Retractable cord assembly

• US 6,495,756 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Astronics Connectivity Systems & Certification Corp. (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Telefonix Incorporated (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Burke, Paul C., Skowronski, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US09/806,749
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 174/70.R, 174/69, 174/71.R, 174/113.C, 174/131.A, 242/580, 242/407
• US Class Current: 174/70.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

The retractable cord assembly (26) comprises a cable (28) having a central carrier and plural conductors helically wrapped about the central carrier. The assembly further includes a grommet for connecting the cable (28) to a device, the grommet having a head and stem, with a passage throught he head and stem for receiving the cable (28). The passgae is tapered to provide an enlarged proximal end when installed. The assembly further includes a flexible metal conduit (30) through which the cable slides. The cable outer surface is nylon braid and the conduit inner surface is a nickel plated to minimize friction therebetween.

Claims

1. A cable, comprising

a central carrier having a substantially circular cross-section;

a plurality of conductors wrapped around said central carrier, said conductors being slidable relative to the carrier;

a jacket covering said conductors;

a grommet near one end of said cable, said grommet comprising a non-circular distal head portion and a proximal stem portion, said head and stem portions having a passage there through receiving said cable, a distal end of said stem adjacent said head having an outside diameter, and a proximal end of said stem having an outside diameter that is larger than said stem distal end outside diameter.

2. A cable as in claim 1 wherein said cable comprises at least five said conductors.

3. A cable as in claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises braided fabric.

4. A cable as in claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises an elastomeric insulator.

5. A cable as in claim 4, wherein said jacket further comprises a braided fabric layer over said elastomeric insulator.

6. A cable as in claim 1, wherein said central carrier comprises a substantially inelastic fibrous material.

7. A cable as in claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises a fabric braid, said braid extend over said conductors and said grommet.

8. A cable as in claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises an elastomeric insulator covered by a fabric braid layer, said grommet located over said elastomeric insulator and under said fabric braided layer.

9. A cable as in claim 1, further comprising a conduit over said cable, said conduit having a hard, smooth interior surface, and said cable being slidable within said conduit.

10. A cable and grommet assembly comprising,

a plurality of conductors;

an insulating jacket over said conductors;

a grommet near a distal end of said cable, said grommet comprised of a compressible material and having a non-cylindrical shape, said grommet over said insulating jacket; and

a fabric braid layer over said grommet and a portion of said insulating layer proximate to said grommet, said grommet within and not protruding from said fabric layer.

11. A cable as in claim 10, wherein said grommet comprises a distal head portion and a proximal stem portion, said head and stem portions having a passage there through receiving said cable, a distal end of said stem adjacent said head having an outside diameter, and a proximal end of said stem having an outside diameter that is larger than said stem distal end outside diameter.

12. A cable as in claim 10, wherein said cable includes a central carrier around which said conductors are wound.

13. A cable as in claim 12, wherein said cable comprises at least five said conductors helically wound around said central carrier.

14. A conduit and cable assembly, comprising

a conduit having a hard, smooth interior surface;

and

a cable slidably held in said conduit, said cable extending and retracting within said conduit, said cable having an outer jacket comprising a fabric cover, said cover having a low coefficient of friction relative to said conduit interior surface, whereby said cable extends and retracts freely within said conduit.

15. An assembly as in claim 14, wherein said conduit is metal and said interior surface is nickel-plated and said fabric is nylon.

16. An assembly as in claim 14, further comprising a retractable cord reel having a housing and a spool, a proximal end of said conduit attached to said housing and a portion of said cable wound on said spool, said cord reel slidably retracting said cable within said conduit.

17. An assembly as in claim 14, wherein said cable comprises a central carrier and a plurality of conductors wound around said carrier.

18. An assembly as in claim 14, further comprising a grommet on a distal end of said cable and an insulating layer below said fabric cover, said grommet being installed over said insulating layer and under said fabric cover.