# US 6,036,499 A · Electrical connector for a cable reel

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- Number: US 6,036,499 A
- Document ID: US6036499A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 09/102,233
- Filed: 1998-06-22
- Granted: 2000-03-14
- Earliest claimed: 1998-06-22
- Assignees: Walker Downriggers, Inc.
- Inventors: Richard Ford
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6036499A

## CPC

- H01R 39/10: other than with external cylindrical contact surface, e.g. flat slip-rings
- B63G 2008/007: {by means of a physical link to a base, e.g. wire, cable or umbilical}
- H01R 39/18: Contacts for co-operation with commutator or slip-ring, e.g. contact brush
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- B63G: OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (means of attack or defence in general, e.g. turrets F41H)

## Abstract

A coupling system suitable for use with a transmission cable is described. The system includes a contact unit operably connected to a reel assembly having a base and a reel rotatably mounted to the base for winding the transmission cable. The contact unit provides for the transmission of electrical signals and power between the cable and a vessel as the cable is wound onto the reel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coupling system suitable for use with a downrigger cable comprising:
(a) a reel assembly having a base and a cable reel rotatably mounted to said base for winding said downrigger cable;
(b) a rotor attached to said reel assembly; and
(c) an electrical pickup attached to said reel assembly for transmitting electrical signals between said pickup and said rotor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said rotor has a plurality of concentric conductive rings mounted thereon.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The coupling system of claim 2, wherein said rotor is attached to said cable reel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The coupling system of claim 2, wherein said electrical pickup has a plurality of brushes in communication with said conductive rings.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The coupling system of claim 4, wherein said electrical pickup is operably attached to said base.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said contact unit is operably coupled to said cable which includes a plurality of conductive leads twisted about each other, said conductive leads being electrically isolated from each other, and an outer shield spirally surrounding said conductive leads.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The coupling system of claim 6, wherein said outer shield includes about twelve strands of stainless steel, each having an outer diameter of about 0.01 inch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The coupling system of claim 6, wherein said conductive leads comprise three strands of conductive wire.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The coupling system of claim 6, wherein said conductive leads are operably coupled to a camera assembly.

### Claim 10

A coupling system for a reel assembly and a downrigger cable, said reel assembly having a base attached to a vessel and a reel rotatably mounted in relation to said base, said downrigger cable having a plurality of conductive leads electrically isolated from each other and an outer shield spirally surrounding said conductive leads comprising:
(a) a contact unit having a rotor with a plurality of concentric conductive rings mounted thereon, said contact unit operably connected to said base, said reel, and said conductive leads for transmission of said electrically isolated signals between said cable and said vessel; and
(b) a connector operably connected to said contact unit for transmission of said electrical signals between said cable and said vessel as said cable is spirally wound onto said cable reel.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The coupling system of claim 10, wherein said rotor is attached to said reel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The coupling system of claim 10, wherein said contact unit includes a pick-up means attached to said reel assembly and having a plurality of brushes in communication with said conductive rings.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The coupling system of claim 12, wherein said pick-up means is operably connected between said rotor and said connector.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The coupling system of claim 10, wherein said outer shield of said downrigger cable includes about twelve strands of stainless steel, each having an outer diameter of about 0.01 inch.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The coupling system of claim 14, wherein said conductive leads comprise three strands of conductive wire.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The coupling system of claim 10, wherein said conductive leads are operably coupled to a camera assembly.