Patents Assigned to Aerotech IFE Limited
  • Patent number: 6679448
    Abstract: A handset cable reel for use e.g. in passenger aircraft comprises a spool fitted with a rewind bias spring, the spool also having peripheral teeth 82. These interact with an oscillating pawl 62, a ratchet/star wheel 60 and a pawl 57 so that, after the cable has been extended a certain amount, repeatedly releasing and then pulling on the cable will alternately lock the spool to prevent retraction of the cable by the rewind bias, and then allow such retraction under the influence of the rewind spring. A driving key 100 on the spool indexes a cam wheel 88 for rotation so that as the final length of the cable is being rewound, a cam surface 96 rotates the pawl 57 about a pin 48 so that it no longer co-operates with the star/ratchet wheel 60 and the cable remains under spring tension even if inadvertently tugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aerotech IFE Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth Carpenter, Michael James Cruttenden
  • Patent number: 6597788
    Abstract: A cable reel comprises a casing defining a cable exit opening and an access opening; a static electrical connection located externally of the casing; a spool rotatably received within the casing and having a circumferentially extending recess opening radially outwardly of the spool, the spool further having an inner axially extending recess and an axially open notch communicating between the circumferentially extending recess and the inner axially extending recess; a handset cable having a first end and a second end, the handset cable first end being attachable to a handset in use, at least a portion of the handset cable being windable into or out of the spool circumferentially extending recess upon rotation of the spool so as to extend from or retract into the cable exit opening; a ribbon cable having a first end and a second end, the ribbon cable first end being attached to the handset cable second end and the ribbon cable second end being attached to the static electrical connector whereby the ribbon cable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Aerotech IFE Limited
    Inventors: Neil James, Alan Clifford Dowsett
  • Patent number: 6324285
    Abstract: A cradle 13 for a handset for a telephone or other electronic apparatus is dimensioned to fit within a chair arm, for example an aircraft seat arm. The cradle includes an integral cord spool 16 having a rewind bias spring 34, and a catch (not shown) for maintaining the handset in the cradle. The cord is locked in an extended condition by a braking cam 53, releasable for rewinding the cord by a pushbutton 36. Latching means 54 are provided for maintaining the pushbutton depressed until the cord is rewound. Other brake and latching means, including a ratchet and pawl arrangement, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Aerotech IFE Limited
    Inventors: Alan Clifford Dowsett, Neil James, Robert Bassil
  • Patent number: 6282289
    Abstract: A cable reel comprises a casing defining a cable exit opening and an access opening; a static electrical connection located externally of the casing; a spool rotatably received within the casing and having a circumferentially extending recess opening radially outwardly of the spool, the spool further having an inner axially extending recess and an axially open notch communicating between the circumferentially extending recess and the inner axially extending recess; a handset cable having a first end and a second end, the handset cable first end being attachable to a handset in use, at least a portion of the handset cable being windable into or out of the spool circumferentially extending recess upon rotation of the spool so as to extend from or retract into the cable exit opening; a ribbon cable having a first end and a second end, the ribbon cable first end being attached to the handset cable second end and the ribbon cable second end being attached to the static electrical connector whereby the ribbon cable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Aerotech IFE Limited
    Inventors: Neil James, Alan Clifford Dowsett