Cable having an illuminating tracer element mounted thereon

• US 7,029,137 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Meier, Barbara L., Lionetti, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/365,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20040160774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/205, 362/34, 362/391, 362/800, 362/253, 439/353, 439/352, 439/488, 439/490, 200/314, 200/317, 200/310, 200/308, 174/36, 174/110.R, 174/113.R
• US Class Current: 362/84
• 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 plurality of component racks;

a plurality of components on each rack;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the components;

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

a continuous means for emitting an elongated strip of uninterrupted light extending on the cable between the first and second terminal ends;

activator means coupled to provide power to illuminate the uninterrupted light strip; and

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

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. An information handling system comprising:

a plurality of racks;

a component on each rack;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the 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 continuous means for emitting an elongated strip of uninterrupted light extending on each cable between the first and second terminal ends;

activator means coupled to provide power to illuminate the uninterrupted light strip; and

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

5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within a sheath portion of the cable.

6. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on an outer sheath portion of the cable.

7. A method of providing a traceable cable comprising:

mounting a plurality of components on a plurality of racks;

extending cables between the components;

extending a continuous means for emitting an elongated strip of uninterrupted light on the cable between the first and second components;

coupling an activator means to provide power to illuminate the uninterrupted light strip; and

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

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

9. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on an outer sheath portion of the cable.

10. An information handling system comprising:

a plurality of racks;

a plurality of components on the racks;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the components;

a sleeve incorporating the cables into a cable bundle;

a continuous means for emitting an elongated strip of uninterrupted light extending on the sleeve between the first and second components;

activator means coupled to provide power to illuminate the uninterrupted light strip; and

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

11. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the light emitting member is mounted within the sleeve.

12. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the light emitting member is mounted on the sleeve.

13. A cable tracer apparatus comprising:

a plurality of component racks;

a plurality of components on each rack;

a plurality of cables interconnecting the components;

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

an elongated uninterrupted light emitting member extending between the first and second terminal ends;

activator means coupled to provide power to illuminate the elongated uninterrupted light; and

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

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the activator means comprises chemically activated means.