Reel-in-box jumper cables

Abstract

A connecting device for connecting runs of communication material having a predetermined length and coupling elements at both ends is provided. The connecting device includes a first end, an opposing second end, and a separating element. The first end couples to a coupling element of a first run of communication material and the second end couples to a coupling element of a second run of communication material. The first run and the second run of communication material is separated in response to activation of the separating element. Also provided is a bulk cable packaging system that includes a plurality of runs of communication material, each run having a predetermined length and coupling elements at both ends and a plurality of connecting devices. The runs of communication material are coupled together with the connecting devices is operatively coupled to a reel. The reel is then operatively coupled within a container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package of connected runs of communication material having a predetermined length, the package comprising:
 a first run of communication material;   a second run of communication material; and   a connecting device configured to couple the first run of communication material with the second run of communication material in a non-electrically connected configuration, the connecting device having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the connecting device being coupled to an end of the first run of communication material, the second end of the connecting device being coupled to an end of the second run of communication material;   wherein the first run of communication material and the second run of communication material are separable from one another in response to disengaging the connecting device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device is formed of a plastic material, the connecting device further comprising a body portion coupled between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device further comprises a separating element configured to disengage the connecting device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the separating element comprises resilient members formed as part of the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the connecting device is removable from the first run of communication material and the second end of the connecting device is removable from the second run of communication material prior to use of the first run of communication material and the second run of communication material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the first run of communication material is terminated with a first coupling element and the end of the second run of communication material is terminated with a second coupling element. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the connecting device is coupled to an end of a sleeve around the first coupling element, and the second end of the connecting device is coupled to an end of a sleeve around the second coupling element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is a first inner conductor of the coupling element of the first run of communication material and the second end is a second inner conductor of the coupling element of the second run of communication material; and
 wherein the first inner conductor is fused to the second inner conductor.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting device further comprises a separating element that comprises a fusing point between the first and second inner conductors. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging system, comprising:
 a plurality of runs of communication material, each run of the plurality of runs having a predetermined length and coupling elements at both ends, each run of the plurality of runs of communication material having a first end and a second end, the first end of each run of the plurality of runs is terminated with a first coupling element, and the second end of each run of the plurality of runs is terminated with a second coupling element; and   a plurality of connecting devices, each connecting device being configured to couple a first run of the plurality of runs of communication material with a second run of the plurality of runs of communication material in a non-electrically connected configuration, each connecting device having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the connecting device being coupled to the first coupling element of the first run, and the second end of the connecting device being coupled to the second coupling element of the second run;   wherein the first run and the second run are separable from one another in response to disengaging the connecting device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each run of the plurality of runs of communication material comprises a run of coaxial cable; and
 wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element each comprise a coaxial cable connector.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of connecting devices comprises a separating element configured to disengage the connecting device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a reel, wherein a predetermined number of runs of communication material of the plurality of runs of communication material are coupled together by the plurality of connecting devices and are wound about the reel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a container configured to house the reel with the predetermined number of runs of communication material, the container having a dispensing opening for dispensing the predetermined number of runs of communication material. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein predetermined number of runs of communication material are accessible through the dispensing opening, and
 wherein each separating element is resistant to separation when extracting one or more than one of the predetermined number of runs of communication material through the dispensing opening.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the reel is rotatable within the container for enabling dispensing of the predetermined number of runs of communication material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting devices comprises an indicator, wherein the indicator signals that the amount of runs of communication material wound around the reel has dropped below a predetermined value during use of the system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a container containing a plurality of reels, each of the plurality of reels having a predetermined number of runs of communication material wound thereon and dispensable from the container. 
     
     
         19 . A connecting device for connecting flexible segments having a predetermined length, the connecting device comprising:
 a first flexible segment;   a second flexible segment; and   a connecting device configured to couple the first flexible segment with the second flexible segment, the connecting device having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the connecting device being coupled to an end of the first flexible segment, the second end of the connecting device being coupled to an end of the second flexible segment,   wherein the first flexible segment and the second flexible segment are separable from one another in response to disengaging the connecting device.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the connecting device further comprises a separating element configured to disengage the connecting device.