Patent ID: 7552581
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: F16G,H02G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of folding an articulated cable chain that is connected to a customer replaceable unit in a customer replaceable unit chassis comprising: assembling said cable chain from a plurality of chain links that have a limited arc of rotation, said chain links periodically reversed on said articulated cable chain so that said articulated cable chain forms a plurality of folding curves in sequentially opposite directions along said articulated cable chain when said articulated cable chain is in a retracted position and said customer replaceable unit is in a closed position in said customer replaceable unit chassis, and so that said articulated cable chain can expand to a substantially straight orientation when said customer replaceable unit is in an open position in said customer replaceable unit chassis; providing a flat spring having a predetermined radius with slots formed proximally to ends of said flat spring; placing studs through said slots to secure said flat spring to said cable chain; attaching said studs to predetermined links of said plurality of chain links in said articulated cable chain so that said articulated cable chain substantially conforms to said predetermined radius of said flat spring; moving said customer replaceable unit to an open position to extend said cable chain so that said studs move in said slots which allows said flat spring to flex against said articulated cable chain and generate a force on said articulated cable chain; moving said customer replaceable unit to a closed position so that said force generated by said flat spring on said articulated cable chain initiates a first folding curve in said articulated cable chain and causes said articulated cable chain to fold into a first folding curve that substantially matches said predetermined radius of said flat spring, and also causes additional folding curves to be formed in said articulating cable chain that have a radius that substantially matches said predetermined radius.