HK1045430B - Vertical cable management system with ribcage structure - Google Patents

Description

Vertical cable management system with ribcage structure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cable management system for telecommunication cables.

Background of the invention

Suppliers and users of connectivity communication systems in local area networks often experience difficulties in managing the wiring, demarcation, and repair points, such as in communication cabinets and computer rooms. Among other things, large amounts of data, audio and video communication lines, cables and connectors can be gathered in small areas of relay racks and communication cabinets, causing congestion of wiring and connectors. In the past, connectivity systems have attempted to alleviate wiring and connector congestion by integrating cable management devices within racks and cabinets. In the connectivity industry, horizontal cable management devices may be provided between rows of patch panels. As a result, with the use of a large number of network connections or lines, a double number of racks and floor space is necessary to accommodate the horizontal management devices used to manage the cables. Therefore, it is highly desirable to minimize the space occupied by the cable management system and to manage the cables in an efficient manner.

Brief description of the invention

One aspect of the invention relates to a cable management system comprising: a) a mounting fixture including a base and two upwardly extending side supports for holding telecommunications equipment having cable connection locations, the mounting fixture further having a front side, a rear side and a side; and b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the mounting fixture along a side of the mounting fixture, the ribcage cable support member comprising; (1) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (A) a plurality of spools located on the front side, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side; and (B) a plurality of apertures between the anterior side and the posterior side; and (2) two spaced-apart columns of ribs on each side, each column including a first set of ribs on the front side extending laterally away from the intermediate support, and a second set of ribs on the rear side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member, each rib including a cable retention tab, each cable retention tab extending toward a corresponding set of ribs in the other row, wherein the intermediate support member and the two spaced rows of ribs form first and second cable positioning chambers on opposite sides of the intermediate support member, wherein the cable retention tab of one of the first set of ribs is spaced apart from the cable retention tab of the other of the first set of ribs to form a vertical space, the vertical space extends rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support, wherein the cable support and cable retention members of the spool are located only in the vertical space.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment mounting fixture, the cable management device comprising: a flat spine portion extending in a longitudinal direction and including a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fasteners to mount the flat spine portion to the mounting fixture; first and second sets of ribs extending in opposite directions from the flat spine portion, each opposite direction being transverse to the longitudinal direction, each rib from the first set being aligned with one of the ribs from the second set, each rib having a main portion extending parallel to the flat spine portion and transverse to the longitudinal direction, each rib further having a tab at an end of the main portion extending in a direction transverse to the main portion, the tabs on each of the first and second sets of ribs extending in the same direction to form a U-shaped configuration in the longitudinal direction.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment mounting fixture, the cable management device comprising: a) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (1) a plurality of spools located on the front side, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side; and (2) an aperture between the front side and the back side; and b) two columns of spaced apart ribs on each side, each column of ribs including a first set of ribs on the front side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member and a second set of ribs on the rear side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member, each rib including a cable retention tab, each cable retention tab extending toward a corresponding set of ribs on the other column, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form first and second cable positioning chambers on opposite sides of the intermediate support member, the tabs extending at an angle to the corresponding set of ribs on the other column, wherein the cable retention tabs of one of the first sets are spaced apart from the cable retention tabs of the other of the first sets of ribs to form a vertical space extending rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support member, wherein, the cable support member and the cable retention member of the spool are located only in this vertical space.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable management system comprising: a) a rack including a bottom and two upwardly extending side supports and holding telecommunications equipment having front and rear cable connection locations, the rack further having a front side, a rear side and a side; b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the frame along a side thereof, the ribcage cable support member comprising: 1) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (A) a plurality of bobbins at a front side; and (B) a plurality of apertures between the anterior side and the posterior side; and 2) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side of the intermediate support member, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced ribs form a cable positioning chamber; c) a telecommunications apparatus mounted on the rack, the telecommunications apparatus defining a plurality of rows of front cable connection locations on a front face thereof, a column of ribs so positioned having ribs adjacent the rows of front cable connection locations, the telecommunications apparatus further defining a plurality of rows of rear cable connection locations on a rear face thereof.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment rack, the cable management device comprising: a) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, said intermediate support member comprising: 1) a plurality of spools centrally located on the front side in a vertical array, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side; 2) an aperture between the front side and the back side; b) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form a cable positioning chamber; wherein an unobstructed cable passage is formed between each row of ribs and the vertical array of spools, wherein the cable retention tabs of one of the first set of ribs are spaced apart from the cable retention tabs of the other of the first set of ribs to form a vertical space extending rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support member, wherein the cable support member and the cable retention member of the spools are located only in the vertical space.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cable management system comprising: a) a rack including a bottom and two upwardly extending side supports and holding telecommunications equipment having front cable connection locations, the rack further having a front side, a rear side and a side; b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the frame along a side thereof, the ribcage cable support member comprising: 1) an intermediate support having a front side, a back side, and two sides, the intermediate support comprising a plurality of spools centered on the front side in a vertical array; 2) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side of the intermediate support member, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form a cable positioning chamber; wherein an unobstructed cable channel is formed between each column of ribs and the vertically arrayed spools; c) a telecommunications apparatus mounted on a rack, the telecommunications apparatus defining a plurality of rows of front cable connection locations on a front face thereof, the one column of ribs so positioned having ribs adjacent the rows of front cable connection locations.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cable management system according to the present invention including two racks with two patch panels in one rack and a vertical cable management assembly positioned between the two racks;

fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cable management system of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a front exploded view of the cable management system of fig. 1 without a patch panel;

FIG. 4 is a rear exploded view of the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of one of the ribcage components used in the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the ribcage member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the ribcage member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of one cable spool for the cable management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the cable spool shown in FIG. 12;

fig. 14 is a first perspective view of an edge protector for the cable management system of fig. 1;

FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the edge protector of FIG. 14;

fig. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rack and patch panel of fig. 1; and

fig. 17 is a rear view of a portion of the rack and patch panel of fig. 16.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The cable management system of the present invention manages cables within and around telecommunications equipment racks and cabinets. The telecommunications cable can be fiber optic based, copper based, and combinations thereof. The cable management system maintains and guides cables connected to the telecommunications equipment.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a cable management system 20 is shown that includes two vertical racks 22 that are designed and constructed to hold telecommunications equipment, such as patch panels 24. Two patch panels 24 are shown in a single vertical rack 22. However, it should be understood that additional patch panels 24 and other telecommunications equipment or cable management devices may be mounted on each vertical rack 22.

Each vertical frame 22 includes a bottom 26, a top 28, and two side supports 30 and 32 extending therebetween. Each side support 30 and 32 includes a plurality of front and rear apertures 34 for receiving fasteners to mount the telecommunications equipment to each vertical rack 22. The side supports 30 and 32 are each U-shaped and include side openings 36 for receiving additional vertical racks, and in one example of the invention, a ribcage cable support 60. The cable management system generally defines an X-axis 100, a Y-axis 102, and a Z-axis 104. The side bearings 30 and 32 extend vertically along the direction of the Y-axis 102. The front and rear of the system 20 face in the direction of the Z-axis 104. The ribcage cable support member 60 cooperates with the vertical racks 22 to vertically manage cables to and from equipment held by each vertical rack 22. Typically, each cable is connected to its respective device, and the cable length is routed horizontally to the nearest ribcage cable support member 60, where it is supported and/or clamped in the desired position and guided to the end ready for connection at another connection point.

Referring now to fig. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 16 and 17, a patch panel 24 is an example of a type of telecommunications equipment that may be mounted on a vertical rack 22. The patch panel 24 includes opposing flanges 40 with holes 42 formed therein that receive fasteners 44. The front face 46 of the patch panel 24 is formed with a plurality of front connection locations 48 that include a plurality of jacks 49 for receiving plugs of copper-based patch cords or other telecommunications cables. The rear face 50 of the patch panel 24 includes a number of rear connection locations 52, such as insulation displacement connectors 53, for connection with copper-based telecommunications cables. The connection locations 48 and 52 are arranged in rows on the patch panel 24.

The ribcage cable support member 60 is positioned between the two vertical frames 22. Additional ribcage cable support members 60 may be located at other ends of the vertical frame 22 along the X-axis 100, as well as between additional vertical frames 22 (if provided). The ribcage cable support member 60 includes a central support 61 and two opposing arrays of forwardly and rearwardly extending ribs 63. The ribcage cable support member 60 of the preferred embodiment shown herein includes a central U-shaped channel 62 that includes two side portions 64 and a middle portion 66. Each side portion 64 includes a plurality of holes 68 for receiving fasteners 69.

Referring now to fig. 1, 3, 5, 6, 12 and 13, the U-shaped channel 62 includes a number of spools 70 for cable management, such as storage of excess cable. In the preferred embodiment described herein, each spool 70 includes two supports having legs 74 secured to the intermediate portion 66 of the U-shaped channel 62 with fasteners 76. Each spool 70 also includes a cable retention flange 78 spaced from the body mid-portion 66. Other spools may be used for cable storage.

The intermediate portion 66 of the U-shaped channel 62 preferably also includes a plurality of holes 82 to allow cables to pass through the ribcage cable support member 60 from the front to the back of the ribcage support member 60. It should be understood that any number of spools 70, and any number of holes 82, may be provided, if desired. In addition, the location of the spool 70 and the aperture 82 may be varied as needed to accommodate particular cable management situations. For example, no bobbin 70 is provided at the lower portion of the intermediate portion 66. In the illustrated embodiment, a bobbin 70 may be provided on the back of the intermediate portion 66, if desired.

For ease of manufacture, the U-shaped channel 62 may be formed from identical upper and lower portions 84, 86. See fig. 3, 4, 5 and 8. Notches 88 are provided at mating ends 90 of the upper and lower portions 84, 86. The U-shaped channel 62 can be made from a variety of materials, including sheet metal or molded materials.

The ribcage cable support member 60 also includes two ribcage members 110 and 112 located on opposite sides of the intermediate portion 66. Each of the ribcage members 110 and 112 includes a central spine 114 and first 116 and second 118 sets of oppositely extending ribs 119. A first set of ribs 116 extend anteriorly from spine 114. A second set of ribs 118 extend posteriorly from spine 114. Between the ribs 119 is a space 120 for receiving one or more cables. The end 122 of each rib 119 includes a tab 124 that extends at an angle relative to the remainder of the rib, and the direction of elongation of the rib. The main portion 121 of each rib extends in the direction of the Z-axis 104, while the tab 124 extends at an angle relative to the other set of ribs in the plane formed by the X-axis 100 and the Y-axis 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab 124 can extend at an angle upwardly or downwardly. In the preferred embodiment, because the main portion 121 of each rib 119 extends horizontally, cables located in the space 120 do not fall or slide out while other cables are being handled because of the angled extension of the tab 124.

Each of the frame members 110 and 112 includes a plurality of apertures 126 for receiving fasteners 69 to assemble the U-shaped channel 62 to the vertical frame 22. For ease of manufacture, it is preferred that the ribcage members 110 and 112 be identical, made of identical upper and lower portions 130 and 132, respectively. See fig. 3, 4 and 9-11. A notch 134 is provided at the mating end 136.

As shown in fig. 6, the ribcage cable support member 60 defines a front cable cavity 140 and a rear cable cavity 142. Cables enter and exit chambers 140 and 142 through space 120 between ribs 119 or upper and lower ends 144 and 146 of ribcage cable support member 60. Additionally, cables may also be routed between chambers 140 and 142 through apertures 82.

The ribcage members 110 and 112 may be stamped from metal and bent into the illustrated configuration. In addition, the ribcage members 110 and 112 may be made of a molded material. To help protect the cables, particularly fiber optic and copper cables that are susceptible to being severed and/or bent beyond a minimum bend radius, a resilient plastic edge protector 150 is provided at the ribs 119, as well as on the support 72 of the spool 70. Each edge protector 150 includes opposing catches 152, opposing stops 153, and a semicircular cable protection portion 154. Each edge protector 150 can be conveniently snapped onto the rib 19 or the support 72. There is also an edge protector 160 around the edge of the aperture 82 of the U-shaped channel 62. If the ribcage members 110 and 112 are made of a molded material, the edge protector 150 can be integrally molded therewith, if desired.

In use, cables extend generally horizontally from the front of the patch panel 24, through the spaces 120 between the ribs 119, and into the front chamber 140. The cables are supported and managed by the ribcage cable support 60, whereby the cables can: (1) wrapped around one or more spools 72, (2) through the hole 82, (3) through the upper or lower ends 144, 146, or (4) positioned behind the space 120 between the ribs 119 to reach the desired patch panel 24 or other telecommunications equipment for connection to equipment. The cables at the rear of the patch panel 24 also extend horizontally to the rear chamber 142 where the ribcage cable support 60 supports the cables at one of the ribs 119 at the rear so that the cables are routed to the termination connection locations in the same manner as the cables at the front.

In the preferred system, the ribs 119 are preferably vertically disposed adjacent to the front and/or rear rows of attachment locations of the equipment in the vertical rack 22. Ribs 119 provide support for each cable entering and exiting the vertical rack 22 at specific heights for connection to a connection location of the telecommunications equipment. In this manner of use, access is easy even if it is desired to later remove a cable from a space 120, since only cables from a row of connection locations are typically located in the space 120. The use of ribs for each row of connection locations allows the vertical racks 22 to include a high density of connection locations by avoiding or reducing the use of horizontal cable management devices between equipment in the vertical racks.

The invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, but numerous modifications and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. A cable management system, comprising:

a) a mounting fixture including a base and two upwardly extending side supports for holding telecommunications equipment having cable connection locations, the mounting fixture further having a front side, a rear side and a side; and

b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the mounting fixture along a side of the mounting fixture, the ribcage cable support member comprising:

(1) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (A) a plurality of spools located on the front side, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side; and (B) a plurality of apertures between the anterior side and the posterior side; and

(2) two columns of spaced apart ribs on each side, each column of ribs including a first set of ribs on a front side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member and a second set of ribs on a rear side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member, each rib including a cable retention tab, each cable retention tab extending toward a corresponding set of ribs in the other column, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form first and second cable positioning chambers on opposite sides of the intermediate support member, wherein the cable retention tabs of one of the first set of ribs are spaced apart from the cable retention tabs of the other of the first set of ribs to form a vertical space extending rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support member, wherein the cable support member and the cable retention member of the spool are located only in the vertical space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting fixture is a first mounting fixture, and further comprising a second mounting fixture, the ribcage cable support member being positioned between the first and second mounting fixtures.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising telecommunications equipment mounted on the mounting fixture, the telecommunications equipment defining a plurality of rows of connection locations on a front face thereof, the first set of ribs so positioned having a rib adjacent each row of connection locations.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable retention tabs extend at an angle relative to the ribs in the corresponding set in the other row.

5. A cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment mounting fixture, the cable management device comprising:

a flat spine portion extending in a longitudinal direction and including a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fasteners to mount the flat spine portion to the mounting fixture;

first and second sets of ribs extending in opposite directions from the flat spine portion, each opposite direction being transverse to the longitudinal direction, each rib from the first set being aligned with one of the ribs from the second set, each rib having a main portion extending parallel to the flat spine portion and transverse to the longitudinal direction, each rib further having a tab at an end of the main portion extending in a direction transverse to the main portion, the tabs on each of the first and second sets of ribs extending in the same direction to form a U-shaped configuration in the longitudinal direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each rib comprises a first planar section made of sheet metal and a resilient plastic edge protector mounted on the first planar section.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the edge protector has a U-shape and two opposing inner side hooks for hooking onto the first planar portion of the rib.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the device is formed from identical halves positioned opposite one another.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an intermediate support, wherein the flat spine portion and the first and second sets of ribs form a first ribcage cable support mounted on the intermediate support, and further comprising a second ribcage support mounted on the intermediate support, the second ribcage support being spaced apart from the first ribcage support and comprising a flat spine portion, the first and second sets of ribs comprising tabs, the tabs of each of the first and second sets of ribs on the first and second ribcage supports extending opposite one another.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tab is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal direction.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is formed from identical halves positioned opposite one another.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a cable spool mounted on the intermediate support.

13. The device of claim 5, wherein the tab is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal direction.

14. A cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment mounting fixture, the cable management device comprising:

a) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (1) a plurality of spools located on the front side, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side; and (2) an aperture between the front side and the back side; and

b) two spaced-apart rows of ribs on each side, each row comprising a first set of ribs on the front side extending laterally away from the intermediate support, and a second set of ribs on the rear side extending laterally away from the intermediate support member, each rib including a cable retention tab, each cable retention tab extending toward a corresponding set of ribs in the other row, wherein the intermediate support member and the two rows of spaced ribs form first and second cable positioning cavities on opposite sides of the intermediate support member, the projections extending at an angle relative to the corresponding sets of ribs in the other row, wherein the cable retention tab of one of the first set of ribs is spaced apart from the cable retention tab of the other of the first set of ribs to form a vertical space, the vertical space extends rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support, wherein the cable support and cable retention members of the spool are located only in the vertical space.

15. A cable management system, comprising:

a) a rack including a bottom and two upwardly extending side supports and holding telecommunications equipment having front and rear cable connection locations, the rack further having a front side, a rear side and a side;

b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the frame along a side thereof, the ribcage cable support member comprising:

1) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, the intermediate support member comprising: (A) a plurality of bobbins at a front side; and (B) a plurality of apertures between the anterior side and the posterior side; and

2) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side of the intermediate support member, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form a cable positioning chamber;

c) a telecommunications apparatus mounted on the rack, the telecommunications apparatus defining a plurality of rows of front cable connection locations on a front face thereof, a column of ribs so positioned having ribs adjacent the rows of front cable connection locations, the telecommunications apparatus further defining a plurality of rows of rear cable connection locations on a rear face thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of spools are centered in front of the intermediate support in a vertical array, wherein an unobstructed cable passage is formed between each column of ribs and the vertical array of spools.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the frame is a first frame, further comprising a second frame, the ribcage cable support being positioned between the first and second frames.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the frame is a first frame, further comprising a second frame, the ribcage cable support being positioned between the first and second frames.

19. A cable management device for use with a telecommunications equipment rack, said cable management device comprising:

a) an intermediate support member having a front side, a rear side, and two sides, said intermediate support member comprising:

1) a plurality of spools centrally located on the front side in a vertical array, wherein each spool includes a cable support member extending from the front side and a cable retention member spaced from the front side;

2) an aperture between the front side and the back side;

b) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form a cable positioning chamber; wherein an unobstructed cable passage is formed between each row of ribs and the vertical array of spools, wherein the cable retention tabs of one of the first set of ribs are spaced apart from the cable retention tabs of the other of the first set of ribs to form a vertical space extending rearwardly toward the front side of the intermediate support member, wherein the cable support member and the cable retention member of the spools are located only in the vertical space.

20. A cable management system, comprising:

a) a rack including a bottom and two upwardly extending side supports and holding telecommunications equipment having front cable connection locations, the rack further having a front side, a rear side and a side;

b) a ribcage cable support member mounted to the frame along a side thereof, the ribcage cable support member comprising:

1) an intermediate support having a front side, a back side, and two sides, the intermediate support comprising a plurality of spools centered on the front side in a vertical array;

2) two columns of vertically spaced ribs on each side of the intermediate support member, each column of ribs extending on the front side and laterally away from the intermediate support member, each column of ribs including a main body portion extending from the intermediate support member and a cable retention tab, the main body portion of one column of ribs being horizontally aligned with the main body portion of the other column of ribs, each cable retention tab extending toward the other column of ribs, wherein the intermediate support member and the two columns of spaced apart ribs form a cable positioning chamber; wherein an unobstructed cable channel is formed between each column of ribs and the vertically arrayed spools;

c) a telecommunications apparatus mounted on a rack, the telecommunications apparatus defining a plurality of rows of front cable connection locations on a front face thereof, the one column of ribs so positioned having ribs adjacent the rows of front cable connection locations.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the frame is a first frame, further comprising a second frame, the ribcage cable support being positioned between the first and second frames.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein each rib from the first set is aligned with one of the ribs from the second set.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each rib from the first set is aligned with one of the ribs from the second set.