Cable having an illuminating tracer element mounted thereon

• US 20040160774A1
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Meier, Barbara L., Lionetti, Christopher L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/253
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/366 being a tape, thread or wire extending the full length of the conductor or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/229 Wire identification arrangements; Number assignment determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/28 Automatic routine testing ; Fault testing; Installation testing; Test methods, test equipment or test arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/149 Wireguides in connector blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A plurality of cables interconnect a plurality of components. Each cable has a first terminal end and a second terminal end. A respective light emitting member extends on each cable between the first and second terminal ends. The light emitting member on a respective cable is illuminated in response to manipulation of the light emitting member. The cable is then traceable from end to end.

Claims

1. A cable tracer apparatus comprising:

a cable having a first terminal end and a second terminal end; and

a light emitting member extending on the cable between the first and second terminal ends.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within a sheath portion of the cable.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on an outer sheath portion of the cable.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the light emitting member is illuminated in response to pressure applied to the cable.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

connector lock release tabs provided at the terminal ends of the cable, whereby the light emitting member is activated by manipulation of the tabs.

6. An information handling system comprising:

a first component;

a second component;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the first and second components;

a microprocessor mounted in one of the components;

a storage device coupled to the microprocessor;

each cable having a first terminal end and a second terminal end;

a respective light emitting member extending on each cable between the first and second terminal ends.

7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within a sheath portion of the cable.

8. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on an outer sheath portion of the cable.

9. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein the light emitting member is illuminated in response to manual pressure applied to the cable.

10. The system as defined in claim 6 further comprising:

connector lock release tabs provided at the terminal ends of the cable, whereby the light emitting member is activated by manipulation of the tabs.

11. A method of providing a traceable cable comprising:

extending a cable between a first component and a second component; and

extending a light emitting member on the cable between the first and second components.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within a sheath portion of the cable.

13. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on an outer sheath portion of the cable.

14. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the light emitting member is illuminated in response to manual pressure applied to the cable.

15. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

providing connector lock release tabs at terminal ends of the cable, whereby the light emitting member is activated by manipulation of the tabs.

16. An information handling system comprising:

a first component;

a second component;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the first and second components;

a sleeve incorporating the cables into a cable bundle; and

a light emitting member extending on the sleeve between the first and second components.

17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within the sleeve.

18. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on the sleeve.

19. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the light emitting member is illuminated in response to manual pressure applied to the cable.

20. The system as defined in claim 16 further comprising:

connector lock release tabs provided at terminal ends of the bundle, whereby the light emitting member is activated by manipulation of the tabs.