Retractable cable reel

An apparatus for retracting and extending a length of cable, comprising:

• a frame;
• a reel for storing cable rotatably mounted to the frame, the reel having a hub that rotates with the reel, the hub having a plurality of apertures;
• a connector panel having a plurality of connectors for interconnecting a proximal end of the cable on the reel with lines leading to electrical equipment;
• a reel docking station mounted on the hub for rotation therewith, the connector panel being removably mountable to the reel docking station, allowing the connector panel to be rotated with the reel while on the reel docking station and the lines to the electrical equipment are disconnected from the connectors;
• a frame docking station mounted on the frame, the connector panel being removably mountable to the frame docking station while the lines to the electrical equipment are connected to the connectors;
• a locking member mounted to the hub adjacent the reel docking station, the locking member having a platform that is contacted by the connector panel while the connector panel is mounted to the reel docking station, the locking member having a finger that protrudes through one of the apertures in the hub into engagement with the frame for preventing rotation of the reel relative to the frame while the connector panel is removed from the reel docking station, defining a locked position that prevents rotation of the reel relative to the frame;
• and wherein
• the locking member has a spring that urges the locking member to the locked position.

An apparatus for retracting and extending a length of cable, comprising:

• a frame;
• a reel rotatably mounted to the frame for storing cable;
• and
• a cable presence sensor mounted to the reel for sensing the presence of the cable on the reel, the cable presence sensor having a locked position that is adapted to engage the frame with the reel to prevent rotation of the reel relative to the frame while not sensing the cable on the reel, the cable presence sensor having an unlocked position that is adapted to allow rotation of the reel relative to the frame while sensing the presence of the cable on the reel.

A method for connecting remote electrical equipment with proximal electrical equipment, comprising:

• (a) providing a reel with a reel docking station and a locking member;
• (b) rotatably mounting the reel to a frame, wherein the locking member has an unlocked position out of engagement with the frame to allow rotation of the reel relative to the frame, and a locked position engaging the frame to prevent rotation of the reel relative to the frame;
• (c) winding cable around the reel;
• (d) connecting a proximal end of the cable to a connector panel;
• (e) mounting the connector panel on a reel docking station provided on the reel and simultaneously engaging the locking member with the connector panel to move the locking member to the unlocked position;
• then
• (f) rotating the reel, unwinding at least a portion of the cable;
• then
• (g) connecting a remote end of the cable to remote electrical equipment, removing the connector panel from the reel docking station, thereby causing the locking member to move to the locked position, and connecting a line leading to proximal electrical equipment to the connector panel.