Device and method for imparting movement to a selected line

• US 20030205702A1
• Filed: 05/03/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SBC Services, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.), Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Services, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.), Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Russell W., Perry, Donald L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,852,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 254/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/28 for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26

Abstract

A device and method for imparting movement to a selected line are disclosed. A device incorporating teachings of the present invention may include a motion arm extending through an opening in the housing of the device. The arm may be coupled to a connection clip that can grip a selected line. The selected line may include, for example, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical cable, shielded high-gauge wire, etc. In some embodiments, the arm of the device is coupled to a motion generator that imparts movement to the motion arm in at least one direction. In operation, the imparted movement may be conveyed through the motion arm and the connection clip to the selected wire.

Claims

1. A device for imparting movement to a selected line, comprising:

a housing having a motion arm orifice and at least a first surface comprised of a skid-resistant material;

a strap for fixing the housing in a desired location;

a motion arm coupled to a connection clip, at least a portion of the motion arm extending through the motion arm orifice of the housing;

the connection clip operable to be coupled with and to grip the selected line;

a motion generator linked to the motion arm, the motion generator operable to impart movement to the motion arm in at least one direction;

a motion guide positioned such that movement imparted by the motion generator creates movement of the connection clip;

a battery storage location formed as a part of the housing, the battery storage location sized to receive at least one battery;

a power coupling link operable to conductively couple the battery to the motion generator; and

a power switch operable to toggle between at least an on and an off position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power interface conductively coupled to the motion generator, the power interface operable to couple to a power supply cord plugged into a wall outlet.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power indicator formed as a part of the housing, the power indicator operable to provide an indication of remaining power within the battery.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the motion generator and operable to provide control signals that indicate a desired output of the motion generator.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the motion generator is further operable to impart movement to the motion arm in at least one additional direction.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller communicatively coupled to the motion generator and operable to provide control signals that indicate a desired output of the motion generator;

a wireless receiver communicatively coupled to the controller.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection clip comprises a block of rubber having a slit in which the selected line may be inserted.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the selected line comprises a twisted pair of wire.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller communicatively coupled to the motion generator and operable to provide control signals that indicate a desired output of the motion generator; and

a first stored motion routine comprising control signals that indicate a first desired output of the motion generator; and

a second stored motion routine comprising control signals that indicate a second desired output of the motion generator.

10. A method for imparting movement to a selected line, comprising:

at a first location, attaching a portion of the selected line to a device operable to impart movement to the selected line;

triggering the device to begin imparting movement to the selected line;

detecting movement of the selected line at a second location.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

at the second location, attaching a second portion of the selected line to the device operable to impart movement to the selected line; and

detecting movement of the selected line at a third location.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

identifying the selected line from a bundle of lines located within a tray;

determining that the selected line should be traced from the first location to the second location;

securing the device to the tray.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that the imparted movement is not sufficient to reliably identify the selected line at the second location; and

adjusting the device to increase the amount of the movement.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that a portion of the imparted movement is excessive and unnecessary to reliably identify the selected line at the second location; and

adjusting the device to decrease the amount of the movement.

15. A device for moving a selected line, comprising:

a housing with a motion arm opening;

a motion arm extending through the motion arm opening, the motion arm having a tip portion and a base portion;

a connection clip coupled to the motion arm at the tip portion, the connection clip operable to releasably hold the selected line; and

a motion generator linked to the base portion of the motion arm, the motion generator operable to impart movement to the motion arm in at least one direction.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

a driving spring associated with the motion generator, the driving spring operable to provide force to the motion generator; and

a key operable to wind the driving spring.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a battery conductively coupled to the motion generator.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising a securing means for fixing the housing in a desired location.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the motion generator is operable to impart movement in at least one additional direction.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the imparted movement comprises a pulsing tightening and loosening of tension in the selected line.