GB2576368A

GB2576368A - Cable location device

Info

Publication number: GB2576368A
Application number: GB1813433.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shah Haresh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-08-17
Filing date: 2018-08-17
Publication date: 2020-02-19
Also published as: GB201813433D0

Abstract

A device for locating a cable hidden behind an assembled wall or ceiling including: a head 10, a screw threaded shank 12 and a stem 14 projecting from the shank and formed with means 16 for connection to one end of the cable. The stem may have a thickness less than that of the shank and may include at least one slot for connection to the cable end. The connection means may include a spring loaded clip or grub screw. The stem may include a socket for connection to the cable. The head may be coated with ferromagnetic material. The device may include a passive or active radio-frequency identification device (RFID) to enable the position of the attached cable to be identified using an RFID reader. The device provides a marker for identifying the position of a mains connectable cable hidden behind assembled walls or ceilings of a building.

Description

Cable Location Device

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for locating cables and wires (referred to herein simply as cables for ease of understanding) retained within closed structures such as walls and ceilings of buildings.

Background to the invention

Once framing of a building has been completed, it is conventional practice to pre-cable a building for the future installation of, for example, security systems, speakers, home entertainment systems, additional lighting, telephone points and the like. Generally, such cables are simply placed in ceilings and walls after framing and secured in place by staples or other fasteners. Construction then proceeds and wall and ceiling boards are placed over and secured to the framing.

Hitherto, a problem faced by, for example, a house-holder when seeking to install a home entertainment system or the like, is to locate to closest mains connectable cable hidden behind the relevant wall or ceiling. This can take considerable time and is by no means accurate.

The present invention sets out to provide a relatively simple marker device for identifying the position of a mains connectable cable hidden behind assembled walls or ceilings of a building and for enabling the end of such cable to be exposed for connection to an appliance.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a device for locating a cable hidden behind an assembled wall or ceiling of a building, the device comprising a head, a screw threaded shank and a stem which projects from the shank and is formed with means for connection to one end of said cable.

The connection means may comprise a stem of thickness less than that of the shank and including at least one slot for connection to said cable end.

The connection means may comprise a spring loaded clip, a grub screw or the like.

The stem may comprise a socket for connection to the cable end received by the device.

The head of the device may be coathed with a ferromagnetic material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now-be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:Figure 1 is a side view of a cable locating device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the cable locating device shown in

Figure 1 turned through 90 degrees; and

Figure 3 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The cable locating device illustrated in the drawings includes a head 10, a shank 12 and a stem 14 formed with two spaced through- openings 16. As illustrated, the stem forms an integral part of the shank and is generally semi-circular in crosssection .

The device may be produced from any one of a variety of materials including plastics, metal or a combination of plastics and metal. Other materials or combinations of materials can be employed.

The shank 12 is formed with a helical screw thread 18 and the head 10 includes a linear or cross shaped grobve 20 to enable the device to be turned using a conventional screw driver.

Typically, the diameter of the shank is 7.11mm although other shank diameters can be employed.

In use, when un-used electrical Cables are positioned within a wall or ceiling space for future use, a cable locating device as described is screwed into each wall or ceiling panel at a location adjacent to the exposed end of the respective cable. The cable end is then secured to the stem 14 by means of, for example, a plastics tie, the exposed head marking the position of the cable epd.

By so doing, when an electrical appliance or the like is to be installed, the cable locator is simply unscrewed from the wall or ceiling and the cable withdrawn for connection to the appliance .

Other ways of connecting a cable end to a locating device can be employed. Thus the cable end can be connected to the locating device by spring loaded clips or other well-known means.

The dimensions of the described cable locating device may differ from those described, these depending to a large extent on the dimensions and shape of the cable to be connected.

Also, the means by which the locating device is connected to a cable may differ from that illustrated. Thus, a cable may be connected through, for example, a grub screw or similar device.

In an alternative arrangement, the stem 14 may comprise a socket to enable a terminated socket carrying cable end to be connected to the cable locating device.

The head 10 of the device may be produced or include a piece of ferromagnetic material to enable the end of the device to be plastered over or otherwise hidden from view but still readily identified by using a magnet or like object.

In a further alternative arrangement^ the device includes a passive and/or active radio-frequency identification device (RFID) to enable its position andzthat of the attached cable to be identified using an RFID reader or a smart device such as a mobile telephone. In a preferred arrangement, the RFID has access to an App and cloud database to enable the species of cable connected to the device to be identified together, possibly with its date of installation, and/or a description of its function, and/or data relating to its installer with both end-points not'ed.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of cable locating devices in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims .

Claims

1. A device for locating a cable hidden behind an assembled wall or ceiling of a building, the device comprising a head, a screw-threaded shank and a stem which projects from the shank and is formed with means for connection to one end of said cable.

2 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises a stem of thickness less than that of the shank and including at least one slot for connection to said cable end.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises a spring loaded clip, a grub screw or the like.

4. A device as claimed in/claim 1 wherein stem comprises a socket for connection' to the cable end received by said device.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the head of the device is coated with a ferromagnetic material.