Electricity: transmission to vehicles – Flexible extensions – Reels
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-19
2001-04-24
Le, Mark T. (Department: 3617)
Electricity: transmission to vehicles
Flexible extensions
Reels
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220413
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a reel for storing and extending cable, particularly for fiber optic cable.
Fiber optic cables are utilized for transmitting digital data between computers and for telecommunications purposes. For example, in a local area network, fiber optic cables may extend from a server to work stations in various rooms or cubicles within an office. If the office is to be moved, the fiber optic cable must normally be rewired in the new facility. Rewiring may be required even when cubicles are rearranged. Fiber optic cables are also utilized for interconnecting main telecommunication closets to temporary or satellite closets. Other occasions arise when fiber optic cable is temporarily deployed, such as for special events, trade shows, broadcasts and conferences. Fiber optic cable is expensive and it would be desirable to be able to reuse the cable after such usage.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An apparatus is provided for retracting and extending a length of cable, particularly fiber optic cable. The apparatus includes a frame with a reel rotatably mounted to the frame for storing cable. A connector panel having a plurality of terminals interconnects one end of the cable with lines leading to various equipment. A reel docking station is located on the reel for rotation with it. When mounted to the reel docking station with the line to the electrical equipment disconnected, the connector panel will rotate with the reel.
The apparatus includes a locking member that prevents rotation of the reel unless the connector panel has been placed on the reel docking station. The connector panel locking member has a locked position that engages the reel with the frame to prevent rotation of the reel. It has an unlocked position that allows rotation of the reel relative to the frame. While being mounted to the reel docking station, the connector panel engages the locking member and moves the locking member to the unlocked position. A spring moves the locking member to the locked position when the connector panel is removed from the reel docking station.
Also, the apparatus has a cable presence sensor that is mounted to the reel for sensing the presence of cable on the reel. The cable presence sensor has a locked position that engages the frame with the reel to prevent rotation of the reel relative to the frame while it is not sensing cable on the reel. The cable presence sensor is moved to an unlocked position when cable is located on the reel. The cable sensor reduces the chance for a technician unwinding all of the cable from the reel and subjecting the end of the cable at the reel to excessive bending.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2393138 (1946-01-01), Borkoski
patent: 2393511 (1946-01-01), Beede
patent: 2561556 (1951-07-01), Bell
patent: 4467979 (1984-08-01), Koehler
patent: 4489223 (1984-12-01), Rickett et al.
patent: 4946010 (1990-08-01), Dibono
patent: 5332171 (1994-07-01), Steff
patent: 5797558 (1998-08-01), Peterson et al.
Mitchell Todd E.
Morgan Kevin L.
Walters Mark D.
Le Mark T.
Siecor Operations LLC
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