Patent · US Expired

Take-up reel for flexible elongated members

US6726140B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
28References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 5, 2001
Grant dateApr 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2701/34
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering energy and material, such as electricity, air and fluid, from a source (22) to a driven device (24). The apparatus (20) comprises at least one flexible elongated member (26) selected from the group of electrical conductors, air hoses, fluid hoses and the like. The elongated member has a feed portion (114) with a feed end (42) connectable to the source, a slack portion (118), a supply portion (120) with a supply end (43) connectable to the driven device, a first portion (128) between the feed portion and the slack portion, and a second portion (134) between the slack portion and the supply portion. The apparatus also includes a stationary hub (74) and a spool (78) connected to the hub. The spool is rotatable between stored and deployed conditions relative to said hub. A winding wall (82) on the spool is spaced away from the hub and has an internal surface (86), an oppositely disposed winding surface (88), and an aperture (90) extending therethrough. A storage compartment (112) is positioned between the hub and the internal surface. A first clamp (101) on the hub fixes the first portion of the elongated member relative to the hub, positions the supply portion…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.