# US 10,865,067 B2 · Cord reel assembly with continuous cord

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- Number: US 10,865,067 B2
- Document ID: US10865067B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/307,256
- Filed: 2017-06-07
- Published: 2019-09-26
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-07
- Assignees: Astronics Connectivity Systems & Certification Corp.
- Applicants: Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification Corp.
- Inventors: John Alford; Christopher Hinojosa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865067B2

## CPC

- B65H 75/4449: {Arrangements or adaptations to avoid movable contacts or rotary couplings, e.g. by the use of an expansion chamber for a lenght of the cord or hose}
- B65H 75/4471: {Housing enclosing the reel}
- H02G 11/02: using take-up reel or drum
- B65H 2701/34: electric cords or electric power cables
- B65H 2701/3919: USB, earphones, audio or video cables, e.g. for connecting small electronic devices such as MP3 players or mobile telephones
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES

## Abstract

A cord reel assembly including a single, continuous cord having stationary and retractable segments, with the stationary segment including multiple connectors and sheath covering such connectors where the connectors twist and untwist relative to the sheath in response to the retract and extension of the retractable segment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A retractable cord reel apparatus, the apparatus comprising
a) a housing having a single storage chamber and a transition chamber;
b) a spool within and arranged for rotation relative to the housing;
c) a single cord comprising a plurality of connectors, a retractable segment sheath for a retractable end and a polytetrafluoroethylene stationary flexible sheath for a stationary end, the single cord traversing the interior of the housing and terminating in retractable and stationary ends external to the housing;
d) wherein, the stationary end of the cord extends from the transition chamber and comprises the polytetrafluoroethylene stationary flexible sheath anchored to the housing and adjacent to and surrounding the plurality of connectors twisted about one another, the plurality of connectors being arranged for twisting into a helical configuration and untwisting into an uncoiled straight configuration relative to the sheath along the length of the cord from the transition chamber up to the stationary end to support extension and retraction of the retractable end of the cord relative to the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors twist in response to the retraction of the retractable end of the cord.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors twist in response to the extension of the retractable end of the cord.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are electrical connectors.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are data connectors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are provide solely a mechanical connection.