WO2013030517A1

WO2013030517A1 - Network patch cabling

Info

Publication number: WO2013030517A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin John SEMPLE
Original assignee: Clever Cabling Limited
Priority date: 2011-08-26
Filing date: 2012-08-16
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: GB201114811D0; GB2493984A

Abstract

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 plurality of cables is marked so as to be visually distinct from others enclosed by the sheath.

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, CCTV 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 cabling) 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 tylng 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 plurality 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, individual 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 alphabetical character A, 8, C, D, E, F, G 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 individual 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 individual 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 include a colour coded collar or tag (or other suitable colour coding means which will be apparent to the person skilled in the art) at or near 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 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 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 8 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 assembly 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, lc, ....lh). Each cable has two connector ends 2A and 2B for connecting to ports (not shown). The individual cables (la, lb, lc, ....lh) are colour coded but since colours cannot be easily represented in a line drawing, the colours of each cable (la, lb, lc, ....lh) are represented by the letters R, 0, Ϋ, G, B, I, V and W representing the colours of the visible spectrum (R - red, 0 = orange, Y = yellow, G = green, B = 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 (la, lb, lc, ....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, lc, ....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, lc, ....lh) on one panel (1) and trace the second connector end of that same cable (la, lb, lc, ....lh) merely by following 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, lb, lc, ....lh).

In an embodiment, a sheath includes a colour coded collar or tag (4A, 4B), 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 (4A, 4B).

It will be understood that the present invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments and may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. 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 plurality of cables is marked so as to be visually distinct from others enclosed by the sheath.

2. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of cables is provided in a different one of a plurality of colours.

3. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the insulating coating of the individual cables are coloured.

4. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the connector ends of the individual cables are coloured.

5. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim comprising 8 individual cables enclosed by the sheath,

6. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the individual cables each have connector ends and an insulating cover of a specific block colour which differs from the colour applied to each of the other 7 individual cables.

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;

8. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of the colours in each colour combination is indicative of a specific type of data to be carried by the cable and a second colour of the combination is unique to a given individual cable enclosed in the sheath.

9. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein individual cables enclosed in a sheath are each marked with a different symbol.

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 H, 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 connect/on 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 claim 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 individual cables.

20. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any of claims 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 claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual cables is divided 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 claimed in claim 21 comprising 32 individual cables divided into 8 sub groups of 4 identically marked individual cables.

23. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ends of the sheath include colour coding means for distinguishing the sheath from other sheaths.

24. A patch cabling assembly as claimed in claim 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 enclosing a patch cable assembly of the description as set forth in any preceding claim.