at connection point 90c such that fourth member 80 is pivotable about first axis 47. By pivoting fourth member 80 about first axis 47, locking bracket 40 transitions between closed position 42 and open position 44.

[0050] In addition, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-12 includes locking mechanism 100 located at connection point 90d, such that lock 101 is located at second end 84 of fourth member 80 and slot 103 is located at second end 74 of second member 70. When locking bracket 40 is in the closed position, lock 101 may be activated so that rotating tab 102 is inserted into slot 103, such that locking bracket 40 is locked.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-12, connection points 90a, 90b are fixed between the respective first member 50, second member 70, and third member 60.

[0052] FIGS. 13-21 illustrate in greater detail another preferred embodiment of the current disclosure including locking bracket 140. In the shown embodiment, first hinge 46 is located at connection point 90c such that fourth member 80 is pivotable about first axis 47.

[0053] Locking bracket 140 further includes second hinge 48 located at connection point 90b such that second member 70 is pivotable about second axis 49. By pivoting fourth member 80 about first axis 47 and second member 70 about second axis 49, locking bracket 40 transitions between closed position 42 and open position 44.

[0054] In addition, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-12 includes locking mechanism 100 located at connection point 90d, such that lock 101 is located at second70. When locking bracket 140 is in the closed position, lock 101 may be activated so that rotating tab 102 is inserted into slot 103, such that locking bracket 140 is locked.

[0055] Other embodiments with additional hinges and / or a variety of hinge placements are possible.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A fiber management system, comprising: a. a fiber management trough system, the fiber management trough system including: a trough for routing telecommunication cables, the trough having a bottom, first and second sidewalls, an interior, and an open top opposite the bottom to access the interior; and a cover, wherein the cover covers the trough at the open top; and b. a locking bracket, removably secured around the fiber management trough system, the locking bracket including: a first member and an opposite a second member, wherein the first member is adjacent to a downward facing surface of the bottom of the trough, and wherein the second member is adjacent to an upward facing surface of the cover; a third member with first and second ends which extends between a first end of the first member and a first end of the second member, wherein the third member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the first sidewall of the trough; a fourth member with first and second ends which extends between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member, wherein the fourth member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the second sidewall of the trough; a plurality of connections points; wherein the third member and the first member form a first connection point; wherein the third member and the second member form a second connection point;wherein the fourth member and the first member form a third connection point; wherein the fourth member and the second member form a fourth connection point; a first hinge which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at one of the plurality of connection points and defining a first hinge axis; a locking mechanism located at another one of the plurality of connection points such that the locking bracket may be locked in the closed position; wherein access to the interior of the trough is restricted when the locking bracket is locked.

2. The fiber management system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further includes: a lock having a rotating tab located at an end of any one of the members of the locking bracket; and an opening for receiving the rotating tab at an adjacent end of an adjacent member of the locking bracket.

3. The fiber management system of claim 1, wherein the first hinge is located at the third connection point and the locking mechanism is located at the fourth connection point.

4. The fiber management system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further includes: a second hinge which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at any other one of the plurality of connection points and defining a second hinge axis.

5. The fiber management system of claim 4, wherein the first hinge is located at the third connection point, the second hinge is located at the second connection point, and the locking mechanism is located at the fourth connection point.

6. The fiber management system of claim 1, wherein locking bracket further includes an opening for receiving a fastener to secure locking brackets to the fiber management system.

7. The fiber management system of claim 6, wherein the fastener includes a thumbscrew.

8. The fiber management system of claim 6, wherein the trough includes a structure for receiving a fastener.

9. The fiber management system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first member, second member, third member, and fourth member of the locking bracket include a flange.

10. The fiber management system of claim 1 , wherein the locking bracket includes a plurality of locking brackets.

11. The fiber management system of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications cables include fiber optic cables.

12. A locking bracket comprising: a first member and an opposite a second member; a third member with first and second ends which extends between a first end of the first member and a first end of the second member; a fourth member with first and second ends which extends between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member; a plurality of connections points; wherein the third member and the first member form a first connection point; wherein the third member and the second member form a second connection point; wherein the fourth member and the first member form a third connection point;wherein the fourth member and the second member form a fourth connection point; a first hinge which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at one of the plurality of connection points and defining a first hinge axis; a locking mechanism located at another one of the plurality of connection points such that the locking bracket may be locked in the closed position.

13. The locking bracket of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism further includes: a lock having a rotating tab located at an end of any one of the members of the locking bracket; and an opening for receiving the rotating tab at an adjacent end of an adjacent member of the locking bracket.

14. The locking bracket of claim 12, wherein the first hinge is located at the third connection point and the locking mechanism is located at the fourth connection point.

15. The locking bracket of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism further includes: a second hinge which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at any other one of the plurality of connection points and defining a second hinge axis.

16. The locking bracket of claim 15, wherein the first hinge is located at the third connection point, the second hinge is located at the second connection point, and the locking mechanism is located at the fourth connection point.

17. The locking bracket of claim 12, wherein locking bracket further includes an opening for receiving a fastener.

18. The locking bracket of claim 17, wherein the fastener includes a thumbscrew.

19. The locking bracket of claim 12, wherein one or more of the first member, second member, third member, and fourth member of the locking bracket include a flange.

20. A method for securing telecommunication cables, the method comprising: providing a trough for routing telecommunication cables, the trough having a bottom, first and second sidewalls, an interior, and an open top opposite the bottom to access the interior; providing telecommunications cables in the interior of the trough; providing a cover, wherein the cover covers the trough at the open top; providing a locking bracket wherein the locking bracket includes: a first member and an opposite second member; a third member with first and second ends which extends between a first end of the first member and a first end of the second member; a fourth member with first and second ends which extends between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member; and a plurality of connections points; a hinge which allows movement of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth members located at one of the plurality of connection points; and a locking mechanism located at another one of the plurality of connection points such that the locking bracket may be locked in a closed position; routing a telecommunications cable through the trough; securing the cover to the trough at the open top; securing the locking bracket around the trough and the cover such that the first member is adjacent to a downward facing surface of the bottom of thetrough, the second member is adjacent to an upward facing surface of the cover, the third member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the first sidewall of the trough, and the fourth member is adjacent to an outside facing surface of the second sidewall of the trough; and locking the locking bracket in the closed position with the locking mechanism.

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