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US 6,554,218 B2Granted
Cable management spool
AssigneeSteelcase Development Corporation
InventorsDouglas D. Buyce, Joseph D. Ruedinger, Jason E. Begin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cable management spool for storing a length of cable includes first and second rigid outer members that are movable relative to each other and define a gap of variable size therebetween. An intermediate member has at least one flexible flap, and the intermediate member is disposed between the first and second rigid outer members. The spool includes a spooling portion between the first and second outer members, wherein the spooling portion is adapted to have a length of cable wound about the spooling portion. The intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of the first and second rigid outer members, and the at least one flap substantially occupies the gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable.
Claims32
A cable management spool for storing a length of cable comprising:
- first and second rigid outer members;
- said first and second rigid outer members relatively movable to each other and defining a gap of variable size therebetween;
- an intermediate member having a disk like central portion defining an axis and a circular peripheral edge, said intermediate member having at least one flexible flap extending generally parallel to said axis for said peripheral edge and defining, in cross section, a length and a base thickness adjacent said central portion, said length being substantially greater than said base thickness, said intermediate member disposed between said first rigid outer member and said second rigid outer member;
- a spooling portion between said first and second outer members and wherein said spooling portion is adapted to have a length of cable wound about said spooling portion;
- and
- wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of said first and second rigid outer members and said at least one flap substantially occupies said gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable.
3 more elements
A cable management spool for storing a length of cable comprising:
- first and second rigid outer members;
- said first and second rigid outer members relatively movable to each other and defining a gap of variable size therebetween;
- an intermediate member having at least one flexible flap, said intermediate member disposed between said first rigid outer member and said second rigid outer member;
- a spooling portion between said first and second outer members and wherein said spooling portion is adapted to have a length of cable wound about said spooling portion;
- wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of said first and second rigid outer members and said at least one flap substantially occupies said gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable;
- said spooling portion comprises first and second extension members respectively disposed on said first and second rigid outer members, said extension members telescopingly engaging each other and wherein:
- one of said telescoping extension members includes a catch member for engaging said intermediate member and centrally positioning said intermediate member between said first and second outer members during relative movement of said first and second outer members.
4 more elements
A cable management spool for storing a length of cable comprising:
- first and second rigid outer members;
- said first and second rigid outer members relatively movable to each other and defining a gap of variable size therebetween;
- an intermediate member having at least one flexible flap, said intermediate member disposed between said first rigid outer member and said second rigid outer member;
- a spooling portion between said first and second outer members and wherein said spooling portion is adapted to have a length of cable wound about said spooling portion;
- wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of said first and second rigid outer members and said at least one flap substantially occupies said gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable;
- and wherein:
- said flap includes an outer surface having a cable access opening.
4 more elements
A cable management spool for storing a length of cable comprising:
- first and second rigid outer members telescopingly engaged with one another and defining a central spooling portion;
- a flexible member disposed circumferentially about said central spooling member between said first and second outer members and having at least one flap member extending from an outer peripheral edge of said flexible member, said flap member defining, in cross section, a length and a thickness adjacent said peripheral edge, said length being substantially greater than said thickness;
- and
- wherein the length of cable can be pressed through said flexible member and is windable about said central spooling portion.
1 more element
A cable management spool, comprising:
- a pair of disk-like spaced apart housing members defining a gap therebetween, each said housing member defining an annular peripheral edge;
- a spooling portion extending between and interconnecting said housing members, said spooling portion adapted to permit winding of an electrical line around said spooling portion;
- a generally annular flexible flap extending across at least a substantial portion of said gap adjacent said peripheral edges of said housing members;
- and
- an electrical line at least partially wound around said spooling portion, said electrical line including a plug at one end adapted to plug into an electrical receptacle.
2 more elements
A combination office partition panel and cable management spool for storing a length of cable, comprising:
- at least one vertically oriented office partition panel;
- a cable management spool comprising:
- first and second rigid outer members;
- said first and second rigid outer members relatively movable to each other along an axis and defining a gap of variable size therebetween;
- an intermediate member having at least one resilient member, said intermediate member disposed between said first rigid outer member and said second rigid outer member;
- a spooling portion between said first and second outer members and wherein said spooling portion is adapted to have a length of electrical cable wound about said spooling portion;
- wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of said first and second rigid outer members and said at least one flap substantially occupies said gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable, and said cable management spool is secured to said partition panel;
- and
- an electrical cable having at least a portion thereof wound about said spooling portion.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.