Patent ID: 6643443
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A cable storage cartridge for storing an excess length of cable, the cartridge comprising:a carriage frame having first and second pairs of opposed sides forming a periphery of the carriage frame, the frame having an internal wall defining a spool aperture, the internal wall having spool support for receiving first and second spool members; at least one side defining a side rail; the frame also defining a first entry channel leading from the spool aperture through one of the sides of the frame; a first spool member defining a loop channel sized for holding a loop end of the cable in a fixed position relative to the first spool member, the first spool member having a first flange surface received by the spool aperture and on the spool support of the carriage frame from a first side of the carriage frame, the first flange surface defining a transition opening through the first flange surface; a second spool member having a center post and a second flange surface; means for securing the first and second spool members to each other and capturing the spool support of the frame between the first and second spool members; the second flange surface and the first flange surface defining a storage chamber beneath the loop channel of the first spool member; wherein the first and second spool members are rotatably received by the frame and wherein a length of cable to be stored passes from the loop channel of the first spool member through the transition opening of the first flange surface to the storage chamber whereby rotation of the first and second spool members relative to the frame the cable is wound around the center post of the second spool member and by means of the entry channel passes from the storage chamber out of the cartridge.