Cable drum for a cable driven apparatus

A cable drum assembly having automatic cable length compensation for use in cooperation with a manual or electrical means for driving an apparatus, the assembly comprising:

• a cable drum rotatably driven by the drive means and having an outer cable drum wall defining a winding surface;
• a cable wound on the winding surface;
• a part connected to the cable and disposed inside the cable drum and movable in relation to the outer cable drum wall;
• and
• the outer cable drum wall comprising at least one slit axially extending sufficiently to thereby permit the outer cable drum wall to expand and contract radially, the cable drum and part being structured such that expansion of the cable drum wall removes a restraining force on the part allowing the part to move and take up slack of the cable and a load exterted by the cable on the cable drum wall causes the cable drum wall to contract radially and apply a restraining force on the part which resists such movement of the part.

A rotatable cable drum for a closed cable loop guided over reversing rollers, the cable drum providing automatic cable length compensation, the cable drum comprising:

• a radially movable outer cable drum wall having a winding surface for transporting a conduit;
• a part disposed inside the cable drum in movable relationship to the outer cable drum wall, the part being connected with a first end of the cable loop so that the cable, starting at the movable part, is guided through the conduit exteriorly onto the winding surface, the cable drum and part being structured such that when a load is placed on the outer cable drum wall by the cable movement of the part is resisted;
• and
• wherein the outer cable drum wall comprises at least one slit which extends axially and radially inward from the outer cable drum wall as far as an inner support surface on the cable drum for the part, and wherein the slit permits expansion and contraction of the circumference of the outer cable drum wall.

A rotatable cable drum for a closed cable loop guided over reversing rollers, the cable drum providing automatic cable length compensation, the cable drum comprising:

• a radially movable outer cable drum wall having a winding surface for transporting a conduit;
• a part disposed inside the cable drum in movable relationship to the outer cable drum wall, the part being connected with a first end of the cable loop so that the cable, starting at the movable part, is guided through the conduit exteriorly onto the winding surface, the cable drum and part being structured such that when a load is placed on the cable drum wall by the cable movement of the part is arrested;
• and
• a guide,
• wherein the part comprises a slide which is displaceably seated in the guide and which compensates the cable slackness by means of movement of the slide, the slide being in contact with the outer cable drum wall, the outer cable drum wall allowing displacement of the slide only when a radial force of the cable exerted on the outer cable drum wall is released.