TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC CORD REEL

• US 3,854,017 A
• Filed: 12/18/1972
• Issued: 12/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter W. Crim
• Original Assignee: Walter W. Crim
• Inventors: Crim, Walter W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. Henson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Keen, D. W.
• Application Number:
  US05/316,108
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 137/355.16,355.17,355.2,355.21,355.23 242/107.6 191/12.2R,12.4
• US Class Current: 191/12.20R
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/15 Protecting or guiding telephone cords
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6943 Biased to retracted position

Abstract

A reel for a telephone or electric cord. A spiral resilient conductor associated with each conductor in the cord. One end of each spiral resilient conductor is attached to the cord spool within the reel and is electrically connected to one of the cord conductors. The other end of each spiral resilient conductor is attached to the base on which the spool rotates so that the spiral resilient conductor expands and contracts radially as the cord is wound onto or unwound from the spool. The spool carries insulative discs that define a slot to constrain and insulate each of the spiral resilient conductors.

Claims

1. In a reel for a conductive multistrand cable a base, a rotatable cable storing spool that revolves about an axis on said base in one direction to dispense the cable and an opposite direction to retract the cable, a plurality of spiral resilient conductors each having a first end joined to the spool and electrically connected to the cable conductor, each of said spiral resilient conductors separate from each other and each coaxial with said spool, all said spiral resilient conductors being located axially remote from said spool, and a spring fixed to said base and said spool to rewind said spool to retract said cables, said spring being remote from said frame, said cable, and from said spiral resilient conductors.

2. An electrical connection structure according to claim 1 wherein each said second end of said spiral resilient conductor is disposed radially outward of said first end thereof.

3. An electrical connection structure according to claim 2 wherein said first and second ends reside in a common plane substantially normal to said axis and means for constraining the portion of said spiral resilient conductor intermediate said ends within said plane.

4. An electrical connection structure according to claim 3 wherein said constraining means comprises means forming a pair of surfaces normal to the axis, said surfaces being axially spaced apart to define a slot, said spiral resilient conductor residing within said slot.

5. An electrical connection structure according to claim 3 wherein said spool includes a shaft rigid therewith and coaxial with said axis, said shaft having an extension axially of said spool and a central opening therethrough, said constraining means being mounted on said extension, and conductor means extending through said central opening for connecting said cable to said first end of said spiral resilient conductor.

6. A cable storing apparatus for a cable that has at least first and second electrical conductors therein comprising a base, a spool having a shaft supported for rotation about an axis on saId base, said spool having a peripheral annular groove for containing the cable, means for resiliently biasing said spool in a first direction to wind the cable thereon within said annular groove, means for selectively and releasably locking said spool against the force of said biasing means, said spool having first and second termination means adjacent the inner radial extremity of said groove for effecting mechanical and electrical connection of respective said first and second electrical conductors, first and second conductor means extending from respective said termination means to respective first and second axially spaced apart points on said shaft, means rigid with said shaft for defining first and second axially spaced slots that extend radially of said shaft at respective said points, first and second spiral resilient conductors disposed in respective slots and circumscribing said shaft, said spiral resilient conductors each having a first end connected to respective said conductor means at respective said points, each said spiral resilient conductor having a second end remote from respective said first ends, and means rigid with said base and in alignment with said slots for supporting respective said second conductor ends.