Self level wind cable storage reel

Claim 1

A self level wind device for a cable comprising an elongated bearing member, spaced supports at each end of the bearing member to rotatably secure the bearing member, a reel coupled to and axially movable with respect to the bearing member, a drum portion on said reel, flanges at each end of the drum portion, a plurality of spaced annular grooves said grooves having a depth no greater than the diameter of the cable in the drum to receive the cable, a longitudinal recess in the surface of the drum extending across the grooves, said recess having a depth at least equal to the bottom of the grooves in the drum, a fixed position cable guide spaced from the drum to direct the cable on to and away from the said drum, an elastomeric roller adjacent the reel, said roller being freely carried at its ends, parallel with the longitudinal axis of the drum and in frictional contact with the flanges whereby the elastomeric roller surface is compressed beneath the flanges as the reel is rotated and, said flanges axially displace to assume a helical path as a result of an axial force imposed by the cable as it moves across the recess and which results in a self-level wind effect, and a source of rotary power coupled to the elongated bearing member to drive the reel.