Retractable cord reel

• US 3,929,210 A
• Filed: 05/28/1974
• Issued: 12/30/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bernard J. Tamarin, Morris Cutler
• Original Assignee: Bernard J. Tamarin, Morris Cutler
• Inventors: Cutler, Morris, Tamarin, Bernard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, Jr., Robert S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Keen, D. W.
• Application Number:
  US05/473,885
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 191/12.2R,12.4 242/107.7
• US Class Current: 191/12.20R
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/486 Arrangements or adaptations of the spring motor
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A retractable cord reel, especially for electrical cord. The cord is carried by a pair of lightweight, electrically nonconductive hub-and-flange members secured together in sheave-like configuration. A tandem spring motor provides even tensioning of the cord, both when fully unwound and when fully retracted or wound up. Electrical continuity is provided as desired for grounding of the reel frame via a mounting arbor, which also may be non-conductive in large part so long as a sufficient part of it remains conductive.

Claims

1. In a retractable electrical cord reel having an arbor comprising electrically conductive material, electrical conductor rings concentric therewith, and a nonconductive flange rotatable relative to the arbor and carrying the rings rotatively therearound, the improvement comprising a three-conductor electrical cord adapted to be wound onto and unwound from the reel, two of the conductors terminating in fixed contact with the respective conductor rings, and electrically conductive collar secured in fixed relation to the flange and encircling an electrically conductive portion of the arbor and in contact therewith, the third conductor of the cord terminating in fixed contact with the collar.

2. Cord reel according to claim 1, wherein the flange has openings therein accommodating the terminations of the respective cord conductors secured to the concentric rings.

3. Cord reel according to claim 2, wherein the third conductor terminates secured to the electrically conductive collar.

4. Cord reel according to claim 1, including also an electrically conductor frame member in contact with the electrically conductive part of the arbor.

5. Cord reel according to claim 4, wherein the frame member is grounded externally.

6. Cord reel according to claim 5, wherein the third conductor of the cord is a grounding conductor.

7. Cord reel according to claim 1, wherein another part of the arbor comprises electrically non-conductive material predominantly and lacks such electrical continuity path.

8. In a retractable electrical cord reel having an electrically conductive arbor, electrical conductor rings concentric therewith, and a non-conductive flange rotatable relative to the arbor and carrying the rings rotatively therearound, the improvement comprising an electrically conductive collar secured in fixed relation flange and encircling the arbor and in contact therewith, and an electrical interconnection between the collar and an electrical conductor in the cord of the reel.

9. Cord reel according to claim 8, wherein the flange carries means for supporting the collar.

10. Cord reel according to claim 9, wherein the supporting means comprises a boss on the flange, and the collar has a tab with an opening therein adapting it to be press-fit onto the boss.

11. Cord reel according to claim 9, including an electrically conductive frame member secured non-rotatively to the arbor and electrically interconnected to the one cord conductor through the arbor and the collar.

12. Cord reel according to claim 11, wherein the arbor comprises electrically conductive and non-conductive portions, the conductive portion being contiguous with the collar and the frame member.