US4721469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turning cord
Assignee: Teleflex Inc
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Filing: 1986-10-10
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Granted: 1988-01-26
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Expires: 2006-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord (20, 120) extending between axially spaced first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) cylindrical members. The cord (20) is wrapped in coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) on the interior side walls (18, 19, 118, 119) of each member (12, 14, 112, 114). A control means (34, 134) acts between the members (12, 14, 112, 114) and coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) to coil the cord (20, 120) onto one coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while uncoiling the cord (20, 120) from the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122). A guide means (36, 136) guides the cord (20, 120) onto and off of one of the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while rolling means (38, 138) hold the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) in position to eliminate slack. The control means (34, 134) specifically includes at least two spokes, one (42, 142) to engage the U-shaped loop (32, 132) in the cord (20, 120) between the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) with the one or more spokes (40, 140) disposed within circular O-rings in rolling engagement with the respective coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124).
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G11/00; H02G11/02; H01; H01R; H01R35/00; H01R35/02; H01R35/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord extending between first and second members co-axially rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation, said assembly comprising; a first member (12, 112) rotatable about a rotational axis (A, AA), a second member (14, 114) disposed on said axis (A, AA) axially spaced from said first member (12, 112), a cord (20, 120) having a first coiled length (22, 122) coiled about said axis (A, AA) and supported by said first member (12, 112), said cord (20, 120) having a second coiled length (24, 124) coiled about said axis (A, AA) and supported by said second member (14, 114), control means (34, 134) responsive to relative rotation between said first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) members for coiling said cord (20, 120) into one of said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while simultaneously uncoiling said cord (20, 120) out of the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122) while simultaneously moving said loop (32, 132) about said axis (A, AA), said control means characterized by rolling means (38, 138) between said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) for rolling along said cord (20, 120) in one of said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while simultaneously rolling along said cord (20, 120) in the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord extending between first and second members co-axially rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation, said assembly comprising; a first member (12, 112) rotatable about a rotational axis (A, AA), a second member (14, 114) disposed on said axis (A, AA) axially spaced from said first member (12, 112), a cord (20, 120) having a first coiled length (22, 122) coiled about said axis (A, AA) and supported by said first member (12, 112), said cord (20, 120) having a second coiled length (24, 124) coiled about said axis (A, AA) and supported by said second member (14, 114), control means (34, 134) responsive to relative rotation between said first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) members for coiling said cord (20, 120) into one of said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while simultaneously uncoiling said cord (20, 120) out of the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122) while simultaneously moving said loop (32, 132) about said axis (A, AA), said control means characterized by rolling means (38, 138) between said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) for rolling along said cord (20, 120) in one of said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while simultaneously rolling along said cord (20, 120) in the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said cord (20, 120) including a U-shaped loop (32, 132) extending between said first (22, 122) and second (24, 124, 124) coiled lengths, said first coiled length (22, 122) wound in the direction opposite to that of said second coiled length (24, 124).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said control means (34, 134) including a guide means (36, 136) adjacent said cord (20, 120) in said loop (32, 132) for rotating said loop (32, 132) about said axis (A, AA) upon rotation of said guide means (36, 136).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said rolling means (38, 138) including a variable diameter for continuous frictional contact along said coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said control means (34, 134) including spacing means (40, 42, 140, 142) for angularly spacing said rolling means (38, 138) and said guide means (36, 136).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said second member (14, 114) being axially spaced from said first member (12, 112) to provide a separation (16, 116) therebetween for receiving said spacing means (40, 42, 140, 142).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said spacing means (40, 42, 140, 142) being slideably retained within said separation (16, 116).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said guide means (36, 136) including a fork defining a slot for receiving said cord (20, 120) and for moving said control means (34, 134) circumferentially about said axis (A, AA).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said spacing means (40, 42, 140, 142) including spokes extending radially outward from said axis (A, AA) into said separation (16, 116) for maintaining angular circumferential spacing of said rolling means (38, 138) and said guide means (36, 136).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said spokes (40, 140) extending through said rolling means (38, 138) for rolling said roller means (38, 138) about said axis (A, AA).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said fork (36, 136) being in one of said spokes (42, 142) for the threading of said cord (20, 120) of said loop (32, 132) through said fork (36, 136).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said first (12, 112) and said second (14, 114) members being of an equal diameter on the interior of said side walls (18, 19, 118, 119) thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by said rolling means (38, 138) being at least one elastomeric ring for assuming an oval configuration to act as a spring to guide said cord (20, 120).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said first (12) and said second (14) members being hollow cylinders with side walls (18, 19) for coiling said cord (20) into coiled lengths (22, 24) against the interior of said side walls (18, 19).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said first (12) and said second (14) members including ridge means (26, 27) on the interiors of said side walls (18, 19) for supporting said coiled lengths (22, 24).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further characterized by one of said members (14) including a first cord hole (28) in said side wall (19), said cord (20) extending through said cord hole (28).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16 further characterized by said spokes (40, 42) including three spokes (40, 42) equally spaced 120 degrees apart circumferentially about said axis (A).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 17 further characterized by two of said rolling means (38) rotatably supported by two of said spokes (40).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said first and second members (112, 114) being annular cavities having radially spaced side walls (118, 119) for coiling said cord (120) into coiled lengths (122, 124) between said side walls (118, 119) of each cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by said first and said second members (112, 114) including base portions (126, 127) interconnecting each pair of said spaced walls (118, 119) for supporting said coiled lengths (122, 124).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 20 further characterized by first and said second members (112, 114) including cord holes (128, 129) in said side walls (118, 119) said cord (120) extending through said cord holes (128, 129).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 21 further characterized by said spokes (140, 142) including two spokes equally spaced 180 degrees apart circumferentially about said axis (AA).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further characterized by said elastomeric ring (138) rotatably supported by one of said spokes (140).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set fort in claim 1 further characterized by said first and second coiled lengths being of equal diameter and said rolling means extending axially between said first and second coiled lengths so that said rolling means travel the same linear distances along both of said first and second coiled lengths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-25 | 1991-07-27 | 1992-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-25 | 1995-07-27 | 1996-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-25 | 1999-07-27 | 2000-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |