Take-up reel assembly
OwnerDavid J Kukerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A take-up reel assembly includes a frame, and a spindle, having an axis, which is coupled to the frame. A spool is positioned coaxially with the spindle and is able to rotate about the axis of the spindle. A flexible elongated member having a distal portion coupled to the spool and accessible from exterior of the spool, a middle portion positioned between the spindle and an inside surface of the spool, and a proximal portion coupled to the frame, has the middle portion of the elongated member wound as a helix about the spindle. The diameter of the helix changes with rotation of the spool.
Claims25
A take-up reel assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a spindle, having an axis, coupled to the frame;
- a spool positioned coaxially with the spindle and able to rotate about the axis;
- a flexible elongated member having a distal portion coupled to the spool and accessible from exterior of the spool, a middle portion positioned between the spindle and an inside surface of the spool, and a proximal portion coupled to the frame;
- a rotating union including a fixed portion coupled to the frame, and a rotating portion coupled to the spool;
- one or more proximal hoses coupled to the fixed portion of the rotating union;
- and
- one or more distal hoses coupled to the rotating portion of the rotating union;
- wherein the middle portion of the elongated member is wound as a helix about the spindle and a diameter of the helix changes with rotation of the spool.
A take-up reel assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a spindle, having an axis, coupled to the frame;
- a spool positioned coaxially with the spindle and able to rotate about the axis;
- an electrical cable comprising:
- a proximal portion coupled to the frame and having a near end accessible from outside of the take-up reel assembly,
- a distal portion coupled to the spool and having a far end terminated with an electrical connector, and
- a middle portion, between the proximal and distal portion, wound as a helix about the spindle inside the spool, wherein a diameter of the helix changes with rotation of the spool;
- a two-passage pneumatic rotating union comprising:
- a fixed portion coupled to the frame, and
- a rotating portion coupled to the spool;
- two input hoses coupled to the fixed portion of rotating union and having near ends accessible from outside the take-up reel assembly;
- two output hoses coupled to rotating portion of the rotating union and having far ends terminated with pneumatic connectors;
- a hybrid connection cable comprising the distal portion of the electrical cable and the two or more output hoses bound together;
- a guide to position the hybrid connection cable on the spool;
- a mechanical linkage between the spool and the guide to move the guide as the spool rotates;
- and
- a retraction mechanism to provide a rotational torque to the spool in a first angular direction;
- wherein the take-up reel assembly has an extended position where a majority of the hybrid connection cable is extended outside of the take-up reel assembly, and a retracted position where a majority of the hybrid connection cable is wrapped around the spool;
- and
- the take-up reel assembly is changed from the extended position to the retracted condition by rotating the spool in the first angular direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.