Cable carrier/retractor

Claim 1

In a cabinet including a framework having a drawer therein, and a cable extending from said drawer to the rear of said framework, said cable being of a length substantially greater than the distance between the rear of said drawer and the rear of said framework, a device for supporting said cable in a substantially horizontal configuration from an entry position adjacent said framework to the rear of said drawer, to an exit position adjacent the rear of said drawer, said device comprising: a mounting hinge for mounting on said frame to the rear of said drawer for connecting an entry end of a first channel to said frame; a first channel for supporting said cable from said entry position adjacent said framework to the rear of said drawer to an intermediate position, said first channel comprising: an entry end; and a second end; a connecting hinge connecting said second end of said first channel with a first end of a second channel; a second channel for supporting said cable from said intermediate position to said exit position adjacent the rear of said drawer, said second channel comprising: a first end; and an exit end for positioning adjacent the rear of said drawer; and a retaining hinge connected to said drawer and to said exit end of said second channel for retaining said exit end adjacent the rear of said drawer; and wherein said first and second channels have a horizontal width and have walls defining a continuous orifice along a length of said channel for insertion and removal of said cable, said walls for supporting and retaining said cable within said channel; and wherein said connecting hinge is under center between said mounting hinge and said retaining hinge, said connecting hinge being located approximately mid-width of the channel, and wherein said channels are vertically offset relative to one another on said connecting hinge whereby, in a fully retracted position, said channels may attain a top-to-bottom relationship in a plane perpendicular to the direction of drawer travel, and, when said drawer is moved forward and said channels are in a fully extended position, said channels may attain a substantially linear relationship in a substantially horizontal plane.