Coiler
OwnerBrian LaPointinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for implementing a coiler. In an example aspect, the coiler can compactly organize a variety of flexible elements while enabling one portion of the flexible element to remain at a fixed position. Instead of using a rotating reel, the coiler includes a rotating member and a stationary shaft. The rotating member rotates and passes the flexible element to the shaft. In this manner, the rotating member mimics the action of a person manually coiling the flexible element onto the stationary shaft. Because the shaft remains relatively stationary as the flexible element is coiled or uncoiled, the coiled portion of the flexible element also remains relatively stationary. Consequently, the coiler can forego other complicated or expensive interfaces and enable the flexible element to connect directly to a stationary source.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a fixed member comprising an insertion slot, the insertion slot configured to secure a first portion of a flexible element;
- a shaft having first and second ends, the first end positioned proximate to the fixed member;
- a rotating member positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft and configured to rotatably move about an axis of rotation, the rotating member comprising a guide offset from the axis of rotation, the guide configured to enable a second portion of the flexible element to pass through the rotating member;
- and
- a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the rotating member in a first direction around the axis of rotation to coil the second portion of the flexible element around the shaft, wherein:
- the shaft is configured to be relatively stationary compared to the rotating member;
- and
- the shaft comprises at least one tapered section such that the shaft has a first cross-sectional area proximate to the rotating member and a second cross-sectional area proximate to the fixed member, the first cross-sectional area being larger than the second cross-sectional area.
An apparatus comprising:
- a shaft;
- fixed means for securing a first portion of a flexible element;
- and
- rotating means for coiling a second portion of the flexible element around the shaft as the shaft and the fixed means remain relatively stationary compared to the rotating means,
- wherein the shaft comprises at least one tapered section such that the shaft has a first cross-sectional area that is proximate to the rotating means and a second cross-sectional area that is proximate to the fixed means, the first cross-sectional area being larger than the second cross-sectional area.
A method performed by a coiler comprising a fixed member, a rotating member, and a shaft having at least one tapered section such that the shaft has a first cross-sectional area proximate to the rotating member and a second cross-sectional area proximate to the fixed member, the first cross-sectional area being larger than the second cross-sectional area, the method comprising:
- securing a first portion of a flexible element to the fixed member of the coiler;
- rotating the rotating member of the coiler in a first direction around an axis of rotation as the fixed member and the shaft of the coiler remain relatively stationary, the shaft positioned between the fixed member and the rotating member;
- passing a second portion of the flexible element through the rotating member;
- and
- coiling the second portion of the flexible element around the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.