Patent Publication Number: US-2021171314-A1

Title: Plenum rated cord reel assemblies

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application 62/927,149 filed Nov. 6, 2019 and of U.S. Application 62/930,840 filed Nov. 14, 2019, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure is related to cord reel assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to cord reel assemblies that are plenum rated. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In many buildings, the space between a drop or finished ceiling and the standard or unfinished ceiling is an open space that is used for air circulation and, thus, forms part of a plenum space of the HVAC system. 
     Similarly, some buildings define a plenum space between a finished and an unfinished floor and/or between a finished wall and an unfinished wall. 
     In addition, the plenum space can be “accidental” in that a leaky HVAC component caused for example, by empty screw holes, slipped joints, misaligned vents, and other causes can result in any open space becoming a plenum space. 
     While plenum spaces are important for air circulation, these spaces can be problematic in the event of a fire. Therefore, the installation of electrical equipment, wiring, and other items in the plenum space is subject to various fire/electrical code and regulations. 
     One approach to comply with these codes and regulations is to install the electric equipment outside of the plenum space. However, this approach results in the equipment occupying valuable finished space in the building and can be unsightly. 
     Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for cord reel assemblies that allow for installation in the plenum space and out of the finished space. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application provides a cord reel assembly that includes a “plenum-rated” enclosure and a cord reel secured in the enclosure. The enclosure forms an air tight seal from a plenum space, but is open to a finished space. 
     A cord reel assembly is provided that includes a cord reel and a plenum rated enclosure. The cord reel has a base plate. The enclosure is open at a bottom edge. The base plate is secured in the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the assembly further includes a cord wound on the cord reel. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the base plate is secured in the enclosure so that the cord of the cord reel extends through the bottom edge. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the assembly further includes a door at the bottom edge to selectively close the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the assembly further includes a cord wound on the cord reel. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the cord is selected from a group consisting of an electrical extension cable, a computer network communication cable, a compressed air hose, and a fluid hose. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the door has an opening defined therethrough. The cord reel is secured in the enclosure so that the cord extends through the opening when the door closes the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the opening further includes a low friction surface. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the cord reel further includes a low friction surface at the opening. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the low friction surface is one or more rollers. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the enclosure further includes a supply device secured therein. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the supply device is a junction box. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the enclosure further includes one or more supports depending therefrom. The one or more supports are configured for securement of the enclosure to a support surface. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the assembly further includes one or more brackets securing the cord reel to a wall of the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the one or more brackets provide a primary connection and a secondary connection for securing the cord reel to the wall. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the primary connection includes one or more first bolts depending from the wall. The first bolts pass through the base plate to form a direct bolted connection between the wall and the cord reel through the one or more brackets. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the secondary connection comprises one or more second bolts depending from the wall. The second bolts secure the one or more brackets to the enclosure with the one or more brackets supporting the base plate to form an indirect bolted connection between the wall and the cord reel via the one or more brackets. 
     A cord reel assembly is also provided that includes a cord reel, a cord, a plenum rated enclosure, a door, and one or more brackets. The cord reel has a base plate. The cord is wound on the cord reel. The plenum rated enclosure is open at a bottom edge and the door is at the bottom edge to selectively open and close the enclosure. The door has an opening defined therethrough. The brackets secure the base plate of the cord reel to a wall of the enclosure so that the cord reel is housed in the enclosure with the cord extending through the opening when the door closes the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the one or more brackets provide a primary connection and a secondary connection for securing the cord reel to the wall. The primary connection includes first bolts depending from the wall. The first bolts pass through the base plate to form a direct bolted connection between the wall and the cord reel through the one or more brackets. The secondary connection includes second bolts depending from the wall. The second bolts secure the one or more brackets to the enclosure with the one or more brackets supporting the base plate to form an indirect bolted connection between the wall and the cord reel via the one or more brackets. 
     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plenum rated cord reel assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the enclosure cut away to reveal an inner region; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the brackets shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 2  with a door in an open position; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the brackets shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 3  with various components omitted; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 3  with additional components omitted; 
         FIG. 6  is a first side view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a second, opposite side view of the assembly of  FIG. 4   
         FIG. 8  is a first end view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a second, opposite end view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  having an alternate embodiment of a door or closure according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  having another alternate embodiment of a door or closure according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a door of the assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is partially disassembled view of the door of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an edge cover of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary embodiment of a cord reel assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  10 . 
     Assembly  10  includes an enclosure  12  housing a cord reel  14 . Reel  14  is configured to store lengths of flexible material (hereinafter referred to as “cords”) such as, but not limited to electrical extension cables, computer network communication cables, compressed air hoses, fluid hoses, and others wound on the reel. 
     Advantageously, enclosure  12  is a plenum rated enclosure configured to enable mounting of cord reel  14  in a space above a drop or finished ceiling. As used herein, the term “plenum-rated” shall mean that enclosure seals the area within the enclosure from the exterior of the enclosure in an airtight manner and/or conforms to UL Standard 2043 entitled “Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces”. 
     Simply stated, enclosure  12  isolates the plenum space from the finished space in a manner that provides an interior that houses cord reel  14  without requiring cord  16  on the reel to be formed of plenum rated materials and/or in a manner that meets applicable codes for electrical equipment in plenum spaces. 
     Enclosure  12  includes a bottom edge  18  that is positioned in or at the level of the finished space so that an exterior of the enclosure is within the plenum space and an interior of the enclosure is open to (i.e., in fluid communication with) the finished space. 
     In some embodiments, enclosure  12  is open at bottom edge and includes a door or cover  20 . In some embodiments, door  20  is removable from the enclosure or is hinged to enclosure so that the enclosure can be opened with respect to the finished space or closed off from the finished space. Door  20 , when open/removed, allows access to reel  14 , cord  16 , and any other components within enclosure  12 . Additionally, door  20 , when closed, can hide or otherwise conceal reel  14 , cord  16 , and any other components within enclosure  12  from the finished space. 
     Door  20  can, in other embodiments, include an opening  22  positioned and configured to cooperate with reel  14  so that cord  16  protrudes or is at least accessible through the door. 
     It is contemplated by the present disclosure for opening  22  to be sized to prevent cord  16  from being cut or damaged by friction when extending and retracting from assembly  10 . 
     It is also contemplated by the present disclosure for reel  14  can include a low friction surface  24  that prevents cord  16  from being cut or damaged by friction when extending and retracting from the reel and door  20 . Surface  24  can be any low friction surface such as rounded edges, coated edges, rollers, and others. In some embodiments, assembly  10  is configured so that when door  20  is closed, surface  24  protrudes into or through opening  22 . 
     In this manner, the construction of enclosure  12  is simplified by taking advantage of surface  24  on reel  12  to protect cord  16  from opening  16 . 
     Of course, it is also contemplated by the present disclosure for opening  22  to have a low friction surface  24 ′ directly thereon as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     Assembly  10  advantageously allows reel  14  to be positioned above the finished ceiling, conceals the reel, yet maintains cord  16  accessible for use in the finished space. 
     Enclosure  12  includes one or more supports  26  (two shown) depending therefrom. Supports  26  are configured for securement to a support surface (not shown). 
     Enclosure  12  can, in some embodiments, include one or more brackets  28  (two shown) that secure reel  14  to a wall  30  of the enclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, wall  30  is shown as an upper wall. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for brackets  28  to be positioned on any desired wall of enclosure. Exemplary embodiments of brackets  28  are shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3B —where the brackets are illustrated having different shapes or configurations to support different regions of base plate  14 - 1 . 
     In some embodiments, brackets  28  are configured to provide a primary connection  32  and a secondary connection  34  for securing reel  14  to enclosure  12 . 
     Primary connection  32  can be one or more bolts (four shown) depending from enclosure  12 . Here, primary connection  32  pass through a base plate  14 - 1  of reel  14 . Thus, primary connection  32  is forms a direct bolted connection between enclosure  12  and reel  14  through brackets  28 . 
     Secondary connection  34  can also be one or more bolts (four shown) depending from enclosure  12 . Here, secondary connection  34  secure brackets  28  to enclosure  12  with the brackets supporting plate  36  of reel  14 . Thus, secondary connection  34  is forms an indirect bolted connection between enclosure  12  and reel  14  via brackets  28 . 
     It should be recognized that assembly  10  is illustrated by way of example as having bracket  28 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for bracket  28  to be omitted and for base plate  14 - 1  to be bolted directly to wall  30  using the bolts of primary connection  32 . 
     Assembly  10  can include a supply device  36  for communication with cord  16  stored in cord reel  14 . Supply device  36  is secured to enclosure by one or more connectors  38 . 
     For example in embodiments where cord  16  is an electrical extension cord, supply device  36  can be a junction box sufficient to house one or more electrical outlets. Here, the outlet can be operatively connected to an electrical plug of reel  14  to provides power to cord  16  stored therein. 
     Of course, supply device  36  can be any supply device configured to supply cord  16  stored in reel  14 . In the example where cord  16  in reel  14  is a computer communication cable, supply device  36  can be a junction box having a female RJ45 connector. In the example where cord  16  in reel  14  is a conduit for compressed air, supply device  36  can be a compressed air manifold. 
     Enclosure  12  can include one or more knockouts  40  that allow the feeding of power, compressed, air, water, or another resource through the wall of the enclosure to cord  16 . 
     As discussed above, enclosure  12  seals the interior that houses reel  14  from the exterior that is within the plenum space. In some embodiments, enclosure  12  can provide the aforementioned sealing capability by ensuring that one or more of: the bolts forming primary connection  32  and/or secondary connection  34 ; connectors  38 ; and knockouts  40  do not provide openings through the walls of the enclosure. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13-16 , assembly  10  is shown with an alternate embodiment of door  20 ′. Here, door  20 ′ is removable from the enclosure or is hinged to enclosure so that the enclosure can be opened with respect to the finished space or closed off from the finished space. Door  20 ′ include opening  22  positioned and configured to cooperate with reel (not shown) so that cord (also not shown) protrudes or is at least accessible through the door. 
     As discussed above, opening  22  can be sized to prevent the cord from being cut or damaged by friction when extending and retracting from assembly  10 . As also discussed above, opening  22  can include the low friction surface shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Advantageously, door  20 ′ includes opening  22  that passes through a door edge  42 . In this manner, the cord can be passed into opening  22  through door edge  42  without having to remove any devices (e.g., plugs, outlets, etc.). In some embodiments, door  20 ′ can further include an edge cover  44 , removably attached at door edge  42 . Edge cover  44  can selectively close opening  22  at edge  42  to maintain the cord in the opening. 
     Door  20 ′ can include edge  42  that has an upturned portion  46  that provides structural rigidity to the door. In these embodiments, edge cover  44  can also include a corresponding upturned portion  48 . 
     In some embodiments, edge cover  44  is configured to be secured to an inner surface of door  20 ′ in a manner that ensures the outer surface of the door with edge cover installed is substantially planar. For example, edge cover  44  can include a central region  50  and one or more outer regions  52  (two shown). Outer regions  52  are configured to be secured to the inner surface of door  20 ′. Central region  50  is offset from outer regions  52  so that an outer surface  54  of the central region is substantially planar to the outer surface of door  20 ′. 
     It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.