Abstract:
A cable identification system and method according to which one or more rings, having identifying indicia thereon, extend around the cable, and a cover extends around the ring and has a window formed therein, so that rotation of the ring relative to the cover exposes the identifying indicia.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The disclosures herein relate generally to an identification system and method for cables utilized in electronic installations.  
           [0002]    In electronic installations, such as those that includes patch panels, hubs, switching apparatus, racks, or the like, a multitude of cables usually extend from the electronic components in the installation. Due to the high number of cables that often are identical or similar in appearance, the individual cables are hard to identify, locate, or trace. Although stickers, adhesive labels, and the like, have been placed on the cables, they are less than satisfactory since they tend to wear out, lose their adhesive properties, and often fall off the cables.  
           [0003]    Accordingly, what is needed is a cable identification system and method according to which identifying indicia can be placed on cables easily and quickly, without the danger of it coming off.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    To this end, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a cable identification system and method are provided according to which one or more rings, having identifying indicia thereon, extend around the cable, and a cover extends around the ring and has a window formed therein, so that rotation of the ring relative to the cover exposes the identifying indicia.  
           [0005]    Significant advantages are achieved with the above embodiment since identifying indicia can be placed on cables easily and quickly, without the danger of it coming off. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a component of the cable identification system according to one embodiment.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of another component of the cable identification system of FIG. 1.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of the component of FIG. 2  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is an isometric view depicting the components of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an assembled condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0010]    Referring to FIG. 1, the reference numeral  10  refers to a cable which is to be identified in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. To this end, five identical split rings  12  are placed around the cable  10  in a side-by-side relationship. Each ring  12  is preferably manufactured of a firm plastic, such as nylon, and is split to form two slightly-spaced ends  12   a  and  12   b.  This enables the ends  12   a  and  12   b  of each ring  12  to be pulled apart and the ring placed around the cable  10 , after which the ring  12  springs back around the cable under its inherent spring tension, as shown in FIG. 1. Each ring  12  has alpha-numeric indicia formed on its outer surface and extending around the circumference of the ring. In the example shown, the indicia is in the form of a series of circumferentially-spaced letters and numbers which are used, in a manner to be described, to identify the cable  10 .  
         [0011]    A cover cylinder  16  is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is formed by two split, arcuate portions  16   a  and  16   b.  Each cylinder portion  16   a  and  16   b  is preferably manufactured of either a high impact plastic, such as ABS, or a relatively firm plastic, such as nylon. The junction between the two cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b  is preferably of a reduced cross-section to form a hinge to permit the portions to be pivoted relative to each other from the opened position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to the closed position shown in FIG. 4. A window  18  is formed in the cylinder portion  16 a and is sized to selectively expose one of the numerals or letters of each ring  12  in a manner to be described.  
         [0012]    As better shown in FIG. 3, a pair of spaced retaining wings  20  and  22  are located on the inner surface of the cylinder portion  16   a,  and a pair of spaced retaining wings  24  and  26  are located on the inner surface of the cylinder portion  16   b.  Each wing  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  is arcuate in shape to conform to the inner surfaces of the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b,  and is preferably formed by a resilient material, such as rubber. One side wall of each wing  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  extends substantially flush with the corresponding end of the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b.  The wings  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be attached to their respective cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b  in any conventional manner. A pair of spaced internal ribs  30  and  32  are formed on the internal surface of the cylinder portion  16   a,  and a pair of spaced internal ribs  34  and  36  are formed on the internal surface of the cylinder portion  16   b.  The ribs  30 ,  32 ,  34 , and  36  are spaced from the corresponding ends of the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b  to maintain the corresponding wings  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  in the flush positions described above.  
         [0013]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an axially-extending groove  36   a  is formed in the distal end portion of the cylinder portion  16   a  to form an adjacent tab  36   b,  and an axially-extending groove  38   a  is formed in the distal end portion of the cylinder portion  16   b  to form an adjacent tab  38   b.  The tabs  36   b  and  38   b  are sized relatively to the grooves  36   a  and  38   a  so that the tabs can be inserted in the respective grooves in a friction fit to permit the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b  to be locked in the closed position of FIG. 4, as will be described.  
         [0014]    After the rings  12  have been installed over the cable  10  in the above manner, and as shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b  are placed proximate to the cable and pivoted from their open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to their closed position shown in FIG. 4, in a manner to capture the cable  10  and the rings  12  within the cylinder  16 . The tab  36   b  of the cylinder portion  16   a  is inserted in the groove  38   a  of the cylinder portion  16   b,  and the tab  38   b  of the cylinder portion  16   b  is inserted in the groove  36   a  of the cylinder portion  16   a,  to lock the cylinder portions in their closed position. In this closed position, the wings  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  engage corresponding portions of the cable  10 , with the thicknesses of the wings being designed relative to the diameter of the cable so that the cable compresses the wings slightly to insure that the wings firmly grip the cable.  
         [0015]    The design is such that, after the above installation, the diameter of each ring  12  is equal to, or slightly smaller than, the inner diameter of the cylinder  16 . The above-mentioned spring tension of each ring  12  maintains it in position, yet permits a pin, or the like, to engage each ring and rotate it relative to the cylinder  16  and the cable  10  until the desired alpha-numeric indicia on each ring is exposed by the window  18 . In this manner the cable  10  can be identified with five of alpha-numeric indicia corresponding to the number of rings  12 .  
         [0016]    Thus, identifying indicia can be permanently placed on cables easily and quickly, without the danger of the indicia falling off the cable. Also, the identifying indicia can easily be changed and the identifying system of the above embodiment can be easily removed and placed on another cable. Moreover, the resilient wings  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  will accommodate cables of different diameters.  
         [0017]    It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiment. For example, the number of rings  12  that are utilized can vary. Also, other techniques can be used to permit the relative pivotal movement between the cylinder portions  16   a  and  16   b,  such as, for example, the use of a separate hinge, or the like. Further, the mechanism disclosed above for locking the cylinders can vary. Also, spatial references, such as “inner”, “outer”, “over”, “under”, etc, are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.  
         [0018]    Since other modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosed embodiment.