US3740644A — Apparatus for identifying individual wires of a m…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 442 words

In apparatus for identifying an individual wire in a bundle of wires of the type having connector means for receiving the first ends of the wires in a bundle of wires, encoding means coupled to said connector means for assigning arbitrary identifying indicia to each of the wires of a bundle of wires at said connector means, display means coupled to said encoding means for selectively displaying said arbitrary identifying indicia, and power supply means coupled to said encoding and display means, the improvement comprising: a variable low level signal source coupled to said power supply means for providing a low level signal; probe means coupled to said variable low level signal source for coupling said low level signal to at least a portion of the body of a user for the selective transmission of said low level signal through the body of a user to selective wires in said bundle touched by the body of the user to render the body an extension of said probe means; means for selectively varying the level of said variable low level signal source; said encoding means being arranged to detect the presence of said low level signal upon the completion of a closed circuit path from said low level signal source, through, said probe means, the body of a user, at least one wire in a bundle of wires, and said connector means to said encoding means wherein when a portion of the body of a user is brought into contact with the second end of a wire, a closed current conducting path is established from said variable low level signal source, through said probe means, the body of a user, a wire in a bundle of wires and said connector means to said encoding means to cause the arbitrary identifying indicia assigned to such wire to be displayed; selectively operable selection means coupled to said encoding means to permit said encoding means to operate only with the selected arbitrary identifying indicia and suppressing all others wherein only a selected arbitrary identifying indicia is displayed by said display means when said current path is completed employing the individual wire in the wire bundle assigned the selected arbitrary identifying indicia; and a multi-position mode selection switch coupled to said power supply, said selection means and said encoding means, said mode selection switch having a first position disabling said selection means to permit the arbitrary identifying indicia of any wire completing the current path to be displayed and a second position selectively disabling said encoding means to permit the arbitrary identifying indicia of only a selected wire to be displayed when it completes the current path.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 442 words

In apparatus for identifying an individual wire in a bundle of wires of the type having connector means for receiving the first ends of the wires in a bundle of wires, encoding means coupled to said connector means for assigning arbitrary identifying indicia to each of the wires of a bundle of wires at said connector means, display means coupled to said encoding means for selectively displaying said arbitrary identifying indicia, and power supply means coupled to said encoding and display means, the improvement comprising: a variable low level signal source coupled to said power supply means for providing a low level signal; probe means coupled to said variable low level signal source for coupling said low level signal to at least a portion of the body of a user for the selective transmission of said low level signal through the body of a user to selective wires in said bundle touched by the body of the user to render the body an extension of said probe means; means for selectively varying the level of said variable low level signal source; said encoding means being arranged to detect the presence of said low level signal upon the completion of a closed circuit path from said low level signal source, through, said probe means, the body of a user, at least one wire in a bundle of wires, and said connector means to said encoding means wherein when a portion of the body of a user is brought into contact with the second end of a wire, a closed current conducting path is established from said variable low level signal source, through said probe means, the body of a user, a wire in a bundle of wires and said connector means to said encoding means to cause the arbitrary identifying indicia assigned to such wire to be displayed; selectively operable selection means coupled to said encoding means to permit said encoding means to operate only with the selected arbitrary identifying indicia and suppressing all others wherein only a selected arbitrary identifying indicia is displayed by said display means when said current path is completed employing the individual wire in the wire bundle assigned the selected arbitrary identifying indicia; and a multi-position mode selection switch coupled to said power supply, said selection means and said encoding means, said mode selection switch having a first position disabling said selection means to permit the arbitrary identifying indicia of any wire completing the current path to be displayed and a second position selectively disabling said encoding means to permit the arbitrary identifying indicia of only a selected wire to be displayed when it completes the current path.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said multi-position mode selection switch has a third position uncoupling said probe means from said power supply to display the arbitrary identifying indicia to which said selection means has been operated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 83 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said probe means further comprises: electrode means arranged for intimate contact with the skin of the body of a user for impressing thereupon said low level signal; coupling means for coupling said electrode means to the skin of the body of a user; and conductor means coupled to said variable low level signal source and said electrode means for conducting said low level signal from said variable low level signal source to said electrode means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 107 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe means further comprises: a conductive electrode means arranged for intimate contact with the skin of the body of a user for impressing thereupon said low level signal; an insulating strap coupled to said electrode means for attachment about the wrist of the user to render the skin of the user from the wrist to the finger tips selectively conductive of said variable low level signal; and conductor means coupled to said variable low level signal source and said electrode means for conducting said low level signal from said variable low level signal source to said electrode means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 120 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said variable low level signal source is a high frequency signal source; and said probe means further comprises electrode means arranged for intimate contact with the skin of the body of a user for impressing thereupon a low level high frequency signal generated by said high frequency signal source, coupling means for coupling said electrode means to the skin of a user, and conductor means coupled to said variable low level, high frequency signal source and said electrode means for conducting said low level, high frequency signal from said variable low level, high frequency signal source to said electrode means rendering said portion of the body of a user a capacitive probe.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 106 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said encoding means is a matrix comprising: a plurality of input lines, one for each of the wires of a bundle of wires, coupled to said connector means; ten units output lines, one for each of the digits zero to nine; ten tens output lines, one for each of the digits zero to nine; and selective coupling elements coupled between said input lines and said ten units and ten tens output lines whereby current on each of the input lines is encoded as current on at least one of said units and one of said tens output lines.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The improvement as defined in claim 6, further comprising ten hundreds output lines, one for each of the digits zero to nine; and additional selective coupling means coupled between said input lines and said hundreds output lines whereby current one each of said input lines is encoded as current on at least one of said units, tens and hundreds output lines.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means comprises at least two numerical display tubes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 95 words

The improvement as defined in claim 6, wherein said display means comprises: two numerical display tubes, a first displaying the units digits and the second displaying the tens digits; first coupling means coupling each of said ten units output lines of said encoding means to a corresponding input of said units digit display tube and second coupling means coupling each of the ten tens output lines of said encoding means to a corresponding input of said tens digit display tube whereby two decade numerical identifying indicia may be displayed when said current path is completed.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 128 words

The improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said display means comprises: three numerical display tubes, a first displaying the units digits, a second displaying the tens digits and the third displaying the hundreds digits; first coupling means coupling each of said ten units output lines of said encoding means to a corresponding input of said units digit display tube; second coupling means coupling each of said ten tens digit output lines of said encoding means to a corresponding input of said tens digit display tube and third coupling means coupling each of said ten hundreds digit output lines of said encoding means to a corresponding input of said hundreds digit display tube whereby three decade numerical identifying indicia may be displayed when said current path is completed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 382 words

Apparatus for finding selected wires in a bundle of wires comprising connector means for receiving the first ends of the wires in a bundle of wires; encoding means coupled to said connector means for assigning arbitrary identifying indicia to each of the wires of a bundle of wires received at said connector means; display means coupled to said encoding means for selectively displaying said arbitrary identifying indicia; power supply means coupled to said encoding and display means; a low level signal source coupled to said power supply means for providing a low level signal; probe means coupled to said low level signal source to supply said low level signal to the second ends of the wires in a bundle having the first ends received at said connector means; said probe means including electrode means receiving said low level signal and means for securing said electrode means to the body of a user to permit said low level signal to pass through the body of a user to the second ends of the wires of a bundle of wires having the first ends received at said connector means to render the body of a user an extension of said probe means; said encoding means detecting the presence of said low level signal upon the completion of a circuit path from said low level signal source through said probe means, the body of a user, the wires in a bundle and said connector means to said encoding means; and selectively operable selection means operable by a user to select arbitrary identifying indicia for a wire to be found, said selection means being coupled to said encoding means to inhibit operation of said encoding means with respect to said arbitrary identifying indicia other than said selected arbitrary identifying indicia to render said display means operable to display only said selected arbitrary identifying indicia whereby a user can use the fingers of a hand to touch the second ends of the wires of a bundle and said display means is operated only when a wire having said selected arbitrary identifying indicia assigned thereto is touched by the user to complete a circuit path from said low level signal source through said probe means, the body of the user and said connector means to said encoding means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 382 words

Apparatus for finding selected wires in a bundle of wires comprising connector means for receiving the first ends of the wires in a bundle of wires; encoding means coupled to said connector means for assigning arbitrary identifying indicia to each of the wires of a bundle of wires received at said connector means; display means coupled to said encoding means for selectively displaying said arbitrary identifying indicia; power supply means coupled to said encoding and display means; a low level signal source coupled to said power supply means for providing a low level signal; probe means coupled to said low level signal source to supply said low level signal to the second ends of the wires in a bundle having the first ends received at said connector means; said probe means including electrode means receiving said low level signal and means for securing said electrode means to the body of a user to permit said low level signal to pass through the body of a user to the second ends of the wires of a bundle of wires having the first ends received at said connector means to render the body of a user an extension of said probe means; said encoding means detecting the presence of said low level signal upon the completion of a circuit path from said low level signal source through said probe means, the body of a user, the wires in a bundle and said connector means to said encoding means; and selectively operable selection means operable by a user to select arbitrary identifying indicia for a wire to be found, said selection means being coupled to said encoding means to inhibit operation of said encoding means with respect to said arbitrary identifying indicia other than said selected arbitrary identifying indicia to render said display means operable to display only said selected arbitrary identifying indicia whereby a user can use the fingers of a hand to touch the second ends of the wires of a bundle and said display means is operated only when a wire having said selected arbitrary identifying indicia assigned thereto is touched by the user to complete a circuit path from said low level signal source through said probe means, the body of the user and said connector means to said encoding means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said securing means including a strap carrying said electrode means for securing said electrode means to the body of a user in intimate contact with the skin.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 86 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said low level signal source provides a low level, high frequency current, said securing means includes a strap carrying said electrode means for coupling said electrode means to the skin of a user, and said probe means includes conductor means coupled to said low level signal source and said electrode means for conducting said low level, high frequency current from said low level signal source to said electrode means rendering the body of a user a capacitive probe.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 129 words

A method of identifying wires in a bundle of wires comprising the steps of connecting a first end of each of the wires in the bundle with electrical equipment including display means and encoding means, the encoding means connecting each of the wires to the display means such that the display means is operable to display arbitrary identifying indicia for each wire; supplying a low level current from the electrical equipment to the body of a user; touching second ends of the wires in the bundle with the fingers of a hand of the user to supply the low level current through the body of the user and the touched wires to the encoding means; and displaying the arbitrary identifying indicia for each touched wire on the display means.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 129 words

A method of identifying wires in a bundle of wires comprising the steps of connecting a first end of each of the wires in the bundle with electrical equipment including display means and encoding means, the encoding means connecting each of the wires to the display means such that the display means is operable to display arbitrary identifying indicia for each wire; supplying a low level current from the electrical equipment to the body of a user; touching second ends of the wires in the bundle with the fingers of a hand of the user to supply the low level current through the body of the user and the touched wires to the encoding means; and displaying the arbitrary identifying indicia for each touched wire on the display means.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 191 words

A method for finding selected wires in a bundle of wires comprising the steps of connecting a first end of each of the wires in the bundle with electrical equipment including display means and encoding means, the encoding means connecting each of the wires to the display means such that the display means is operable to display arbitrary identifying indicia for each wire; selecting arbitrary identifying indicia assigned to a wire to be found; inhibiting operation of the encoding means with respect to arbitrary identifying indicia other than the selected arbitrary identifying indicia so that only the selected arbitrary identifying indicia can be displayed by the display means; supplying a low level current from the electrical equipment to the body of a user; simultaneously touching second ends of a plurality of the wires in the bundle with the fingers of a hand of the user to supply the low level current through the body of the user and the plurality of touched wires to the encoding means; and displaying the selected arbitrary identifying indicia only when the wire having the selected arbitrary identifying indicia assigned thereto is touched by the user.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 191 words

A method for finding selected wires in a bundle of wires comprising the steps of connecting a first end of each of the wires in the bundle with electrical equipment including display means and encoding means, the encoding means connecting each of the wires to the display means such that the display means is operable to display arbitrary identifying indicia for each wire; selecting arbitrary identifying indicia assigned to a wire to be found; inhibiting operation of the encoding means with respect to arbitrary identifying indicia other than the selected arbitrary identifying indicia so that only the selected arbitrary identifying indicia can be displayed by the display means; supplying a low level current from the electrical equipment to the body of a user; simultaneously touching second ends of a plurality of the wires in the bundle with the fingers of a hand of the user to supply the low level current through the body of the user and the plurality of touched wires to the encoding means; and displaying the selected arbitrary identifying indicia only when the wire having the selected arbitrary identifying indicia assigned thereto is touched by the user.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-06-18	1976-12-18	1977-06-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-06-18	1980-12-18	1981-06-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-06-18	1984-12-18	1985-06-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for identifying individual wires of a multi-wire cable

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag