Abstract: An improved steering wheel assembly includes an integrated switch housing that includes the stalk switch for the vehicle, and further provides the fixed housing for a clock spring. The integrated switch housing reduces the overall size and length of the switches adjacent the steering wheel. Moreover, the integrated switch housing is preferably used with a modular steering wheel and air bag combination that is attached to the wheel after pre-assembly of the modular units. Locking structure ensures there is no relative rotation between the clock spring rotating plate, the clock spring fixed housing, and the modular steering wheel combination until the entire assembly is mounted to the steering column. The combined integrated modular assembly allows testing of all electrical connections prior to mounting the combined assembly to the vehicle.

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 clock spring and steering wheel rear cover arrangement are particularly well-suited for a modular steering wheel and air bag sub-assembly. The clock spring is attached to the rear of a hub in the steering wheel assembly, and the rear cover snaps behind the clock spring. The clock spring and rear cover may be pre-assembled with the modular steering wheel and air bag such that the entire assembly is attached as a unit to a steering column. A tab from the rear cover may snap into an opening on the rear of the hub. The clock spring may include a hard connection into an air bag igniter, or may utilize a wire harness connection. A single opening in the rear of the hub for the steering column may receive an electrical connection for accessories on the steering wheel along with providing a connection to the air bag igniter. Also, the clock spring housing includes structure to be aligned on the steering column.

Abstract: A rotary connector including a first housing rotatably connected to a second housing and forming an annular space therebetween, and a flexible cable wound within the annular spacing. According to a first aspect, the conductors of the flexible cable associated with an airbag circuit are spaced further apart than conductors for other circuits mounted on a steering wheel. A direct connector includes first terminals connected to the airbag conductors and second terminals connected to the other conductors. The first and second terminals are spaced apart and/or divided by a divider to prevent interference during assembly. In accordance with the second aspect, a locking member for preventing relative rotation of the first and second housings prior to assembly on a vehicle includes a cover portion for covering an open end of the direct connector.

Abstract: A relay device includes a first rotor having an inner cylinder, a second rotor having an outer cylinder and a cover attached to the inner cylinder. A flexible flat cable is accommodated in an annular space defined between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is provided with a shroud part for retaining the end portion of the flexible flat cable therein while the cover is provided with a press part. The press part is arranged so that, when the cover is attached to the inner cylinder, the press part is brought into contact with the shroud part from the outside. Therefore, the press part urges the inner end portion of the cable against the inner cylinder, whereby the inner end portion of the cable can be fixed on the inner cylinder securely.

Abstract: The electrical connecting device has a cable compartment including spaced inner and outer annular portions. At least one of the top and bottom walls of each annular portion is formed with an annular groove. The portion of compartment other than the portions having annular grooves has a height H1 between the top and bottom walls. The height H1 is substantially equal to the width W of a flexible flat cable. The cable may be formed with projections on its edges. The compartment height H1 may be set between the width of the cable portion with the projections and the width of the cable portion without the projections. Therefore, the connector with high quality and high reliability can prevent an impinging noise from being made by vibration.

Abstract: This invention provides a rotary connector in which flexibility is imparted against the stress applied in the transverse direction of an elastic tongue by partially reducing rigidity of the elastic tongue plate in its transverse direction. Therefore, even if the elastic tongue or the flexible cable accidentally comes into contact with the inner wall of the housings due to a deviation from the tolerance of assembly, they do not come into strong contact. The rotor housing is rotatably fitted to the stator housing. The flexible cable 3 is spirally accommodated in the space defined by both housings. The terminal 4 is electrically connected to the conductor cable 31 exposed from the flexible cable 3. The support 5A resin-molds the terminal 4 and is fixed to at least one of the stator housing and the rotor housing. The elastic tongue 8 is fixed to the support 5A and is so disposed as to extend along the flexible cable 3.

Abstract: A rotary connector including a structure for connecting a flat cable to a lead block. The lead block includes a plurality of parallel joint conductors extending through a resin member. A pair of holding arms extend perpendicularly from the resin member. A window is formed in the resin member through which portions of the joint conductors are exposed, and a pair of projections are provided adjacent the window. The flat cable includes parallel conductors sandwiched by insulating films. A connecting portion of the insulating films is provided at a leading end of the flat cable, and alignment holes are formed in the connecting portion. Portions of the conductors are exposed between the flat cable and the connecting portion, and grooves are formed in sides of the flat cable adjacent the exposed conductor portions.

Abstract: A rotary connector including a first housing rotatably connected to a second housing and forming an annular space therebetween, and a flexible cable wound within the annular spacing. According to a first aspect, the conductors of the flexible cable associated with an airbag circuit are spaced further apart than conductors for other circuits mounted on a steering wheel. A direct connector includes first terminals connected to the airbag conductors and second terminals connected to the other conductors. The first and second terminals are spaced apart and/or divided by a divider to prevent interference during assembly. In accordance with the second aspect, a locking member for preventing relative rotation of the first and second housings prior to assembly on a vehicle includes a cover portion for covering an open end of the direct connector.

Abstract: In a device for the transmission of signals between two terminals (6, 8), at least one of the terminals is movable relative to the other. The terminals (6, 8) are connected by at least one line (10) forming windings. The line is stored in an essentially circular cartridge (K) which comprises a stator supporting one of the terminals, and a rotor supporting the other terminal, which can rotate around its axis and in relation to the stator. The line windings (10) are divided into an internal winding area (12) and an external winding area (11) with different winding directions, between which an approximately U-shaped reversing area (13) is located. A one-piece ring-shaped guide (14) is located between the two winding areas (11, 12) and encompasses the reversing area (13) of the windings; it has reciprocally offset protrusions (15) located at least on the side facing the internal winding area (12), which protrude radially outward around the entire periphery.

Abstract: A rotary connector device having a stator housing 1 and a rotor housing 2 connected by an attachment 3. The attachment 3 fits to the rotor housing 2 and rotatably supports the stator housing 1. The attachment 3 includes a grease reservoir 33 disposed in sliding contact with the stator housing 1. An opening 25, through which a cord 61 connected to a flexible cable 4 is pulled outside, is disposed in the upper part of a rotor housing 2. The opening has a plurality of bumps 251 to 254 to clamp the cord 61. The stator housing 1 is constructed by assembling a side housing 11 and a bottom housing 12 together. A first gap 13 is formed in the area where the side housing 11 is connected to the bottom housing 12. A first side edge 71 of a slide sheet 7 is inserted into the first gap 13. A guide 15 of the bottom housing 12 for guiding the flexible cable 4 is formed with a second gap 14 into which the second side edge 72 of the slide sheet 7 is inserted.

Abstract: The rotary contactor comprises a first part, referred to here for convenience as the fixed part (101), which is adapted to be fixed to the steering column (4), together with a second part, referred to here for convenience as the moving part (102) and adapted to be coupled in rotation to the steering wheel (7) of the motor vehicle. For the temporary coupling of the fixed part (101) in rotation with the moving part (102), retractable locking devices (83, 84) are interposed between the parts (101, 102). These means comprise a retractable first member (8) carried by the moving part (102) and adapted to engage with a second member (40) carried by the fixed part (101), with the first member including a manoeuvrable portion (82) which is adapted to be manoeuvred by the steering wheel (7).

Abstract: A rotary connector which prevents separation of a resilient tongue from a flexible cable so as to prevent buckling. The rotary connector includes first and second housings rotatably connected together and forming an annular space therebetween. A flexible cable and a movable member are received in the annular space. The movable member includes a turntable having a stationary cylinder and a reversing roller, the stationary cylinder including a guide projection. The flexible cable is wound in opposite directions on opposite sides of the movable member and includes a U-shaped reverse portion extending through a gap between the stationary cylinder and the reversing roller. A resilient tongue having a free end portion substantially formed in a linear shape in an unloaded condition is affixed to an inner surface of the flexible cable and to an inner cylinder portion of the second housing.

Abstract: A rotary connector wherein a free rotation between both housings can be locked or unlocked in a simple manner. A holding member is formed integrally with a first housing through a thin-walled portion, while engaging projections are formed integrally with a second housing, and at the rotary connector manufacturing stage, by aligning both housings exactly with each other and thereafter inserting a tapping screw threadedly into a support portion of the holding member, the tapping screw can be brought into abutment with both engaging projections. Further, at the time of mounting the rotary connector into a steering system, a free rotation between both housings is ensured by cutting the holding member at the thin-walled portion.

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: An electric connection device interposed between a steering wheel and a steering column, comprising: a rotary body fixed to the steering wheel; a device housing fixed to the steering column; an internal gear fixed to the device housing; an annular flat cable carrier rotatably disposed in an annular space formed in the device housing; a plurality of planetary gears in mesh between an outer gear portion of the rotary body and an inner gear portion of the internal gear; a plurality of rollers mounted on the annular flat cable carrier; and a flexible flat cable connected between the rotary body and the device housing and arranged in the annular space of the device housing. Whenever the rotary body is rotated in either direction, the flexible flat cable is first reeled around the rotary body, reversed around one of the rollers at a reversal portion thereof, and then wound around the internal gear.

Abstract: A clock spring connector having a high reliability of the connection and excellent workability of the assembly, said clock spring connector being capable of reducing noise. A flexible cable is wound on the outer cylindrical unit of a first housing and the inner cylindrical unit of a second housing so that the directions of the windings are opposite to each other, and a spacer disposed between the outer and inner cylindrical units rotates following the U-shaped turned-back portion of the flexible cable. An elastic tongue piece is disposed along the portion extending from the inner cylindrical unit, of the flexible cable and formed to be curved so that the tongue piece is located between the inner cylindrical unit and the spacer when no load is applied thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for electrically interconnecting parts on the steering wheel and column, respectively, of a motor vehicle by interconnecting an under cover, which is fixed to the column, and a rotator, which is fixed to the wheel so as to rotate relatively to the under cover as the wheel rotates, through a long flexible flat cable with its intermediate portion housed between the under cover and the rotator. The under cover has a junction. Fixed to the under cover is an internal gear having a positioner integral with it. The positioner is inserted into the junction so as to position the internal gear relatively to the under cover.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed which comprises first and second elements rotatable with one another and housing a conductor electrically connecting respective terminals provided on the first and second elements. A locking assembly is provided to restrict removal of the connector assembly from a support structure, the locking assembly including a locking member moveable in response to movement of the second element relative to the first element to and from a datum position such that the locking assembly permits removal or replacement of the connector assembly when the second element is in the datum position and prevent such removal or replacement when the second element does not occupy the datum position.

Abstract: A device or transmitting signals between two terminals is indicated, where at least one of them is moveable with respect to the other. The terminals are connected by at least one line wound in turns, which is stored in an essentially circular cassette. The turns of the line are divided into an inner winding area and an outer winding area running in different directions, between which an approximately U-shaped reversing area is located. A one-piece ring-shaped guide (14) is located between the two winding areas and surrounds the reversing area of the turns. At least on the inside facing the inner winding area, the guide (14) has protrusions (15) that are distributed around the entire periphery and face radially out toward the center point (M), and which are offset with respect to each other in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: An electrical connection device between a handle and a steering column for a vehicle includes a rotor, a housing for rotatably supporting the rotor and a flexible flat cable accommodated in an annular space defined by the rotor and the housing. The rotor is provided on an outer periphery thereof with a resinous C-ring of which frictional coefficient is smaller than that of the rotor. Consequently, when the rotor rotates with respect to the housing, the sliding resistance of the rotor rotating can be reduced by the C-ring, so that the sliding-noise can be reduced.

Abstract: A device for transmitting signals between two terminals is indicated, of which at least one is moveable with respect to the other. The terminals are connected by at least one line (10) which is wound in turns and stored in an essentially circular cassette (K) comprising a rotor (15) and a stator (16). The turns of the line (10) are subdivided into an inner winding area and an outer winding area with different winding directions, between which an approximately U-shaped reversing area is located. A one-piece ring-shaped guide (14) is positioned between the two winding areas, and encompasses the reversing area of the turns. At least one of the peripheral faces of the guide (14) has a rib-like collar (18) that extends radially around the entire circumference, with a bottom face that rests against a corresponding surface of the rotor (15) when the collar is in its operating position.

Abstract: A clock spring connector including a movable housing rotatably connected to a fixed housing, the movable housing and fixed housings defining an annular cable accommodating area therebetween. A spacer is movably housed in the cable accommodating area. A ribbon cable is housed in the cable accommodating area and includes a first portion wound in a first direction on the fixed housing, a turned-back (U-shaped) portion extending through an opening in the spacer, and a second portion wound in a second direction on the movable housing. The spacer includes a plurality of rollers and raised portions located in gaps formed between each of the rollers, except for the opening through which the turned-back portion is passed, thereby preventing the erroneous threading of the cable when the clock spring connector is assembled.

Abstract: A cable type electric connector comprises an annular casing having a cylindrical wall; an annular rotor with a concentric collar portion coaxially and rotatably received in the annular casing thereby to define therebetween a cable receiving annular space; an annular guide body concentrically and rotatably received in the cable receiving annular space and having a cable passing slot; and a flat cable having an inner end connected to the collar portion and an outer end connected to the annular casing. The flat cable passes through the cable passing slot, so that when the collar portion and the annular casing make a relative rotation therebetween, the flat cable is forced to make a roll wound on the collar portion in one direction or a roll wound within the cylindrical wall of the annular casing in the other direction. A coupling structure is further employed which couples the annular guide body and the annular rotor in a manner to permit a relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a flexible cable housed in a case, wherein one end thereof is attached to a rotating member and the other end is attached to a fixed member. The cable is wound around the rotating member and the fixed member to form loose windings of a plurality of turns. A rotation support member is installed in the case so that the rotation support member can rotate around the fixed member and the flexible cable is wound around a perimeter thereof several times. An elastic member connects the rotation support member and the fixed member and generates a returning force responsive to rotation of the rotation support member. Cable codes are formed on the flexible cable in order to indicate a rotation angle of the rotating member. A detection device is installed in the case and generates a signal representing the cable codes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contactless electric signal transmitter, which includes a rotator having an outer periphery formed with a space for housing a fold of a flat cable. A cover covers the space and fixes the fold therein. The space has both axial side walls formed with first engaging means, respectively. The cover has an outer cylindrical surface of the same curvature as the rotator periphery. The cover also has second engaging means for engagement with the first means, respectively, of the space. The cover may have a recess, through which the cable can extend out of the space. This structure makes it possible to fit the cable fold to the rotator simply and securely at low costs. One axial wall of the groove may have a recess formed in part of it. The recess has an axial slope extending between the outer periphery and the bottom of groove.

Abstract: A clockspring having a device for determining if the clockspring is centered.

Abstract: As a part of a cable type electric connector, an annular housing structure is used which has a first cable leading portion. An annular guide body is rotatably and coaxially received in the annular housing structure. The annular guide body has a cable passing slot. An annular rotor is coaxially disposed on the annular housing structure. The annular rotor has a second cable leading portion. A flat cable is passed through the cable passing slot of the annular guide body so that the flat cable is divided into an inner flat cable part movably received in a circular space surrounded by the annular guide body and an outer flat cable part movably received in an annular space formed around the annular guide body. The inner flat cable part has an inner end exposed to the outside through the second cable leading portion and the outer flat cable part has an outer end exposed to the outside through the first cable leading portion.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of a device for transmitting a signal between two end points, at least one of which is movable relative to the other, and between which a wound line which forms a coil and is contained in a substantially circular cassette is arranged. Further extending lines are connected to the line at the two end points. The cassette consists of two parts, namely a stator and a rotor which is turnable around its axis and around the stator. The two parts of the cassette are connected in secure manner to each other by injection molding, in such a way that the rotor is turnable around a common axis within the stator.

Abstract: A clockspring assembly having an apparatus for reducing the length of cable used in the clockspring's design. The clockspring has a housing which defines a first aperture. Rotatably mounted within the first aperture is a hub having a second aperture. Between the housing and the hub is a radial space defined within the housing. The radial space contains a ribbon cable which has a first end connected to a first connector and a second end connected to a second connector. Correspondingly, the first connector is attached to the housing and the second connector is attached to the hub. Furthermore, resiliently clamped onto the hub is a carrier apparatus which has a clamping portion for pressing the ribbon cable onto the hub during its rotation. In addition, the carrier apparatus also has a brace for reducing vibration of the portion of the cable portion which is not being pressed against the hub.

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 rotary connector including a first housing rotatably connected to a second housing and forming an annular space therebetween, and a flexible cable wound within the annular spacing. According to a first aspect, the conductors of the flexible cable associated with an airbag circuit are spaced further apart than conductors for other circuits mounted on a steering wheel. A direct connector includes first terminals connected to the airbag conductors and second terminals connected to the other conductors. The first and second terminals are spaced apart and/or divided by a divider to prevent interference during assembly. In accordance with the second aspect, a locking member for preventing relative rotation of the first and second housings prior to assembly on a vehicle includes a cover portion for covering an open end of the direct connector.

Abstract: A current conductor apparatus for connecting the stator of a steering column to a rotor of a steering wheel. The stator and rotor are guided concentrically with respect to one another by rotation guides and are provided with contacts for establishing an electrical connection between them. The rotor and stator are stapled to one another without being aligned by the guides. The axial and radial play between them is limited, and they may be fastened to the steering wheel and column without rotating or contacting one another. In order to facilitate the center adjustment of the apparatus, stator is provided with an attachment with a tapped hole for a screw. The screw and spring are used to hold clamp, which projects into a corresponding bore on rotor with its one elbow end and extends up to an area lying on shoulder of stator with its other end. Rotor and stator are provided with stops to limit the axial play.

Abstract: A cable reel of an electric signal transmission apparatus includes a tape-shaped cable for absorbing a relative rotation by tighting and loosening of the windings of the tape-shaped cable, a housing including an inner cylinder having a flange portion and an outer cylinder having side and bottom surface portions, wherein an upper portion of the side surface portion is engaged with and covered by the flange portion of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A clock spring connector including a fixed member, a movable member rotatably connected to the fixed member, and a rotary plate fixedly connected to the movable member and rotatably mounted on the fixed member. The movable member includes a ceiling plate and a bottom plate connected together by an outer cylindrical portion, both the ceiling member and the movable member defining central openings. The movable member is received in the central openings such that an annular space is defined between an outer surface of the movable member and the outer cylindrical portion. A flexible cable is accommodated in the annular space and includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible cable is connected to the movable member and to a support section of the rotary plate, the support section being located further from the center of rotation of the movable member than the edges of the central openings of the ceiling and bottom walls.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a steering wheel which utilizes a non-wear electrical interconnection characterized by terminals of a base terminal bus and terminals of a rotor terminal bus being physically separated yet mutually electrically connected via contact with an electrically conductive liquid situated in one or more annular chambers located between outer faces of a rotor plate and a base plate. The rotor terminal bus is connected with the rotor plate and the base terminal bus is connected with the base plate. The base and rotor plates are connected together in a manner that permits relative rotation therebetween. The electrically conductive liquid is provided in each of the annular chambers by being preferably injected through a hollow capillary of at least one of the rotor and base terminals of each annular chamber, and then sealed, such as by solder. Preferred electrically conductive liquids include mercury or silicone.

Abstract: A cable reel using a tape-shaped cable including a high-strength conductor having a tensile strength of 500 to 1500 N/mm.sup.2, an elongation percentage of 0.5 to 50% and a spring limitation value of 400 to 2000 N/mm.sup.2. Accordingly, in such a cable reel, weight as well as cost of the whole or parts in a cable reel can be reduced.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carded within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.

Abstract: A steering column assembly including a clock spring connector having a groove formed on a movable member for receiving a ridge formed on an engaging member of a steering wheel. The engagement of the ridge and the groove provides a reduced-noise operation of the steering column apparatus. A resilient clip is provided between the groove and the ridge to further reduce operating noise. A pair of flanges are formed on an outer wall of the clock spring connector to secure the clock spring connector to a lock fixture. A short forked locking finger is provided on a back surface of the clock spring connector for preventing damage during assembly.

Abstract: An interconnector electrically unites a rotatable air bag with a stationary air bag sensor. The interconnector has a hub rotatably associated with a housing to define a radial space including one or more complementary first and second electrically conductive rings. The rings are united with one or more connectors to complete the electrical pathway from the sensor to the air bag.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus used for transmitting electric signals, optical signals, small power, etc. between a rotary body and a fixed body using a flat cable. The apparatus has dummy cables in addition to the flat cable. At least one dummy cable is provided with a stopper member having a projecting portion which projects to the flange portion side of the outer case. Further, a depression portion in which the projecting portion of the stopper member enters is formed at the inner circumference of the flange portion of the outside case. If the inside case is rotated in the rewinding direction, the projecting portion of the stopper member catches on the peripheral wall of the depression portion before the flat cable is completely rewound and therefore no further rotation is possible. That is, by the present transmission apparatus, it is possible to accurately detect "over rotation in the rewinding direction" without damaging the flat cable and the dummy cables.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transmission apparatus comprising an outer casing, an inner casing relatively rotatable to the outer casing, a flexible cable of which one end is connected to the inside surface of the outer casing and the other end is connected to the outside surface of the inner casing, a guide ring having at part of its circumferential direction a cut-out portion, which is attached for sliding between the outer casing and the inner casing and a resilient portion provided with the guide ring, which presses the flexible cable against the inside surface of the outer casing or the outside surface of the inner casing. The flexible cable has a reversing portion through the cut-out portion of the guide ring to be wound in one direction around the outside surface of the inner casing and wound in the reverse direction between the guide ring and the outer casing.

Abstract: A cord reel mechanism which includes a housing having inner and outer cylinders. A tape-like cord is vortically wound about the inner cylinder inside the housing. The inner and outer cylinder rotate relatively so as to tighten and loosen the cord. Reinforcing tape segments are attached to the tape-like cord at spaced locations to support the cord and prevent buckling. The reinforcing tape segments each have a tapered portion and an attachment portion.

Abstract: A cable connector apparatus comprises a case, defining first (6) and second compartments (10) therein; a rotary member (1) accommodated in the first compartment (6); a stationary member (3) accommodated in the second compartment (6); a flexible cable (7) having one end connected to the rotary member (1) and the other end connected to the stationary member (3), the flexible cable (7) being wound around both the rotary member (1) and stationary member (3) plural times so as to allow the rotary member (1) to turn on its axis several times; an auxiliary rotary member (2) disposed around and radially spaced from the stationary member (3), the auxiliary rotary member (2) having an engaging mechanism establishing engagement between the auxiliary rotary member (2) and the flexible cable (7); the second compartment (10) being separated into two spaces by the auxiliary rotary member (2), thereby dividing a flexible cable accommodated in the second compartment (10) into inner and outer portions; and an elastic force ass

Abstract: A spiral cable which comprises a lower (inner) box part and an upper (outer) box part to wind up a cable spiral and install it at an intended assembly site, for instance at the steering wheel of an automobile. In an outer cylinder wall and an inner cylinder wall the spiral cable box is provided with cable entry openings which allow the cable spiral to be wound up in the box and which allow for the formation of angular end areas which are aligned in parallel to the box to subsequently make an electrical connection.

Abstract: According, two casing parts is disclosed for a spiral cable for connecting electrical line terminals between a stationary vehicle steering column and a rotatable steering wheel. One of the two casing parts has an annular space for the spiral cable which is open towards an axial face and the other casing part is in the form of a plate for covering the annular space. It is thus possible to arrange the two casing parts at an axial distance from one another and thus to prevent the two parts from rubbing against one another.

Abstract: A kit for locating on the steering wheel of a watercraft a switch assembly for operating actuating mechanisms for tilting upwardly or downwardly the outdrive of a motor associated with the watercraft to enable the operator of the watercraft to keep both hands on the steering wheel especially when the watercraft is travelling at a high rate of speed. The kit comprises a switch assembly for mounting on the steering wheel; a cable reel assembly having a rotary housing and a stationary housing mounted to the vehicle; and a wiring harness having a first end electrically connected to the switch assembly, an intermediate section fixed to the rotary housing and coiled into a plurality of convolutions within a chamber in the stationary housing for expansion within the chamber if the steering wheel is turned in one direction and contraction within the chamber if the steering wheel is turned in the other direction, and being operatively connected to the actuating mechanisms which causing the tilting of the motor.