Patent ID: 6726140
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65H,H02G

Abstract:
Apparatus for delivering energy and material selected from the group of electricity, air and fluid from a source to a driven device comprising:a. at least one continuous, flexible elongated member selected from the group of electric cables, air hoses, and fluid hoses, wherein said elongated member has a feed portion with a feed end connectable to the source, a slack portion, a supply portion with a supply end connectable to the driven device, a first portion between the feed portion and the slack portion, and a second portion between the slack portion and the supply portion; said elongated member comprising multiple conduits; b. a reel comprising a stationary hub, the hub having a hub support frame comprising a telescoping member with an end disposed radially outwardly of the hub, and a spool connected to said hub, said spool being rotatable, relative to said hub, between a stored condition and a deployed condition; c. a winding wall on said spool spaced away front said hub, having an internal surface and an oppositely disposed winding surface, and an aperture extending therethrough; d. a storage compartment between said hub and said internal surface; e. a first clamp on said hub for fixing said first portion in place relative to said hub, positioning said supply portion to extend away from said reel, and positioning said slack portion to extend into said storage compartment; f. a second clamp on said spool for fixing said second portion in place relative to said spool and positioning the supply portion to extend through said aperture; and g. a force means for moving said spool between the deployed and stored conditions; whereby, when said elongated member is on the apparatus with said spool in the stored condition said feed portion can extend to and be connected to the source, said slack portion is positioned in said storage compartment, and said supply portion is wound onto said winding surface, and when said spool is rotated to the deployed condition, said feed portion can remain connected to the source, said slack portion partially tightens around the hub while remaining in said storage compartment, and at least a part of said supply portion unwinds from said winding surface a sufficient distance to connect said supply end to the driven device.