CA2014710A1 - Retractable extension cord apparatus for telephones and the like - Google Patents
Retractable extension cord apparatus for telephones and the likeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2014710A1 CA2014710A1 CA 2014710 CA2014710A CA2014710A1 CA 2014710 A1 CA2014710 A1 CA 2014710A1 CA 2014710 CA2014710 CA 2014710 CA 2014710 A CA2014710 A CA 2014710A CA 2014710 A1 CA2014710 A1 CA 2014710A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cord
- reel
- shaft
- cable
- length
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A telephone extension cord winding apparatus comprises a hollow body that mounts a centrally projecting, fixed shaft about which is wrapped a length of flat telephone cable, the outer end of which extends to a telephone fitting mounted on the body and the inner, connector end of which extends vertically upward adjacent the shaft. A cord reel rotatably engages the shaft and directly overlies the flat telephone cable, the inner end of the cable passing upward through an opening provided in the overlying wall of the reel and into a space provided between an encircling ring and the shaft where the cable is secured to the reel and connected at its outer end to a telephone extension cord preferably approximately twice the length of the flat cable. The extension cord passes out of the reel and the housing body and mounts a conventional telephone jack on its outer terminal end. A spring engages the reel to tension it in the direction of the cord windings. As the extension cord is withdrawn from the housing body, the flat cable is unwound with the rotation of the reel until it is contained in the space between the reel and the housing body as a completely unwound, loose coil. This confining space permits only a 180° twist of the connector portion of the cable along its length extending upwardly through the opening in the reel as the cable changes directions of wrapping and is rewound in the opposite direction about the shaft by continued rotation of the reel as the longer extension cord continues to be withdrawn.
A telephone extension cord winding apparatus comprises a hollow body that mounts a centrally projecting, fixed shaft about which is wrapped a length of flat telephone cable, the outer end of which extends to a telephone fitting mounted on the body and the inner, connector end of which extends vertically upward adjacent the shaft. A cord reel rotatably engages the shaft and directly overlies the flat telephone cable, the inner end of the cable passing upward through an opening provided in the overlying wall of the reel and into a space provided between an encircling ring and the shaft where the cable is secured to the reel and connected at its outer end to a telephone extension cord preferably approximately twice the length of the flat cable. The extension cord passes out of the reel and the housing body and mounts a conventional telephone jack on its outer terminal end. A spring engages the reel to tension it in the direction of the cord windings. As the extension cord is withdrawn from the housing body, the flat cable is unwound with the rotation of the reel until it is contained in the space between the reel and the housing body as a completely unwound, loose coil. This confining space permits only a 180° twist of the connector portion of the cable along its length extending upwardly through the opening in the reel as the cable changes directions of wrapping and is rewound in the opposite direction about the shaft by continued rotation of the reel as the longer extension cord continues to be withdrawn.
Description
- , 2014710 : ~ ~
, RETRACTABLE EXTENSION CORD APPARATUS
s FOR TELEPHONES AND THE LIKE
, ~.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to extension cords and the like, and more particularly to a retractable extension cord assembly for telephones and other electrical 5 equipment and instruments.
¦ Referring primarily to telephone cords, although it ¦ will be understood that other specialized and non-specialized electrical and non-electrical cords may , alternatively be provided, it is often desired that retractable telephone extension cords be provided between the wall jack and a telephone or between a telephone and a hand~et to permit the instrument to be moved about a wider area as it is being used. Apparatus has been provided heretofore which mounts a length o~ suitable cord on a spring tensioned spindle which permits the cord to be paid out and retracted automatically as the cord is pulled upon or released.
Examples of such retractable extension cord assemblies are illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,276,825;
1,446,410; 1,gl8,657; 1,946,778; 2,167,571; 2,211,561;
, RETRACTABLE EXTENSION CORD APPARATUS
s FOR TELEPHONES AND THE LIKE
, ~.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to extension cords and the like, and more particularly to a retractable extension cord assembly for telephones and other electrical 5 equipment and instruments.
¦ Referring primarily to telephone cords, although it ¦ will be understood that other specialized and non-specialized electrical and non-electrical cords may , alternatively be provided, it is often desired that retractable telephone extension cords be provided between the wall jack and a telephone or between a telephone and a hand~et to permit the instrument to be moved about a wider area as it is being used. Apparatus has been provided heretofore which mounts a length o~ suitable cord on a spring tensioned spindle which permits the cord to be paid out and retracted automatically as the cord is pulled upon or released.
Examples of such retractable extension cord assemblies are illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,276,825;
1,446,410; 1,gl8,657; 1,946,778; 2,167,571; 2,211,561;
2,473,107; 3,061,234; and 4,165,053. The reference 1,446,410 illustrates typical art, the limitations and , . ~ :,.
disadvantages of which the present invention addresses. ~ -It is a common problem in conventional cord winding '.
i :
20~7~C~
apparatus of this type that the construction of the winding mechanism either requires a stator and rotor type electrical coupling between the end of the extension cord coil and the cord attached to the wall or telephone, or the constructions require axial bending of the delicate wires. The rotor and stator type connections have been found undesirable because they produce noise signals that contribute to poor telephone performance, and the other hàrd wire connections which require bending of the wires during operation of the cord winding mechanism result in damage to the wire and ultimate breakage. No winding mechanism construction has been provided heretofore in the art which satisfactorily overcomes the inherent stress and strain placed on the delicate telephone wires during the course of the operation of conventional cord winding assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its basic concept, this invention provides a cord winding apparatus in which a length of extension cord is mounted on a spring tensioned rotary spindle for winding and unwinding about the axis of a fixed shaft, a length of coupling cord is coiled about the fixed shaft in a plane parallel to the plane of the coiled extension cord for winding and unwinding about the axis of the fixed ~5 shaft during winding and unwinding of the extension cord, 2014~
disadvantages of which the present invention addresses. ~ -It is a common problem in conventional cord winding '.
i :
20~7~C~
apparatus of this type that the construction of the winding mechanism either requires a stator and rotor type electrical coupling between the end of the extension cord coil and the cord attached to the wall or telephone, or the constructions require axial bending of the delicate wires. The rotor and stator type connections have been found undesirable because they produce noise signals that contribute to poor telephone performance, and the other hàrd wire connections which require bending of the wires during operation of the cord winding mechanism result in damage to the wire and ultimate breakage. No winding mechanism construction has been provided heretofore in the art which satisfactorily overcomes the inherent stress and strain placed on the delicate telephone wires during the course of the operation of conventional cord winding assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its basic concept, this invention provides a cord winding apparatus in which a length of extension cord is mounted on a spring tensioned rotary spindle for winding and unwinding about the axis of a fixed shaft, a length of coupling cord is coiled about the fixed shaft in a plane parallel to the plane of the coiled extension cord for winding and unwinding about the axis of the fixed ~5 shaft during winding and unwinding of the extension cord, 2014~
and a length of connector cord interconnecting the inner ends of the extension and coupling cords and extending parallel to and adjacent said fixed shaft. , It i8 by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal objective of this invention is achieved;
namely, the provision of a reliable cord winding apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of cord winding apparatus heretofore ;~
.; ., .;
available in the art. ';
Another object of this invention is the provision of -a cord winding apparatus of the class described which is configured to mount a desired length of extension cord on ;`
a spring tensioned spindle in a manner that completely ~;
eliminates all damaging bending of the wire during winding and unwinding operation of the apparatus, eliminate~ undesirable, excessive twisting of the wire ~ ;
during operation of the device, and also minimizes the amount of wire required to deliver a desired length of ~
usable extension cord, thereby permitting the apparatus ,;
to be compact in overall dimension.
Another object of this invention is the provision of `
a cord winding apparatus of the class described which utilizes a minimum of moving parts in order to reduce the likelihood of failure.
Another object of this invention is the provision of 20~14710 ~:
namely, the provision of a reliable cord winding apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of cord winding apparatus heretofore ;~
.; ., .;
available in the art. ';
Another object of this invention is the provision of -a cord winding apparatus of the class described which is configured to mount a desired length of extension cord on ;`
a spring tensioned spindle in a manner that completely ~;
eliminates all damaging bending of the wire during winding and unwinding operation of the apparatus, eliminate~ undesirable, excessive twisting of the wire ~ ;
during operation of the device, and also minimizes the amount of wire required to deliver a desired length of ~
usable extension cord, thereby permitting the apparatus ,;
to be compact in overall dimension.
Another object of this invention is the provision of `
a cord winding apparatus of the class described which utilizes a minimum of moving parts in order to reduce the likelihood of failure.
Another object of this invention is the provision of 20~14710 ~:
¦ a cord winding apparatus of the class described which, in telephone applications, may be used either in conjunction with the base unit and its connection to the wall, or in conjunction with the base unit and its connection to its handset.
Still another object of this invention is the provision of a cord winding apparatus of the class described which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture.
10The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE D~AWINGS
15Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a cord winding apparatus embodying the features of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation in section of the cord winding apparatus embodied in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the drawing illustrating the internal con~iguration of the apparatus in assembled, operative condition.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative condition of the two separate lengths of wire contained on opposite sides of the spindle and connected together adjacent the spindle shaft, the drawing '''~',;'','. ,''' . ' ' ~'"`,, ~ 2014710 ; `
illustrating the condition of the wire in fully retracted ;
condition.
Fig. 4 is a foreshortened schematic diagram similar to Fig. 3, but showing the apparatus in the condition ;
with the extension cord wire extended to approximately half o~ its working length.
.- ~.:,.
Fig. 5 is a foreshortened schematic diagram similar to Fig. 4, but showing the apparatus with the extension ¦ cord fully extended.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE~ERRED EMBODIMENT
As is well known in the art, cord winding apparatus , .. . .
typically found in the marketplace suffer three major ¦ disadvantages: They involve electrical connections that result in les~ than desirable telephone operation and ~ . :':
reception; they utilize constructions which are far too large, complicated or cumbersome to be desirable; and they involve constructions which require constant transverse bending of the wires during operation, an aspect that dramatically reduces the useful life of the device when such delicate wires as those used in telephones are involved. The present invention provides a simplified construction which overcomes all of the above limitations and disadvantages.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the extension cord winding apparatus of this invention ~'. ":
20147~al comprises a housing body having a top member 10 and a bottom member 12 which together form a hollow cavity thereinbetween. As shown, the bottom housing member 12 in this embodiment includes projecting guides 14 con~igured to define an area therebetween which confines a length of wire cable 16 that is wrapped about a vertically projecting fixed shaft 18 mounted centrally on the base 12 within the space defined by the guides 14.
In the embodiment illustrated, the wire 16 comprises a length of flat, four wire cable typically found in telephone applications.
In Fig. 1, the cable 16 is wrapped counterclockwise about the shaft 18, the outer terminal end of the cable being trained out of the area confined by the guides 14 and being secured in place by a clamp 20 fixed on the base 12. The individual cable wires extend to a typical modular telephone coupler 22 mounted on one outside wall of the base member 12. A conventional telephone cord 24 having the usual modular jacks 26 on each end may be used to connect the cable to a telephone wall jack (not shown) or to the jack provided in a telephone base unit normally receiving the cord from the handset of the telephone.
A cord-supporting reel disk 28 includes a central opening 30 configured to recei~e the shaft 18 for rotation of the disk thereabout when the disk is placed :,: . ~: . . .
.,',;',',,."',,' ''"','''~ '"'''.'.
,. . ...
201A710 ::
into position directly overlying the coiled cable 16.
The space between the bottom member 12 and disk 28 is restricted to substantially the thickness of the cable 16. The overlying disk 28 thus cooperates with the guides 14 to completely confine the wire cable 16, hence completely preventing the latter from tangling or overlapping during operation of the device, as will be explained later. The disk includes, adjacent the central opening 30, an opening illustrated herein as a slot 32 through which the inner terminal end of the cable 16 extends as shown.
The disk 28 includes a vertically projecting ring 34 which encircles the opening 30 and the slot 32, the flat cable 16 being trained upwardly through the slot 32 and into the inner confines of the ring 34. There, the cable is secured, as by friction clamp 36, and permanently connected to the inner end of a length of conventional round telephone cable which provides the extension cord 38 that is extended and retracted during operation of the device.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the extension cord 38 is trained out of the inner portion of the ring 34 and is wrapped about the outer surface of the ring 34 on the disk 28 in the same direction as the wrappings of cable 16. The outer terminal end of the extension cord 38 is :' ;~0147~0 directed out of the case through an opening 40. A
modular telephone jack 42 is provided on the outer terminal end of the cord 38. A guide roller 44 may be provided to assure proper winding and unwinding movement of the cord as it is pulled out and retracted.
A disk cover plate 46 is provided to overlie the disk 28 and confine the extension cord 38 in proper coiled condition on the disk. As shown, the cover plate 46 is secured onto the upper edge of the ring 34 by screws 48, thereby defining a space between the disk 28 and the plate 46, forming a cord reel therebetween which . confines the coils of the cord 38.
The disk cover is configured with a recessed opposite side surface having a raised circumferential wall 46', the recess arranged to receive a coil spring 50 as shown. The spring, similar in general configuration to that of a clock spring, includes a central projecting tab 52 at its inner end which engages a slot 54 provided in fi~ed shaft 18. The outer terminal end of the spring includes a projecting tab 56 which is arranged to engage a slot 58 provided in the outer circumferential vertically projecting wall 46' of the disk cover 46.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, when the apparatus is assembled, and the flat cable 16 and the extension cord 38 are fully wrapped in retracted " . ., ~ . .
,..........
~. . ~,: .
2t)1~71~
g condition, the spring 50 is connected as previously described in partially tensioned condition so that the . ~
di~k is tensioned to encourage the cover 46 and the disk :
28 connected thereto to rotate in the clockwise direction.
The top cover 10 overlies the entire assembly and is secured, as by screws (not shown) or adhesive bonding to - ~.
the bottom member 12. Conventional attaching means (not chown) may be provided to secure the assembled apparatus -.~
' " : ' : ' in a desired location on a wall or desk for use.
With the basic construction of the cord winding apparatus of this invention thus described, it is to be understood that it is an important feature of this device .
that the length of flat cable 16 that is coiled about .:
shaft 18 is preferably approximately 1/Z the length of the extension cord 38. Thus, for example, if it is .
desired that the apparatus provide a 20 foot retractable extension cord 38, then approximately 10 feet of flat .
: cable 16 is wrapped about the shaft and contained as a .-:~
coil between the bottom member 12 and the bottom of the : :.
disk 28. In this manner, as the extension cord 38 is .:
drawn out, as in Figs. 3 and 4, the disk 28 rotates, :~ .
counterclockwise in this embodiment, further tensioning .
the sprin~ 50, and also uncoiling the flat cable 16 by virtue of its connection to the reel through the slot 32 -- 20147~6) (Figs. 1 and 2). The loose cable 16 is prevented from tangling and randomly wandering throughout the hollow housing cavity by virtue of the confining guides 14 and the closely overlying spindle disk 28.
At the point at which the telephone cord 38 is extended approximately halfway, in this example 10 feet, (as in Fig. 4), the 10 foot flat cable 16 has uncoiled completely from about the shaft 18, and is contained within the area defined by the guides 14 and the disk 28 as a loose coil. Further rotation of the disk by continued withdrawl of the extension cord 38 results in the flat cable 16 being drawn around the shaft by the continued rotation of the slot 32 thereabout, thus rewinding the cable 16 again about the sha~t 18, but now in the opposite, clockwise direction.
By virtue of the unique construction of the disk in which a connector portion 16' of the flat cable 16 is trained upwardly through the slot 32 parallel to and adjacent the shaft 18 and secured to the upper side of the spindle disk within the ring 34 adjacent the shaft ' I 18, the vertically extending connector portion 16' of the - , , : . , .:;: ,:;:-cable is compelled to twist axially just as the cable ~-.
changes directions and begins to wrap in the opposite .~ ~:
direction about the spindle. Transverse bending of the cable is completely prevented by the extremely conrined ,..~,,",.,,~, ,. , " .
XOi471C~ -space permitted the cable between the overlying reel and the housing. Continued withdrawl of the remaining 10 feet of extension cord 38 results in the 10 foot flat cable being rewound about the shaft, but now in the opposite, clockwise direction.
Therefore it will be understood that as the extension cord 38 is drawn out over its first half of usable length, the flat coupling cable attached to the inner end of the extension cord through slot 32 is caused to relax into a looser coil until the extension cord 38 has been withdrawn approximately half of its length, whereupon the cable 16, being shorter in length than the cord 38 and hence completely unwound, causes the connector portion 16' to twist 180' along its vertical length extending upwardly along the shaft as it changes directions and is again rewound about the shaft, but in the opposite direction for the remainder of the length of extension cord that is withdrawn.
When the outward pull on the telephone cord 38 is relaxed, the spring 50, now tensioned tighter by the rotation of the as the cord 38 had been pulled out, drives the reel assembly in the reverse direction, drawing the cord back into the housing and rewinding it onto the reel formed between the spindle disk 28 and the overlying plate 46. As the cord 38 rewinds, the flat . .
.'' ~
2014710 -:
cable 16 again unwinds until it is once again fully unwound, as in Fig. 4. The vertically e~tending connector portion 16' of the cable twists 180' in the reverse direction, and, as the disk continues to turn as the remaining half of the telephone cord 38 is retracted, the flat cable is again rewound about the shaft until the condition of Fig. 3 is again achieved and the telephone cord 38 is fully retracted back onto the cord reel.
Thus, it is clear that the cord winding apparatus construction of this invention eliminates the occurrence of damaging bending `of the wire cable 16 as the cable reverse~ winding direction when the extension cord 38 i5 extended approximately half of its usable length because the construction permits the flat cable 16 to change ..
direction only along its vertically extending connector length 16' passing upward through the slot 32. This allows only a limited 180' twisting of the cable, thus eliminating all strain and bending which, over a repeated number of cycles, is known to result in broken wires.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of .
parts described hereinbefore without departing from the splrit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims. For e~ample, although it is desired that a flat ,. '~`,' ~
20147~0 .-cable 16 be used in order to minimize space requirements and cost, it is not critical that this particular type of cable be employed. Similarly, although a round extension cord 38 has been illustrated herein, its particular configuration is not intended to be limited strictly thereto either.
In this, it will be understood that since the two cords are connected together at their inner terminal ends, only one cord of appropriate length may alternatively be provided if so desired, the securing of the cord within the ring 34 still being made as disclosed. Alternatively, the connector portion 16' of the cable 16 may be provided as a completely distinct member, if desired for some purposes.
Additionally, it may be desired that the extension cord reel assembly or the apparatus case include conventional cord locking means to releasably secure the extension cord against unwanted rewinding when the cord has been extended to various, desired lengths. Also, although the particular components illustrated herein are desired for their simplicity of construction and their reliability, other alternative similar components may be substituted for various other desired uses, requirements, and results.
Having thus described my invention and the manner in 201471o which it is operated, I claim~
"
, .. ..~' ,' ~"~
,~
''';~
' ~'. ' ~
' ~' '~"' , , `~''','.""'''''' '.`',','.''
Still another object of this invention is the provision of a cord winding apparatus of the class described which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture.
10The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE D~AWINGS
15Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a cord winding apparatus embodying the features of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation in section of the cord winding apparatus embodied in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the drawing illustrating the internal con~iguration of the apparatus in assembled, operative condition.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative condition of the two separate lengths of wire contained on opposite sides of the spindle and connected together adjacent the spindle shaft, the drawing '''~',;'','. ,''' . ' ' ~'"`,, ~ 2014710 ; `
illustrating the condition of the wire in fully retracted ;
condition.
Fig. 4 is a foreshortened schematic diagram similar to Fig. 3, but showing the apparatus in the condition ;
with the extension cord wire extended to approximately half o~ its working length.
.- ~.:,.
Fig. 5 is a foreshortened schematic diagram similar to Fig. 4, but showing the apparatus with the extension ¦ cord fully extended.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE~ERRED EMBODIMENT
As is well known in the art, cord winding apparatus , .. . .
typically found in the marketplace suffer three major ¦ disadvantages: They involve electrical connections that result in les~ than desirable telephone operation and ~ . :':
reception; they utilize constructions which are far too large, complicated or cumbersome to be desirable; and they involve constructions which require constant transverse bending of the wires during operation, an aspect that dramatically reduces the useful life of the device when such delicate wires as those used in telephones are involved. The present invention provides a simplified construction which overcomes all of the above limitations and disadvantages.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the extension cord winding apparatus of this invention ~'. ":
20147~al comprises a housing body having a top member 10 and a bottom member 12 which together form a hollow cavity thereinbetween. As shown, the bottom housing member 12 in this embodiment includes projecting guides 14 con~igured to define an area therebetween which confines a length of wire cable 16 that is wrapped about a vertically projecting fixed shaft 18 mounted centrally on the base 12 within the space defined by the guides 14.
In the embodiment illustrated, the wire 16 comprises a length of flat, four wire cable typically found in telephone applications.
In Fig. 1, the cable 16 is wrapped counterclockwise about the shaft 18, the outer terminal end of the cable being trained out of the area confined by the guides 14 and being secured in place by a clamp 20 fixed on the base 12. The individual cable wires extend to a typical modular telephone coupler 22 mounted on one outside wall of the base member 12. A conventional telephone cord 24 having the usual modular jacks 26 on each end may be used to connect the cable to a telephone wall jack (not shown) or to the jack provided in a telephone base unit normally receiving the cord from the handset of the telephone.
A cord-supporting reel disk 28 includes a central opening 30 configured to recei~e the shaft 18 for rotation of the disk thereabout when the disk is placed :,: . ~: . . .
.,',;',',,."',,' ''"','''~ '"'''.'.
,. . ...
201A710 ::
into position directly overlying the coiled cable 16.
The space between the bottom member 12 and disk 28 is restricted to substantially the thickness of the cable 16. The overlying disk 28 thus cooperates with the guides 14 to completely confine the wire cable 16, hence completely preventing the latter from tangling or overlapping during operation of the device, as will be explained later. The disk includes, adjacent the central opening 30, an opening illustrated herein as a slot 32 through which the inner terminal end of the cable 16 extends as shown.
The disk 28 includes a vertically projecting ring 34 which encircles the opening 30 and the slot 32, the flat cable 16 being trained upwardly through the slot 32 and into the inner confines of the ring 34. There, the cable is secured, as by friction clamp 36, and permanently connected to the inner end of a length of conventional round telephone cable which provides the extension cord 38 that is extended and retracted during operation of the device.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the extension cord 38 is trained out of the inner portion of the ring 34 and is wrapped about the outer surface of the ring 34 on the disk 28 in the same direction as the wrappings of cable 16. The outer terminal end of the extension cord 38 is :' ;~0147~0 directed out of the case through an opening 40. A
modular telephone jack 42 is provided on the outer terminal end of the cord 38. A guide roller 44 may be provided to assure proper winding and unwinding movement of the cord as it is pulled out and retracted.
A disk cover plate 46 is provided to overlie the disk 28 and confine the extension cord 38 in proper coiled condition on the disk. As shown, the cover plate 46 is secured onto the upper edge of the ring 34 by screws 48, thereby defining a space between the disk 28 and the plate 46, forming a cord reel therebetween which . confines the coils of the cord 38.
The disk cover is configured with a recessed opposite side surface having a raised circumferential wall 46', the recess arranged to receive a coil spring 50 as shown. The spring, similar in general configuration to that of a clock spring, includes a central projecting tab 52 at its inner end which engages a slot 54 provided in fi~ed shaft 18. The outer terminal end of the spring includes a projecting tab 56 which is arranged to engage a slot 58 provided in the outer circumferential vertically projecting wall 46' of the disk cover 46.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, when the apparatus is assembled, and the flat cable 16 and the extension cord 38 are fully wrapped in retracted " . ., ~ . .
,..........
~. . ~,: .
2t)1~71~
g condition, the spring 50 is connected as previously described in partially tensioned condition so that the . ~
di~k is tensioned to encourage the cover 46 and the disk :
28 connected thereto to rotate in the clockwise direction.
The top cover 10 overlies the entire assembly and is secured, as by screws (not shown) or adhesive bonding to - ~.
the bottom member 12. Conventional attaching means (not chown) may be provided to secure the assembled apparatus -.~
' " : ' : ' in a desired location on a wall or desk for use.
With the basic construction of the cord winding apparatus of this invention thus described, it is to be understood that it is an important feature of this device .
that the length of flat cable 16 that is coiled about .:
shaft 18 is preferably approximately 1/Z the length of the extension cord 38. Thus, for example, if it is .
desired that the apparatus provide a 20 foot retractable extension cord 38, then approximately 10 feet of flat .
: cable 16 is wrapped about the shaft and contained as a .-:~
coil between the bottom member 12 and the bottom of the : :.
disk 28. In this manner, as the extension cord 38 is .:
drawn out, as in Figs. 3 and 4, the disk 28 rotates, :~ .
counterclockwise in this embodiment, further tensioning .
the sprin~ 50, and also uncoiling the flat cable 16 by virtue of its connection to the reel through the slot 32 -- 20147~6) (Figs. 1 and 2). The loose cable 16 is prevented from tangling and randomly wandering throughout the hollow housing cavity by virtue of the confining guides 14 and the closely overlying spindle disk 28.
At the point at which the telephone cord 38 is extended approximately halfway, in this example 10 feet, (as in Fig. 4), the 10 foot flat cable 16 has uncoiled completely from about the shaft 18, and is contained within the area defined by the guides 14 and the disk 28 as a loose coil. Further rotation of the disk by continued withdrawl of the extension cord 38 results in the flat cable 16 being drawn around the shaft by the continued rotation of the slot 32 thereabout, thus rewinding the cable 16 again about the sha~t 18, but now in the opposite, clockwise direction.
By virtue of the unique construction of the disk in which a connector portion 16' of the flat cable 16 is trained upwardly through the slot 32 parallel to and adjacent the shaft 18 and secured to the upper side of the spindle disk within the ring 34 adjacent the shaft ' I 18, the vertically extending connector portion 16' of the - , , : . , .:;: ,:;:-cable is compelled to twist axially just as the cable ~-.
changes directions and begins to wrap in the opposite .~ ~:
direction about the spindle. Transverse bending of the cable is completely prevented by the extremely conrined ,..~,,",.,,~, ,. , " .
XOi471C~ -space permitted the cable between the overlying reel and the housing. Continued withdrawl of the remaining 10 feet of extension cord 38 results in the 10 foot flat cable being rewound about the shaft, but now in the opposite, clockwise direction.
Therefore it will be understood that as the extension cord 38 is drawn out over its first half of usable length, the flat coupling cable attached to the inner end of the extension cord through slot 32 is caused to relax into a looser coil until the extension cord 38 has been withdrawn approximately half of its length, whereupon the cable 16, being shorter in length than the cord 38 and hence completely unwound, causes the connector portion 16' to twist 180' along its vertical length extending upwardly along the shaft as it changes directions and is again rewound about the shaft, but in the opposite direction for the remainder of the length of extension cord that is withdrawn.
When the outward pull on the telephone cord 38 is relaxed, the spring 50, now tensioned tighter by the rotation of the as the cord 38 had been pulled out, drives the reel assembly in the reverse direction, drawing the cord back into the housing and rewinding it onto the reel formed between the spindle disk 28 and the overlying plate 46. As the cord 38 rewinds, the flat . .
.'' ~
2014710 -:
cable 16 again unwinds until it is once again fully unwound, as in Fig. 4. The vertically e~tending connector portion 16' of the cable twists 180' in the reverse direction, and, as the disk continues to turn as the remaining half of the telephone cord 38 is retracted, the flat cable is again rewound about the shaft until the condition of Fig. 3 is again achieved and the telephone cord 38 is fully retracted back onto the cord reel.
Thus, it is clear that the cord winding apparatus construction of this invention eliminates the occurrence of damaging bending `of the wire cable 16 as the cable reverse~ winding direction when the extension cord 38 i5 extended approximately half of its usable length because the construction permits the flat cable 16 to change ..
direction only along its vertically extending connector length 16' passing upward through the slot 32. This allows only a limited 180' twisting of the cable, thus eliminating all strain and bending which, over a repeated number of cycles, is known to result in broken wires.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of .
parts described hereinbefore without departing from the splrit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims. For e~ample, although it is desired that a flat ,. '~`,' ~
20147~0 .-cable 16 be used in order to minimize space requirements and cost, it is not critical that this particular type of cable be employed. Similarly, although a round extension cord 38 has been illustrated herein, its particular configuration is not intended to be limited strictly thereto either.
In this, it will be understood that since the two cords are connected together at their inner terminal ends, only one cord of appropriate length may alternatively be provided if so desired, the securing of the cord within the ring 34 still being made as disclosed. Alternatively, the connector portion 16' of the cable 16 may be provided as a completely distinct member, if desired for some purposes.
Additionally, it may be desired that the extension cord reel assembly or the apparatus case include conventional cord locking means to releasably secure the extension cord against unwanted rewinding when the cord has been extended to various, desired lengths. Also, although the particular components illustrated herein are desired for their simplicity of construction and their reliability, other alternative similar components may be substituted for various other desired uses, requirements, and results.
Having thus described my invention and the manner in 201471o which it is operated, I claim~
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Claims (8)
1. A cord winding apparatus, comprising:
a) a hollow housing body, b) a projecting fixed shaft mounted within the hollow housing body, c) a cord reel having a centrally located opening therethrough receiving said shaft for rotation of the reel thereabout, the reel configured with a slot provided through one of its walls adjacent said central opening, d) a first cord length carried on the cord reel and wrapped in one direction thereon, the outer terminal end of which extends out of the housing body, e) a second cord length wrapped in the same direction as the first cord about said shaft on the side of the reel opposite the first cord, the outer end of the second cord extending out of the housing body, f) connector cord means extending vertically adjacent said shaft through said slot in the reel wall and interconnecting the inner ends of the first and second cords, and g) spring return means engaging said cord reel to tension the reel in the direction to rewind the first cord onto the reel, whereby pulling on the outer end of the first cord rotates the reel in the opposite direction of the first and second cord wrapping, increasing the tension of the spring return means, extending said first cord out of the housing body, and loosening the wrapping of the second cord encircling the shaft on the opposite side of the reel.
a) a hollow housing body, b) a projecting fixed shaft mounted within the hollow housing body, c) a cord reel having a centrally located opening therethrough receiving said shaft for rotation of the reel thereabout, the reel configured with a slot provided through one of its walls adjacent said central opening, d) a first cord length carried on the cord reel and wrapped in one direction thereon, the outer terminal end of which extends out of the housing body, e) a second cord length wrapped in the same direction as the first cord about said shaft on the side of the reel opposite the first cord, the outer end of the second cord extending out of the housing body, f) connector cord means extending vertically adjacent said shaft through said slot in the reel wall and interconnecting the inner ends of the first and second cords, and g) spring return means engaging said cord reel to tension the reel in the direction to rewind the first cord onto the reel, whereby pulling on the outer end of the first cord rotates the reel in the opposite direction of the first and second cord wrapping, increasing the tension of the spring return means, extending said first cord out of the housing body, and loosening the wrapping of the second cord encircling the shaft on the opposite side of the reel.
2. The cord winding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second cord is dimensioned to be approximately one half of the length of the first cord, whereby after the first cord has been withdrawn approximately half of its length and the second cord has consequently been fully unwound into a loose coil, continued withdrawl of said first cord draws the inner end of the said second cord around said shaft and rewinds the cord thereabout in the opposite direction as the remaining length of the first cord is withdrawn from the reel.
3. The cord winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second cord is wrapped about said shaft and confined within the vertical space between confronting sides of said housing body and said reel, and guides are provided between the housing body and the cord reel adjacent its outer peripheral edge to limit the lateral dimensions of the space confining said second cord, the outer end of the second cord being directed out of said confining space and there secured against movement.
4. The cord winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reel includes an inner vertically projecting ring encircling said shaft and said slot through which the connector cord means passes, said first cord being wrapped about the outer surface of the ring and the inner terminal end extending through the ring into the space adjacent the shaft where the connector cord means is secured and there connected to the first cord.
5. The cord winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spring return means comprises a coil spring connected at one of its ends to the fixed shaft and at its opposite end to said reel that rotatably engages said shaft, the spring configured to tension the reel to rotate it in the direction that the first and second cords are wrapped.
6. The cord winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first cord comprises a length of conventional telephone extension cord, and said second cord comprises a length of conventional, multiple wire flat telephone cable approximately one half the length of said first cord, and the outer ends of each cord mount appropriate conventional telephone jacks as required for a particular use.
7. The cord winding apparatus of claim 6 wherein the connector cord means comprises a portion of the inner end of the second cable.
8. The cord winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reel closely overlies said second cord thereby confining the vertical space permitted the second cord to substantially only the thickness of the cord, thereby permitting the connector cord means only the ability to twist axially along its length that extends vertically along said shaft through said slot in the reel as the shorter second cord becomes fully unwound and changes the direction of its wrapping under continued rotation of the reel containing the longer length of first cord being withdrawn from the housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33736889A | 1989-04-13 | 1989-04-13 | |
| US337,368 | 1989-04-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2014710A1 true CA2014710A1 (en) | 1990-10-13 |
Family
ID=23320285
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2014710 Abandoned CA2014710A1 (en) | 1989-04-13 | 1990-04-17 | Retractable extension cord apparatus for telephones and the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2014710A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018063439A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | The Morey Corporation | Retractable cord storage reel assembly |
| CN109360693A (en) * | 2018-10-12 | 2019-02-19 | 安徽英杰精工机械有限公司 | A kind of vertical concentric winding machine being conveniently replaceable band cake disk |
-
1990
- 1990-04-17 CA CA 2014710 patent/CA2014710A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018063439A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | The Morey Corporation | Retractable cord storage reel assembly |
| US10087040B2 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2018-10-02 | The Morey Corporation | Retractable cord storage reel assembly |
| CN109360693A (en) * | 2018-10-12 | 2019-02-19 | 安徽英杰精工机械有限公司 | A kind of vertical concentric winding machine being conveniently replaceable band cake disk |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |