Abstract: An improved line trimmer (10) for weed or grass cutting is provided which includes a operating head (16) having a rotatable housing (44) with cutting line outlet openings (68). A replaceable line cartridge (18) having a supply (118) of line (107) is mounted exteriorly of housing (44), and the free ends (120) of the line pass from the cartridge (18), through housing (44), and out the opening (68). Preferably, the cartridge (18) is mounted on an upright tubular drive shaft (42) coupled with housing (44), so that the line (107) may be threaded through the drive shaft (42).

Abstract: A versatile modular device for organizing, shortening, and securing a plurality of cords such as cables, ropes, strings, lines, tubes and wires, having a simple design which permits easy removal or addition of cords and a straightforward method for wrapping and securing an individual cord to a desired length. The device utilizes a rectangular box design having slotted side panels. The side panel slots are slanted and sized such that a plurality of modular reel bars may be inserted therein, will not slip out accidentally, and may be removed or added without disturbing the other modules. Each reel bar is designed with a plurality of apertures for securing a cord at varying lengths, leaving only the desired amount of cord loose. The device includes an electrical power strip for streamlined electrical power access and may be secured to a desk or table by appropriate attachment means.

Abstract: An improved winding wheel includes an anchor dock housing a pulley and a movable base located on a lower side of the anchor dock having two biased holes. The pulley has a slant slot matching the biased holes to allow two ends of a cord to pass through in a separated manner towards two sides so that the cord may be wound on the pulley neatly without entangling. A movable anchor lug is provided on an upper side of the anchor dock. The movable anchor lug and the movable base may be lifted and extended to form an upper and a lower open space for the pulley such that the cord may be wound rapidly without obstruction.

Abstract: In a cable reel, a stationary body and a movable body are combined together to define an annular hollow section. A guide member is disposed in the annular hollow section, the guide member including a C-shaped ring and a plural rollers. A flat cable is wound round an inner circumferential passage and wound round an outer circumferential passage, a winding direction of the flat cable in the inner circumferential passage and that of the flat cable in the outer circumferential passage are inverted to each other. The intermediate portion of each roller is rotatably held by the ring, a lower end portion of the roller on the outer cylindrical section side contacts with the bottom plate section under the condition that the inner cylindrical section side of the roller is raised from the bottom plate section, and the inner cylindrical section side of the roller contacts with the flat cable.

Abstract: A cable guide is mounted into a cable reel structure, so as to form an inner enclosure and an outer enclosure. The cable guide is divided into at least two guide portions, so that, when the guides are assembled, the guides form at least two reverse path channels. At least one flat cable is spiraled in the inner enclosure in a first direction, passed through the reverse path channels, and spiraled in the outer enclosure in a second direction inverse to the first direction. In such a reverse-type cable reel structure, the flat cables can easily be passed through the reverse path channels, when the spiraling direction of the flat cable is reversed in the outer enclosure with respect to that in the inner enclosure.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for removing rotation clamping members in which a rotor of a cable reel is temporarily clamped to a stator. Rotation clamping members which are temporarily positioned over the stator and the rotor of the cable reel are connected with a vertical piece through a hinge that allows a lateral piece to pivot downwardly easily from a root. When removing the rotation clamping member for permitting rotation of the rotor, the lateral piece of the rotation clamping members which is lifted up engages against the periphery of the wheel hub followed by downward pivoting from the root, so that the clamping members are removed smoothly through the side of the wheel boss.

Abstract: In a cable reel, a stationary body and a movable body are combined together to define an annular hollow section. A guide member is disposed in the annular hollow section, the guide member including a C-shaped ring and plural rollers. A flat cable is wound round an inner circumferential passage and wound round an outer circumferential passage, a winding direction of the flat cable in the inner circumferential passage and that of the flat cable in the outer circumferential passage are inverted to each other. An intermediate portion of each roller is rotatably held by the rin, and a lower face of the roller is slidably contacted with the bottom plate section.

Abstract: In a system for recovery of marine ROVs, an umbilical is wound around a winch drum. A portion of the umbilical has foam floatation segments that may be damaged by wrapping about the drum. A flexible belt is inserted between the wrapped portion of the umbilical and the floatation segments to prevent damage to the floatation segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used for automatic handling of optical fibers and transporting the same, as well as automatic assembly of the optical fibers into optical devices and transportation of the same. A spool facilitates handling, storing, and transporting of the optical fiber. A cassette receives an electronic module and the optical fiber, with or without a corresponding spool, and presents the fiber in a manner that facilitates automatic assembly of optical assemblies. The cassette also facilitates handling, storing, and transporting of the optical assemblies.

Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A flat cable containing several conductor elements and corresponding bus bars are provided. An end portion of each conductor element is welded to a first end portion of each bus bars. A second end portion of each of the bus bars is formed into a terminal. Meanwhile, a cable reel includes a mobile member and a fixed member. At least one of the mobile member and the fixed member is provided with a connector unit having an outward opening. The terminal of each of the bus bars extends in the connector unit through a terminal path hole, while a terminal of an outside electrical cable is inserted into the connector unit through the outward opening of the connector unit, so that the bus-bar terminal and the electrical cable terminal are fitted and connected to each other.

Abstract: A cord holder having a body member with cord retaining regions on each end with the body member having a temporally securable closure member on each end to allow quick passage of a cord into the cord retaining regions with the securable closure members securable to each other to hold the cord on the body member.

Abstract: A device for separating a first fiber portion from a second fiber portion of a fiber can include a separator that defines at least one inner bearing surface adapted to restrain the first fiber portion from straightening when coiled within the separator. The separator can have a plurality of separator arms that are subsequently parallel to each other. The separator can define at least one outer bearing surface adapted to limit a path defined by the second fiber portion when coiled on the separator. The path can vary with a longitudinal tension in the second fiber portion. The path can have a plurality of curves each having a radius. The radius of each curve of the path can at least meet a reliability-adjusted minimum bending radius of the second fiber portion. The separator can define at least one separator opening adapted for passing the fiber therethrough.

Abstract: A device for storing at least one fiber can include at least two of the following components: a separator, a plurality of lifters, and a secluder. The separator can separate a first fiber portion from a second fiber portion of a fiber. The separator can define at least one inner bearing surface adapted to restrain the first fiber portion from straightening when coiled within the separator, and at least one outer bearing surface that can be adapted to limit a path defined by the second fiber portion when coiled on the separator. The path can vary with a longitudinal tension in the second fiber portion, and can have a plurality of curves each having a radius. The radius of each curve of the path can at least meet a reliability-adjusted minimum bending radius of the second fiber portion. The separator can also define at least one separator opening adapted for passing the fiber therethrough. The plurality of lifters can move a plurality of fibers parallel to a spooling axis around which the fibers are spooled.

Abstract: A device for separating a first fiber portion from a second fiber portion of a fiber. The device includes a separator that can define at least one inner bearing surface adapted to restrain the first fiber portion from straightening when coiled within the separator. The separator defines at least one outer bearing surface that can be adapted to limit a path defined by the second fiber portion when coiled on the separator. The path can vary with a longitudinal tension in the second fiber portion. The path can have a plurality of curves each having a radius. The radius of each curve of the path can at least meet a reliability-adjusted minimum bending radius of the second fiber portion. The separator can also define at least one separator opening adapted for passing the fiber therethrough.

Abstract: A system for storing a fiber within a storage space defined by a restrainer. The fiber can have a first fiber portion and a second fiber portion. The system can include a separator that divides the storage space into a first fiber portion storage space and a second fiber portion storage space. The separator can define at least one inner bearing surface adapted to restrain the first fiber portion from straightening when coiled within the first fiber portion storage space. The separator can also define at least one outer bearing surface adapted to limit a path defined by the second fiber portion when coiled within the second fiber portion storage space. The path can vary with a longitudinal tension in the second fiber portion. The path can have a plurality of curves, each having a radius. The radius of each curve of the path can at least meet a reliability-adjusted minimum bending radius of the second fiber portion.

Abstract: A cable reel includes a sound-absorbing material which can effectively attenuate both sliding noise and vibration noise and can be produced inexpensively. The cable reel comprises a stationary member assembly and a movable member assembly rotatably mounted on the stationary member assembly. The stationary and movable member assemblies define a cable containing chamber having an annular configuration and upper and lower bearing surfaces. The cable containing chamber accommodates a flat cable in a coiled manner between the upper and lower bearing surfaces. Opposite ends of the flat cable are led out from the stationary and movable member assemblies through electrical means. The sound-absorbing material is made of a foam material and includes at least three straps. The straps extend radially and are equally spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction on at least the lower bearing surface of the cable containing chamber so that the flat cable slides on the straps of the sound-absorbing material.

Abstract: An automatically rewindable wire device includes a stationary member having a stationary shaft, and a rotary member mounted rotatably on the stationary member and having a windup portion around the shaft. The windup portion and the shaft confine a space. The windup portion has an opening which is communicated with the space and which is spaced apart radially from the shaft. The device further includes a wire having a first portion fixed to the stationary member and a second portion extending outwardly of the stationary member from the first portion of the wire. The second portion of the wire is wound around the shaft in a first angular direction within the space and then wound around the windup portion in a second angular direction by passing through the opening. The second angular direction is opposite to the first angular direction. A windup spring is connected to the rotary member to urge the windup portion to wind up the wire.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same are produced inexpensively and are able to attenuate sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 is made of a polyethylene film 20a and is formed into a thin waved sheet having continuous wave crests and wave troughs. A synthetic paper 20b having a lubricative surface is attached to the wave crests on a front side of the polyethylene film 20a through an adhesive. As an air layer 21 is defined in a space surrounded by the wave crests and wave troughs, any sounds which are transmitted to the polyethylene film 20a collide on the wave crests and wave troughs thereby being effectively attenuated and absorbed. The sound-absorbing material 20 is struck on a bearing surface 12a of a stationary member 11 by way of an adhesive. A lateral lower edge of a flat cable 15 slides on the lubricative surface of the synthetic paper 20b, thereby suppressing generation of sliding noise.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same are produced inexpensively and attenuates sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 comprises a foam rubber 20a and a thin synthetic paper 20b having a smooth surface and laminated through an adhesive 20c on a top surface of the foam rubber 20a. The synthetic paper 20b can be easily attached to the foam rubber 20a by means of the adhesive 20c and is inexpensive in comparison with a conventional polytetrafluoroethylene resin sheet. The sound-absorbing material 20 is attached to a lower bearing surface 12a of a cable containing chamber 12 in a cable reel. The synthetic paper 20b of the sound-absorbing material 20 can attenuate a sliding noise which is generated when a flat cable 15 slides on the lower bearing surface 12a.

Abstract: A cable reel includes a sound-absorbing material which can effectively attenuate both sliding noise and vibration noise and can be produced inexpensively. The cable reel comprises a stationary member assembly and a movable member assembly rotatably mounted on the stationary member assembly. The stationary and movable member assemblies define a cable containing chamber having an annular configuration and upper and lower bearing surfaces. The cable containing chamber accommodates a flat cable in a coiled manner between the upper and lower bearing surfaces. Opposite ends of the flat cable are led out from the stationary and movable member assemblies through electrical means. The sound-absorbing material is made of a foam material and includes at least three straps. The straps extend radially and are equally spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction on at least the lower bearing surface of the cable containing chamber so that the flat cable slides on the straps of the sound-absorbing material.

Abstract: A pair of restraints, preferably in the form of handcuffs, are separately connected to a housing assembly by way of elongated cables. The cables are attached at their other ends to a rotatable spool sturdily housed within a box ratchet assembly. Each restraint is first separately applied to a resisting arrestee's wrists. The cables are then reeled into the spool member with a ratcheting motion, enabling a law enforcement official to maintain a controlled joinder of the handcuffs and the arrestee's wrists.

Abstract: An extension cord holder includes a handle; a main post having top and bottom ends, the main post being connected to the handle at the top end; and, front and rear cord retention arms extending upwardly from the bottom end of the main post to define front and rear upwardly opening slots, each slot sized and shaped for receiving a plurality of loops of an extension cord. An extension cord may be loaded onto the holder by positioning successive loops from a mid point of the cord to the male end of the cord into one slot and from the mid point of the cord to the female end of the cord into the other slot. Deployment of the male and female ends of the cord may be achieved in reverse order.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same is produced inexpensively and attenuates sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 has a dual layer structure comprising an upper rubber sheet 20b and a lower rubber sheet 20a. A front side surface 20e of the lower rubber sheet 20a and a back side surface 20f of the upper rubber sheet 20b are provided with a number of protrusions 20c and 20d, respectively. The front side surface 20e is opposed to the back side surface 20f through the protrusions 20c and 20d. The upper and lower rubber sheets 20b and 20a are integrated together by interconnecting the peripheral edges of the sheets to form the sound-absorbing material 20. The sound-absorbing material 20 has a thickness of about 1.3 mm and an air layer 21 between the upper and lower rubber sheets 20b and 20a.

Abstract: In a spiral cable reel including a stator member, a rotor member rotatable with respect to the stator member, and a stopper, the stopper body has protrusions at its one end which are engageable with and disengageable from engaging holes which are formed in the protruded portion of the rotor member, and locking members which are engageable with and disengageable from bosses of the stator member. The stopper stops the relative rotation between the rotor member and the stator member, and correctly determines the positional relationship between the stator member and the rotor member, and maintains it unchanged during the installation of the spiral cable reel onto equipment.

Abstract: An adjustable Christmas light spool including a pair of covers each including a torus portion. The torrid portion is defined by a full torus sliced by a plane which resides perpendicular with respect to a center axis of the full torus thereby defining an annular dish. Further included is an adjustable central coupling associated with each cover. By this structure, a string of Christmas lights may be wrapped about the central coupling and the covers may be expanded and contracted for providing optimal protection to the Christmas lights.

Abstract: Apparatus for routing a resilient cable of specified length, such as an electric power transmission cable, across a rotary joint between first and second members, wherein the first member is supported for rotation with respect to the second member. The apparatus includes a first guide element disposed to rotate with the first member, for guiding a first component or portion of a cable along a first arcuate path of specified radius, the length of the first cable component disposed to vary as the first member rotates. The apparatus further includes a second guide element, in fixed relationship to the second member, for guiding a second component of the cable along a second arcuate path, the length of the second cable component disposed to vary in inverse relation to the length of the first cable component.

Abstract: A reel device for a flat cable through which electrical component parts mounted on a steering wheel are electrically connected with electrical component parts on a vehicle body side. The reel device is disposed between the steering wheel and a combination switch mounted on the vehicle body side and comprises a generally cylindrical frame section inside which a shaft section is disposed rotatable relative to the frame section. The frame section is fixed to the combination switch, whereas the shaft section is fixedly mounted around the steering shaft. The flat cable is movably disposed in an annular cable storing space formed between the frame section and the shaft section. A generally annular guide member is movably disposed in the cable storing space and located between the cable wound on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft section and the cable wound on the inner peripheral surface of the frame section.

Abstract: A tape cable provided with connector portions in its end portions is wound spirally, and a reinforcing tape having elasticity is stuck to the outer circumferential surface of the tape cable in the vicinity of the connector portion. In an inner cylinder, in the vicinity of the end portion on the connector side of the reinforcing tape provided on the tape cable, a support portion is provided in a position to support the tape cable together with the reinforcing tape. When the connector portion is installed in the inner cylinder, the tape cable is inserted and held between the support portion and the inner cylinder together with the reinforcing tape. Accordingly an end portion of the reinforcing tape is fixed, so that buckling between the connector portion and the support can be prevented. Buckling beyond the portion can be prevented by the rigidity of the reinforcing tape.

Abstract: A housing and a rotor are electrically connected to each other by the flexible flat cable accommodated in an annular space formed between the housing and the rotor; an opening portion of a carrier disposed in the annular space and having a C-shape in a plan view is formed to allow an inversion portion of the flexible flat cable to pass through; and a lubricating members are provided for the sliding surfaces of the carrier.

Abstract: A relay device includes a first rotor having an inner cylinder, a second rotor having an outer cylinder and a single cutter unit for cutting the flexible flat cable. In either case that, due to relative rotation of said first and second rotors, the flexible flat cable is wound around to the side of the inner cylinder over a predetermined volume or that the flexible flat cable is wound back to the side of the outer cylinder over another predetermined volume, the cutter unit serves to cut off the flexible flat cable. The cutter unit includes a C-shaped cutting arm having opposing base ends rotatably supported by the inner cylinder, a cutter holder attached to a leading end of the cutting arm and a cutter body mounted on the cutter holder so as to face the flexible flat cable at the leading end.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously taking up and paying out first and second ends of respective first and second cables is provided for traversing a carriage in a clarifier basin. Each of the cables has the same active length. A reel has a cylindrical drum, opposite ends, and a pair of cable retainers. One of the retainers is adjacent to one of the opposite ends and on a first diametric side of the drum. The other of the retainers is adjacent to the other of the opposite ends and on a second or opposite diametric side of the drum. The second diametric side is opposite to the first diametric side. In a method of the invention, the first end of the first cable is secured to the one retainer the drum is adapted to receive all of the active length of the first cable in one layer thereon or all of said active length of the second cable in one layer thereon or a wound portion of the active length of each of the cables in one layer thereon, with the wound one layer portions sharing the drum in side-by-side relation.

Abstract: A window blind cord winding apparatus includes an outer housing with a circular spool receiving cavity. A spool is provided that has a circular cord bell receiving cavity. The spool is disposed within the circular spool receiving cavity of the outer housing. The circular cord bell receiving cavity has an inner surface with a gear profile. A closure cap is engagable with the outer sidewall to enclose the outer housing. The closure cap has an exterior surface and an interior cavity. A shaft extends through the closure cap. The shaft has a first end extending into the interior cavity and a second end extending from the exterior surface. A gear is mounted to the first end of the shaft. A hand grip is secured to the second end of the shaft. When the closure cap is placed onto the outer housing the gear engages the gear profile on the inner surface of the cord bell receiving cavity of the spool. Upon the hand grip being used to rotate the shaft, the gear rotates engaging the gear profile to rotate the spool.

Abstract: A cable connection/dispensing system for a multi-rotation assembly includes a hollow cylindrical housing and an elongated central hub centered within the housing. The hub has a cardioid cross-sectional shape with two lobes and an acute cusp therebetween. At least one of the housing and the hub is rotatable. A first cable connector is located on the hollow housing and faces its interior, and a second cable connector is located at the acute cusp of the central hub. A length of an interconnect medium lies between the hollow housing and the central hub. The interconnect medium includes an interconnect cable attached at a first end to the first cable connector and at a second end to the second cable connector, and an interconnect medium substrate to which the interconnect cable is attached. Rotation of the hub with respect to the housing results in a smooth payout and takeup of the cable medium for a number of turns corresponding to about twice the length of the interconnect medium.

Abstract: A device (10) for stowing away a thick cable (14, 16) composed of several leads, in particular the supply cable of a central energy supply installation for the supply system on board of aircrafts, for example. The device has a rotary winding drum, around which several turns of the cable can be wound, connected in turn by a compensating cable (40) preferably to a fixed connection. The leads of the compensating cable, that lie free at least in sections, extend in the axial direction of the winding drum, so that the compensating cable is more strongly twisted when the connecting cable unwinds from the winding drum and less strongly twisted when the connecting cable is wound on the winding drum. The winding drum (24) itself has a hollow cylindrical bearing body (22) for winding up a single layer of cable (14, 16), within which extends the compensating cable (46). Preferably, the compensating cable (46) or some of its leads are held or fixed in an approximately central position within the bearing body (22).

Abstract: A transmission apparatus of the U-turn type in which the extending direction of a flexible flat cable is reversed in the middle of the cable. The apparatus comprises a planet roll located between a center barrel and an outer case. The planet roll is fitted with a planet gear which is in mesh with a sun gear fixed to the center barrel, and an internal gear fixed to the outer case. When the center barrel rotates, the planet roll revolves in the same direction as the rotating direction of the barrel, thereby guiding the U-turn portion of the cable. At the same time, the planet roll rotates around its axis in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the center barrel, whereby a guide tape is wound on the barrel and wound off the planet roll. The guide tape serves to guide and prevent the cable from slackening, so that the potential rotational frequency of the center barrel can be made high for the cable length.

Abstract: The device includes a winding drum (1) on which there is fixed one end of the cord to be wound. This drum includes a smooth portion (8) having a diameter which is greater than the initial diameter of the drum (1), is located at a distance from the cord fixing point (12) and is limited by a shoulder (9). The cord (11) to be wound is guided approximately tangentially to this shoulder so that the turns (11a) formed on the portion of greater diameter are pushed back by the shoulder (9) under the effect of the load, the length of the portion of greater diameter (8) being such that the tension on the cord is zero in the turns (11b) leaving this portion of greater diameter. These loose turns are positioned beside each other on the portion (1) of the drum ensuring an even winding without overlapping of the cord.