Network cabinet

Abstract

A network cabinet is provided comprising at least one vertical frame rail and a cable management unit. The vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls, each of which define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail. The cable management unit comprises a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base. The projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall.

1 . A network cabinet, comprising:
 at least one vertical frame rail comprising first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein each of the opposing sidewalls define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail; and   a cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base:   wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall.   
   
   
       2 . The network cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet. 
   
   
       3 . The network cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures on the first and second sidewalls are generally the same size and shape. 
   
   
       4 . The network cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first sidewall and second sidewall each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion. 
   
   
       5 . The network cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       6 . The network cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the aperture; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the aperture with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       7 . The network cabinet of  claim 6 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       8 . The network cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection does not engage the apertures of the second sidewall. 
   
   
       9 . The network cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet. 
   
   
       10 . The network cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures of the first sidewall are different in at least one of size and shape than the plurality of apertures of the second sidewall. 
   
   
       11 . The network cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first and second sidewalls each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion. 
   
   
       12 . The network cabinet of  claim 11 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       13 . The network cabinet of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base:   wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages anyone of the apertures of the second sidewall and does not engage the apertures of the first sidewall.   
   
   
       14 . The network cabinet of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the first sidewall; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the first sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       15 . The network cabinet of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the second sidewall; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the second sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the second sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the second sidewall.   
   
   
       16 . The network cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       17 . The network cabinet of  claim 15 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       18 . The network cabinet of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first sidewall each comprise a slot extending from the apertures in a predetermined orientation relative to each aperture and the plurality of apertures defined in the second sidewall each comprise a slot extending from the aperture in another predetermined orientation relative to the aperture. 
   
   
       19 . The network cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the first sidewall;   the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the aperture of the first sidewall and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the aperture and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the first sidewall; and   the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the first sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       20 . The network cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the second sidewall;   the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the aperture of the second sidewall and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the aperture and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the second sidewall; and   the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the second sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the second sidewall.   
   
   
       21 . The network cabinet of  claim 13 , wherein the fingers of the cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall the outside surface faces a direction. 
   
   
       22 . The network cabinet of  claim 21 , wherein the fingers of the second cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall the outside surface of the fingers of the second cable management unit face in the direction. 
   
   
       23 . The network cabinet of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second vertical frame rail spaced apart from the vertical frame rail, both vertical frame rails positioned in a front portion of the cabinet;   wherein the second vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls;   each of the opposing sidewalls of the second vertical frame rail define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail;   the first sidewall of each of the vertical frame rail and the second vertical frame rail face generally toward a front portion of the cabinet; and   the projection of the second cable management unit further engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the projection of the cable management unit further engages any one of the apertures of the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail.   
   
   
       24 . The network cabinet of  claim 23 , wherein the fingers of the cable management unit and second cable management unit each comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a direction and with the cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a second direction, opposite the direction. 
   
   
       25 . A network cabinet, comprising:
 at least one vertical frame rail comprising first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall defines a first plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail and the second sidewall defines a second plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail; and   a cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base;   wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the first plurality of apertures.   
   
   
       26 . The network cabinet of  claim 25 , wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the first plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the second plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet. 
   
   
       27 . The network cabinet of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second plurality of apertures each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion. 
   
   
       28 . The network cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       29 . The network cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first aperture and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       30 . The network cabinet of  claim 29 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       31 . The network cabinet of  claim 25 , wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection does not engage the apertures of the second sidewall. 
   
   
       32 . The network cabinet of  claim 31 , wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the first plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of the second sidewall through which the second plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet. 
   
   
       33 . The network cabinet of  claim 31 , wherein the first aperture is different in at least one of size and shape than the second aperture. 
   
   
       34 . The network cabinet of  claim 31 , wherein the first aperture is different in at least one of size and shape than the second plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       35 . The network cabinet of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second plurality of apertures each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion. 
   
   
       36 . The network cabinet of  claim 35 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       37 . The network cabinet of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a second cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base;   wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages a first aperture of the second plurality of apertures, does not engage a second aperture of the second plurality of apertures, and does not engage the first plurality of apertures.   
   
   
       38 . The network cabinet of  claim 37 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first apertures of the first plurality of apertures; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first apertures of the first plurality of apertures and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       39 . The network cabinet of  claim 37 , wherein:
 the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures; and   the head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and be positioned behind the second sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the second aperture and the second sidewall.   
   
   
       40 . The network cabinet of  claim 38 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       41 . The network cabinet of  claim 39 , wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       42 . The network cabinet of  claim 37 , wherein:
 the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures comprises a slot extending from the first aperture in a predetermined orientation relative to the aperture; and   the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures comprises a slot extending from the second aperture in another predetermined orientation relative to the aperture.   
   
   
       43 . The network cabinet of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures;   the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the first sidewall; and   the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and the first sidewall.   
   
   
       44 . The network cabinet of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;   the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first apertures of the second plurality of apertures;   the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the second sidewall, and   the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and the second sidewall.   
   
   
       45 . The network cabinet of  claim 37 , wherein the fingers of the cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall the outside surface faces a direction. 
   
   
       46 . The network cabinet of  claim 45 , wherein the fingers of the second cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall the outside surface of the fingers of the second cable management unit face in the direction. 
   
   
       47 . The network cabinet of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a second vertical frame rail spaced apart from the vertical frame rail, both vertical frame rails positioned in a front portion of the cabinet;   wherein the second vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls;   the first sidewall defines a third plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail and the second sidewall defines a fourth plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail;   the first sidewall of each of the vertical frame rail and the second vertical frame rail face generally toward a front portion of the cabinet; and   the projection of the second cable management unit further engages a first aperture of the third plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the third plurality of apertures and the projection of the cable management unit further engages a first aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures.   
   
   
       48 . The network cabinet of  claim 47 , wherein the fingers of the cable management unit and second cable management unit each comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a direction and with the cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a second direction, opposite the direction.