Cable identification and cable management sliding device

• US 20030017742A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garry V. Lambert, Matthew R. Bond
• Original Assignee: Garry V. Lambert, Matthew R. Bond
• Inventors: Bond, Matthew R., Lambert, Garry V.
• Granted Patent: US 6,777,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/491
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/205 specially adapted for electric cables, pipes or the like

Abstract

A sliding device to identify and trace interconnect cable includes a directional indicator to indicate a user-identified cable orientation, a predefined labeling area for receiving a user-applied identifier, and an interior passageway for receiving a cable. A cable is traced by sliding the device along the cable. The device may have an interlock mechanism, in which a clip portion on one device interlocks with a flange portion on an adjacent device, to attach sliding devices together in parallel to organize clearly and identify multiple cables. The device may be assembled from multiple component parts that fit and connect together around a cable.

Claims

1. A device for use on a cable, the device comprising:

a directional indicator to indicate a user-identified cable orientation;

a predefined labeling area for receiving a user-applied identifier; and

an interior passageway for receiving a cable.

2. The sliding device of claim 1, wherein the device is molded in one piece.

3. The sliding device of claim 1, wherein the device is assembled from at least two user-separable pieces so that the device may be applied to a cable that is in use.

4. The sliding device of claim 3 further comprising at least one reinforcing piece that operably interconnects the user-separable pieces.

5. The sliding device of claim 4 wherein the at least one reinforcing piece includes a portion of an interlock mechanism that may interlock with another portion of an interlock mechanism of another sliding device.

6. The sliding device of claim 5 further comprising an additional reinforcing piece.

7. The sliding device of claim 6 wherein the at least one reinforcing piece and the additional reinforcing piece are substantially semi-cylindrical.

8. The sliding device of claim 7 wherein the at least two user-separable pieces are substantially semi-cylindrical.

9. The sliding device of claim 1 wherein the at least two user-separable pieces are substantially semi-cylindrical.

10. The sliding device of claim 1, further comprising at least one indentation forming a gripping area.

11. The sliding device of claim 1, wherein the directional indicator includes a tapered end.

12. The sliding device of claim 1, wherein the directional indicator includes an embossed directional signal.

13. The sliding device of claim 12, wherein the embossed directional signal is an arrow.

14. The sliding device of claim 1, wherein the interior passageway includes a restraint to increase a frictional grip of the sliding device on a cable.

15. The sliding device of claim 14, wherein the interior restraint includes an O-ring.

16. The sliding device of claim 1, further comprising a portion of an interlock mechanism that may interlock with another portion of an interlock mechanism of another sliding device.

18. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein at least one of the devices is molded in one piece.

19. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein at least one of the devices is assembled from at least two user-separable pieces so that at least one of the devices may be applied to a cable that is in use.

20. The sliding devices of claim 19, wherein the at least one of the devices further comprises at least one reinforcing piece that operably interconnects the user-separable pieces.

21. The sliding devices of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the devices further comprises an additional reinforcing piece.

22. The sliding devices of claim 21, wherein the at least one reinforcing piece and the additional reinforcing piece are substantially semi-cylindrical.

23. The sliding devices of claim 22, wherein the at least two user-separable pieces are substantially semi-cylindrical.

24. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein the at least two user-separable pieces are substantially semi-cylindrical.

25. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein at least one of the devices further comprises at least one indentation forming a gripping area.

26. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein at least one of the devices further comprises a tapered end.

27. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein at least one of the devices further comprises an embossed direction signal.

28. The sliding devices of claim 27, wherein the embossed directional signal is an arrow.

29. The sliding devices of claim 17, wherein the interior passageway of at least one of the devices includes a restraint to increase a frictional grip of the sliding device on a cable.

30. The sliding devices of claim 29, wherein the interior restraint includes an O-ring.

17. A pair of devices for use on a cable, each device comprising:

an interior passageway for receiving a cable; and

a portion of an interlock mechanism;

wherein the portion of an interlock mechanism of one of the devices may interlock with the portion of an interlock mechanism of the other of the devices.

31. A kit for labeling a cable, the kit comprising:

a label-receiving piece shaped to at least partially surround a cable; and

a mating piece shaped to at least partially surround a cable and to mate with the

label-receiving piece;

wherein at least one of the label-receiving piece and the mating piece includes a directional indicator to indicate a user-identified cable orientation.

32. The kit according to claim 31, further comprising a reinforcing piece that operably interconnects the label-receiving piece and the mating piece.

33. The kit according to claim 32, wherein the reinforcing piece includes a portion of an interlock mechanism that may interlock with another portion of an interlock mechanism of another reinforcing piece.

34. The kit according to claim 31, further comprising:

a clip-side reinforcing piece that operably interconnects the label-receiving piece and the mating piece and that includes a clip; and

a flange-side reinforcing piece that operably interconnects the label-receiving piece and the mating piece and that includes a flange that may interlock with the clip of the clip-side reinforcing piece.

35. The kit according to claim 31, wherein the label-receiving piece and the mating piece each include a tapered end to form collectively the directional indicator.