By Rotatably Driven Loop Collector Patents (Class 242/362)
  • Patent number: 9376288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reeling apparatus (1) and a method for coiling a tube using the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to coil a tube (5), and comprises a main reel (2) connected to a spindle (3) and configured to rotate around a central axis (C), a tube holding ring (4) configured to rotate together with the main reel and to collect an initial part of the tube, a guide element (6) at a distance (d2) from the main reel to guide the tube to the apparatus. The tube holding ring is located outside and at a radial distance (d1) from the main reel with respect to the central axis, and the guide element is movable between an outer position (A) for guiding the tube to be coiled onto the tube holding ring, and an inner position (B) for guiding the tube to be coiled onto the main reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Luvata Espoo Oy
    Inventor: Jouni Satola
  • Patent number: 9217321
    Abstract: A system for determining a depth in a wellbore of a reference point associated with a coiled tubing. The system comprises a sensor coupled to a coiled tubing spool, wherein the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool is configured to determine an angular position of the spool, a processor coupled to the sensor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, determines the depth in the wellbore of the reference point of the coiled tubing based on an input from the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Andrew Marvel
  • Patent number: 9196400
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for producing cable. The method includes applying an insulative coating to each of a plurality of conductors to form a plurality of insulated conductors. The method further includes taking up the plurality of insulated conductors in a twisting system to twist the plurality of insulated conductors together and apply a first portion of a desired twist to the plurality of insulated conductors. The method further includes paying off the plurality of insulated conductors from the twisting system to further twist the plurality of insulated conductors together and apply a second portion of a desired twist to the plurality of insulated conductors to form a twisted plurality of insulated conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BELDEN INC.
    Inventor: Glenn Edward Crouse
  • Publication number: 20150076271
    Abstract: A wire disposing assembly having a support, an axial traverser sub-assembly, a support arm, and a linear stage is provided. The support is configured to receive a plurality of turns of a wire, where the support is configured to rotate. The axial traverser sub-assembly is operatively coupled to the support. Further, a rate of motion of the axial traverser sub-assembly is coupled to a speed of rotation of the support. The support arm includes a resin unit configured to dispose resin on at least a portion of the wire, and a wire disposing device configured to guide a portion of the wire being disposed on a surface of the support. The linear stage is operatively coupled to the support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Paul St. MarkShadforth Thompson, Martin Kin-Fei Lee, Christopher Darby Immer, Russell Stephen DeMuth, Jonathan Sebastian Janssen, Danny William Johnson, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Owen Scott Quirion
  • Publication number: 20130327871
    Abstract: A rolling mill pouring reel automated control system for dynamically regulating pouring reel rotational speed based at least in part on forward velocity of rolled stock product approaching the pouring reel. Product forward velocity is sensed by the control system that in turn uses the sensed forward velocity to adjust the pouring reel steady state rotational speed and/or wobble oscillation of the rotational speed. The control system preferably regulates the interrelationship between the product forward velocity and reel rotational speed in a closed feedback loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Barry Riches, Srdan Barcot
  • Publication number: 20120272706
    Abstract: Winding device with which a tube produced in a rolling installation can be wound up outside the rolling installation. The tube which has already left the rolling installation is coiled or wound up in such a winding device for transport purposes. The disclosed device and method make it possible for the tube in the finished shaped condition to be put into a transportable state downstream of the roll stand while still other portions of the tube are at the stage of the tube shell or are just being shaped. For that purpose a winding device for a tube produced in a rolling installation comprises a bending device for curving the tube so that it can be wound in a spiral shape around a first axis, and a holding frame, wherein the bending device is mounted to the holding frame pivotably about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: SANDVIK MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Froböse, Udo Rauffmann
  • Publication number: 20110315804
    Abstract: A reel assembly for supplying a continuous composite tubing of a type used in oilfield operations, which reel assembly comprises a stand onto which a spool of continuous composite tubing is lowered and a drive coupling for transmitting rotational force from the stand to the spool. A removable cage is connected with the stand. The continuous composite tubing is arranged around the outer periphery of the spool, in a U-formed housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Viking Intervention Technology AS
    Inventors: Morten Talgø, Øystein Skjæveland
  • Patent number: 8052079
    Abstract: A swivel machine for wire processing includes a coiler arranged between a cutting-off/insulation-stripping unit and a second swivel arm. The cut length of wire whose leading wire-end has been processed is coiled by means of a coiling disk of the coiler. After the leading wire-end of the cut length of wire has been processed, it is grasped by the coiler. A belt drive then advances the wire by the desired length of the cut length of wire, and simultaneously the coiler coils the advancing wire into a coil. After the coiling operation, a linearly movable stacker unit grasps the coil, and the coiling disk releases the coil. After the trailing wire-end has been processed, the placement unit moves further in the wire advance direction to the deposit. While the trailing wire-end is being processed, and while traveling to the deposit, the coil is provided with a bind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean Paul Celoudoux, Bruno Daugy, Louis Soriano, Beat Estermann
  • Publication number: 20110266809
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus and method comprises at least one gyroglider rotary wing flying at an altitude above the nap of the earth. A strong and flexible tether, connected to the gyroglider frame is pulled with a force generated by the rotary wing. The force is transmitted to a ground station that converts the comparatively linear motion of the tether being pulled upward with a lifting force. The linear motion is transferred to a rotary motion at the ground station to rotate an electrical generator. The tether is retrieved and re-coiled about a drum by controlling the gyroglider to fly down at a speed and lift force that permit recovery of the gyroglider at a substantially reduced amount of retrieval force compared to the lifting force during payout of the tether. Thus, the net difference in force results in a net gain of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Grant Calverley
  • Patent number: 7806356
    Abstract: A laying head, for forming coils starting from continuous rolled products such as round bars or wire rods (10) comprising a rotating member (3) with an axis (X), rotationally fixed to the supporting structure (30) by means of bearings (4, 5). The end of the rotating member (3) is a bell-shaped element (6) on the surface of which are a series of grooves (18) that guide the rolled product (10), said grooves having the form of a spiral and being open towards the outside. The laying head (1) comprises a fixed containing and protecting bell element (15) enclosing a portion of the rotating bell element (6) and having a shape that is complementary thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccanicite S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Andrea De Luca
  • Patent number: 7694489
    Abstract: A suture winding device is provided that includes a holder and a base having a needle holder for receiving a needle with a quantity of attached suture attached thereto. A plurality of rods are disposed on the base that may be arranged in one or more arrays. The plurality of rods contribute to the alignment of a retainer disposed on the base that includes first and second members that may be joined together using pressure and/or heat. Prior to joining the first and second members of the retainer, the base may be rotated to form loops of suture around the arrays of rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Michael Prescott, Christopher G. Fishbein
  • Publication number: 20090236457
    Abstract: A light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage is described. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. The apparatus may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc. The apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Jared Hendricks, Erik Bornemeier
  • Publication number: 20080244894
    Abstract: A method of making a wound field for a brushless direct current motor, direct current generator, alternating current motor or alternating current generator, includes providing a base mold having an engagement face with at least one movable end turn form. A number of distinct phases is determined and at least one strand of conductive material is wound around at least one movable end turn forming tool per distinct phase. One conductive coil is created from each strand of conductive material for each distinct phase. Each conductive coil is formed into a configuration that indicates the number of poles required. Each conductive coil is then placed onto an insertion instrument. The insertion instrument and each conductive coil are inserted into a stator core. The insertion instrument is removed from the stator core, and the stator core is installed into one of the aforementioned motors or generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: William H. Yeadon
  • Patent number: 7322161
    Abstract: A suture winding device having a rotatable base and a holder is provided. The rotatable base includes a needle holder for receiving a needle having a quantity of attached suture. A plurality of rods is disposed on the base for aligning a retainer thereon. Rods may be arranged in one or more arrays on the rotatable base. The base may be rotated to form loops of suture around the arrays of rods. The retainer includes first and second members that may be joined together using pressure and/or heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Michael Prescott
  • Publication number: 20070266552
    Abstract: A winding machine (1) for winding solenoid-shaped coils (21) with band-shaped conductors (6), comprising a winding means (3) which holds a circular-cylindrical coil core (2) of a coil (21) to be wound, and a winding drive which rotates a coil core (2), which is held in the winding means (3), about a winding axis W, wherein the winding means (3) can be moved in a first direction A by an axial drive, the direction A preferably extending approximately parallel to the winding axis W, is characterized in that the winding means (3) can be rotated about a pivot axis S by a pivot drive, wherein the pivot axis S extends perpendicularly to the direction A. The winding machine winds a solenoid-shaped coil with several layers of a band-shaped conductor without damaging the band-shaped conductor, in particular, when the band-shaped conductor contains brittle superconducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Bruker BioSpin GmbH, D-76287
    Inventors: Gerhard Roth, Klaus Schlenga, Thorsten Greeb, Roland Binger
  • Patent number: 7266283
    Abstract: Storage and dispensing apparatus for use with a unitary length of coilable fiber optic cable having a minimum bending radius, such apparatus having a casing within which is journaled a rotatable spool having two grooves in which relatively long and relatively short lengths of the cable may be coiled. One end of the cable is coupled to a connector that is releasably retained on the spool for rotation therewith. The opposite end of the cable is joined to a connector which is extendible from and retractable into the casing in which the spool is journaled. The casing is formed of rigid plastic material which protects the cable against damage from externally applied forces. No part of the cable within the casing is subject to being bent about a radius less than the minimum bending radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Cable Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kline, Thomas J. Kline, Dustin S. Sene
  • Patent number: 7246767
    Abstract: Winding machine for rolled or drawn wire/rod with turn clutch device for automatic winding of the type comprising a reel with a mandrel and base flange and an external mobile containment counter flange, wherein the counter flange is openable to allow the axial extraction from the mandrel of the reel of the completed coil, the flange of base comprising a recess to receive the head of the wire/rod to be wound, with an overturned trapezoidal annular recess with corresponding reduction towards the base for auto-clamping the wire/rod to start winding without requiring pincers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: S.I.M.A.C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Federico Castellani
  • Patent number: 7004419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing welding wire in a storage container to reduce the amount of shifting of the welding wire in the storage container and the number of incidence of tangles (e.g., bird nesting, etc.) occurring during the payout of the welding wire from the storage container. A turntable storage container support that supports the storage container is used to rotate the storage container in a forward and a reverse direction while the welding wire is packed into the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Hsu
  • Patent number: 6796106
    Abstract: A carousel device (10) has a rotatable platform (12) with vacuum assisted suction cups (14) placed circumferentially about the rotational axis of the spindle (32). The spindle protrudes through a bushing (30) and forms an annular chamber (46) therebetween that is connectable to a vacuum source to assist holding a box (20) down while an operator feeds cable (70) into the rotating box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Drago Bulich
  • Patent number: 6554217
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable winding tool having a disk-shaped base with a central axis, and four quarter-circle spools. Each spool has a fiber optic cable contacting surface with a radius of curvature exceeding a minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable. The tool further includes four radial guides connected to the disk-shaped base for slidably mounting the four spools on the disk-shaped base such that the spools are radially adjustable relative to the central axis of the disk-shaped base. A resilient ring inwardly biases the spools on the radial guides towards the central axis of the disk-shaped base. A moveable wedge-shaped disk engages the spools to permit the spools to be radially adjustable relative to the central axis of the disk-shaped base. The radial guides permit the spools to be radially collapsed towards the central axis of the disk-shaped base after winding the fiber optic cable to permit removal of the fiber optic cable from the spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Stocker Yale, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6533205
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable winding tool having concentric upper and lower disk-shaped bases that are rotatable relative to each other. Four quarter-circle spools are slidably mounted on the upper base, and are radially adjustable towards and from the central axis of the upper base via radial slots formed in the lower base. Each spool has a fiber optic cable contacting surface with a radius of curvature exceeding a minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable. The radial slots communicate with corresponding arcuate slots formed in the lower base, and roller guides are provided through each radial slot and its corresponding arcuate slot and connects to a corresponding spool. When the upper and lower bases are rotated relative to each other, the spools move either towards or away from the central axis of the upper base, enabling a spool a diameter to be set. A thumb screw is also provided to bear against the rear base and maintain the desired diameter setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Stocker Yale, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Kles
  • Patent number: 6334237
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for loading sliver onto a sliver tray placed in a designated location in a semi-truncated conical shape without using spindles. This invention enables sliver S spun out of a coiler system C to be accommodated in a semi-truncated conical shape and loaded onto the sliver tray T, which was already placed in a designated location. The device enables the accommodation of sliver S to be formed in a semi-truncated conical shape capable of standing independently and without requiring the use of spindles. The coiler system C has been removed from the drawing frame 11 so that the device is able to move in three directions X, Y, Z either front/rear, left/right, and upward/downward. These three directions can cross one another at right angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: KITI International Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyohiro Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 6276625
    Abstract: A method of ROV tether storage without the use of electrical rotary slip rings, and a tether storage drum. The heart of the Tether Storage System (TSS) invention involves the rotating beam with a powered tether sheave and guide plate on a circular track. The concept of a rotating beam with a powered tether sheave and beam drive motors in a single unit is uniquely different than any other tether storage and handling system. Rotating the sheave about the TSS frame's vertical axis is also unique. To accomplish this, preferably a drive motor is mounted at each end of the beam. A drive wheel on each motor reacts against the channel track to rotate the beam. Rollers at each end of the beam support and guide it. The tether is stored in a large circular basket below the sheave in the cylindrical frame. A guide plate attached to the sheave beam rests on top of the tether in the storage basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Winston C. Chee, Thomas L. Sherlin
  • Patent number: 6260781
    Abstract: A densely packed storage drum containing wire, and a method and apparatus for producing the same. The storage drum having an interior storage cavity into which wire is fed. The drum is supported on a turn table adapted to rotate and index the storage drum relative to a rotatable laying head which guides the wire into the drum. A capstan turning at a set rotational velocity pulls the wire and delivers the wire into the rotating laying head. As the laying head feeds the wire into the storage drum the difference in the rotational velocities of the capstan and laying head causes the formation of loops of wire in the storage drum. By varying the relative velocities of the capstan and the laying head, and rotating and indexing the storage drum relative to the laying head the wire can be deposited into the drum in layers, with each layer having a plurality of loops of a specified diameter circumferentially and eccentrically positioned about the interior cavity of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6149091
    Abstract: Method to coil metal wire made of steel arriving directly from an in-line rolling plant, in which the metal wire is delivered to a rotating loop-forming head (11) cooperating coaxially with a hollow drum (12) to form the coil (13), the hollow drum (12) having a controlled rotary movement, the relative speed of the loop-forming head (11) and the drum (12) together being functional to the layer being formed, the drum (12) being associated with an alternate axial moving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Andrea De Luca
  • Patent number: 6102319
    Abstract: A fishing line removal device and method is shown with two frustoconical spool portions, each having a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end, and being arranged on a rod with the smaller diameter ends of the two spool portions contacting each other. A free end of a fishing line is trapped between the smaller diameter ends of the two frustoconical spool portions, and the spool portions are then locked in position on the rod. When the rod is rotated as a unit with the two frustoconical spool portions and the free end of the fishing line trapped between the smaller diameter ends of the two spool portions, a neat, compact and donut-shaped bundle of fishing line is formed around the tapered outer peripheral surfaces of the two frustoconical spool portions. Removal of one of the spool portions from the rod allows removal of the donut-shaped bundle of fishing line for reuse or recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Annabel, Beverly Annabel
  • Patent number: 6089489
    Abstract: A storage system for storing continuous lengths of rigid pipe, particularly for storage of pipe prior to the spooling of the pipe onto the pipe storage reel of a marine pipelay vessel. The system comprises a loop of rail track with a plurality of rail bogies arranged around the circumference of the loop. The bogies are adapted to retain and receive multiple turns of the length of pipe extending around the loop. The radius of curvature of the loop is selected such that the bending of the pipe around the loop does not result in plastic deformation of the pipe. Arrangements for loading and offloading the pipe may include: a pipe guide suspended from a gantry spanning the track and a pipe loading/offloading path; pipe tensioning means located downstream of the pipe guide in the offloading direction; and an "expansion arc" extending from the loading/offloading point to allow variations in the length of the pipeline path extending from the loop to a vessel mooring location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Coflexip Stena Offshore Limited
    Inventor: John Duncan Cruickshank
  • Patent number: 6065703
    Abstract: A vertical coil winder for winding hot rolled products. A reel includes a cylindrical container and a plurality of vertical rods provided within the container. A gap is defined between the container and the rods to receive a hot rolled product which is wound due to the rotation of the reel. The rods can move in the radial direction between an expanded position for winding the product and a withdrawn position for extracting the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Techint Compagnia Technica Internazionale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Ferrario, Marco Rossini
  • Patent number: 6056225
    Abstract: A winding cone in a high speed wire rod rolling mill has a replaceable glide shell which is suspended by a cable and can be dropped into the mounting pockets on opposite sides of the winding cone. By changing the angle of conicity of the glide shell and its length, i.e. by substituting a differently dimensioned glide shell between winding cone and the cooling conveyor, a change in the coiling program can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Sms Schoemann-Siemag
    Inventors: Siegfried David, Karl Keller
  • Patent number: 5927634
    Abstract: A method of coiling steel rod arriving continuously comprises the steps of rotating about an upright axis a coiling basket defining a space centered on the axis and defined by an annular inner wall, an annular outer wall, and a floor between the walls, and feeding the rod into the space to form a coil resting on the floor and formed by a multiplicity of turns. The coil is, once formed, raised out of the space and simultaneously axially compacted and is also stabilized. More particularly the coil is stabilized by spraying an outer surface of the coil with a coolant while raising the coil out of the space. Normally the coil is rotated about the axis as the coil outer surface is being sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventors: Gunter Grenz, Werner Kohlstedde, Meinert Meyer
  • Patent number: 5823456
    Abstract: Coiling assembly for iron and steel products, which cooperates with an element (16) to feed the rolled product and includes a stacking element (11) associated with a coaxial cylindrical drum (13) so as to define an annular channel (14) to contain, form and accumulate spirals (15), an annular plate (17) being included to support the spirals (15) being formed and having a first high position (17a) for the start of coiling in cooperation substantially with the element (16) feeding the rolled product, a plurality of intermediate positions defined along the annular channel (14) and a position (17b) for the end of coiling in cooperation with the bottom (18) of the annular channel (14), circumferential means (19a, 19b) to contain spirals (15) being included in cooperation at least with the upper part of the annular channel (14) and in cooperation at least with one of the sidewalls (20, 21) thereof (14) and extending radially within the annular channel (14) at least along a determined initial segment thereof (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bordignon, Ferruccio Tomat, Kurt Lennart Danielsson, Giorgio Lavaroni
  • Patent number: 5667155
    Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Cerwin, Marvin Alpern, Yufei Huang
  • Patent number: 5427327
    Abstract: A cable handling apparatus uses a reeling mechanism to reel a cable into a coiled configuration by securing one end of the cable to the reeling mechanism. A capture mechanism is used to locate the other end of the cable by using a channel to guide the cable as it is reeled, and a detector to detect the end of the cable as it enters the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Carl R. Anderson, Gary G. Seaman