ADJUSTABLE CABLE SECURING SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This system includes an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein; at least one spool mounted in the enclosure, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the spool is inserted into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; a length of cable, wherein a portion of the length of cable is inserted into the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool; and wherein rotating the base of the at least one spool winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The described invention relates in general to mechanical systems for winding and storing cable or wire, and more specifically to a system, device, and method for adjustably securing a cable within an enclosure such as a seat track cover used in an aircraft or other vehicle.

Seat track covers of varying lengths are commonly mounted on the floors of vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, and aircraft. These devices typically include an internal chamber or hollow space that may be used to house cable, wire, or other items that are related to the function of the vehicle. Cable assemblies are often manufactured in pre-set lengths that may or may not correspond to the length of the seat track cover within which the cable assembly is to be installed. If the cable assembly is considerably longer than the seat track cover, the excess cable may create difficulties with installation and safety. Thus, there is a need for a system for winding and securing excess cable within seat track covers or similar enclosures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following provides a summary of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This system includes an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein; at least one spool mounted in the enclosure, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the spool is inserted into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; a length of cable, wherein a portion of the length of cable is inserted into the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool; and wherein rotating the base of the at least one spool winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This device includes a crown having a channel formed therein; a body formed integrally with the crown, wherein the body further includes a channel formed therein for receiving a length of cable, and wherein the channel formed in the body is contiguous with the channel formed in the crown; a base formed integrally with the body; and a pedestal formed integrally with the base, wherein the pedestal further includes a multi-surfaced stem adapted to cooperate with an enclosure for stabilizing the cable-securing device therein.

In yet another aspect of this invention, a method for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This method includes providing an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein; providing at least one spool, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the at least one spool is adapted to be inserted into the channel in the enclosure; inserting a length of cable into the channel in the body of the at least one spool; inserting the spool into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; and rotating the base of the at least one spool, wherein rotating the base winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.

Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the spool component of the cable securing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the spool component of FIG. 1 showing a length of cable inserted into the spool component.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the spool component of FIG. 1 showing a length of cable inserted into the spool component and also showing the spool component inserted into an enclosure to form a cable-securing assembly.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for purposes of simplifying the description. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

The present invention relates to a system for winding and securing excess cable, wire, or the like. A first general embodiment of this invention provides a system for adjustably securing cable or wire within an enclosure such as a seat track cover. A second general embodiment of this invention provides an adjustable device for securing cable or wire within an enclosure such as a seat track cover. A third general embodiment of this invention provides a method for adjustably securing cable or wire within an enclosure.

With reference now to the Figures, FIGS. 1-4 provide various views of an exemplary embodiment of adjustable cable securing system 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1-2, spool 20 includes crown 21, body, 22, base 34, and pedestal 35. Although variations in design are possible, spool 20 is typically a single, unitary metal or plastic device, wherein crown 21, body 22, base 34, and pedestal 35 are formed as integral unit. Other materials are possible for use in manufacturing spool 20. First top portion 24 and second top portion 27 typically define a channel 19 passing through crown 21. First side portion 23 includes first groove 25 and second side portion 26 includes second groove 28, which together form a substantially circular opening or channel 29 passing through body 22. Channel 29, which is formed in body 22 is contiguous with channel 19 formed in crown 21, although the opposing concave surfaces of first and second grooves 25 and 28 provide channel 29 with a greater overall width/diameter for accommodating cable 70 (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments of this invention, channel 19 is absent from spool 20. Pedestal 35 is formed on base 34 and includes multi-surfaced stem 36, which further includes a plurality of individual flats 37. Each flat 37 is a substantially flat or planar region formed on stem 36 for engaging a portion of enclosure 50. As shown in FIG. 4, a slot 38 is typically formed on the bottom portion of pedestal 35 for receiving the head of a screwdriver.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-4, enclosure 50, which in the exemplary embodiment is a seat track cover, includes a top portion 52, a first side portion 54, a second side portion 56, a first bottom portion 58, and a second bottom portion 60. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the length of enclosure 50 is variable, and the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is merely illustrative in nature. First and second bottom portions 58 and 60 define channel 62, which runs lengthwise though the bottom of enclosure 50. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, spool 20 is mounted within enclosure 50 by inserting stem 36 into channel 62 such that crown 21 and body 22 reside within enclosure 50 and pedestal 35 protrudes from the bottom of enclosure 50. Flats 37, which are the planar areas formed on the sides of stem 36, engage the edges of channel 62, and provide a “ratchet-like” mechanism for stabilizing spool 20 in channel 62. A single spool or multiple spools may be inserted into channel 62 and slid to various desired positions therein depending on the length of seat track cover (i.e., enclosure 50), the length of the cable assembly in use, and/or upon other variables related to cable installation in a vehicle.

When using cable securing system 10, a length of cable 70 is inserted into circular channel 29 formed in body 22, and spool 20 is inserted into channel 62. A screwdriver or similar device is then used to rotate pedestal 35, and spool 20 generally, to wind excess cable 70 around body 22. Spool 20 may be turned either clockwise or counterclockwise to wind excess cable 70 onto body 22. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, for each half-turn of spool 20, cable or wire 70 is wound one full-turn. To unwind cable or wire 70, spool 20 is simply turned in the direction opposite to that use to wind cable 70 onto the spool.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A system for securing cable within an enclosure, comprising:

(a) an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein;

(b) at least one spool mounted in the enclosure, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the spool is inserted into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure;

(c) a length of cable, wherein a portion of the length of cable is inserted into the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool; and

(d) wherein the base of the at least one spool is rotated to wind the cable onto the body of the spool and secure the cable thereto.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a seat track cover.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one spool further includes a crown formed integrally with the body, wherein the crown further includes a channel formed therein, and wherein the channel formed in the crown is contiguous with the channel formed in the body.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one spool further includes a pedestal formed integrally with the base, wherein the pedestal further includes a multi-surfaced stem, and wherein the stem cooperates with the channel formed in the enclosure to stabilize the at least one spool within the enclosure.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pedestal further includes a slot formed in a bottom portion thereof for receiving a screwdriver head.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface opposite the first concave surface.

7. A device for securing cable within an enclosure, comprising:

(a) a crown having a channel formed therein;

(b) a body formed integrally with the crown, wherein the body further includes a channel formed therein for receiving a length of cable, and wherein the channel formed in the body is contiguous with the channel formed in the crown;

(c) a base formed integrally with the body; and

(d) a pedestal formed integrally with the base, wherein the pedestal further includes a multi-surfaced stem adapted to cooperate with an enclosure for stabilizing the cable-securing device therein.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical in shape.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the channel formed in the body of the device includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface opposite the first concave surface.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is a seat track cover, and wherein the seat track cover further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein for receiving the multi-surfaced stem on the pedestal, and wherein the surfaces on the stem cooperate with the channel to stabilize the device within the seat track cover when the device is inserted into the channel.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the pedestal further includes a slot formed in a bottom portion thereof for receiving a screwdriver head.

12. A method for securing cable within an enclosure, comprising;

(a) providing an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein;

(b) providing at least one spool, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the at least one spool is adapted to be inserted into the channel in the enclosure;

(c) inserting a length of cable into the channel in the body of the at least one spool;

(d) inserting the spool into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; and

(e) rotating the base of the at least one spool, wherein rotating the base winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, the enclosure is a seat track cover.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one spool further includes a crown formed integrally with the body, wherein the crown further includes a channel formed therein, and wherein the channel formed in the crown is contiguous with the channel formed in the body.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one spool further includes a pedestal formed integrally with the base, wherein the pedestal further includes a multi-surfaced stem, and wherein the stem cooperates with the channel formed in the enclosure to stabilize the at least one spool within the enclosure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pedestal further includes a slot formed in a bottom portion thereof for receiving a screwdriver head.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface opposite the first concave surface.