A MARKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL WIRES AND THE LIKE

Abstract: The invention relates to a marking device shaped like a ring (2) and designed to be coaxially mounted on a wire (5) or the like. The invention solves the problem of extending the diameter interval within which the device can be used. The solution suggested by the invention is, at both sides of the marking symbols on the outer wall of the ring (2), to provide a number of openings (3) permitting use of the ring also on a thinner wire (4) which when mounted extends in a radial plane of the ring.

Description: A marking device for electrical wires and the like There exist several different types of markers for electric wires and the like. A problem common to all those types is a difficulty of making a given marker usable not only on a wire of a certain gauge but also • on vires the diameters of which vary within a wider or smaller interval. For the type of markers consisting of sleeves, manufactured by transverse cutting of a hose manufactured by extrusion of an elastic plastic material, the problem has been solved by the sleeve comprising a folded or bellows-like portion which upon extension increases the efficient circumference of the sleeve. Such narking sleeves have a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the wire which often is approximately equal to the transverse dimension of the sleeve. Further, the wall thickness is relatively great in relation to that measure and, in irs mounted condi¬ tion, the sleeve is securely retained thanks to the elasticity of the material and the friction between the outer surface of the wire and a comparatively great portion of the inner wall of the sleeve. Such markers are shown in e.g. SE 214,614 and SΞ 227,745. Another type of markers, the type with which the present invention is concerned, may be described as consisting of a ring, meaning tha- the axial extension and the radial thickness are considerably less than the outer diameter. As far as such markers are concerned the industry has so far, only to a very limited extent, succeeded to solve the problem of making the marker usable within a diameter interval. This appears from Fig.1 which in a perspective view shows a prior art ring marker which within a sectior. diametrically opposite to the marking syrrbols (FTM) has a bulging portion 1 , roughly of a semi-circular shape, the function of which is to assist in keeping the ring in a fixed position when mounted on a small gauge wire. The object of the invention is to solve the above mentioned problem. This has according to the main characteristic of the invention been realized in the way that the ring does, at both sides of the marking symbols, exhibit a number of openings making it possible to mount the ring also on a much thinner wire which does then extend in a radial plane of the ring. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a marker according to the invention. Fig. 3 shows a device according to Fig. 2 mounted on a relatively thick wire. Fig. 4 illustrates the way in which the device may be mounted on a thinner wire. Fig. 5 shows the device after completed mour.tir.g on a thin wire. The ring marker 2 shown in Fig. 2 does on each side of a diameter through the marking syrbols PTϊi and the bulging part 1 exhibit an opening 3 which ir. the illu¬ strated embodiment extends along a considerable portion of the ring circumference. A thin wire 4 may be inserted through these openings 3 and mounted on the wire as shown in Fig. 5. The mounting operation is facilitated if the ring marker is first coπpressed a little in the insertion direction whereby the two openings 3 get located closer to each other as illustrated in Fie. 4. Fig. 3 shows the ring 2 in the conventional mar.ner mounted on a relatively thick wire or cable 5. In the practical working of the invention it is possible within wide limits to vary the exact shape and propor¬ tions of the openings. The main advantage of this invention is that the range within which the marker may be used in terms of a usable diameter interval has been considerably increased thanks to the realization that openings 3 define a small gauge diameter interval which, together with the opening defined by the inner wall of the ring, results in a large total diameter interval. By way of example it could be mentioned that the elongate openings 3 could be replaced by two or more openings of mutually different sizes and having oval or circular form. The word "ring" has here been used in a functional and not in a geometric meaning and refers to any body closed in its circumferential direction which can be threaded around a wire quite independently of to which extent it looks like a circular rinσ.

Claims: Claims 1. A device to be used for marking an electric wire or the like and consisting of a ringlike body (2) made in an elastic plastic material and provided with external marking symbols (PTM) , the ring being coaxially mountable on the wire (4), c h a r a c t e¬ r i z e d in that on each side of the marking symbols ring (2) has a number of openings (3) permitting use of the markers also on a thin wire (4) mounted so as to extend in a radial plane of the ring. 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 and comprising at least four openings (3) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that these openings are pairwise of different sizes, 3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d in that, in a manner known per se, it exhibits an externally bulging portion (1) located diametrically opposite the marking symbols for the purpose of maintaining ring (2) in its position when coaxially mounted on a wire the diameter of which is considerably inferior to the ring inner diameter.

Inventors: SKARIN LARS, SKARIN, LARS
Applicants: PARTEX FABRIKS AB, PARTEX FABRIKSAKTIEBOLAG
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01B7
IPC codes: G09F3, H01B7