Cable takeup/payout system for a multi-rotation assembly
First Claim
1. A cable connection/dispensing system for a multi-rotation assembly, comprising:
- a hollow housing;
a central hub centered within the housing and having a cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween, at least one of the housing and the hub being rotatable;
a first cable connector located on the hollow housing and facing an interior thereof;
a second cable connector located on the central hub;
an interconnect medium disposed between the hollow housing and the central hub, the interconnect medium comprising an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector; and
means for rotating the central hub and for holding the housing stationary with respect to rotation, the means for rotating permitting a preselected number of rotations of the hub.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cable connection/dispensing system for a multi-rotation assembly includes a hollow cylindrical housing and an elongated central hub centered within the housing. The hub has a cardioid cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween. At least one of the housing and the hub is rotatable. A first cable connector is located on the hollow housing and faces its interior, and a second cable connector is located at the acute cusp of the central hub. A length of an interconnect medium lies between the hollow housing and the central hub. The interconnect medium includes an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector, and an interconnect medium substrate to which the interconnect cable is attached. Rotation of the hub with respect to the housing results in a smooth payout and takeup of the cable medium for a number of turns corresponding to about twice the length of the interconnect medium.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A cable connection/dispensing system for a multi-rotation assembly, comprising:
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a hollow housing; a central hub centered within the housing and having a cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween, at least one of the housing and the hub being rotatable; a first cable connector located on the hollow housing and facing an interior thereof; a second cable connector located on the central hub; an interconnect medium disposed between the hollow housing and the central hub, the interconnect medium comprising an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector; and means for rotating the central hub and for holding the housing stationary with respect to rotation, the means for rotating permitting a preselected number of rotations of the hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A cable connection/dispensing system for a multi-rotation assembly, comprising:
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a hollow cylindrical housing; an elongated central hub centered within the housing and having a cardioid cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween, at least one of the housing and the hub being rotatable; a first cable connector located on the hollow housing and facing an interior thereof; a second cable connector located at the acute cusp of the central hub; and an interconnect medium disposed between the hollow housing and the central hub, the interconnect medium comprising; an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector, and an interconnect medium substrate to which the interconnect cable is attached. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for connecting and dispensing a cable in a multi-rotation assembly, comprising the step of:
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providing a hollow housing having a first cable connector located on the hollow housing and facing an interior thereof, providing a central hub centered within the housing and having a cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween, the central hub having a second cable connector located thereon, at least one of the housing and the hub being rotatable; placing a length of an interconnect medium between the hollow housing and the central hub, the interconnect medium comprising an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector; and rotating the hub by a preselected number of rotations of the hub and while holding the housing stationary with respect to rotation.
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Specification