# US 2014/0151487 A1 · Speed control for cable retractor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151487 A1 - Document ID: US20140151487A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/085,719 - Filed: 2013-11-20 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-11 - Assignees: RGB Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Rgb Systems, Inc. - Inventors: MATTHEW SOPER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151487A1 ## CPC - B65H 75/368: {with pulleys} - B65H 75/4421: {acting directly on the material} - H02G 11/003: {using gravity-loaded or spring-loaded loop} - B65H 2701/34: electric cords or electric power cables - 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 The present invention is a speed control for a cable retractor. The cable retractor with which the speed control is used comprises a pulley that engages a cable that may be extended and retracted. A friction element configured to adjustably contact the cable adjacent to the pulley is attached to a movable linkage. The movement of the linkage is constrained to move along a predetermined path such that movement of the linkage along the path alters the distance between the friction element and the pulley. In one or more embodiments a cantilevered spring is attached to the linkage. An adjustable control, for example a thumbscrew, is configured to move the spring in relation to the linkage in a manner that alters the position of the friction element with respect to the cable and/or the pressure exerted by the friction element on the cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A speed control for a cable retractor, said cable retractor comprising a first pulley mounted to a pulley axle configured to guide a cable into a housing of said cable retractor, said speed control comprising: a drag assembly mounted adjacent to said first pulley, said drag assembly comprising a cable contact member mounted to a link member, said link member configured to restrain movement of said contact member in directions towards and away from a periphery of said first pulley; a drag adjustment mechanism mounted to said housing, said drag adjustment mechanism comprising a spring biased cantilever arm, said cantilever arm comprising a free end extending to said drag assembly, said cantilever arm configured to bias said contact member of said drag assembly towards said periphery of said first pulley. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The speed control of claim 1 wherein said drag adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment member configured to adjust a spring force exerted by said cantilever arm on said drag assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The speed control of claim 1 wherein said cantilever arm comprises a cantilever spring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The speed control of claim 1 wherein said cantilever arm comprises a generally rigid arm pivotably mounted to said drag adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The speed control of claim 4 wherein said drag adjustment mechanism comprises a compression spring for biasing said cantilever arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The speed control of claim 4 wherein said drag adjustment mechanism comprises a tension spring for biasing said cantilever arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The speed control of claim 1 wherein said contact member of said drag assembly is configured to contact a cable disposed between said contact member and said first pulley. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The speed control of claim 1 wherein said link member comprises a first plate comprising a first opening and configured to be mountable on said pulley axle adjacent to a first face said first pulley. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The speed control of claim 8 wherein said link member comprises a second plate comprising a second opening and configured to be mountable on said pulley axle adjacent to a second face of said first pulley. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The speed control of claim 7 wherein said contact member comprises a one-way bearing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The speed control of claim 8 wherein said contact member comprises a post disposed between said first and second plates of said drag assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The speed control of claim 2 wherein said adjustment member comprises a thumb wheel fastener. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The speed control of claim 12 wherein said thumb wheel fastener comprises a thumb screw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The speed control of claim 12 wherein said thumb wheel fastener comprises a thumb nut. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The speed control of claim 12 wherein said adjustment member comprises a detent mechanism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The speed control of claim 15 wherein said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of radial ridges. ### Claim 17 A speed control for a cable retractor, said cable retractor comprising a first pulley mounted to a pulley axle configured to guide a cable into a housing of said cable retractor, said speed control comprising: a drag assembly mounted adjacent to said first pulley, said first pulley comprising a first face comprising a plurality of gear teeth, said drag assembly comprising a cable contact member mounted to a link member, said link member configured to pivot about said pulley axle between positions at which said contact member impinges a cable path from said first pulley into said housing and position at which said contact member does not impinge said cable path; a rotary damper assembly mounted to said link member, said rotary damper comprising a rotary damper comprising a shaft and a gear mounted to said shaft; said gear configured to engage set plurality of gear teeth of said first pulley; said rotary damper assembly configured to impart a force on said link member in response to rotation of said first pulley about said pulley axle, said force urging said link member to pivot about said pulley axle; an adjustable stop affixed to said housing, said adjustable stop being configured to limit rotation of said link member beyond an adjustable stop position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The speed control of claim 17 wherein said plurality of gear teeth of said first pulley comprises a ring gear. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The speed control of claim 17 wherein said force exerted by said rotary damper assembly on said link member depends on a rotation speed of said first pulley. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The speed control of claim 17 wherein said adjustable stop position is a position at which said contact member impinges said cable path.