Patent Publication Number: US-7223117-B2

Title: Circuit marker apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/170,956, filed on Jun. 30, 2005 and entitled, “APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ATTACH TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BLOCK”. 

   FIELD 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in connection with an insulation displacement connector block (“connector block”). More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that is configured to removably attach to an access cover of a connector block, where the apparatus includes an indicium, such as being color-coded, to visibly mark a circuit. 
   BACKGROUND 
   In a telecommunications context, connector blocks are connected to cables that feed subscribers while other connector blocks are connected to cables that are fed from a service provider center. To make the electrical connection between the subscriber block and the service provider block, an electrical conductor (e.g., a jumper wire) may be inserted in each connector block to complete the electrical circuit. Typically an electrical conductor (“conductor”) can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected several times as the subscriber&#39;s needs change. 
   The basic components of a connector block typically include a plurality of housing assemblies, where each housing assembly includes a housing, an IDC element disposed within the housing, and an access cover connected to the housing. The IDC element is used to make an electrical connection with a conductor that is partially disposed within the housing in order to complete the electrical circuit between the subscriber block and service provider block. The IDC element displaces the insulation from a portion of the conductor when the conductor is inserted into a slot within the IDC element. An electrical contact is then made between the conductive surface of the IDC element and the conductive core of the electrical conductor. 
   The access cover is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In one type of connector block (“Type A”), a conductor is fed into a opening in an access cover, and as the access cover is moved from its open position to its closed position, the conductor moves into the respective housing and contacts the IDC element disposed in the housing. After electrical contact is made between the conductor and IDC element and the access cover is in a closed position, the conductor extends from the access cover. In a Type A connector block, a portion of the conductor disposed within the access cover moves therewith. If the access cover is opened, the electrical connection between the conductor and the IDC element will likely be disrupted because the conductor will no longer be in contact with the IDC element. A disrupted electrical connection between the IDC element and the conductor results in a disrupted electrical circuit (between the service provider and the subscriber), and therefore disrupted service for the subscriber. 
   In another type of connector block (“Type B”), a conductor is initially fed into an opening in the housing and then into an opening in an access cover (when the access cover is in its open position). As the access cover moves from its open position to its closed position, the portion of the conductor moving through the opening in the access cover is severed from the main part of the conductor. As a result, the conductor is no longer disposed within the opening in the access cover. After the access cover is in its closed position, the conductor contacts the IDC element disposed within the respective housing of the access cover and an electrical connection is made between the conductor and the IDC element. The conductor extends from the opening in the housing rather than the access cover, as in a Type A connector block. Because the conductor is no longer disposed with the access cover in a Type B connector block, the conductor will likely remain in contact with the IDC element if the access cover is moved into its open position after the electrical connection is made. 
   In both types of connector blocks, the IDC element within the housing of the connector block is accessible when the access cover is in its open position. When the access cover is in its open position, the IDC element is vulnerable to environmental hazards, such as moisture. It is typically preferred that the access cover remain in a closed position after an electrical connection is made between the conductor and IDC element in order to protect the electrical connection from environmental hazards. Of course, the access cover may be opened for maintenance purposes. As demonstrated by the Type A connector block, it is also important that the access cover of each housing assembly of a connector block remain in a closed position after an electrical connection between a conductor and IDC element in order to help prevent the circuit from becoming disrupted. 
   When a connector block is used in the telecommunications context, a plurality of connector blocks are typically mounted in a central location, such as a telecommunications closet, an outdoor cabinet, an aerial terminal or closure, or other common use applications. Oftentimes, thousands of electrical circuits between the subscribers and service provider are completed in the central location. It may be important to mark a circuit, or a series of circuits, to distinguish the circuit from other circuits in the central location. For example, it may be important to mark circuits providing telecommunications services to a hospital or police station so that those circuits are easily identifiable. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   In a first aspect, the present invention is a circuit marker configured to removably attach to an access cover of an insulation displacement connector block. The circuit marker includes a body adapted to attach to the access cover and means for attaching the body to the access cover. The means includes at least one projection extending from the body and is adapted to engage with a recess formed in the access cover. At least a part of the circuit marker bears a visual indicium. 
   In a second aspect, the present invention is an apparatus configured to removably attach to an access cover of an insulation displacement connector block, where the access cover includes a releasable securing mechanism for fixing the access cover in a closed position relative to a cavity within the connector block. The apparatus includes a body adapted to attach to the access cover and an appendage extending from the body. The appendage is configured to lock the access cover in its closed position. 
   In a third aspect, the present invention is an electrical connector assembly including a housing, an access cover connected to the housing, and a circuit marker removably attached to the access cover. The housing includes an insulation displacement connector element, wherein the insulation displacement connector element is adapted to electrically connect with a conductor partially disposed within the housing. The circuit marker includes a body adapted to attach to the access cover and means for attaching the body to the access cover, wherein the means includes at least one projection extending from the body and is adapted to engage with a recess formed in the access cover. At least a part of the circuit marker bears a visual indicium. 
   The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description which follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be further explained with reference to the drawing figures listed below, where like structure is referenced by like numerals throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  is a partial exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention, which includes an electrical connector block including a plurality of access covers and two inventive circuit markers in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment, where one circuit marker  12 ′ is attached to an access cover, and another circuit marker  12  is aligned to attach to an adjacent access cover. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a circuit marker  40  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of the circuit marker of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention, which includes an electrical connector block including a plurality of access covers and two inventive circuit markers in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment, where one circuit marker  40 ′ is attached to an access cover, and another circuit marker  40  is aligned to attach to an adjacent access cover. 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a circuit marker  52  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the circuit marker of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention, which includes an electrical connector block including a plurality of access covers and two inventive circuit markers in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment, where one circuit marker  52 ′ is attached to an access cover, and another circuit marker  52  is aligned to attach to an adjacent access cover. 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a circuit marker  70  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6B  is a side view of the circuit marker of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7  is a partial exploded perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention, which includes an electrical connector block including a plurality of access covers and two inventive circuit markers in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment, where one circuit marker  70 ′ is attached to an access cover, and another circuit marker  70  is aligned to attach to an adjacent access cover. 
   

   While the above-identified figures set forth four exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments are also within the invention. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention is an apparatus that is configured to removably attach to an access cover of a connector block, where the apparatus includes at least one visual indicium to distinguish the circuit associated with the access cover from other circuits. In this way, the apparatus is a “circuit marker”. The circuit marker may be detached and reattached to the access cover as needs change. The visual indicium may result from at least a part of the circuit marker being formed of a colored material, a color coating on at least a part of the circuit marker, or the circuit marker may otherwise include a colored material (e.g., a sticker), where the color corresponds to a color-coding scheme that is implemented to distinguish between circuits formed by electrical connector blocks. For example, a circuit marker may be formed of a red, yellow, brown, or purple material, where each color designates a different type of circuit. Red may be used to mark circuits providing telecommunications service to a fire department, police station, and/or alarm companies; yellow may be used to mark circuits feeding banks; brown may be used to mark circuits feeding hospitals; and purple may be used to mark digital subscriber line (DSL) circuits. Other visual indicium may also be used. 
   A circuit marker of the present invention includes a body and a means for attaching the circuit marker to an access cover, where the means projects from the body. In an exemplary embodiment described below, the attaching means includes locating pins and appendages that engage with recesses formed in the access cover. In general, the attaching means depends upon the type of access cover the circuit marker is intended to attach to. For example, in embodiments where the circuit marker includes a releasable securing mechanism for securing the access cover in a closed position, the structure of the circuit marker is modified in order to adapt to the type of securing mechanism. In some embodiments, an adhesive is used in conjunction with the attaching means to secure the circuit marker to the access cover. 
   A circuit marker may be a unitary apparatus, where the body and means for attaching the circuit marker to an access cover are formed of a single piece of material. The inventive circuit marker may be formed of any suitable materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene. Four exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below in reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . In all the exemplary embodiments, a circuit marker is configured so that when it is attached to an access cover, the circuit marker is in close conforming contact with at least part of the top surface of the access cover. Also in the exemplary embodiment, the circuit marker attaches to the access cover without the use of any further attaching means, such as an adhesive. In alternate embodiments, further attaching means may be used to attach the circuit marker to the access cover. 
   In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is configured to form at least a part of a releasable securing mechanism for securing an access cover in a first position (e.g., a closed position), where the securing mechanism may be released to move the access cover between the first position and a second position (e.g., an open position). This first exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 . In a second exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 2A-3 ) of the present invention, a circuit marker removably attaches to an access cover with locating pins, which also help to align the circuit marker with the access cover. The locating pins fit within corresponding recesses in the access cover. 
   In a third exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 4A-5 ), the circuit marker removably attaches to an access cover with locating pins and an appendage, both of which fit within separate recesses in the access cover. In the second and third embodiments, the access cover includes a releasable securing mechanism for securing itself in a first position, and the circuit marker does not significantly affect the operation of the securing mechanism. In a fourth exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 6A-7 ) of the present invention, an inventive circuit marker also includes locating pins and an appendage. However, the circuit marker is configured to inhibit the operation of at least a part of a securing mechanism of an access cover, thereby maintaining the access cover in a fixed position (i.e., remained locked in a closed position) when the circuit marker is attached to the access cover. 
   Typically, at least one circuit between a subscriber cable and service provider cable is completed in each housing assembly (e.g., housing  32  and access cover  16  of  FIG. 1 ) of connector block (e.g., connector block  14  of  FIG. 1 ). As a result, one access cover corresponds to at least one circuit. In a telecommunications context, a connector block, such as connector block  14  of  FIG. 1 , is typically mounted alongside a plurality of other connector blocks in a central location. Because a plurality of circuits are formed in the central location, it may be important to have a means for readily distinguishing some circuits from others. 
   A circuit marker that is attached to an access cover helps to distinguish the circuit that is associated with that access cover from other circuits. As stated in the Background section, a connector block typically includes a plurality of housing assemblies, where each housing assembly includes a housing, an IDC element disposed within the housing, and an access cover connected to the housing. Each IDC element in each housing assembly may be used to complete at least one circuit between a subscriber cable and service provider cable. As a result, one access cover corresponds to at least one circuit. 
   A telecommunications worker is typically given access to the central location in order to connect and disconnect conductors completing the circuits between a subscriber cable and service provider cable. If the special circuits are marked, the telecommunications worker may be put on notice that those circuits are special. For example, a circuit that provides a police station or a hospital with telecommunications service may be designated as a special, higher priority circuit. The marking may also help organize the circuits completed in the central location, such as by grouping the circuits by color. In this way, the inventive circuit marker of the present invention may be used to mark circuits formed by a connector block. 
     FIG. 1  is a partial exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of electrical connector assembly  10  of the present invention, which includes two inventive circuit markers  12  and  12 ′ in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment, and electrical connector block  14 . Exemplary connector block  14  is a Type B connector block (as described in the Background section), and includes a plurality of access covers  16  (including access covers  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, and  16 D).  FIG. 1  illustrates how circuit marker  12  aligns with and attaches to access cover  16 B of connector block  14 . Circuit marker  12 ′ is attached to access cover  16 A. 
   Circuit marker  12  (and  12 ′) includes body  18 , appendage  20 , gripping tab  22 , and locating pins  24  and  26 . Circuit marker  12  is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/170,956, filed on Jun. 30, 2005 and entitled, “APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ATTACH TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BLOCK”. In the first exemplary embodiment, circuit marker  12  is a unitary apparatus, where the body  18 , appendage  20 , gripping tab  22 , and locating pins  24  and  26  are formed from a single piece of material. In accordance with the present invention, circuit marker  12  includes a visual indicium of a circuit. In the first exemplary embodiment, circuit marker  12  is formed of a colored material, where a color of the material corresponds to a color-coding scheme. The color-coding scheme may be implemented by, for example, a specific industry or company. Other examples of visual indicium include, but are not limited to, a colored or otherwise labeled sticker attached to gripping tab  22  or a coating of colored material overlaid on body  18  and/or gripping tab  22 . 
   Body  18  includes first surface  18 A and second surface  18 B, where first and second surfaces  18 A and  18 B, respectively, are located on opposite sides of body  18 . A contour of second surface  18 B of circuit marker  12  is similar to a contour of a top surface  15  of each one of the plurality of access covers  16 . As a result, at least a part of second surface  18 B is in close conforming contact with the top surface  15  of an access cover  16  of electrical connector block  14  when circuit marker  12  is attached thereto. 
   Appendage  20  extends from body  18  and includes latching member  20 A and release member  20 B. Latching member  20 A and release member  20 B will be discussed in further detail below. Gripping tab  22  extends from first surface  18 A of body  18 , and may be used by a telecommunications worker to both attach circuit marker  12  to access cover  16 B and remove circuit marker  12  from the access cover  16 B. Specifically, the telecommunications worker may grasp gripping tab  22  with his fingers or a tool, such as pliers. Locating pins  24  and  26  extend from second surface  18 B of body  18 , and are used to align circuit marker  12  with an access cover  16 B. In this way, circuit marker  12  is “self-aligning”. Although two locating pins  24  and  26  are shown in  FIG. 1 , a circuit marker of the present invention may have any suitable number of locating pins. 
   An access cover  16  is connected to a housing  32 , and together each access cover  16  and its respective housing  32  form a housing assembly. An IDC element  34  is disposed within each housing  32 . Each IDC element  34  is adapted to electrically connect with a conductor that is introduced into the respective housing  32 . The electrical connection between IDC element  34  and conductor completes an electrical circuit between a subscriber block and a service provider block. As  FIG. 1  shows, each housing  32  and respective IDC element  34  is accessible when the access cover is in an open position (e.g., access cover  16 D). 
   Access covers  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, and  16 D of connector block  14  are each substantially similar in structure and are each moveable between an open position (e.g., access cover  16 D) and a closed position (e.g., access cover  16 C). In the illustrated embodiment, each access cover  16 A,  16 C, and  16 D includes two recesses (e.g., recesses  28 A and  28 B of access cover  16 B) for receiving a conductor and a latching mechanism (e.g., latching mechanism  30  of access cover  16 D), which will be discussed in detail below. Access cover  16 B includes two recesses  28 A and  28 B, but its latching mechanism has been removed. 
   The description of the structure of access cover  16 D is representative of each of the access covers  16 . Access cover  16 D includes latching mechanism  30  to secure access cover  16 D in its closed position relative to housing  32 . As described in the Background section, it is sometimes desirable to secure access cover  16 D in its closed position. Latching mechanism  30  includes latching member  30 A and release member  30 B. Latching member  30 A protrudes from access cover  16 D and is configured to engage with a surface within opening  36  in housing  32  of connector block  14 . Release member  30 B is resilient, and attached to body access cover  16 D so that release member  30 B is biased towards opening  36 . Release member  30 B may be flexed away from opening  36  in order to disengage latching ember  30 A from the surface within opening  36 . Disengaging latching member  30 A from he surface within opening  36  enables access cover  16 D to be moved from its closed position to its open position. 
   At some point during the lifespan of connector block  14 , latching mechanism  30  may become dysfunctional. For example, latching member  30 A may wear down over time after repeated opening and closing of access cover  16 D. If latching member  30 A wears down, it may not protrude sufficiently from access cover  16 D to engage with the surface within opening  36  to secure access cover  16 D in a closed position. Latching mechanism  30  may also become dysfunctional if releasing member  30 B is separated from (i.e., broken off from) access cover  16 D or if the entire latching mechanism  30  is separated from access cover  16 D. 
   Rather than discontinuing use of the respective housing  32  or replacing access cover  16 D or connector block  14  due to a damaged latching mechanism  30 , circuit marker  12  may be attached to access cover  16 D to take the place and function of latching mechanism  30 , just as circuit marker  12 ′ is attached to access cover  16 A. Circuit marker  12  may attach to access cover  16 D just as it attaches to  16 B. Specifically, circuit marker  12  is configured to attach to access cover  16 B using locating pins  24  and  26 , which are received in and engage with recesses  28 A and  28 B, respectively, and appendage  20 , which is received in and engages with vacancy  38  between access cover  16 B and housing  32  of connector block  14 . In the first exemplary embodiment, as locating pins  24  and  26  are received in recesses  28 A and  28 B, respectively, locating pins  24  and  26  help to align circuit marker  12  with access cover  16 B. Locating pins  24  and  26  also provide a means for fixing the position of circuit marker  12  with respect to access cover  26 B. That is, once locating pins  24  and  26  are received in recesses  28 A and  28 B, respectively, circuit marker  12  will not be inclined to reorient itself with respect to access cover  16 B. In alternate embodiments, other suitable means of locating a circuit marker with respect to the access cover are used. In yet other alternate embodiments, a circuit marker is not self-aligning and is aligned by a telecommunications worker. 
   Circuit marker  12  includes a latching mechanism (appendage  20  with latching member  20 A and release member  20 B) that is configured to replace the damaged or missing latching mechanism  30  of access cover  16 B. Latching mechanism  30  has been removed from access cover  16 B, and so access cover  16 B does not have a securing mechanism to secure access cover  16 B in a closed position relative to its respective housing  32 . After circuit marker  12  is attached to access cover  16 B, however, latching mechanism  20 A of circuit marker  12  may be used to secure access cover  16 B in a closed position relative to housing  32 . Latching member  20 A of circuit marker  12  is configured (or “adapted”) to engage with a surface within opening  36  of housing  32 , and therefore be “received” in the opening. Latching member  20 A is in a latched position when it is received in opening  36  of housing  32 , and when latching member  20 A is in the latched position, the access cover  16 B is fixed in a closed position. 
   If just latching mechanism  30 A becomes worn, latching mechanism  30  may be purposefully broken off to make room for circuit marker  12  to attach to the access cover  16 . In this way, a circuit marker of the present invention may be used to replace a latching mechanism of an access cover. If an access cover includes a securing mechanism other than a latching mechanism, the concepts of the exemplary embodiment may be applied to form a circuit marker that is configured to replace a part or all of such a securing mechanism. 
   In  FIG. 1 , circuit marker  12 ′ has already been attached to access cover  16 A, and represents how circuit marker  12  attaches to access cover  16 B and can be used to latch access cover  16 B in its closed position relative to its respective housing  32 . With respect to access cover  16 A, circuit marker  12 ′ replaces a latching member  30  of access cover  16 A, which has been separated from access cover  16 A. When access cover  16 A is in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , latching member  20 A of circuit marker  12 ′ engages with a surface within opening  36  and is resiliently biased against the surface by appendage  20  of circuit marker  12 ′. This secures access cover  16 A in a closed position. In order to move access cover  16 A from its closed position to its open position, release member  20 B is flexed away from opening  36  to disengage latching member  20 A from the surface within opening  36 . Access cover  16 A may then be moved from its closed position to its open position (e.g., access cover  16 ). 
     FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of a circuit marker  40  of the present invention. Circuit marker  40  includes body  42 , locating pins  44  and  46 , and gripping tab  48 . In the second exemplary embodiment, circuit marker  40  is a unitary apparatus, where the body  42 , locating pins  44  and  46 , and gripping tab  48  are formed from a single piece of material. Body  42  includes first surface  42 A and second surface  42 B, where first and second surfaces  42 A and  42 B, respectively, are located on opposite sides of body  42 . 
   Locating pins  44  and  46  extend from second surface  42 B of body  42 , and gripping tab  48  extends from first surface  42 A of body  42 . Locating pins  44  and  46  and gripping tab  48  are similar to locating pins  24  and  26  and gripping tab  22  of circuit marker  12  of  FIG. 1 . Circuit marker  40  differs from circuit marker  12  of  FIG. 1  because circuit marker  40  does not include a releasable securing mechanism (e.g., appendage  20 ) for securing an access cover in a closed position. Rather, circuit marker  40  is configured to removably attach to an access cover that already includes a releasable securing mechanism. Circuit marker  40  does not substantially affect the operation of the releasable securing mechanism of the access cover. Circuit marker  40  may be attached on an access cover to provide a visual indicium of a circuit, and thereby visibly mark the circuit. 
     FIG. 2B  is a side view of the circuit marker of  FIG. 2A  and illustrates the contour of second surface  42 B of body  42 . Second surface  42 B is configured so that at least part of second surface  42 B is in close conforming contact with a top surface  15  of the access cover  16  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) when circuit marker  42  is attached to the access cover  16 . Specifically, in the second exemplary embodiment, second surface  42 B has a similar contour to the top surface  15  of the access cover  16 . 
     FIG. 3  is a partial exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of electrical connector assembly  50  of the present invention, where electrical connector block  14  of  FIG. 1  now includes second exemplary embodiment of circuit marker  40 ′ attached to access cover  16 A and circuit marker  40  aligned to attach to adjacent access cover  16 B. Access cover  16 B now includes releasable securing mechanism  30  for securing access cover  16 B in a closed position. While circuit marker  40  may be attached to access cover  16 B of  FIG. 1 , which does not include a releasable securing mechanism  30 , it may not be desirable to do so because there would be no means for securing access cover  16 B in a closed position. In a situation where access cover  16 B does not include securing mechanism  30 , first exemplary embodiment of circuit marker  12  is preferably attached to access cover  16 B (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
   As  FIG. 3  shows, locating pin  44  of circuit marker  40  is aligned to be received in and engage with recess  28 A of access cover  16 B. Similarly, locating pin  46  (shown in phantom) is aligned to be received in and engage with recess  28 B of access cover  16 B. In this way, locating pins  44  and  46  are a means for attaching circuit marker  40  to access cover  16 B. 
   Circuit marker  40 ′ is removably attached to access cover  16 A. A telecommunications worker may remove circuit marker  40 ′ from access cover  16 A by grasping gripping tab  48 ′, for example, with his fingers or a tool. Because circuit marker  40 ′ does not include an appendage (e.g., appendage  20  of circuit marker  12 ) extending from body  42 , circuit marker  40 ′ does not substantially interfere with the operation of releasable securing mechanism  30 . Rather, circuit marker  40 ′ provides a visual indicium of a circuit, and thereby visibly marks the circuit associated with access cover  16 A. Just as with circuit marker  12 , the visual indicium may be established with at least body  42  and/or gripping tab  48  formed of a colored material, a colored or otherwise labeled sticker attached to gripping tab  48 , or a coating of colored material overlaid on body  42  and/or gripping tab  48 . 
     FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the third exemplary embodiment of a circuit marker  52  of the present invention. Circuit marker  52  includes body  54 , appendage  56 , locating pins  58  and  60 , and gripping tab  62 . In the third exemplary embodiment, circuit marker  52  is a unitary apparatus, where body  54 , appendage  56 , locating pins  58  and  60 , and gripping tab  62  are formed from a single piece of material. Body  54  includes first surface  54 A and second surface  54 B, where first and second surfaces  54 A and  54 B, respectively, are located on opposite sides of body  54 . 
   Appendage  56  is a wedge-shaped projection (or “extension”) that projects from body  54 . Locating pins  58  and  60  extend from second surface  54 B of body  54 , and gripping tab  62  extends from first surface  54 A of body  54 . Locating pins  58  and  60  and gripping tab  62  are similar to locating pins  24  and  26  and gripping tab  22  of circuit marker  12  of  FIG. 1 . 
   Just as with circuit marker  40 , circuit marker  52  differs from circuit marker  12  of  FIG. 1  because circuit marker  52  does not include a releasable securing mechanism (e.g., appendage  20 ) for securing an access cover in a closed position. Rather, circuit marker  52  is configured to removably attach to an access cover that already includes a releasable securing mechanism. Circuit marker  52  does not substantially affect the operation of the releasable securing mechanism of the access cover. This will be described in further detail in reference to  FIG. 5 . Circuit marker  52  may be attached to an access cover to provide a visual indicium of a circuit, and thereby visibly mark the circuit. 
     FIG. 4B  is a side view of the circuit marker of  FIG. 4A  and illustrates the contour of second surface  54 B of body  54 . Second surface  54 B is configured so that at least part of second surface  54 B is in close conforming contact with a top surface  15  of the access cover  16  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) when cap  52  is attached to the access cover  16 . Specifically, in the third exemplary embodiment, second surface  54 B has a similar contour to the top surface  15  of the access cover  16 . 
     FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of electrical connector assembly  64  of the present invention, where electrical connector block  14  of  FIG. 1  now includes second exemplary embodiment of circuit marker  52 ′ attached to access cover  16 A and circuit marker  52  aligned to attach to adjacent access cover  16 B. Access cover  16 B now includes releasable securing mechanism  30  for securing access cover  16 B in a closed position. Just as with circuit marker  40  of  FIGS. 2A-3 , it is preferred that circuit marker  52  is attached to an access cover  16  that includes a releasable securing mechanism (e.g., latching mechanism  30 ). 
   As  FIG. 5  shows, locating pin  58  of circuit marker  52  is aligned to be received in and engage with recess  28 A of access cover  16 B. Similarly, locating pin  60  is aligned to be received in and engage with recess  28 B of access cover  16 B. In this way, locating pins  58  and  60  are a means for attaching circuit marker  52  to access cover  16 B. Appendage  56  is configured to be received in recess  66  in an access cover  16 B, and as a result, appendage is also a means for attaching circuit marker  52  to access cover  16 B. Appendage  56  is not of sufficient thickness of interfere with the movement of release member  30 B of latching mechanism  30  of access cover  16 B. Even with circuit marker  52  attached to access cover  16 B, release member  30 B has sufficient clearance to flex away from opening  36  in housing  32  to disengage latching member  30 A from a surface within opening  36 , thereby allowing access cover  16 B to be moved from its closed position to its open position. 
   Circuit marker  52 ′ is removably attached to access cover  16 A. A telecommunications worker may remove circuit marker  52 ′ from access cover  16 A by grasping gripping tab  62 ′, for example, with his fingers or a tool. Just as with the previous two exemplary embodiments, circuit marker  52 ′ provides a visual indicium of a circuit, and thereby visibly marks the circuit associated with access cover  16 A. The visual indicium may be established with at least body  54  and/or gripping tab  62  formed of a colored material, a colored sticker attached to gripping tab  62 , or a coating of colored material overlaid on body  54  and/or gripping tab  62 . 
     FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of inventive circuit marker  70 , which includes body  72 , appendage  74 , locating pins  76  and  78  (shown in phantom), and gripping tab  80 . The fourth exemplary embodiment of circuit marker  70  of the present invention decreases the possibility that an access cover will be inadvertently opened, such as by a telecommunications worker or otherwise, by inhibiting the operation of a securing mechanism (e.g., latching mechanism  30  of access cover  16  in  FIG. 7 ) of the access cover. As noted above, it may be desirable for an access cover to remain in a closed position after a conductor is electrically connected to the IDC element (e.g., IDC element  34  in  FIG. 1 ) in the respective housing of the access cover. The closed position helps to ensure the conductor remains in electrical contact with the IDC element and/or helps prevent environmental hazards from being introduced into the housing of the connector block. An inventive circuit marker  70  of the present invention provides an attachable means for substantially locking the access cover in its closed position. Of course, the circuit marker may be detached from the access cover in order to allow the access cover to moved from its closed position to its open position. 
     FIG. 6B  is a side view of circuit marker  70  of  FIG. 6A  and illustrates the contour of second surface  72 B of body  72 . Second surface  72 B is configured so that at least part of second surface  72 B is in close conforming contact with a top surface  15  of the access cover  16  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) when circuit marker  70  is attached to the access cover  16 . Specifically, in the fourth exemplary embodiment, second surface  72 B has a similar contour to the top surface  15  of the access cover  16 . 
     FIG. 7  is a partially exploded assembly view of fourth exemplary embodiment of electrical connector assembly  82  of the present invention, where electrical connector assembly  82  includes circuit markers  70  and  70 ′ and connector block  14 . Circuit marker  70 ′ is attached to access cover  16 A and circuit marker  70  is aligned to attach to adjacent access cover  16 B. Access cover  16 B includes releasable securing mechanism  30  (shown with respect to access cover  16 D) for securing access cover  16 B in a closed position (e.g., access cover  16 C is in a closed position). As with the second and third exemplary embodiments, it is preferred that circuit marker  70  is attached to an access cover  16  that includes a releasable securing mechanism. 
   As  FIG. 7  shows, locating pin  76  of circuit marker  70  is aligned with recess  28 A of access cover  16 B, and configured to be received therein. Similarly, locating pin  78  (shown in phantom) is aligned with recess  28 B of access cover  16 B. In this way, locating pins  76  and  78  are a means for attaching circuit marker  70  to access cover  16 B. Appendage  74  is configured to be received in and engage with recess  66  in an access cover  16 B, and as a result, appendage  74  is also a means for attaching circuit marker  70  to access cover  16 B. Appendage  74  is of greater thickness than appendage  56  of circuit marker  52  of  FIG. 5 . While appendage  56  is not of sufficient thickness of interfere with the movement of release member  30 B of latching mechanism  30  of access cover  16 B, appendage  74  is thick enough to interfere with the movement of release member  30 B. Even if release member  30 B has clearance to flex away from opening  36  in housing  32 , such clearance is not sufficient enough to disengage latching member  30 A from the surface within opening  36 . As a result, when circuit marker  70  is attached to access cover  16 B, and access cover  16 B is in its closed position, latching mechanism  30  is substantially locked. As a result, access cover  16 B remains locked in a closed position. 
   If the access cover  16  is in its closed position (e.g., access cover  16 C) when circuit marker  70  is attached to the access cover  16 , latching member  30 A of the latching mechanism  30  is engaged with opening  36  in housing  32  of connector block  14 . When the inventive circuit marker  70  is attached to the access cover  16 , a “wedge” is positioned behind release member  30 B, so that movement of release member  30 B is restricted. Release member  30 B may not be flexed away from opening  36  in housing  32  a sufficient distance to disengage latching member  30 A from opening  36 . As a result, the access cover  16  is substantially “locked” in its closed position. 
   Circuit marker  70  is a unitary apparatus, where body  72 , appendage  74 , locating pins  76  and  78  (shown in phantom), and gripping tab  80  are formed from a single piece of material. Body  72  includes first surface  72 A and second surface  72 B, where first and second surfaces  72 A and  72 B, respectively, are located on opposite sides of body  72 . 
   Appendage  74  extends from body  72  and is a generally wedge-like shape. In other embodiments, appendage  74  is a different shape. The shape of appendage  74  is selected based on the securing mechanism that is used to secure the access cover in a closed position. As  FIG. 7  will show, when circuit marker  70  is attached to an access cover  16  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), generally wedge-like shape of appendage  74  fits within a recess in access cover  66  and in close conforming contact with release member  30 B of securing mechanism  30  of access cover  16 . Due to the close conforming contact, appendage  74  restricts the movement of release member  30 B and helps to prevent release member  30 B from flexing away from opening  36  in housing  32  a distance sufficient to disengage latching member  30 A from opening  36 . In this way, appendage  74  limits operation of releasable securing mechanism  30 , and helps to substantially “lock” access cover  16  in a closed position, relative to housing  32 . 
   Locating pins  76  and  78  and gripping tab  80  are similar to locating pins  24  and  26  and gripping tab  22  of circuit marker  12  of  FIG. 1 . Locating pins  76  and  78  (shown in phantom) extend from second surface  72 B of body  72 , and help to align circuit marker  70  with an access cover. Gripping tab  80  extends from first surface  72 A of body  72 , and may be used by a telecommunications worker to both attach circuit marker  70  to an access cover and remove circuit marker  70  from the access cover. Specifically, the telecommunications worker may grasp gripping tab  80  with his fingers or a tool, such as pliers. 
   Circuit marker  70 ′ is removably attached to access cover  16 A. A telecommunications worker may remove circuit marker  70 ′ from access cover  16 A by grasping gripping tab  80 ′, for example, with his fingers or a tool. Just as with the previous two exemplary embodiments, circuit marker  70 ′ provides a visual indicium of a circuit, and thereby visibly mark the circuit associated with access cover  16 A. The visual indicium may be established with at least body  72  and/or gripping tab  80  formed of a colored material, a colored sticker attached to gripping tab  80 , or a coating of colored material overlaid on body  72  and/or gripping tab  80 . 
   The combination of the visual indicium and locking feature of circuit marker  70  provides a high priority circuit with two-fold protection against the access cover being unintentionally opened. First, the telecommunications worker is put on visual notice that the circuit associated with the access cover is a high priority circuit. Second, the locking feature of circuit marker  70  provides an additional step a telecommunications worker must take in order to open the high priority access cover. Further, the locking feature of circuit marker  70  helps to prevent the access cover from being inadvertently opened. 
   Connector block  14  of  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  7  is a general depiction of an electrical connector block  14 , and the depiction and description of connector block  14  is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. An apparatus of the present invention may also be used to mark circuits of other suitable connector blocks, including, but not limited to, both Type A and Type B connector blocks (as described in the Background section). Of course, aspects of the apparatus may change, depending on the structure of the connector block. For example, if the connector block does not have conductor-receiving recesses (e.g., recesses  28 A and  28 B shown in  FIG. 1 ), locating pins of the apparatus may be modified to adapt to the access cover of the particular connector block. 
   Examples of suitable connector blocks that an inventive apparatus of the present invention may be attached to are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,506, entitled, “INSULATION-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR TWO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS”, and filed on Sep. 15, 2004, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0057884, entitled, “CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR HOUSING INSULATION DISPLACEMENT ELEMENTS”, and filed on Sep. 15, 2004, U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,324, issued on Jun. 18, 2002 and entitled, “INSULATION DISPLACEMENT CONNECTOR TERMINAL BLOCK”, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,421, issued on Jul. 3, 2001 and entitled, “CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING PIVOTING WIRE CARRIER WITH POSITION DETENTS”. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.