Patent ID: 6241063
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H02G

Abstract:
A cable reel comprising:a support frame having an elongated shaft projecting therefrom, said shaft having a central axial aperture extending therethrough;a slip ring capsule disposed at an end of said shaft distal to said frame, said slip ring capsule having a rotor that rotates on fixed bearings and a stator that is fixed to said shaft, wherein said rotor and said stator are in mutual electrical contact;a reel having a hub comprising a hollow drum with lateral sides projecting radially therefrom, with said hub mounted on said shaft for rotation therearound and said sides having sufficient height to contain a communication cable therebetween wound on said hub;mechanical and termination junction means for mechanical and continuity attachment of one end of said communication cable to an outer side of said hollow drum, with said termination junction means further comprising a first communication circuit from said attachment and a communication cable wherein said communication cable extends through a wall of said hollow drum to allow a communication connection with said rotor of said slip ring capsule and said communication cable is connected to one end of said communication circuit:a second communication circuit extending through said central aperture of said shaft and having terminal connection to said stator of said slip ring;driving means for alternately rotating said reel about said shaft in a first direction to pay out a cable contained thereon and attached thereto and for rotating said reel about said shaft in an opposite second direction to retrieve paid out cable for containment on said reel; andoverwinding protection means for preventing said driving means from being overwound when rotating in either direction;such that said slip ring capsule maintains full continuity between said first and second communication circuits while said reel is rotating and said driving means and said clutch means cooperate during retrieval of paid out communication cable to permit rapid retrieval of said cable without overwinding of said driving means.