Patent ID: 8434249

Claim:
A marking device for identifying a generally cylindrical conductor, comprising: (a) a sectional hollow generally tubular shell ( 1 ) containing a horizontal longitudinal through passage (P) for receiving one of a plurality of conductors ( 13 a - 13 d ) of different diametric sizes, said shell being horizontally longitudinally divided to define upper ( 2 ) and lower ( 3 ) shell sections each having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said upper shell section including a pair of leg portions ( 2 a , 2 b ) joined by a bridging portion ( 2 c ), said upper shell section having an internal surface provided with means defining a conductor seat (S), said conductor seat defining means consisting of a pair of internal flat linear non-circular non-arcuate rigid integral wall portions ( 10 , 11 ) arranged at an obtuse angle on the inner surfaces of said upper shell section leg portions relative to said bridging portion; (b) an indicia-bearing plate ( 5 ) connected with the external surface of said upper shell section opposite said conductor seat; (c) hinge means ( 4 ) pivotally connecting said lower section for movement from a closed position relative to said upper section toward an open position, thereby to permit the insertion of the insulated conductor within said upper section adjacent said conductor seat; (d) locking means ( 7 , 8 , 9 ) for locking together said shell sections when said lower shell is in said closed position; and (e) biasing means ( 6 ) carried by said lower shell section for biasing the conductor laterally upwardly toward said conductor seat when said lower shell is in said closed position, said biasing means comprising a resilient integral continuous conductor support strap portion ( 6 ; 6 ′) formed by punching from said lower shell section, thereby to define an opening ( 14 ; 14 ′) therein across which said conductor support strap portion extends, said conductor support strap portion being deformed to extend inwardly from said lower shell section opening toward said conductor seat, said conductor support strap portion having a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration including a horizontal center support portion ( 6 c ) opposite said conductor seat, and a pair of generally vertical resilient leg portions ( 6 a , 6 b ) supporting said center portion in said vertical longitudinal plane relative to said lower shell section; (f) said conductor seat flat wall portions, said indicia-bearing plate, and said strap center portion being symmetrically arranged relative to a vertical plane (V) passing longitudinally through said shell.