ELECTRICIANS WIRE LABELLING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention includes a system for marking a plurality of wires connected to a 3 phase electric distribution system that includes a plurality of preprinted self-adhesive labels for use on electrical wires wherein each of the labels in the plurality of labels bears one of first, second and third unique indicia and a preprinted unique integer number.

Claims

1. A system for marking a plurality of wires connected to a 3 phase electric distribution system that includes a plurality of preprinted self-adhesive labels for use on electrical wires wherein each of the labels in said plurality of labels bears one of first, second and third unique indicia and a preprinted unique integer number.

2. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a low voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 and said unique indicia is black.

3. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a low voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 and said unique indicia is red.

4. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a low voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 and said unique indicia is blue.

5. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a high voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 and said unique indicia is brown.

6. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a high voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 will and said unique indicia is orange.

7. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a high voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 and said unique indicia is yellow.

8. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said 3 phase electric distribution system is a low voltage system and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 and said unique indicia is black and and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 and said unique indicia is red and and said preprinted adhesive labels include respective preprinted unique integer numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 and said unique indicia is blue.

9. A method for distinguishing between multiple wires carrying three-phase power in which the wires carrying power come in three separate colors that distinguish between the three separate phases of power that will be carried on the wires and adhesive labels bearing numbers printed in the same colors as the wires to which they are to be affixed are used to label the wires in order to keep track of each wire by number in relation to its connection to the main fuse box and also in order to distinguish between the phases of power.

10. A method for tracking multiple wires in a three-phase power system in which the colored wires used in a three-phase system are labeled with preprinted adhesive labels that bear a number corresponding to the number of the wire reflected in a wiring plan and each of the adhesive labels also comes pre-marked with the color of the wire to which it will be affixed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of practice, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sheet of preprinted adhesive labels showing a common arrangement of preprinted labels in accordance with one of the present invention,

[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of a sheet of preprinted adhesive labels showing a common arrangement of preprinted labels with additional markings on each label to designate the color scheme to be added to the labels,

[0029] FIGS. 3A and 3B are respective front views of individual preprinted adhesive labels in accordance with one form of the present invention,

[0030] FIGS. 3C and 3D are respective side views of two wires with adhesive labels attached showing the relation between colorized wire labels and the color of the wires to which the colorized wire labels are attached,

[0031] FIG. 3E is a front view of a sheet of preprinted labels in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of a sheet of preprinted labels in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for potential use on low voltage three-phase wires in the United States,

[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of a sheet of preprinted labels in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for potential use on high voltage three-phase wires in the United States,

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an individual preprinted labels and an associated piece of release paper.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a common sheet of preprinted labels used for the labeling of wires during the wiring of a commercial or residential building or other structure. Each of the rectangular boxes that appears with a number printed inside the box is a preprinted label that has an adhesive layer on its backside that is further attached to an underlying release film (not visible in FIG. 1). When a label is used, the adhesive backside of the label is pulled away from the underlying release film and the adhesive backside of the label is then adhered to the outer layer of the colored insulation of the wire that is being labeled.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a sheet of preprinted labels substantially the same as the sheet of preprinted labels shown in FIG. 1 except that a symbol has been placed to the immediate right of each of the printed numbers that appear on each of the labels. The symbols shown in FIG. 2 would not necessarily actually appear on the labels themselves, but the symbols have been added to the individual labels shown in FIG. 2 in order to demonstrate the pattern in which each of the labels will be marked or otherwise colorized as part of the practice of the present invention. For instance, each of the labels bearing an asterisk symbol * is a label that is intended to be placed on one specific color of wire, each of the labels bearing a pound sign # is a label that is intended to be placed on a second specific color of wire, and each of the labels bearing an exclamation mark ! is a label that is intended to be placed on a third specific color of wire, where the three colors of wire identify the three phases of power being supplied.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, each of the labels marked with an asterisk symbol* has a number that is printed in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label, each of the labels marked with a pound sign # has a number printed in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label, and each of the labels marked with an exclamation mark ! has a number printed in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label. For instance, in a low voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark *, in FIG. 2 has a number printed in black ink, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 has numbers printed in red ink, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark ! in FIG. 2 has numbers printed in blue ink. As an additional example, in a high voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark * in FIG. 2 has a number printed in brown ink, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 has numbers printed in orange ink, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark ! in FIG. 2 has numbers printed in yellow ink.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the invention, each of the labels marked with an asterisk symbol * will be shaded or highlighted in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label, each of the labels marked with a pound sign # is shaded or highlighted in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label, and each of the labels marked with an exclamation mark IX is shaded or highlighted in the same color as the wire on which it will be used as a label. For instance, in a low voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark * in FIG. 2 is shaded or highlighted in black or a dark color indicating intended placement on black wire, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 is shaded or highlighted in red or a reddish or pink color that indicates intended placement on red wire, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark ! in FIG. 2 is shaded or highlighted in blue or a light blue color that indicates intended placement on blue wire. The same effect can be accomplished by simply making the entire surfaces of the labels black, red, or blue to correspond with the intended color of wire on which they will be placed and having the numbers for each label printed in a distinguishable color that contrasts with the surfaces of the labels themselves so that both the intended number and color of each wire is easily discerned. As an additional example, in a high voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark * in FIG. 2 has brown shading or highlighting, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 has orange shading or highlighting, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark in FIG. 2 has yellow shading or highlighting. Again, as with the low voltage examples, the surfaces of the individual labels themselves could be brown, orange, or yellow as long as the numbers printed on the labels are distinguishable from the surface of the labels themselves and both the number and color of the wire to which the labels will be adhered can be read/discerned by the user.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the invention, each of the labels marked with an asterisk symbol * is shaded, highlighted or printed in a color which is the same color as the wire on which the label will be used. Each of the labels marked with a pound sign # is shaded, highlighted or printed in a color which is the same color as the wire on which the label will be used. Each of the labels marked with an exclamation mark ! is shaded, highlighted or printed in a color which is the same color as the wire on which the label will be used. For instance, in a low voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark * in FIG. 2 will bear their numbers and would also bear a black mark or dot indicating intended placement on black wire, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 will bear their number and a mark or dot that is red that indicates intended placement on red wire, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark ! in FIG. 2 will bear their number and a blue mark or blue dot that indicates intended placement on blue wire. As an additional example, in a high voltage setting in the United States, all of the individual labels marked with an asterisk mark ! in FIG. 2 will bear, for example, their numbers and will also bear a brown mark or brown dot indicating intended placement on brown wire, all of the individual labels marked with a pound sign # in FIG. 2 will bear, for example, their number and a mark or dot that is orange that indicates intended placement on orange wire, and all of the individual labels marked with an exclamation mark ! in FIG. 2 will bear, for example, their number and a yellow mark or yellow dot that indicates intended placement on yellow wire.

[0040] FIGS. 3C and 3D respectively illustrate two separate wires, each of which has been labeled with one of the labels of the present invention. The first wire 101 has a conductive metal core 103 and a colored insulator 102. The fact that the colored insulator 102 is colored is indicated by diagonal crosshatching drawn on its outside surface. An individual preprinted adhesive label 104 of the present invention is adhered to the outside surface of the colored insulator 102. The fact that the individual preprinted adhesive label 104 is the same color as the colored insulator 102 of the wire 101 is indicated by crosshatching on the individual preprinted adhesive label 104. FIG. 3D illustrates a second wire 301 with a second conductive metal core 303 and a second colored insulator 302. The fact that the second colored insulator 302 is colored is indicated by dots drawn on the outside surface of the second colored insulator 302. A second individual preprinted label 304 of the present invention is adhered to the outside surface of the second colored insulator 302. The fact that the second individual preprinted label 304 is the same color as the second colored insulator 302 of the second wire 301 is indicated by the dots drawn on the second individual preprinted label 304.

[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the individual preprinted adhesive label 104 and the second individual preprinted adhesive label 304 previously shown in FIG. 3 at a time prior to their adhesion to wires 101 and 301. As shown by the presence of the diagonal crosshatching on preprinted adhesive label 104 and the presence of the dots on the second preprinted adhesive label 304, in some embodiments of the present invention, the labels are the same color as the wires on which the labels are intended to be placed.

[0042] It should be understood that the color of the wires is determined by the color of the insulator surrounding the conductive metal cores of the wires. It will be understood that the color of a wire is always the color of the insulator around the conductive metal core. A wire is comprised of a conductive metal core and an insulator.

[0043] FIG. 3E shows a different version of the sheet of preprinted adhesive labels discussed in this application. FIG. 3A shows an individual preprinted adhesive label 104 and FIG. 3B illustrates a second individual preprinted adhesive label 304 taken from the sheet shown in FIG. 3E at a time prior to their removal from the sheet of preprinted adhesive labels. FIG. 3E also is illustrative that there are multiple individual preprinted adhesive labels on a sheet of adhesive labels prior to the time that the labels are removed for placement on the wires. For sake of clarity, it should be understood that FIG. 3E shows one hundred eighty separate adhesive labels that have not yet been removed from the sheet of adhesive labels for placement on wires. All labels in each column are illustrated with uniform shading and/or cross hatching the shading or cross hatching in some embodiments will be replaced by colors corresponding to the phase for which the label will be employed. The color and/or cross hatching on the first, second, seventh, and eighth columns of labels (column position in this embodiment is read from right to left across the sheet of labels) indicates those labels will all be the same color and/or cross hatching to correspond with their intended placement on wires carrying one phase of alternating current. The third, fourth, ninth, and tenth columns of labels indicate that the labels in those columns will all be shaded, cross hatched and/or colored uniformly to correspond with the intended placement of those labels on wires carrying a second phase of alternating current. The fifth, sixth, eleventh, and twelfth columns of labels indicate that the labels in those columns will all be shaded, cross hatched and/or colored uniformly to correspond with the intended placement of those labels on wires carrying a third phase of alternating current.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a sheet of adhesive labels demonstrating one embodiment of the present invention for potential use on low voltage wires in the United States. Because the USPTO does not ordinarily allow color drawings in non-provisional patent applications FIG. 4 includes color codes K for black, E for blue and R for red corresponding to conventional low voltage color codes. FIG. 4 accordingly shows that the various labels with color codes corresponding to the color of the wires on which they are intended to be placed as labels during the process of wiring a commercial or residential building or other structure.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a sheet of adhesive labels demonstrating one embodiment of the present invention for potential use on high voltage wires in the United States. Because the USPTO does not ordinarily allow color drawings in non-provisional patent applications FIG. 5 includes color codes B for brown, O for orange and Y for yellow corresponding to conventional high voltage color codes. FIG. 5 accordingly shows that the various labels with color codes corresponding to the color of the wires on which they are intended to be placed as labels during the process of wiring a commercial or residential building or other structure.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates the use of release paper for a label to facilitate attachment of individual labels to a wire.

[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, each of the individual adhesive labels themselves has a surface that is colored such that its color corresponds to the wire color on which the label is intended to be placed during the wiring process. The preprinted numbers on the labels must be distinguishable from the surface color of the labels themselves so that an electrician will be able to look at the label and perceive both the number of the wire corresponding to its number in a wiring plan and the color of the wire indicating the phase of power carried on that wire. Moreover, the coloring of the surface of the labels in conjunction with the numbering of the labels will aide electricians when pulling wire for making a connection because they can carry a sheet of adhesive labels with them when obtaining wire from a wire cart or wire spool and can refer to the sheet of adhesive labels itself to instantly determine the color of wire corresponding to the number of each wire.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 would all be black labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage black wires.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 will all be red labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage red wires.

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 would all be blue labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage blue wires.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers I, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 would all be brown labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage brown wires.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 would all be orange labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage orange wires.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 would all be yellow labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage yellow wires.

[0054] In one embodiment of the invention, the number printed on the surface of each of the individual adhesive labels is printed in a color that corresponds to the wire color on which the label is intended to be placed during the wiring process. The preprinted numbers on the individual labels must be printed in a color corresponding to the color of the wire on which the labels are intended to be placed that designates the phase of power carried by the wire such that an electrician will be able to look at the label and perceive both the number of the wire corresponding to the number of the wire in the plan and the color of the wire indicating the phase of power carried on the wire. Moreover, printing the number on the labels in the same color as the wire on which the labels will be used will aide electricians when pulling wire for making a connection because they can carry a sheet of adhesive labels with them when obtaining wire from a wire cart or wire spool and can refer to the sheet of adhesive labels itself to instantly determine the color of wire corresponding to the number of each wire.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 has the numbers printed on the labels in black to correspond with intended placement on low voltage black wires.

[0056] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 has the numbers on the labels printed in red to correspond with intended placement on low voltage red wires.

[0057] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 has the numbers on the labels printed in blue to correspond with intended placement on low voltage blue wires.

[0058] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 has the numbers on the labels printed in brown to correspond with intended placement on high voltage brown wires.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 has the numbers on the labels printed in orange to correspond with intended placement on high voltage orange wires.

[0060] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 has the numbers on the labels printed in yellow to correspond with intended placement on high voltage yellow wires.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention, in addition to the number printed on the surface of each of the individual adhesive labels, each adhesive label would also contain a mark or dot printed in a color that corresponds to the wire color of the wire on which the label is intended to be placed during the wiring process. In this embodiment, the mark or dot on each individual label must be printed in a color corresponding to the wire on which the label is intended to be used such that an electrician will be able to look at the label and perceive both the number of the wire and the color of the wire indicating the phase of power carried on that wire. Moreover, printing a mark or dot on the labels in the same color as the wire on which the labels will be used will aide electricians when pulling wire for making a connection because they can carry a sheet of adhesive labels with them when obtaining wire from a wire cart or wire spool and can refer to the sheet of adhesive labels itself to instantly determine the color of wire corresponding to the number of each wire.

[0062] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 has a black mark or black dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage black wires.

[0063] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 has a red mark or red dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage red wires.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, in a low voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 has a blue mark or blue dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on low voltage blue wires.

[0065] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, and 44 has a brown mark or brown dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage brown wires.

[0066] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 40, and 45 will have an orange mark or orange dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage orange wires.

[0067] In one embodiment of the invention, in a high voltage setting in the United States, the preprinted adhesive labels with numbers 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 41, and 42 has a yellow mark or yellow dot printed on the labels to correspond with intended placement on high voltage yellow wires.

[0068] Although, the description herein has focused on embodiments for 3 phase systems having wire numbers 1-45 persons skilled in the art will understand that the present invention includes analogous procedures for wire numbers 46-90. Other embodiments of the present invention are utilized in single phase wiring.

[0069] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but merely to illustrate specific embodiments of the improved wire labels and wire label chart as envisioned by the inventor at the time of filing this provisional application. The inventor envisions that addition of color to electricians' wire labels corresponding to the color of the wires on which the wire labels are intended to be placed will greatly facilitate the accurate and efficient wiring of commercial and residential buildings and other structures and will obviate mistakes.

[0070] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All such publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0071] Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more. All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for.