Abstract:
A connector marker for identifying an electrical conductor includes a marker body formed of a synthetic plastic material and a pair of generally planar half sections normally arranged in an initial open condition in horizontal coplanar side-by-side relation. At least one of the half sections has an upper surface carrying labeling indicia. At least one integral film hinge device connects the adjacent side edges of the half sections, thereby to afford pivotal displacement of the half sections about a given pivot axis from the open condition toward a closed condition enclosing the electrical conductor to be marked. At least one non-skid element extends from the hinge device for non-skid engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the conductor as the half sections are pivotally displaced from the open condition to the closed condition, thereby to prevent longitudinal slipping of the marker body relative to the conductor.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage application under 35 C.F.R. §371 of the PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2014/058189 filed Apr. 23, 2014, which claims priority of the German application No. DE 20 2013 101 786.8 filed Apr. 25, 2013. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     A conductor marker includes a pair of pivotally connected half sections that are operable from an open coplanar condition to a closed condition enclosing the electrical conductor, together with a non-skid arrangement that engages the peripheral surface of the conductor as the half sections are pivoted from the open condition toward the closed condition, thereby to prevent longitudinal displacement of the marker relative to the conductor. 
     Description of Related Art 
     From the German published application No. DE 10 2009 014 694 A1, it is known to provide a conductor marker for identifying electrical components. On the base body of the identification plate, a surface that can be labeled or a support element that can be labeled is arranged. Furthermore, the base body comprises latching elements, by means of which the identification plate can be slipped or clamped upon the electrical component, so that it is arranged between the latching elements. 
     In contrast, the European patent No. EP 1 596 472 A1 discloses a conductor marking sheath with receiving pockets into which the marking plates can be inserted. 
     Such conductor identification means share the feature that they are produced from a plastic by injection molding or extrusion, for example. In the process, a mat made of a plurality of such identification means is produced, from which the individual identification means can be detached at predetermined breaking point. 
     Also known are conductor markers that can be closed using a film hinge. Such conductor markers have two marker halves, of which at least one is provided for the labeling. An electrical conductor is arranged between the marker halves, and the marker halves are folded together so that they enclose the conductor. In the process, the marker halves are connected by latching means arranged on them. 
     The present invention was developed to provide an improved conductor marker having a film hinge, which is designed to be finger friendly and easy to handle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a conductor marker having a pair of pivotally connected half sections that are operable from an open coplanar condition to a closed condition enclosing the electrical conductor, together with a non-slide arrangement that engages the peripheral surface of the conductor as the half sections are pivoted from the open condition toward the closed condition, thereby to prevent longitudinal sliding of the marker relative to the conductor. Latching means serve to lock together the half sections when they are in the closed condition. 
     A more specific object of the invention is to provide a conductor marker having a marker body formed of a synthetic plastic material and including a pair of generally planar half sections normally arranged in an initial open condition in horizontal coplanar side-by-side relation, at least one of the half sections having an upper surface carrying labeling indicia; at least one integral film hinge device connecting together the adjacent side edges of the half sections, thereby to afford pivotal displacement of the half sections about a given pivot axis from said open position toward a closed condition enclosing the electrical conductor to be marked; and a non-skid arrangement arranged on said hinge device for non-skid engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the conductor as the half sections are pivotally displaced from the open condition to the closed condition, thereby to prevent longitudinal slipping of the marker body relative to the conductor. 
     According to another object, on the side of the conductor marker facing the conductor, a mounting aid is provided on said marker, as a result of which an electrical conductor inserted in the conductor marker does not slip during closing of the conductor marker. As a result, the handling of the conductor marker is facilitated, and the mounting of the conductor marker can be carried out very rapidly. 
     It is preferable to provide on the film hinge in each case a mounting aid on the two marker halves, so that the mounting aids are arranged symmetrically on the film hinge. Particularly preferable are mounting aids that are designed in each case as a bead-shaped molded projection. Due to this arrangement of the molded projections provided on the two sides of the film hinge, the electrical conductor is prevented from slipping off as it is being mounted. In addition, the electrical conductor is centered at least temporarily by the mounting aids in the conductor marker. 
     The molded projections are preferably produced so that they form one piece with the conductor marker. In this embodiment, the conductor marker can be produced very cost effectively. 
     It is preferable that the contours of the conductor marker have a curved design, so that the conductor marker can be handled in a finger-friendly manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a conductor marker according to the present invention when in its normal open condition; 
         FIGS. 1 c  and 1 d    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the first embodiment when arranged in the open condition arranged on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 2 c  and 2 d    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the second embodiment when arranged in the open condition arranged on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the first embodiment when arranged in a partially closed condition on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 3 c  and 3 d    are end and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the second embodiment when arranged in a partially closed condition on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 4 c  and 4 d    are end and side perspective views, respectively, of the second embodiment when arranged in the fully closed and latched condition on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 4 c  and 4 c    are end and side perspective views, respectively, of the second embodiment when arranged in the fully closed and latched condition on an electrical conductor; 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are end and top perspective views, respectively, of a first modification of the second embodiment of the invention when in the open condition; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are end and top perspective views, respectively, of a second modification of the second embodiment of the invention when in the open condition; 
         FIGS. 7 a -7 f    are end views illustrating six initial steps for displacing the half sections of the second embodiment from the open condition toward the closed condition relative to a conductor having a relatively large diameter; and 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 c    are end views illustrating three initial steps during the mounting of the second embodiment on a conductor having a relatively small diameter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first more particularly to  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , according to a first embodiment of the invention, the conductor marker includes a horizontal marker body  1  formed of synthetic plastic material and including a pair of relatively rigid half sections  11  and  12  joined by a pair of flexible film hinges  16  that define a pivot axis P contained in the vertical axis of symmetry  4 . The lower surface  131  of the marker body is adapted to engage the peripheral surface of a conductor to be marked, and the upper surface  132  remains exposed when the marker body is mounted on the conductor. The generally planar upper surfaces  111  and  121  of the half sections define labeling surfaces for carrying indicia, such as labels. Latching means in the form of a downwardly extending latch projection  141  and an opposed companion latching element containing a latch opening  142  are provided at the remote side edges of the half sections, as shown in  FIG. 1 b   . Arranged between these latching components is a diameter compensation arrangement in the form of a plurality of downwardly extending deformable tabs  15 . 
     According to a characterizing feature of the invention, a pair of bead-shaped non-skid elements  161  are provided on the outer surfaces of the legs of the V-shaped film hinges, which non-skid elements have rounded lower extremities and aid in the mounting of the marker body onto an electrical conductor. 
     Thus, the conductor marker  1  has a first marker half  11  and a second marker half  12 , which are connected to one another by two film hinges  16 . However, a modification is also possible in which the marker halves are connected to one another by only one film hinge. 
     Here, a labeling surface  111 ,  121  is provided on at least one of the two marker halves  11 ,  12  on a side  132  of the conductor marker  1  facing away from the conductor. The labeling surface  111 ,  121  can either be labeled directly, or a labeling means (not shown) such as a label, for example, can be arranged on the labeling surface  111 ,  121 . 
     In the second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 c  and 1 d   , the half section  11 ′ of the marker body  1 ′ has a rounded upper surface for assisting the user&#39;s fingers in closing the marker about the conductor. Accordingly, in this second embodiment, only one labeling surface  121  is provided. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , to mount the first embodiment on a conductor  22 , the marker body  1  is arranged above and parallel with the conductor  2 , and the apex or pivot point P of the V-shaped film hinge  16  is seated on the periphery of the conductor having a diameter d. As the half sections  11  and  12  are initially pivoted downwardly upon the conductor, the rounded extremities of the non-skid elements  161  are brought into frictional engagement with the outer periphery of the conductor  2 , thereby to prevent longitudinal displacement of the marker body relative to the conductor. As the half sections  11  and  12  are further pivoted toward the closed and latched condition of  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the half sections are pivoted about the rounded extremities of the non-skid elements  161 , and the diameter compensating tabs  15  are deformed to correspond with the diameter d of the conductor. 
     When the half sections  11  and  12  are displaced to the fully closed condition shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the compensation tabs  15  are deformed to correspond with the conductor diameter, and the latch  143  is latched within the opening  142 . As shown in  FIG. 4 a   , when the conductor marker is in the fully closed latched condition, the hinge element  16  is so deformed that the non-skid elements  161  no longer are in engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the conductor, and the deformed tabs  15  prevent longitudinal displacement of the marker relative to the conductor. 
     Similarly, for the second embodiment, the hinge apex is seated upon the conductor periphery as shown in  FIGS. 2 c  and 2 d   , the half sections  11 ′ and  12  are pivoted downwardly with the non-skid elements  161  in frictional engagement with the conductor ( FIGS. 3 c  and 3 d   ) as the half sections are pivoted toward the latched and closed condition ( FIGS. 4 c  and 4 d   ). 
     The mounting aid non-skid element  161  is a molded projection. The molded projection here has a bead-shaped design. Below, the terms mounting aid and molded projection are used synonymously. 
     During the closing of the conductor marker  1 , the molded projections  161  are at least temporarily in contact with the electrical conductor  2  arranged on the side  132  facing the conductor. As a result, the electrical conductor  2  does not slip off during the mounting. Thus, the electrical conductor  2  is easier to mount. 
     In order to be able to use electrical conductors  2  having different conductor diameters d, on the side  131  facing the conductor, on each marker half  11 ,  12 , at least one compensation tab  15 —here two compensation means tabs  15 —is provided in each case. The compensation tabs here are designed as a tongue, which is arranged particularly advantageously transversely to the labeling surface  111 ,  121 . Other orientations (longitudinal/diagonal) would also be conceivable. In the case of closing of the conductor marker  1 , the tabs  15  are deformed during the closing of the conductor marker  1 , if the diameter d of the electrical conductor  2  is greater than a clearance (not marked) that remains between the compensation tab  15  in the closed state G of the conductor marker  1 . 
     In order to keep the marker halves  11 ,  12  connected to one another after the closing of the conductor marker  1 , on the first marker half  11 , a latching means  141  is provided, and, on the second marker half  12 , a counter latching means  142  is provided. The latching means  141  here is designed as a latching tongue which has a ledge  143 . The counter latching means  142  is designed as a stirrup piece which has an opening  144 . The terms latching means  141  and latching tongue as well as counter latching means  141  and stirrup pieces are used synonymously below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , in the second embodiment, the upper surface  112  of the second half section may be profiled—for example, by a recess—to provide a finger gripping surface. As shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , this finger gripping surface  112 ′ may be knurled. 
       FIGS. 7 a -7 f    illustrate the attachment steps for mounting the second embodiment of the marker on a conductor  2  having a first diameter close to or at Dmax, and  FIGS. 8 a -8 c    illustrate the attachment of the second embodiment of a conductor marker on a conductor  2  having a second diameter close to or at Dmin. 
     After the placement of the components according to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , the conductor  2  briefly contacts the film hinge  16  (a contact is indicated in each case by a black dot in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The opening angle α between the two marker halves  11 ′,  12  is 180° here. One can clearly see that the two mounting aids  161  formed as protrusions are designed in such a manner that any conductor  2  whose diameter range is in a diameter range suitable for the marker, between a minimum diameter and a maximum diameter (Dmin, Dmax), contacts the conductor marker halves immediately during the closing of the conductor marker, or after sweeping over a minimum closing angle of “180°—opening angle α,” where preferably α=150° at most, from the position in which the conductor marker halves preferably enclose an opening angle of 180° (transition from  FIG. 7 c    to  FIG. 7 d   ). 
     Then, over a relatively large closing angular range, in each case, the radius of the mounting aids  161  at the free ends of the protrusion-like mounting aids  161  facing the conductor  2  functions as a pivot bearing or a pivot pin and thus as a rotation aid on which the conductor marker halves  11 ′ and  12  rotate along the outer periphery of the conductor  2  during the closing ( FIGS. 7 e  and 7 f   ). 
     Preferably, on the free ends of the mounting aids  161  which are formed as radius, the marker halves  11 ′,  12  rotate, from the first contact on the conductor  2  over an angular range of more than 60°, in particular up to an opening angle α of 90°, which the marker halves  11 ′,  12  enclose, or more in the case of closing outside on the conductor  2 . 
     In  FIGS. 8 a -8 c   , the angle over which the marker halves  11 ′,  12  rotate on the free ends of the mounting aids  161 , which are formed as radii on the outer surface of the conductor  2 , is even greater than in  FIG. 7 , since the conductor  2  in  FIG. 8  has a smaller diameter than in  FIG. 7 . 
     In each case, it is ensured that, during the closing of the conductor marker  1 , the conductor  2  is in contact with the radii of the ends of the mounting aids  161  formed as protrusions, at least over an angular range of more than 60°, in particular more than 80°, preferably at least to a remaining opening angle α of 90° still enclosed by the marker halves  11 ′,  12 , or more during the closing, so that the marker can be closed particularly easily and cannot become wedged on sharp edges. 
     Finally, during the closing of the conductor marker  1 , the edge  143  of the latching tongue  141  again arrives in the opening edge  144 , and thus is latched to the stirrup piece  142  with which it engages. 
     The conductors  2  having the admissible diameter between Dmin and Dmax are thus not, or substantially not, pushed away from the marker during the closing (indicated by the arrow Z corresponding to the feed direction of the conductor  2 ). The small arrows on the marker halves  11 ′,  12  indicate their force-motion arrows. One can see that, at the time of the placement on and the closing of the conductor marker  1 , the force-motion arrows of the conductor  2  and of the marker halves  11 ′,  12  extend in mutually opposite directions around a conductor  2 , preferably over a closing angle of more than 90°, in particular more than 130°, particularly preferably over the entire closing angle up to the latching of the two marker halves  11 ′,  12  to one another, which allows a particularly easy closing process. 
     While in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without deviating from the invention described above.