Patent Publication Number: US-2023152526-A1

Title: Cable marking clip

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/264,251 filed Nov. 18, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the identification of cables and wires, and more particularly, to an identification system for easily and properly securing identifying indicia to small diameter fiber optic cables. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of methods of identifying wires and cables are known in the art. Existing methods for identifying wires and cables include self-laminated adhesive labels, tape markers, clip-on wire markers and slip-on wire markers. Various disadvantages still exist in prior cable identification methods, especially in applications utilizing small diameter fiber optic cables which can be easily damaged. For example, self-laminated adhesive labels are difficult to apply to small diameter fiber optic cables and the surface area provided to properly identify and include sufficient information is a drawback. Also, sleeve-type marker clips can only be installed prior to termination of both ends of a fiber optic cable, and they can also cause damage to the cable if they are crimped in a fixed position on the cable. Moreover, clip-on markers either are designed to be fixedly secured to a fiber optic cable and, thus, are likely to damage the cable upon application, or the markers are so loosely applied to the cable that the identifying indicia is not in a fixed position along the cable. 
     It may be desirable to provide a cable identification system in which an outer wall includes a recess that is configured to receive the protrusion of a second one of the cable marking clip so as to enable stacking of cable marking clips. 
     It may be desirable to provide a cable identification system in which the protrusion is configured to engage a recess on a connector having strain relief grooves and an inner sleeve is configured to be received radially between the connector and a cable so as to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to connectors with and without strain relief grooves. 
     It may be desirable to provide a cable identification system that allows identifying indicia to be applied to small diameter fiber optic cables without damaging the cables. 
     It may be desirable to provide a cable identification system that easily and properly secures identifying indicia to small diameter fiber optic cables, while still allowing the identifying indicia to be readily viewable. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, a cable marking clip includes an open outer cylindrical wall and an open inner sleeve. The open inner sleeve may be integral to the open outer cylindrical wall at a proximate end of the open inner sleeve and the open outer cylindrical wall. The open inner sleeve may be configured to be positioned substantially circumferentially around a portion of a fiber optic cable. 
     The open inner sleeve may optionally be configured to be at least partially disposed between a boot and a cable in order to secure the cable marking clip to the cable and the boot. Alternatively, at least one interior tab defined on an interior surface of the open outer cylindrical wall may be configured to be disposed in a recess defined by a boot in order to secure the cable marking clip to the cable and the boot. 
     The cable marking clip may further include a lateral gap that is defined between a portion of the open outer cylindrical wall and a portion of the open inner sleeve. The open outer cylindrical wall and the open inner sleeve may each include a pair of opposed flexible arm regions that are configured to flex and expand an opening between each pair of opposed flexible arm regions to enable the portion of the fiber optic cable to be seated within the open inner sleeve. 
     The open outer cylindrical wall may define at least one interior tab on an inner surface of the open outer cylindrical wall. The open outer cylindrical wall may also define at least one aperture that is configured to receive a mating interior tab defined on an adjacent stacked clip. In embodiments, each cable marking clip is dyed to have a particular color. When cable marking clips are stacked onto each other, a cable marking clip may be dyed to have a first color and the adjacent stacked clip may be dyed to have a second color which is different from the first color. However, it is also understood that the cable marking clip and the adjacent stacked clip may each be dyed to have the same color such that a first cable may have two cable marking clips with the same color and a second cable may have two cable marking clips with a different color combination. 
     According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a cable identification system may include a communications cable, a boot, and a marking clip. The boot may be affixed to an end of the communications cable. The marking clip may be affixed to at least the boot. The marking clip may include an open outer cylindrical wall and an open inner sleeve integral to the open outer cylindrical wall at a proximate end of the open inner sleeve and the open outer cylindrical sleeve. The open inner sleeve may be configured to be positioned substantially circumferentially around a portion of a fiber optic cable. 
     Similarly, in the cable identification system, a lateral gap may be defined between a portion of the open outer cylindrical wall and a portion of the open inner sleeve. The open outer cylindrical wall and the open inner sleeve each include a pair opposed flexible arm regions that are configured to flex and expand an opening between each pair of opposed flexible arm regions to enable the portion of the fiber optic cable to be seated within the open inner sleeve. 
     The internal sleeve may optionally be configured to be at least partially disposed between a boot and a cable in order to secure the cable marking clip to the cable and the boot. Alternatively, at least one interior tab defined on an interior surface of the open outer cylindrical wall may be configured to be disposed in a recess defined by a boot in order to secure the cable marking clip to the cable and the boot. 
     The open outer cylindrical wall may define at least one interior tab on an inner surface of the open outer cylindrical wall. The open outer cylindrical wall may also define at least one aperture that is configured to receive a mating interior tab defined on an adjacent stacked clip. Each cable marking clip is dyed to have a particular color. When cable marking clips are stacked onto each other, a cable marking clip may be dyed to have a first color and the adjacent stacked clip may be dyed to have a second color which is different from the first color. However, it is also understood that the cable marking clip and the adjacent stacked clip may each be dyed to have the same color such that a first cable may have two cable marking clips with the same color and a second cable may have two cable marking clips with a different color combination. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a cable marking clip for securing to a connector portion of a cable such that axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to the connector portion is prevented includes: an outer wall including a first end; and an inner sleeve including a first end. The first end of the inner sleeve is attached to the first end of the outer wall; the inner sleeve is positioned radially inside the outer wall; the inner sleeve is configured to extend an axial length from its first end; the outer wall is configured to extend an axial length from its first end; the axial length of the inner sleeve is less than the axial length of the outer wall; the outer wall is configured to include an opening that extends an entirety of the axial length of the outer wall; the inner sleeve is configured to include an opening that extends an entirety of the axial length of the inner sleeve; the opening in the outer wall is configured to permit the outer wall to expand to receive a cable in a radial direction; the opening in the inner sleeve is configured to permit the inner sleeve to expand to receive the cable in the radial direction; the outer wall includes a protrusion that protrudes radially inward; the outer wall includes a recess that is configured to receive the protrusion of a second one of the cable marking clip so as to enable stacking of cable marking clips; and the protrusion is configured to engage a recess on a connector having strain relief grooves and the inner sleeve is configured to be received radially between the connector and a cable so as to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to connectors with and without strain relief grooves. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner sleeve is configured to be positioned partially circumferentially around a portion of the cable. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the cable is a fiber optic cable. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, an inner surface of the outer wall is configured to contact an outer surface of the connector. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the opening in the outer wall and the opening in the inner sleeve are configured to expand to allow the cable marking clip to be installed on the cable. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer wall and the inner sleeve are separated radially by a gap. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a cable marking clip for securing to a connector portion of a cable such that axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to the connector portion is prevented includes: an outer portion including a first end portion; and an inner portion including a first end portion. The first end portion of the inner portion is attached to the first end portion of the outer portion; the outer portion has an opening that extends an entirety of the axial length of the outer portion; the inner portion has an opening that extends an entirety of the axial length of the inner portion; and the outer portion is configured to engage a recess on a connector having strain relief grooves and the inner sleeve is configured to be received radially between the connector and a cable so as to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to connectors with and without strain relief grooves. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is positioned radially inside the outer portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is configured to extend an axial length from its first end portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion is configured to extend an axial length from its first end portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the axial length of the inner portion is less than the axial length of the outer portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes radially inward. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion includes a receiving portion that is configured to receive the protruding portion of a second one of the cable marking clip. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the protruding portion is configured to engage a recess on the connector portion to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to the connector portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is configured to be positioned between a cable and a connector portion connected to the cable. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a cable marking clip for securing to a connector of a cable such that axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to the connector is prevented includes: an outer portion; and an inner portion attached to the outer portion at an end. The outer portion is configured to engage a connector having strain relief grooves and the inner portion is configured to be received radially between the connector and a cable so as to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to connectors with and without strain relief grooves. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is positioned radially inside the outer portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is shorter in an axial direction than the outer portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion has an opening that extends an entirety of an axial length of the outer portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion has an opening that extends an entirety of an axial length of the inner portion. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion is an outer wall that extends in an axial direction. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is an inner sleeve that extends in the axial direction. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes radially inward. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the outer portion includes a receiving portion that is configured to receive the protruding portion of a second one of the cable marking clip. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the protruding portion is configured to engage a recess on the connector to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to the connector. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion is configured to be positioned between the cable and the connector. 
     According to various aspects of the above embodiments of the cable marking clip, the inner portion and the inner portion comprises a single monolithic structure of unitary construction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In which are shown: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary first cable identification system in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of the cable identification system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an exemplary second cable identification system in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a sectional view of the cable identification system shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an exemplary marking clip in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view of the marking clip shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view of two of the marking clips shown in  FIG.  5    in a stacked position. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line shown in  FIG.  2    prior to positioning the marking clip around a cable. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line shown in  FIG.  2   , during positioning of the marking clip around the cable. 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional view taken alone the section line shown in  FIG.  2   , after positioning of the marking clip around the cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to compositions, embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
     It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and/or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way. 
     It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure provide an outer portion configured to engage a connector having strain relief grooves and an inner portion configured to be received radially between the connector and a cable so as to prevent axial movement of the cable marking clip relative to connectors with and without strain relief grooves. 
       FIGS.  1  and  3    show perspective views of a cable identification system  10 ,  110  for securing identifying indicia to small diameter cables, such as a fiber optic cable  12 . In some aspects, cable identification system  10  is secured to two millimeter or three millimeter fiber optic cables  12 . However, it is likewise contemplated that cable identification system  10 ,  110  may be secured to fiber optic cables  12  of various sizes. 
       FIG.  2    shows a sectional view of cable identification system  10  in  FIG.  1   . In the example shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the fiber optic cable  12  has a connector  42  attached thereto, and a strain relief member  40 , for example, a boot, that is, in some embodiments, a part of the connector  42 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the cable identification system  10  includes a marking clip  14  that is configured to be coupled with the fiber optic cable  12  and the connector  42  at a proximate end  47  of boot  40 . Referring to  FIG.  5   , in this example, marking clip  14  has an outer receiving member  24 , for example, a cylindrical wall, and an inner receiving member  26 , for example, a sleeve, that extends parallel to outer cylindrical wall  24 . In embodiments, one or more engagement structures  38 , for example, protrusions or tabs, protrude radially inward from the outer cylindrical wall  24  of the marking clip  14 . In embodiments, tabs  38  are configured to be received in one or more corresponding engagement features  36 , for example, recesses or grooves, in the boot  40 . In embodiments, inner sleeve  26  of marking clip  14  abuts proximate end  47  of boot  40 . In embodiments, inner sleeve  26  of marking clip  14  may be proximate to, but not contact, proximate end  47  of boot  40 . In embodiments, marking clip  14  is retained in position by one or more of tabs  38  engaging one or more recesses  36  in boot  40 , as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  6   . Although it is not shown in  FIG.  2   , it is also understood that a portion of inner sleeve  26  of marking clip  14  may extend between boot  40  and cable  12 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a sectional view of the cable identification system  110  in  FIG.  3   . In the example shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , fiber optic cable  12  has a connector  142  attached thereto, and a boot  140  that is, in some embodiments, a part of connector  142 . As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in embodiments, marking clip  14  is configured to be mounted to fiber optic cable  12  and connector  142  at a proximate end  147  of boot  140 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a portion of inner sleeve  26  of marking clip  14  may extend between boot  140  and cable  12 . Some connectors/boots, such as boot  140 , have smooth exterior surfaces, as opposed to the exterior surface of boot  40  that has recesses  36 . In embodiments of cable identification system  110  shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , marking clip  14  does not have tabs  38  so that the contact between outer cylindrical wall  24  and an outer surface of boot  140  is more continuous. The absence of tabs  38  allows the entire inner surface of outer cylindrical wall  24  to contact the outer surface of boot  140 . In such embodiments, marking clip  14  is retained by connector  142  and cable  12  by a pinching force exerted on a portion of inner sleeve  26  that is disposed between connector  142  and cable  12 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  5    shows an example of marking clip  14  that includes outer cylinder wall  24  and inner sleeve  26  being attached at a proximate end  46  of marking clip  14 . As shown, outer cylindrical wall  24  and inner sleeve  26  define an opening  22  which is configured to receive cable  12 . Inner sleeve  26  is configured to fully secure a portion of cable  12  within marking clip  14  (see also  FIG.  10   ). As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  8 - 10   , a lateral gap  30  is defined between inner sleeve  26  and a portion of outer cylindrical wall  24 . As described above, in embodiments, marking clip  14  includes one or more tabs  38  disposed on an inside surface  34  of outer cylinder wall  24 . Each tab  38  is configured to be received in a groove or other recess  36  in boot  40 . In applications where the boot (such as boot  140 ) and/or the connector (such as connector  142 ) does not include a recess (as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   ), each tab  38  may simply contact the outer surface of the boot or the connector when marking clip  14  is installed on cable  12  and connector/boot. In embodiments, marking clip  14  is made of a polymeric (or other) material which can expand as needed as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     In embodiments, marking clip  14  is configured to allow one marking clip  14  to be installed partially over another marking clip  14 . Such an arrangement expands the number of different marking indications that can be provided by marking clip  14 . For example, a red marking clip  14  installed with and partially covering a blue marking clip  14  can indicate one cable  12  while just a red marking clip  14  can indicate a different cable. To facilitate securely mounting two or more marking clips  14  on one end of a cable  12 , embodiments include one or more recesses/openings  50  in outer cylindrical wall  24 , as shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . In embodiments, apertures  50  are configured to receive a mating tab  38  of another adjacent marking clip  14 . Exemplary marking clips  14  of the present disclosure are configured to be stacked onto each other to further distinguish a specific cable  12  from other cables  12 . For example, each marking clip  14  may be an injection molded plastic which is dyed to a specific color. A user may have a plurality of red marking clips  14 , a plurality of blue marking clips  14 , a plurality of yellow marking clips  14 , and a plurality of green marking clips  14 , for example. If the user has to identify  8  different cables  12 , the first cable  12  may have a red marking clip  14  proximate to each end  46  of the first cable  12 . A second cable  112  may have a blue marking clip  14  proximate to each end  46  of the second cable  112 . A third cable  212  may have a yellow marking clip  14  proximate to each end  46  of the third cable  212 . A fourth cable  312  may have a green marking clip  14  proximate to each end  46  of the fourth cable  312 . A fifth cable  1112  may have two red marking clips  14 ,  114  which are stacked against each other proximate to each end  46  of the cable  1112 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . A sixth cable  2112  may have a red marking clip  14  and a blue marking clip  114  which are stacked against each other proximate to each end  46  of the sixth cable  2112 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . A seventh cable  3112  may have a red marking clip  14  and a yellow marking clip  114  which are stacked against each other proximate to each end  46  of the seventh cable  3112 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . An eighth cable  4112  may have a red marking clip  14  and a green marking clip  114  which are stacked against each other proximate to each end  46  of the eighth cable  4112 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . As one can appreciate, there are many varieties and combinations considering three or more marking clips  14  could also be stacked upon each other to create additional combinations. It is understood that marking clip  114  may have a different color from, or the same color as, marking clip  14 . 
       FIGS.  8 - 10    are cross-sectional views taken along the section line in  FIG.  2    at different points in time during the installation of marking clip  14  onto cable  12 .  FIG.  8    shows marking clip  14  prior to positioning marking clip  14  around cable  12 .  FIG.  9    shows marking clip  14  partially installed around cable  12  with cable  12  in opening  22  of marking clip  14 .  FIG.  10    shows marking clip  14  fully installed on cable  14  with cable  14  positioned in and contacting inner sleeve  26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 - 10   , inner sleeve  26  has a pair of opposed ends  118 ,  120  that are separated by opening  22 . Similarly, outer cylindrical wall  24  has a pair of opposed ends  18 ,  20  that are separated by opening  22 . Ends  18 ,  20 ,  118 ,  120  are disposed so as to provide opening  22  with sufficient width to allow engagement with cable  12  without damaging cable  12 . As best seen in  FIG.  9   , outer cylindrical wall  24  and inner sleeve  26  are configured to flex so as to expand opening  22  between each pair of ends  18 ,  118 ,  20 ,  120  to allow inner sleeve  26  to be positioned substantially circumferentially around cable  12 . 
     While exemplary, non-limiting embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.