Abstract:
An apparatus for identifying differing portions of an interconnecting device. The interconnecting device selectively interconnects a first component to a second component for delivery therethrough. The apparatus includes an interconnecting member including at least a first portion and a second portion, and a first identifying device positioned on the first portion. The first identifying device includes a first activation portion and a first identification portion. The apparatus also includes a second identifying device positioned on the second portion. The second identifying device includes a second activation portion and a second identification portion. An identifying signal transmitted by the first identification portion is identifiable with a signal emitted by the second identification portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for identifying the opposing ends of a connector, and specifically to identification of wire node ends. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Connection points of components are often interconnected with multiple conduits. These conduits may contain wires, fiber optics, hollow channels for fluid transfer, or other suitable items. 
         [0003]    Any conduit, such as a tube, hydraulic hose, duct, or a wire may be desirably connected from a specific connection point of a first component to a specific connection point of a second component. Often multiple components must be interconnected with multiple conduits. Conduits may be color coded to aid a user in ensuring a proper connection to the desired connection points. When multiple components are improperly interconnected, that is, when conduits are connected to an incorrect connection point, the system may not function properly and the user may not know what specific connection is incorrect. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an apparatus and method for interconnecting connection points of multiple devices in a manner that reduces incorrect connections. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The interconnecting device selectively interconnects a first component to a second component for delivery therethrough. The apparatus includes an interconnecting member including at least a first portion and a second portion, and a first identifying device positioned on the first portion. The first identifying device includes a first activation portion and a first identification portion. The apparatus also includes a second identifying device positioned on the second portion. The second identifying device includes a second activation portion and a second identification portion. An identifying signal transmitted by the first identification portion is identifiable with a signal emitted by the second identification portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The drawings are illustrative embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be removed, exaggerated, moved, or partially sectioned for clearer illustration. The embodiments illustrated herein are not intended to limit or restrict the claims. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is schematic view of a connection between components, according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional view of a connector, taken generally along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial view of the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first end of the connector of  FIG. 3 , illustrated in a first configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second end of the connector of  FIG. 3 , illustrated in a second configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 1 , illustrated in a second configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first end of the connector of  FIG. 6 , illustrated in a first configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second end of the connector of  FIG. 6 , illustrated in a second configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a connector, according to a third embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a first end of the connector of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is perspective view of a second end of the connector of  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of area  12  of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an interconnected system  20 . The system  20  includes a first component  22 , a second component  24 , and an interconnector  26 . In the embodiment illustrated, the interconnector  26  includes a plurality of metallic electrical connectors  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 , as discussed in greater detail below. As illustrated, the first component  22  includes connection points A 1 , B 1 , C 1 , and D 1 ; and the second component  24  includes connection points A 2 , B 2 , C 2 , and D 2 . 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment illustrated, each connector  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  includes an interconnecting portion  50 , a first conductor  52 , a second conductor  54 , and a sheath  56 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the connector  40  to further include a first end  60  and a second end  62 , and a central portion  64  interposed between the first end  60  and the second end  62 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates the first end  60  of the connector  40  to include an end portion of the interconnecting portion  50  extending therefrom, a first light emitting diode (LED)  72 , a switch  74 , a power source  76  and interconnecting members  78 . In the embodiment illustrated, the first LED  72 , the switch  74 , and the power source  76  are electrically interconnected in series between the first conductor  52  and the second conductor  54  by the interconnecting members  78 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates the second end  62  of the connector  40  to include a plurality of interconnecting members  78  and a second LED  82 . In the embodiment illustrated, the second LED  82  is electrically interconnected between the first conductor  52  and the second conductor  54  by the interconnecting members  78 . Accordingly, the first LED  72 , the switch  74 , the power source  76 , and the second LED  82  are electrically interconnected in a closed loop by the first conductor  52 , the second conductor  54 , and the interconnecting members  78 . 
         [0023]    In operation, when a user desires to interconnect the first component  22  and the second component  24 , the user may interconnect the components by interconnecting connection point A 1  with connection point A 2 , interconnecting connection point B 1  with connection point B 2 , interconnecting connection point C 1  with connection point C 2 , and interconnecting connection point D 1  with connection point D 2  using the interconnector  26 . 
         [0024]    The user may start by activating the switch  74  of the connector  40 . When switch  74  is activated, both the first LED  72  of the connector  40  and the second LED  82  of the connector  40  are illuminated. The user may then connect the first end  60  of the interconnecting portion  50  of the connector  40  to the connection point A 1 . Further, the user may then connect the second end  62  of the interconnecting portion  50  of the connector  40  to the connection point A 2 . In this manner, the connection point A 1  and the connection point A 2  are interconnected. After the desired interconnection has been made, the user may then deactivate the switch  74  to cease illumination of the first LED  72  and the second LED  82  of the connector  40 . The remainder of the connection points may be interconnected as desired using this method. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment illustrated, the LEDs at both opposing ends of a single connector (such as the connector  40 ) emit the same color in order to aid the user in making a proper interconnection of the components  22 ,  24 . Further, the LEDs of differing connectors (such as the connectors  40 ,  42 ,  44 ) emit a different color within a single interconnector (such as the interconnector  26 ) to aid the user in making a proper interconnection of the components  22 ,  24 . When differing colors (and/or blinking rates) are used for differing connectors of the interconnector  26 , more than one switch on a connector  40 ,  42 ,  44  may be activated such that more than one connector  40 ,  42 ,  44  has ends that are illuminated simultaneously. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment illustrated, the connector  50  is a material that will transmit electricity although other suitable materials may be used, as desired. Further, the power source  76  may be adequate for only a single use or may be provided for multiple uses, such as when multiple disconnections and re-connections are contemplated. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate another embodiment of the interconnector  26  as an interconnector  126 . In the embodiment illustrated, the interconnector  126  includes a plurality of metallic electrical connectors  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144   146 , and  148  that each include an interconnecting portion  150 , a first conductor  152 , a second conductor  154 , a third conductor  156 , and a sheath  158 . The interconnector  126  also includes a first end  160  and a second end  162 , and a central portion (not shown) interposed between the first end  160  and the second end  162 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates the first end  160  of the connector  140  to include an end portion of the interconnecting portion  150  extending therefrom, a first light emitting diode (LED)  172 , a first switch  174 , a power source  176  and interconnecting members  178 . In the embodiment illustrated, the first LED  172 , the first switch  174 , and the power source  176  are electrically interconnected in series between the first conductor  152  and the third conductor  156  by the interconnecting members  178 . Also in the embodiment illustrated, the first LED  172 , and the power source  176  are electrically interconnected in series between the second conductor  154  and the third conductor  156  by the interconnecting members  178 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates the second end  162  of the connector  140  to include a plurality of interconnecting members  178 , a second LED  182 , and a second switch  184 . In the embodiment illustrated, the second LED  182  is electrically interconnected between the first conductor  152  and the third conductor  156  by the interconnecting members  178 . Also in the embodiment illustrated, the second LED  182  and the second switch  184  are electrically interconnected between the second conductor  154  and the third conductor  156  by the interconnecting members  178 . 
         [0030]    Accordingly, the first LED  172 , the first switch  174 , the power source  176 , and the second LED  182  are electrically interconnected in a closed loop by the first conductor  152 , the third conductor  156  and the interconnecting members  178 . Further, the first LED  172 , the second switch  184 , the power source  176 , and the second LED  182  are electrically interconnected in a closed loop by the second conductor  154 , the third conductor  156  and the interconnecting members  178 . Therefore, by activating either the first switch  174  or the second switch  184  both the first LED  172  and the second LED  182  may be illuminated. 
         [0031]    In operation, when a user desires to interconnect the first component  22  and the second component  24 , the user may interconnect the components by interconnecting connection point A 1  with connection point A 2 , interconnecting connection point B 1  with connection point B 2 , interconnecting connection point C 1  with connection point C 2 , and interconnecting connection point D 1  with connection point D 2  using the interconnector  26 . 
         [0032]    The user may start by activating either first switch  174  or the second switch  184  of the connector  140 . When either switch is activated, both the first LED  172  of the connector  140  and the second LED  182  of the connector  140  are illuminated. The user may then connect the first end  160  of the interconnecting portion  150  of the connector  140  to the connection point A 1 . Further, the user may then connect the second end  162  of the interconnecting portion  150  of the connector  140  to the connection point A 2 . In this manner, the connection point A 1  and the connection point A 2  are interconnected. After the desired interconnection has been made, the user may then deactivate the switch to cease illumination of the first LED  172  and the second LED  182  of the connector  140 . The remainder of the connection points may be interconnected as desired using a similar method. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 9-12  illustrate an embodiment of the connector  40  as an interconnector  240 . In the embodiment illustrated, the connector  240  includes an interconnecting portion  250 , an optical fiber  252 , a light splitter  254  and a sheath  258 . The connector  240  also includes a first end  260 , a second end  262 , as third end  264 , and a central portion  266  interposed between the ends. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  illustrates the first end  260  of the connector  240  to include an end portion of the interconnecting portion  250  extending therefrom, a first end of the optical fiber  252 , and a first LED lens  272 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the second end  262  of the connector  240  to include an end portion of the interconnecting portion  250  extending therefrom, a second end of the optical fiber  252 , and a LED lens  274 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a portion of the third end  264  to include the optical fiber  254 , a third LED lens  276 , and a LED module  280 . The LED module includes a LED  282 , a power source  284 , and a switch  286  for illuminating the LED. The switch  286  is positioned proximate the third LED lens  276  for convenience by the user when activating the switch  286 . Further, the switch  286  may be activated by contacting the third LED lens  276 . In the embodiment illustrated, the first LED lens  272 , the second LED lens  274 , and the third LED lens  276  are interconnected such that light transmitted through the optical fiber  252  and the light splitter  254  may be emitted from each of the first LED lens  272 , the second LED lens  274 , and the third LED lens  276 . 
         [0035]    In operation, a user may activate the switch  286  to illuminate the LED module  280 . Therefore, by activating the LED module  280  both the first LED lens  272 , the second LED lens  274 , and the third LED lens  276  may be illuminated. Further, each of the ends  260 ,  262 ,  264  may include a LED module  280  for illuminating the LED lenses. Additionally, the connector  240  may include as many ends as desired with the light splitter  254  providing light to each LED lens. 
         [0036]    In operation, when a user desires to interconnect the first component  22  and the second component  24 , the user may interconnect the components by interconnecting connection point A 1  with connection point A 2 , interconnecting connection point B 1  with connection point B 2 , interconnecting connection point C 1  with connection point C 2 , and interconnecting connection point D 1  with connection point D 2  using the interconnector  26 . 
         [0037]    The user may start by activating the switch  286  and thereby illuminating the first LED lens  272 , the second LED lens  274 , and the third LED lens  276 . The user may then connect the first end  260  of the interconnecting portion  250  of the connector  240  to the connection point A 1 . Further, the user may then connect the second end  262  of the interconnecting portion  250  of the connector  240  to the connection point A 2 ; and the third end  264  of the connector  240  to a desired connection point. In this manner, the desired connection points are interconnected. After the desired interconnection has been made, the user may then deactivate the switch  286  to cease illumination of the LED lenses of the connector  240 . The remainder of the connection points may be interconnected as desired using a similar method. 
         [0038]    In a further embodiment, the LEDs may replaced by vibration emitters to produce a vibration at opposing ends of a connector, thereby aiding a user when interconnecting devices. 
         [0039]    Although the steps of the method of assembling the system  20  may be listed in an order, the steps may be performed in differing orders or combined such that one operation may perform multiple steps. Furthermore, a step or steps may be initiated before another step or steps are completed, or a step or steps may be initiated and completed after initiation and before completion of (during the performance of) other steps. 
         [0040]    The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The scope of the invention is limited solely by the following claims.