TERMINATION IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20140273611A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knxid, LLC
• Original Assignee: Knxid, LLC
• Inventors: Goggin, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 10,326,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/491
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/465 Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

A device, method, and a system for identifying a connection cable from a communication device or facilities. The device comprises a connector for attaching to an end of a connection cable, said device bearing connection cable-identification means, such as alpha-numeric markings. In the embodiments described herein, the device comprises a shape for securely but releasably attaching to the connection cable end while the system comprises communication facilities that employ such devices. The device, method, and system described herein may have particular application for a connection cable having an end that is not connected with a communication device.

Claims

1. A device for identifying a connection cable of a communication facility, said cable having a first end and a second end with at least one said end comprising a male connector, said device comprising:

a female connector configured to releasably attach to said male connector of the connection cable and exhibiting cable-identification means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cable-identification means comprises at least one visible distinguishing characteristic on the exterior surface of said female connector.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said visible distinguishing characteristic comprises an alphanumeric symbol.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said visible distinguishing characteristic comprises color coding.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said female connector comprises a first aperture for receiving the male connector end therein.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the male connector end comprises a clip for more secure attachment of the male connector, and the first aperture comprises a recessed area adapted to receive the male connector clip.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a second aperture communicating with said first aperture for running a cord through both the first aperture and the second aperture.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the back end of said female connector further comprises a means for attaching to another female connector.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the female connector comprises at least some rounded edges to reduce the risk of snagging.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the female connector comprises a shape with at least some rounded edges to reduce the risk of snagging.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said female connector includes a male aspect that extends opposite said connector'"'"'s female aspect configured to releasably attach to said communication facility.

12. A system for identifying a connection cable of a communication facility, said system comprising:

a communication facility having a plurality of ports;

a connection cable having a first end and a second end with at least one said end comprising a male connector; and

a female connector configured to releasably attach to said male connector of the connection cable and exhibiting cable-identification means.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication facility is selected from a group comprising a patch panel and communication equipment.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the connection cable ends are selected from a group comprising RJ45, RJ11, RJ12, DB15, mini-SAS, SFP+SFF-8431, SFF-8436, SFF-8470, SFF-8087, CX4 Male, CX4 Female, Fiber, LC, SC, ST, MTP, MTRJ, HDMI, RCA, Coax, S-Video, component video, USB, 15 pin, LS.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said exhibiting cable-identification means comprise at least one alphanumeric symbol.

16. A method for identifying at least one connection cable connecting a node to a communication facility, said method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the following order:

connecting one end of said connection cable to a port of said communication facility;

providing a female connector exhibiting identification means to releasably attach to the opposing end of said connection and thereby identifying said connection cable;

optionally detaching the female connector from said opposing end of said connection cable for reuse; and

connecting the opposing end of said connection cable to said node.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the female connector comprises an aperture for receiving the male connector therein, and the step of providing a female connector exhibiting identification means to releasably attach to the opposing end of said connection cable includes the aperture being configured to receive the male connector therein.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the identification means comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol and the step of identifying said connection cable includes identifying the at least one alphanumeric symbol.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said female connector exhibiting identification means is configured to identify the node end of the connection cable rather than the port end of the connection cable.

20. A device for identifying a connection cable of a communication facility, the communication facility comprising a patch panel and network/communication equipment, the patch panel and network/communication equipment each comprising a plurality of ports, the connection cable comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a first male connector, and the second end comprising a second male connector, each male connector end insertable into and detachable from the ports for connecting the connection cable from the network/communication equipment to the patch panel, and from the patch panel to a node, said device comprising:

a female connector for releasably attaching to the male connector of the connection cable, the female connector comprising a front end and a back end, and a lateral part connecting the front end and the back end, the front end comprising a male connector attachment means, the lateral part comprising connection cable-identification means;

wherein, the male connector attachment means of the front end of the female connector is securely attachable to the male connector end so that the securely attached female connector, through the connection cable identification means of the lateral part thereof, identifies the connection cable;

wherein, for reuse, the female connector is detachable from the male connector end of the so-identified connection cable;

whereby, the connection cables are identifiable for connecting a patch panel with particular nodes, and for setting up a communication facility.

21. The device of claim 21, wherein the connection cable identifying means of the lateral part of the female connector comprises an alphanumeric symbol.

22. The device of claim 22, wherein the male connector end attachment means comprises an aperture for receiving the male connector end therein.