System and method for connecting color coded cables to a device

• US 5,775,935 A
• Filed: 12/18/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Computer Data Exchange, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Computer Data Exchange, Inc.
• Inventors: Barna, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien
• Application Number:
  US08/769,456
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488-491, 174/112, 40/316
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/465 Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices

Abstract

The present invention is a color coded system for associating each of a plurality of individual electrical connection ports of a transactional terminal with a particular cable designated for connection with a specific one of the ports. The system includes a device that has a plurality of electrical connection ports for receiving cables. The device has a recessed portion extending around the electrical connection ports. The recessed portion has a rim defining the boundary of the recess. The system also includes a color coded alignment strip that has a surface of colors arranged in ordered positions on the strip. The colors of the surface correspond to color coded cables. The color coded alignment strip is positioned and is aligned in the recess in a position that aligns the colors with the electrical connection ports that are to receive the color coded cables of the corresponding colors aligned with the electrical connection ports. The color coded alignment strip fits in the recess such that the surface of the alignment strip is positioned at or below the same level as the rim of the recess.

Claims

1. A system for associating each of a plurality of individual electrical connection ports with a particular cable designated for connection with a specific one of said ports, comprising:

a device having a plurality of electrical connection ports for receiving color coded cables, said device having a recessed portion extending around said electrical connection ports, said recessed portion having a rim portion defining the boundary of said recessed portion, said rim portion having a height; and

a color coded alignment strip having a thickness and a surface of colors arranged in ordered positions on said strip, said colors matching in color to color of said color coded cables, each color uniquely corresponding to one of the color coded cables,

said color coded alignment strip being positioned and aligned in said recessed portion in a position that aligns said colors with said electrical connection ports that are to receive the color coded cables of the corresponding colors aligned with said electrical connection ports, and

said color coded alignment strip fitting in said recessed portion and the thickness of the color coded alignment strip being flushed with or below the height of the rim portion extending above the surface of the device and wherein said colors aligned with said electrical connection ports extend around said electrical connection ports.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said colors aligned with said electrical connection ports extend entirely around said electrical connection ports.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said electrical connection ports are physically structured to receive only a specific type of cable.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein two of said electrical connection ports are uniquely identified by one color.

5. A system for associating each of a plurality of individual electrical connection ports with a particular cable designated for connection with a specific one of said ports, comprising:

a device having a surface and a plurality of electrical connection ports for receiving color coded cables, said device having a rim portion extending around said electrical connection ports; and

a color coded alignment strip having a plurality of edges and a surface of colors arranged in ordered positions on said strip, said colors matching in color to color of said color coded cables;

said color coded alignment strip being positioned and aligned in said rim portion in a position that aligns said colors with said electrical connection ports that are to receive the color coded cables of the corresponding colors aligned with said electrical connection ports, and

said color coded alignment strip fitting within said rim portion and said color coded alignment strip contacting said device within said rim portion, and wherein the height of the rim portion extending above the surface of the device is sufficiently high to protect the edges of said color coded alignment strip and wherein said colors aligned with said electrical connection ports extend around said electrical connection ports.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said colors aligned with said electrical connection ports extend entirely around said electrical connection ports.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said electrical connection ports are physically structured to receive only a specific type of cable.

8. A system for associating each of a plurality of individual electrical connection ports with a particular cable designated for connection with a specific one of said ports, comprising:

a device having a surface an a plurality of electrical connection ports for receiving color coded cables, said device having a rim portion extending around said electrical connection ports, said rim portion having an upper level extending away from a surface of said device, said rim portion having a height;

a plurality of color coded items each having a thickness, said color coded items matching in color to color of said color coded cables, said color coded items arranged in ordered positions and aligned in said rim portion in positions that align said color coded items with said electrical connection ports that are to receive the color coded cables of the corresponding color as said color coded items aligned with said electrical connection ports,

said color coded items fitting in said rim portion and surfaces of said color coded items that are visible after said color coded items are positioned in said rim portion being flushed with or below the height of the rim portion extending above the surface of the device and wherein said color coded items aligned with said electrical connection ports extend around said electrical connection ports.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said color coded items aligned with said electrical connection ports extend entirely around said electrical connection ports.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said electrical connection ports are physically structured to receive only a specific type of cable.