GB2493984A - Patch panel cables individually distinctively marked and enclosed together in a sheath - Google Patents
Patch panel cables individually distinctively marked and enclosed together in a sheath Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2493984A GB2493984A GB201114811A GB201114811A GB2493984A GB 2493984 A GB2493984 A GB 2493984A GB 201114811 A GB201114811 A GB 201114811A GB 201114811 A GB201114811 A GB 201114811A GB 2493984 A GB2493984 A GB 2493984A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cables
- sheath
- text
- cabling assembly
- patch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/13—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
- H04Q1/135—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules characterized by patch cord details
- H04Q1/136—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules characterized by patch cord details having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/06—Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/14—Distribution frames
- H04Q1/148—Identification strips for distribution frames
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Insulated Conductors (AREA)
Abstract
A network patch cabling assembly comprising a plurality of individual cables with a sheath encircling the plurality of individual cables, wherein each of the plurality of cables is marked so as to be visually distinct from others enclosed by the sheath. The cables may have different coloured insulation or connectors, or may be marked with different patterns or symbols or alphabetical or other characters.
Description
NETWORK PATCH CABLING
The present invention relates to network patch cabling and in particular to a novel patch cabling assembly for use in network patch cabling.
Network patch cabling is in common use in almost every modern business.
Businesses in the main have multiple computers (for example, but not essentially desk top PCs) and other telecommunications devices such as fax machines, CCIV and telephones all of which need access to a communications system through which data can be routed.
In a server room, connections are made between network switch ports and patch panel ports. As shown in Figure 1, individual patch panel ports are connected through cabling (typically, but not essentially, under floor cabThg) to specific telecommunications devices. Multiple cables may supply data of different types to any given work area which might, for example comprise a computer terminal, a networked printer and a telephone. Current convention distinguishes the data type carried by cable colour, for example grey cables carry data and blue voice communications.
Patch cables are conventionally supplied in individual packs, each cable needing to be unwrapped and connected to the network switch and patch panel ports. It is known to tidy cables after installation by tying them together into sub groups.
Where there are connection problems identified with individual pieces of telecommunications equipment, it becomes necessary to identify the ports where the equipment's cables are connected and to test the relevant patch cables. Problems arise over time as inevitably wiring changes are required due to installation of new equipment, relocation of individual work areas and the like. As a consequence of these wiring changes, patch cables become overlapped, twisted and knotted and it becomes increasingly difficult to identify which two plugs relate to the ends of a single cable. Efforts to isolate a single cable often involve tugging at the convolution of cables which can put strain on and potentially impair sensitive connections.
Grouping of cables into sub groups can at least narrow down the number of cables through which to search, but does not overcome the underlying problem of crossing and knotting of cables which are each substantially identical.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a patch cabling assembly comprising a plurality of individual cables each having first and second connector ends for connecting to a port, a sheath encircling the plurality of individual cables and wherein each of the pluraUty of cables is marked so as to be visually distinct from others enclosed by the sheath.
In one convenient example, each of the plurality of cables is provided in a different one of a plurality of colours. Both the insulating coating of the cable and the connectors might be coloured, or just one of the coating and the connectors might be coloured. By making at least ends of the individual cables visually different in appearance to the others within the sheath a second connector end of an individual cable can easily be visually traced from a first end, through the sheath to the matching second end. This avoids any need for tugging entangled cables and so preserves sensitive connections.
In one practical example, an assembly in accordance with the invention comprises 8 individual cables each having a uniform connector and insulating cover of a specific colour which differs from the colour applied to each of the other 7 individual cables, As an alternative to block colour, different combinations of colour might be used for each cable. For example, but without limitation, cables for data carriage might comprise a pattern of grey and a second colour (the second colour changing for each cable) and cables for voice data might comprise a pattern of blue and a second colour (the second colour changing for each cable).
In another alternative, instead of colour, lndMdual cables might be marked each with a different symbol. For example, a collection of 8 cables might each be marked along their length and on their connectors with an alp1abetlcal character A, B, C, D, E, F, C or H. In another variatIon, mathematical or geometrical symbols might be used. In yet another variation, abstract patterns might be used, for example but wIthout limitation, stripes or hoops of differing thickness.
The cables are preferably enclosed in an elongate sheath which may comprise any practical form or appearance.
Desirably, but not essentially, the sheath is close fitting around the bundle of indMdual cables so as to prevent their slipping through the sheath. Desirably the sheath extends along a substantial portIon of the length of the cable bundle leaving Just sufficient free cable to allow manipulation and connection of the lndMdual cables to ports.
optionally, a sheath may be colour coded to IndIcate that a bundle of cables is for a particular use, for example, a grey sheath for data carriage and a blue sheath for voIce carriage.
Optionally, a sheath may lndude a colour coded collar or tag (or other suItable colour coding means which will be apparent to the person skilled in the art) at each end for distinguishing the sheath from other sheaths generally of simIlar colour (e.g. grey for data carriage) and also having colour coded collars or tags. For example, a first sheath might be generally grey and include red collars at each end, which distinguish F It from a second sheath which is also generally grey but has blue collars at each end.
Colour coding the ends of the sheath Is advantageous because it enables easy ft tracing of Individual cables where there are multiple sheaths containing multIple cable bundles, each having similarly coloured sleeves.
The sheathed groups of cables are conveniently provided in a single package, this reduces installation time compared to the opening and installing of a package for each patch cable.
Whilst S is seen as a practical number of cables to be grouped and distinguished from each other, it is perfectly possible to have less or more cables, for example 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 to 20 cables. It will be appreciated that with larger bundles of cable it becomes more difficult to make each cable different from all others, though the inventor envisages embodiments where a large number of cables are grouped and within that large group, smaller groups share a specific marking which differs from markings on other small groups. For example, but without limitation, an assembly might comprise 32 individual cables 4 of which are marked in one of each of eight different colour schemes.
By way of specific example, embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates conventional cables connected between a patch panel and a network switch or hub.
Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of a patch cable assembiy in accordance with the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates the patch cable assembly of Figure 2 connected to the patch panel and network switch or hub of Figure 1.
It is known to connect a patch panel (1) to a network switch or hub (2) using conventional cables (see Figure 1). As can be seen from Figure 2, a patch cabling assembly (3) in accordance with the invention comprises 8 individual cables (la, lb, ic,... ih). Each cable has two connector ends 2A and 25 for connecting to ports (not shown). The individual cables (la, lb, ic lh) are colour coded but since colours cannot be easily represented in a line drawing, the colours of each cable (la, Ib, ic, ih) are represented by the letters ft, 0, V, G, B. I, V and W representing the colours of the visible spectrum (R = red, 0 = orange, Y = yellow, C = green, B
S
blue, I = indigo, V = violet and W = white). The selected colours are intended to be purely exemplary and any collection of visibly distinguishable colours could be used in any of a variety of orders.
Each cable (Ia, ib, ic lh) and each of its connector ends (2A, 2B) is coloured in one block colour. In use (see Figure 3), when the cables (la, lb, ic lh) are patched into panels (1) and may have been re-positioned a number of times, it remains a simple operation to locate a first connector end of a cable (la, lb, Ic, ih) on one panel (1) and trace the second connector end of that same cable (Ia, ib, ic, . .. . lh) merely by foliowing the block colour with the eye. A connector emerging from the same sheath with the same block colour as the first identified connector will belong to that same individual cable (la, ib, Ic lh).
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A patch cabling assembly comprising a plurality of indMdual cables each having first and second connector ends for connecting to a port, a sheath endrcllng the plurality of Individual cables and wherein each of the plurality of cables Is marked so as to be visually distinct from others enclosed by the sheath.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in dalm 1 whereIn each of the plurality of cables Is provided In a different one of a plurality of colours.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In dalm 2 wherein the Insulating coating of the lndMdual cables are coloured.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A patch cabling assembly as dalmed in claim 2 or 3 whereIn the connector ends of the indMdual cables are coloured.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In any preceding claim comprIsing 8 individual cables endosed by the sheath.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In daim 5 wherein the indMdual cables each have connector ends and an insulating cover of a specific block colour whlth dIffers from the colour applied to each of the other 7 indMdual cables.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 whereIn each individual cable is marked with a combination of colours In a pattern.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in daim 7 wherein one of the colours in each colour combination Is indicative of a specific type of data to be canled by the cable and a second colour of the combination is unique to a given indMdual cable enclosed in the sheath.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in daim 1 wherein individuS cables enclosed in a sheath are each marked with a different symbol.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the symbols are selected from; alphabetical characters, a collection of 8 cables might each be marked along their length and on their connectors with an alphabetical character A, B, C, D, E, F, G or F!, mathematical or geometrical symbols 11. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the individual cables enclosed in a sheath are each marked with an abstract pattern.12. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the abstract patterns comprise stripes or hoops of differing thickness.13. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheath is an elongate sheath.14. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheath is close fitting around the bundle of individual cables so as to prevent their slipping through the sheath.15. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the sheath extends along a substantial portion of the length of the cable bundle leaving just sufficient free cable to allow manipulation and connection of the individual cables to ports.16. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheath is colour coded to indicate that a bundle of cables is for carriage of a particular data type.17. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the sheath is coloured grey to denote digital data carriage.18. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In daim 16 wherein the sheath is coloured blue to denote voice carriage.19. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In any of claims 1 to 9 or 11 to 18 comprising only any of 7, 6, 5 or 4 lndMdual cables.20. A patch cabling assembly as dalmed in any of daims 1 to 9 or 11 to 18 comprising from any of a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 20 cables.21. A patch cabling assembly as daimed in daim 1 whereIn the plurality of lndMdual cables is dMded Into sub groups of the total, individual sub groups of cables comprising multiple cables with identical markings to each other but wherein the marking on any one sub group is visibly distinctive from the marking on any other sub group encircled within the sheath.22. A patch cabling assembly as daimed In claIm 21 comprIsing 32 lndMdual cables dMded Into 8 sub groups of 4 identically marked indMdual cables.23. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding daim wherein the ends of the sheath indude colour coding means for distinguishing the sheath from other sheaths.24. A patch cabling assembly as claimed In dalm 23 whereIn the colour coding means Is a collar or tag at each end of the sheath.25. A patch cabling assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings of Figures 2 and 3.26. A package endoslng a patch cable assembly of the descriptIon as set forth in any preceding claim.</claim-text>
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB201114811A GB2493984A (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2011-08-26 | Patch panel cables individually distinctively marked and enclosed together in a sheath |
| PCT/GB2012/000665 WO2013030517A1 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2012-08-16 | Network patch cabling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB201114811A GB2493984A (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2011-08-26 | Patch panel cables individually distinctively marked and enclosed together in a sheath |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201114811D0 GB201114811D0 (en) | 2011-10-12 |
| GB2493984A true GB2493984A (en) | 2013-02-27 |
Family
ID=44838800
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB201114811A Withdrawn GB2493984A (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2011-08-26 | Patch panel cables individually distinctively marked and enclosed together in a sheath |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2493984A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2013030517A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20150279517A1 (en) * | 2014-03-26 | 2015-10-01 | Blake Lenus Boudreaux | Patch cable, system and method for clear identification of computer and communication network cabling |
| US20170034597A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-02 | Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina | Intelligent patching systems and methods using color identification tags and related equipment |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6365835B1 (en) * | 1998-05-14 | 2002-04-02 | Kenneth J. Farmer | Fully-terminated solid-core wire cable |
| WO2002031842A1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2002-04-18 | Motorola, Inc. | Cable management apparatus and method |
| US6766095B1 (en) * | 2002-09-18 | 2004-07-20 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Apparatus and method for slack management of fiber optic cables |
| WO2006127162A1 (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-11-30 | Dorffler Albertina H | Ornamental computer network cables |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6825418B1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2004-11-30 | Wpfy, Inc. | Indicia-coded electrical cable |
| JP4644977B2 (en) * | 2001-06-12 | 2011-03-09 | 住友電装株式会社 | Electric wire for automobile |
| JP2008103191A (en) * | 2006-10-19 | 2008-05-01 | Yazaki Corp | Shielded wire, and identification method of shielded wire |
-
2011
- 2011-08-26 GB GB201114811A patent/GB2493984A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2012
- 2012-08-16 WO PCT/GB2012/000665 patent/WO2013030517A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6365835B1 (en) * | 1998-05-14 | 2002-04-02 | Kenneth J. Farmer | Fully-terminated solid-core wire cable |
| WO2002031842A1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2002-04-18 | Motorola, Inc. | Cable management apparatus and method |
| US6766095B1 (en) * | 2002-09-18 | 2004-07-20 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Apparatus and method for slack management of fiber optic cables |
| WO2006127162A1 (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-11-30 | Dorffler Albertina H | Ornamental computer network cables |
Non-Patent Citations (7)
| Title |
|---|
| Cable Monkey, downloaded 28/11/11 from: www.cablemonkey.co.uk/acatalog/cat5eUTPpatch_leads.html and www.cablemonkey.co.uk/acatalog/RJ45_Boot.html * |
| CableOrganizer, downloaded 28/11/11, from: http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/ * |
| CablesToGo, downloaded 28/11/11 from: www.cablestogo.co.uk/category/cat5e_cat6 and www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?sku=07889&cat_id=3553 * |
| CableTiesAndMore, downloaded 28/11/11 from: http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/BraidedSleeving.php and http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/wireloom.php * |
| Cabling4Less, downloaded 28/11/11 from: www.cabling4less.co.uk/category.php?cat_id=158&gclid=CNrq5-C_z6wCFYEhtAoddGmTBQ * |
| DCDi, downloaded 28/11/11 from: www.dcdi.co.uk/product/302/network-cables/47/cat5e-patch-cable-utp?gclid=CJPBiZO8z6wCFaEntAodviZxFA and www.dcdi.co.uk/product/37/cable-management/167/flexible-conduit-spiroband/778/spiral-wrap-spiroband * |
| FruityCables, downloaded 28/11/11 from: www.fruitycables.co.uk/cat-5e-c-26.html * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20150279517A1 (en) * | 2014-03-26 | 2015-10-01 | Blake Lenus Boudreaux | Patch cable, system and method for clear identification of computer and communication network cabling |
| US20170034597A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-02 | Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina | Intelligent patching systems and methods using color identification tags and related equipment |
| US9924241B2 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2018-03-20 | Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina | Intelligent patching systems and methods using color identification tags and related equipment |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2013030517A1 (en) | 2013-03-07 |
| GB201114811D0 (en) | 2011-10-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: CLEVER CABLING LIMITED Free format text: FORMER OWNER: COLIN JOHN SEMPLE |
|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |