Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With particular frame or frame carrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-08-14
Rivera, William A. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With particular frame or frame carrier
C191S01220R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273354
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an electrical extension cord reel. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatically retracting cord reel configured specifically for use with small appliances, electrical tools and the like which reel can be mounted for use in a specific location and easily removed from its mounting place and used remotely.
Take-up reels for managing the use and storage of electrical extension cords are known. Such reels consist basically of a spool rotatably affixed to a structural component whereby the spool is manually or automatically rotated to wind an extension cord thereabout. Typically, such automatic reels employ a variety of spring and ratchet mechanisms for maintaining the cord in the extended position and rewinding the cord onto the spool when it is no longer needed. Such reels are particularly useful in industrial or commercial settings such as automobile repair shops, machine shops, carpentry shops and construction sites. They permit workers to readily access electrical power as needed for the operation of portable electric tools, test devices, and trouble lights at various locations remote from an existing power outlet. In addition, the use of extension cord reels makes it possible to use only pigtails (i.e., short electrical cords) on the various electrical tools and devices thereby simplifying the movement and storage of the electrical tools and devices themselves.
While exterior designs may vary, retracting electric cord reels basically comprise a spool mounted on a shaft supported for rotation on a bracket or housing, a cooperating ratchet and pawl to arrest the rotation of the spool when the cord has been paid out to a desired length, a spring for rotating the spool in a direction to rewind the cord when the ratchet and pawl are disengaged and an electrical power input means including a commutator connected between a male plug extending from the housing and the extension cord wound on the spool. Such devices are shown, for example, in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,619,518; 3,715,526; and 3,808,382.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a retracting extension cord reel assembly configured specifically for use with small electrical appliances and tools.
The reel assembly according to the present invention includes a cord reel housing for storing an electrical cord. The cord reel housing has an integrated handle portion that incorporates a pair of opposing posts that permit the housing to be pivotally attached to a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is adapted to be attached to a generally planar mounting surface, and has means for engaging and disengaging the posts to permit the cord reel housing to be detached from the mounting bracket and hand carried to a location remote from the mounting surface.
The hollow cord reel housing including a right hand shell releasably attached to a left hand shell. A spring motor reel half is positioned in the right hand shell and has a generally tubular cord winding body with an inner end and a radially outwardly extending flange at an outer end thereof. A contact reel half is positioned in the left hand shell and has a generally tubular cord winding body with an inner end and a radially outwardly extending flange at an outer end thereof. The inner ends of the cord winding bodies are attached to provide a reel having a cord winding surface extending between the flanges. A shaft is supported in said housing and the reel halves are mounted on the shaft for rotation of the reel in the housing. A brush block is provided for retaining a plurality of brushes and has an aperture formed therein through which the shaft passes. A brush holder support is formed on the inner surface of the left hand shell for retaining the brush block adjacent the reel and brushes on the brush block in contact with electrically conductive tracks on the contact reel half. A pigtail is connected to the brushes and an extension cord is connected to the tracks.
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Blanch Paul S.
Kovacik James D.
Smith Joseph J.
Alert Stamping & Mfg. Co., Inc.
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Rivera William A.
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