US5028746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable protector for wound cable
Assignee: Rosemount Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-31
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Granted: 1991-07-02
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Expires: 2009-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A cable protector comprises a cylindrical reel sleeve having an opening in the side wall, and one open end. A cable that is loosely, helically wound around a central axis to form a coil is inserted into the sleeve with one connector of the cable extending out through the bottom, and the other connector of the cable either retained in the interior of the sleeve or passing out through the opening of the side wall for connection to a second circuit board. The reel sleeve protects the helically wound cable from external damage, and the connector from the center can be coupled to a circuit board in a first transmitter housing, and retained in the protector to prevent damage to the cable during assembly of the housings. A second transmitter housing mounts a shroud that rotatably mounts the reel sleeve holding the cable, so that when the two transmitter housing sections are threaded together, the sleeve containing the wound cable will be guided into the shroud and will be permitted to rotate therein without damaging or twisting the cable as the two housing parts are threaded together or repositioned.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Petrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:29
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G11/00; H02G11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
Apparatus mountable between process and signal connections, comprising: a pair of housings disposed between the process and signal connections forming a cavity between them having circuits therein, the housings being movable relative to each other to reposition the signal and process connections thereby changing the spacing between the circuits in each housing; a cable disposed in the cavity having ends connecting the circuits in each portion and having a wound portions; and a reel disposed in the internal cavity having the wound portion reeled generally about a winding axis therein to position the wound portion out of contact with the housings, the reel having an opening in one end through which one end of the cable extends to one housing, the one end of the cable being free to twist generally about the winding axis of the wound portion to change the size of the wound portion, the other end of the cable extending laterally through a wall of the reel to the other housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus mountable between process and signal connections, comprising: a pair of housings disposed between the process and signal connections forming a cavity between them having circuits therein, the housings being movable relative to each other to reposition the signal and process connections thereby changing the spacing between the circuits in each housing; a cable disposed in the cavity having ends connecting the circuits in each portion and having a wound portions; and a reel disposed in the internal cavity having the wound portion reeled generally about a winding axis therein to position the wound portion out of contact with the housings, the reel having an opening in one end through which one end of the cable extends to one housing, the one end of the cable being free to twist generally about the winding axis of the wound portion to change the size of the wound portion, the other end of the cable extending laterally through a wall of the reel to the other housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wound portion permits changing the spacing between the cable ends as the housings move.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reel further comprises a shell extending circumferentially around the wound portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reel further comprises a central spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reel is formed of an electrically insulating material to raise the breakdown potential between the wound portion and the housings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cable comprises a printed circuit connector cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housings are movable by rotating relative to one another such that the connections are rotationally adjusted with respect to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the process connection comprises a flange coupling a pressure carrying line to the apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one end of the cable extends from the center of the wound portion and the other end of the cable extends from the periphery thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reel has an opening in a side wall thereof to permit the other end of the cable to extend therethrough, the opening comprising a narrow slot to guide the cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reel is a shell surrounding the wound portion, the wound portion being helically wound in a loose helix, the other end of the cable extending outwardly from an opening in the reel, and as the other end is extended, the helical windings of the cable becoming tighter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and an outer guide for the reel mounted on one housing, the reel moving with a second of the housings, the housings being rotatably movable relative to each other, and with the cable wound within the reel, the reel being rotatable in the outer guide as the one housing rotates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A cable protector apparatus for use in assembly of two housing sections that have components therein to be connected by opposite ends of such cable comprising: a reel comprising an outer wall defining a cavity for receiving a loosely wound cable wound in a helix about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cable with a connector on one end of the cable on the interior of the cavity, the opposite end of the cable extending out from an end portion of said reel and being connected to a component in a first of said housings; and a guide shroud mounted in a second of said housings and having a cavity adapted to receive the reel to permit rotation of the reel about an axis, whereby when the two housings are moved together into an assembly the reel will slide into the cavity in the shroud.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A cable protector apparatus for use in assembly of two housing sections that have components therein to be connected by opposite ends of such cable comprising: a reel comprising an outer wall defining a cavity for receiving a loosely wound cable wound in a helix about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cable with a connector on one end of the cable on the interior of the cavity, the opposite end of the cable extending out from an end portion of said reel and being connected to a component in a first of said housings; and a guide shroud mounted in a second of said housings and having a cavity adapted to receive the reel to permit rotation of the reel about an axis, whereby when the two housings are moved together into an assembly the reel will slide into the cavity in the shroud.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the two housing portions are rotated relative to each other during assembly, and the reel rotates with respect to the shroud while retaining the cable on the interior thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 14 and aperture means in said reel and in said shroud of size to permit the connector to be extended through said aperture means and pulled outwardly from the reel for connection of the connector to a second component in the second housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the reel has a narrow slot opening in a side wall thereof to guide the cable outwardly from the reel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2041352A5
Cited
US4201278A
Cited
US4499341A
Cited
US4712972A
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US4855539A
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US4874138A
Cited
US4844359A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |