US 7,171,099 · Granted 2007-01-30
The Cable Drawer Slide That Moves at Two Speeds
This patent covers a special drawer slide for organizing cables that uses a clever gear-like system: when you pull the drawer out, the middle rail moves at half the speed of the outer rails, so cables stay organized and don't tangle as you extend and retract the drawer.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a drawer slide assembly with first and second rails connected by a center rail that incorporates a spool mechanism. What's protected here is the specific geometry where the center rail travels at half-speed relative to the outer rails, combined with a radius limiter that rotates automatically as the drawer moves. The protection also extends to the mounting system using tri-lobed holes and specially shaped washers for securing the slide to a cabinet chassis.
Why it matters
Cable management in server rooms, network closets, and telecom installations was historically messy and time-consuming. This patent by ADC Telecommunications addresses a real operational problem: as technicians pull out drawers to access or replace cables, traditional slides allow all components to move at the same speed, causing cable snarls and slack. The half-speed center rail mechanism keeps cables under tension and organized, reducing installation time and maintenance headaches in professional IT infrastructure.
Real-world use
Data center technicians pulling out a cable management drawer would experience smoother cable routing and less tangling because the center spool automatically maintains cable tension at half the drawer's extension speed.
Original USPTO abstract
A drawer slide having first and second rails interconnected by a center rail. The center rail includes a spool configured to provide half-speed travel of the center rail relative to the travel of the first rail. The drawer slide is configured for use with a drawer assembly having a drawer and a chassis. The drawer assembly further includes a radius limiter secured to the center rail. The radius limiter travels at half-speed relative to the drawer. The radius limiter also automatically rotates relative to the travel of the drawer. The chassis includes sides including threaded backing plates, and mounting brackets. The mounting brackets include tri-lobed holes for receipt of a reciprocally shaped washer and a fastener for mounting the brackets to the chassis sides.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 7,171,099
- Filing date
- 2003-07-31
- Grant date
- 2007-01-30
- Assignee
- Adc Telecommunications, Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- BARNES KATHLEEN M., HORTON JUSTIN R., TINUCCI THOMAS C., BARNES THOMAS L.
- CPC class
- A47B88/49
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