US5186406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring actuated take-up reel for removing cable slack
Assignee: Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1991-07-22
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Granted: 1993-02-16
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Expires: 2011-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A robotic vehicle is commanded by a fiber optic cable which also delivers television camera images. In the event the vehicle is moved backwards, the creation of a slack length of cable from a storage drum is avoided by the inclusion of a take-up reel in the vehicle. Any slack cable created by backward movement of the vehicle is immediately taken up by the take-up reel so as to prevent cable snags and possible damage by virtue of backward rolling of the vehicle over the cable. During normal forward operation of the vehicle, the take-up reel allows the cable to pass through it without interference.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcello J. Romanelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/38; B65H75/40; B65H75/42; B65H75/425; B65H75/44; B65H75/48; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4457; H; H02; H02G; H02G11/00; H02G11/02; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In a robotic vehicle remotely controlled through a cable by an operator console, a vehicle contained cable pay out system comprising: a take up reel having an axial cylindrical section for winding cable therearound when the reel rotates; a radial slot formed in the cylindrical section for passing cable therealong when the reel is stationary; a coaxial circular first flange extending outwardly from the cylindrical section for restraining wound cable on the cylindrical section; a funnel member having a circular second flange positioned adjacent the axial cylindrical section and in coaxial spaced relation with the first flange for further restraining wound cable on the reel cylindrical section; a coaxial funnel-shaped opening formed in the funnel member guiding cable from a narrow opening to a widened opening transversely aligned with the radial slot in the cylindrical section; a length of cable located in the funnel-shaped opening and the slot, to be paid out through the funnel-shaped opening and the reel when the reel is stationary, and to be wound around the cylindrical section when the reel is rotated thereby removing slack from the cable; a cable storage drum located in the vehicle for supplying paid out cable to the operator console via the funnel-shaped opening and the take up reel, during forward vehicle movement; and spring means connected to the reel for rotationally biasing the reel in a cable winding direction, the spring means being overcome when a preselected tension occurs in the cable thus enabling unwinding of any wound coil and subsequent passing of the cable through the funnel-shaped opening and the slot of the reel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a robotic vehicle remotely controlled through a cable by an operator console, a vehicle contained cable pay out system comprising: a take up reel having an axial cylindrical section for winding cable therearound when the reel rotates; a radial slot formed in the cylindrical section for passing cable therealong when the reel is stationary; a coaxial circular first flange extending outwardly from the cylindrical section for restraining wound cable on the cylindrical section; a funnel member having a circular second flange positioned adjacent the axial cylindrical section and in coaxial spaced relation with the first flange for further restraining wound cable on the reel cylindrical section; a coaxial funnel-shaped opening formed in the funnel member guiding cable from a narrow opening to a widened opening transversely aligned with the radial slot in the cylindrical section; a length of cable located in the funnel-shaped opening and the slot, to be paid out through the funnel-shaped opening and the reel when the reel is stationary, and to be wound around the cylindrical section when the reel is rotated thereby removing slack from the cable; a cable storage drum located in the vehicle for supplying paid out cable to the operator console via the funnel-shaped opening and the take up reel, during forward vehicle movement; and spring means connected to the reel for rotationally biasing the reel in a cable winding direction, the spring means being overcome when a preselected tension occurs in the cable thus enabling unwinding of any wound coil and subsequent passing of the cable through the funnel-shaped opening and the slot of the reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reel assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein the funnel member comprises two half sections detachably secured together for permitting disassembly thereof and removal of the cable from the reel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-16 | 1996-08-17 | 1997-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-16 | 2000-08-17 | 2001-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-16 | 2004-08-17 | 2005-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |