Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a device for winding / taking up cables, ribbons, or other coilable structures. This device has a central spool situated between opposing first and second spool end walls, wherein the first spool end wall is rotatable and bears a cable guide thereon which reciprocates along the length of the spool during rotation.

<CIT> discloses a magazine apparatus for coiling and uncoiling at least one line or a line-guiding device. This is achieved via a cylindrical winding body having a cylinder axis and a circumferential face, with respect to which the at least one line can be coiled into and uncoiled out of a spiral-like form having coaxial turns. A guiding apparatus is also present for providing guidance into and out of the spiral-like form.

The above-mentioned documents comprise a shaft betwen a rotating member and a stationary member and configured to be stationary relative to the rotating member but their shaft does not have tapered sections that give the shaft a diameter proximate to the rotating member larger than the diameter proximate he fixed member.

<CIT> discloses a pay-off device for laying shaftless cables, it has a rotating shaft but back and front plates which are stationary, on each respective side of the shaft. <CIT> cable storage device that enables a cable to be easily released from a winding core. It has back and front plate that are stationary relative ot one another and only the core (shaft) rotates.

Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a coiler. The coiler can compactly organize a variety of flexible elements while enabling one portion of a flexible element to remain at a fixed position. In this way, the flexible element can be directly connected to a stationary source while the coiler winds and unwinds the flexible element. This makes it convenient for users to readily use the flexible element.

Instead of using a rotating reel, the coiler includes a rotating member and a stationary shaft. The rotating member rotates and passes the flexible element to the shaft. In this manner, the rotating member mimics the action of a person manually coiling the flexible element onto the shaft. Because the shaft remains relatively stationary as the flexible element is coiled or uncoiled, the coiled portion of the flexible element also remains relatively stationary. Consequently, the coiler can forego other complicated or expensive interfaces and enable the flexible element to connect directly to the stationary source.

Aspects described below include a coiler. The coiler includes a fixed member, a shaft, a rotating member, and a rotation mechanism. The fixed member includes an insertion slot configured to secure a first portion of a flexible element. The shaft has first and second ends. The first end is positioned proximate to the fixed member. The rotating member is positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft and is configured to rotatably move about an axis of rotation. The rotating member includes a guide, which is offset from the axis of rotation. The guide is configured to enable a second portion of the flexible element to pass through the rotating member. The rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating member in a first direction around the axis of rotation to coil the second portion of the flexible element around the shaft.

Aspects described below include an apparatus. The apparatus includes a shaft. The apparatus also includes fixed means for securing a first portion of a flexible element. The apparatus additionally includes rotating means for coiling a second portion of the flexible element around the shaft as the shaft as the shaft and the fixed means remain relatively stationary compared to the rotating means.

Aspects described below include a system. The system includes at least one flexible element and a coiler.

Aspects described below also include a method performed by a coiler. The method includes securing a first portion of a flexible element to a fixed member of the coiler. The method also includes rotating a rotating member of the coiler in a first direction around an axis of rotation as the fixed member and a shaft of the coiler remain relatively stationary. The shaft is positioned between the fixed member and the rotating member. The method additionally includes passing a second portion of the flexible element through the rotating member. The method further includes coiling the second portion of the flexible element around the shaft.

Apparatuses for and techniques implementing a coiler are described with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:.

A person can use a variety of different devices with electrical cords. Example devices include power tools, kitchen appliances, and hair-care equipment (e.g., blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons). In addition to being disorderly, unwound electrical cords can present a safety hazard. A person may accidentally come in contact with the cord and cause the attached device to drop onto the floor. Or a child may be able to pull on the cord to access and operate the device. In some cases, substances can be accidentally spilled onto the cords and result in unsanitary conditions, especially in medical facilities.

To address this problem, some techniques use a winding system. The winding system spins a reel to wind or unwind a given material, such as an electrical cord or a water hose. A portion of the material that is unwound is aligned approximately parallel to the direction of rotation. As the reel spins, the coiled material spins, which makes it complicated to attach the coiled material to a stationary source, such as an electrical outlet or a water spigot.

To enable the material to be operably coupled to a stationary source, some winding systems include an interface. The interface enables the material to be "indirectly" connected to the stationary source while the material rotates around the reel. One such interface includes a wiper system. The wiper system enables an electrical cord that is wound around the reel to be connected to an electrical outlet. In particular, the wiper system includes internal wiring, which connects the electrical contacts of the electrical cord on the rotating reel to an intermediate electrical cord that connects to the power source. In addition to increasing a cost and complexity of the winding system, the wiper system may have voltage or amperage limitations. As such, the wiper system may not support some electrically-powered devices. If the user is unaware of these limitations, the user may accidentally use the winding system on a device that is not supported by the wiper system. Consequently, the mismatch between the electrical device and the wiper system can damage the electrical device, damage the wiper system, or potentially start a fire.

In contrast, this document describes techniques and devices that implement a coiler. The coiler can compactly organize a variety of flexible elements while enabling one portion of a flexible element to remain at a fixed position. In this way, the flexible element can be "directly" connected to a stationary source (e.g., without an interface such as the wiper system) while the coiler winds and unwinds the flexible element. This makes it convenient for users to readily use the flexible element.

<FIG> illustrates an example environment <NUM> in which a coiler <NUM> can operate. In the environment <NUM>, a user operates a hair dryer <NUM>. The hair dryer <NUM> includes an electrical cord <NUM>, which is plugged into an electrical outlet <NUM>. When not in use, the user can haphazardly store the hair dryer <NUM> on a counter. However, this can create a disorderly mess or make it challenging to keep the hair dryer <NUM> out of reach of small children. Alternatively, the user can unplug the hair dryer <NUM> from the electrical outlet and store the hair dryer <NUM> in a drawer. However, this can present an daily inconvenience to the user as the user continuously plugs and unplugs the electrical cord <NUM> from the electrical outlet <NUM>.

To address these problems, the coiler <NUM> can coil and uncoil the electrical cord <NUM> while enabling the electrical cord <NUM> to be attached to the electrical outlet <NUM>. In this way, the coiler <NUM> can neatly organize the electrical cord <NUM> within a small area and keep the electrical cord <NUM> out of the way of small children or accidental spills when the hair dryer <NUM> is not in use. In some implementations, the coiler <NUM> can include a stand to store the hair dryer <NUM>. The coiler <NUM> can coil and uncoil a variety of different materials. As such, the coiler <NUM> has many applications in a home environment as well as a variety of different industries, as further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example system <NUM> that includes the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the system <NUM> also includes at least one device <NUM> with at least one flexible element <NUM> (or flexible medium). The flexible element <NUM> is composed of a type of material that can flex and coil. A shape of a cross section of the flexible element <NUM> can be round (e.g., circular or oval) or rectangular (e.g., flat). The flexible element <NUM> can include a single strand of flexible material or multiple strands of flexible material. Example types of flexible elements <NUM> can include the electrical cord <NUM>, a water hose <NUM>-<NUM>, flexible tubing <NUM>-<NUM>, rope <NUM>-<NUM>, cable <NUM>-<NUM>, or chain <NUM>-<NUM>.

In general, the flexible element <NUM> includes two ends. A first end of the flexible element <NUM> can be connected to a source or a fixed point. Example sources can include a power source (e.g., the electrical outlet <NUM>), a water source (e.g., a water spigot), or a storage tank containing liquid or gas. A second end of the flexible element <NUM> can be connected to the device <NUM>. In some devices <NUM>, the second end is attached to or integrated within the device <NUM>. In other devices <NUM>, the second end can be optionally removed or disconnected from the device <NUM>. The flexible element <NUM> can allow particles to flow from the source to the device <NUM>. For example, the flexible element <NUM> can allow electrical current or fluid (in liquid or gas form) to flow from the source to the device <NUM>. The flow of particles provided by the flexible element <NUM> can enable the device <NUM> to operate.

The coiler <NUM> can coil (e.g., wind or wrap) the flexible element <NUM> for convenient storage or uncoil (e.g., unwind or unwrap) the flexible element <NUM> to enable a user to operate the device <NUM>. The coiler <NUM> enables the device <NUM> to operate while the flexible element <NUM> is in a coiled state, an uncoiled state, or a partially-coiled state.

The device <NUM> can include a variety of different electrical devices. In this case, the flexible element <NUM> includes the electrical cord <NUM>. Example electrical devices <NUM> can include hair equipment, such as the hair dryer <NUM>, a curling iron <NUM>-<NUM>, or a flat iron <NUM>-<NUM>. As another example, the device <NUM> can include a kitchen appliance <NUM>-<NUM>, such as a mixer, a toaster, or a food processor. The device <NUM> can alternatively be a power tool <NUM>-<NUM>, such as a corded drill or an angle grinder. Other types of electrical devices <NUM> include computing devices <NUM>-<NUM> or medical equipment <NUM>-<NUM>. Example computing devices <NUM>-<NUM> include a smartphone or a laptop. Example medical equipment <NUM>-<NUM> can include a sensor, such as a heart-monitoring sensor.

Other types of devices <NUM> use fluids (e.g. liquids or gas). In this case, the flexible element <NUM> can include the water hose <NUM>-<NUM> or the flexible tubing <NUM>-<NUM>. Example fluid-based devices <NUM> can include medical equipment <NUM>-<NUM> or dental equipment <NUM>-<NUM>. The medical equipment <NUM>-<NUM> can include an oxygen mask or an intravenous (IV) system. The dental equipment <NUM>-<NUM>, can include a suction device or an ultrasonic scaler. Other types of fluid-based devices <NUM> include farm equipment <NUM>-<NUM>, such as a tank sprayer.

Still other types of devices <NUM> rely on the tension of the flexible element <NUM>. In this case, the flexible element <NUM> can include the rope <NUM>-<NUM>, the cable <NUM>-<NUM>, or the chain <NUM>-<NUM>. Example tension-based devices <NUM> can include climbing equipment <NUM>-<NUM>, such as a lifeline, or a winch <NUM>-<NUM>.

In general, the coiler <NUM> can be used interchangeably with a variety of different devices <NUM>, including those with different power requirements. As such, a user can safely use the coiler <NUM> with the hair dryer <NUM> or a power tool <NUM>-<NUM>. Other systems <NUM> can include the coiler <NUM> and the flexible element <NUM> without including a device <NUM>. For example, the system <NUM> can include the coiler <NUM> and the water hose <NUM>-<NUM>. The coiler <NUM> is further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates example components of the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the coiler <NUM> includes at least one fixed member <NUM>, at least one shaft <NUM>, and at least one rotating member <NUM>. The fixed member <NUM> includes an insertion slot <NUM>. The insertion slot <NUM> receives (e.g., accepts) a section of the flexible element <NUM> and secures a first portion of the flexible element <NUM> (e.g., holds the first portion of the flexible element <NUM> stationary or prevents the first portion of the flexible element <NUM> from coiling). In some situations, an end of the flexible element <NUM> that is associated with the first portion of the flexible element <NUM> is connected to a stationary source. The fixed member <NUM> is implemented as a back plate <NUM>, which is further described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The shaft <NUM> provides a support for the flexible element <NUM> to coil around. In some aspects, the shaft <NUM> can have a tapered structure to assist the flexible element <NUM> in coiling around the shaft <NUM> in an orderly fashion. A length of the shaft <NUM> can be designed to fit a particular length of the flexible element <NUM>. A diameter of the shaft <NUM> can be tailored to enable the flexible element <NUM> to neatly coil around the shaft <NUM>. Such shaft dimensions (e.g., structure, length, diameter) can be adapted to enable the flexible element <NUM> to be wound around the shaft <NUM> in substantially concentric rings. An example design of the shaft <NUM> is further described with respect to <FIG>.

The rotating member <NUM> performs the action of coiling and uncoiling the flexible element <NUM>. In some implementations, the rotating member <NUM> has a circular shape. The rotating member <NUM> includes a guide <NUM>, which enables the flexible element <NUM> to pass through the rotating member <NUM> and presents the flexible element <NUM> at an approximate <NUM> degree angle to the direction of rotation. In some cases, the angle is approximately equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees. In general, the term "approximately" can mean that any of the angles can be within +/-<NUM>% of a specified value or less (e.g., within +/- <NUM>%, +/- <NUM>%, or +/-<NUM>% of a specified value). The guide <NUM> represents an opening, cutout, gap, or hole, which is present within the rotating member <NUM>. In general, a size of the guide <NUM> is larger than a cross-sectional size (e.g., diameter) of the flexible element <NUM> to reduce tension or stress on the flexible element <NUM> as it passes through the rotating member <NUM>. The guide <NUM> can also include at least one roller, which freely rotates to reduce friction between the guide <NUM> and the flexible element <NUM>. An example implementation of the roller is further described with respect to <FIG>. The rotating member <NUM> is implemented as a front plate <NUM>, as further described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The coiler <NUM> also includes at least one rotation mechanism <NUM>. The rotation mechanism <NUM> rotates the rotating member <NUM>. The rotation mechanism <NUM> can be driven manually or mechanically. In example implementations, the rotation mechanism <NUM> includes an electric motor, a spring, or a hand crank. The rotation mechanism <NUM> causes the rotating member <NUM> to selectively rotate counter-clockwise or clockwise. Accordingly, the rotation mechanism <NUM> can include an interface enabling the user to specify the direction of rotation. If the rotation mechanism <NUM> includes an electric motor, the interface can include buttons enabling the user to cause the coiler <NUM> to coil or uncoil the flexible element <NUM>. The rotation mechanism <NUM> is further described with respect to <FIG>.

The coiler <NUM> can optionally include a housing <NUM>. In an example, the housing <NUM> encloses the fixed member <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM>, and the rotation mechanism <NUM>. In this way, the housing <NUM> can protect these components as well as a coiled portion of the flexible element <NUM> from sun exposure and weather. The housing <NUM> can optionally include at least one stand <NUM>, which can hold an end of the flexible element <NUM> or the device <NUM> that is attached to the flexible element <NUM>. For example, the stand <NUM> can include an opening for placing the hair dryer <NUM>, the curling iron <NUM>-<NUM>, the flat iron <NUM>-<NUM>, or the power tool <NUM>-<NUM>. In some aspects, the stand <NUM> can be heat or corrosion resistant.

The fixed member <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM>, portions of the rotation mechanism <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> can be built from a variety of different materials, including plastic, metal, wood, or some combination thereof. The coiler <NUM> is further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example implementation of the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the housing <NUM> includes the stand <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. The housing <NUM> encloses at least a portion of the front plate <NUM>, at least a portion of the back plate <NUM>, and the shaft <NUM>. In <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> is positioned behind the front plate <NUM> and is not directly visible in the illustrated orientation of the coiler <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM> via a hinge, which enables the cover <NUM> to provide a user access to the insertion slot <NUM> and the guide <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a length of the housing <NUM> is along a first axis <NUM> (X axis <NUM>), a width of the housing <NUM> is along a second axis <NUM> (Y axis <NUM>), and a height of the housing <NUM> is along a third axis <NUM> (Z axis <NUM>). The front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> have planar surfaces oriented across the first axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>. Accordingly, the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The length of the shaft <NUM> is oriented along the second axis <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In this manner, the length of the shaft <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>.

To position the flexible element <NUM> within the coiler <NUM>, the user opens the cover <NUM> and places a first section of the flexible element <NUM> in the insertion slot <NUM>. The insertion slot <NUM> secures a first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>, which prevents the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> from substantially moving as the coiler <NUM> operates. Because the insertion slot <NUM> holds the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> stationary (or at least stationary relative to the shaft <NUM>), the coiler <NUM> does not coil the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> around the shaft <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> can include an end (e.g., a first end) of the flexible element <NUM>, which the user may connect to a stationary source, such as an electrical outlet <NUM> or a water spigot. In general, the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> includes a portion of the flexible element <NUM> that exists between the insertion slot <NUM> and the first end of the flexible element <NUM>, which can be connected to the stationary source or the fixed point. As such, a majority of the first portion <NUM> is positioned outside of the housing <NUM>.

In some situations, the user can pass a second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> through the guide <NUM>. In general, the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> includes a portion of the flexible element <NUM> that is between the insertion slot <NUM> and an end (e.g., a second end) of the flexible element <NUM> that is connected to the device <NUM> or is handled by the user. In contrast to the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>, the coiler <NUM> can coil the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> around the shaft <NUM>.

To assist the user in placing the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> through the guide <NUM>, the front plate <NUM> can optionally include a removable portion, as further described with respect to <FIG>. This can make it easier for the user to place the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> through the guide <NUM>, especially in situations in which the flexible element <NUM> is significantly long or the flexible element <NUM> is connected to a device <NUM> that cannot fit through the guide <NUM>.

To use the coiler <NUM>, a user activates the rotation mechanism <NUM>, which causes the front plate <NUM> to rotate in a first direction to coil the flexible element <NUM>. As the front plate <NUM> rotates, the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> moves through the guide <NUM> and coils around the shaft <NUM>. To uncoil the flexible element <NUM>, the user can activate the rotation mechanism <NUM> to cause the front plate <NUM> to rotate in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction. As an example, the first direction can be a clockwise direction and the second direction can be a counter-clockwise direction, or vise-versa. In <FIG>, these two directions are represented by directions of rotation <NUM>.

While the front plate <NUM> rotates, the back plate <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> remain relatively stationary. Consequently, the tension on the flexible element <NUM> and the rotation of the front plate <NUM> relative to the stationary back plate <NUM> causes the flexible element <NUM> to coil or uncoil. Because the back plate <NUM> enables the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> to remain relatively stationary, the flexible element <NUM> can be directly connected to a stationary source (e.g., the electrical outlet <NUM> or a water spigot) or a fixed position.

Although not shown in <FIG>, other implementations of the coiler <NUM> can include multiple guides <NUM> and multiple insertion slots <NUM> to enable simultaneous coiling and uncoiling of multiple flexible elements <NUM>. For example, the front plate <NUM> in <FIG> can include a second guide positioned opposite the guide <NUM>, and the back plate <NUM> can include a second insertion slot positioned opposite the insertion slot <NUM>. As such, the second insertion slot <NUM> can secure a first portion of a second flexible element while the second guide enables a second flexible element to pass through the front plate <NUM> as the front plate <NUM> rotates. An illustration of the flexible element <NUM> being partially-coiled is further described with respect to <FIG>. Example implementations of the guide <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> are further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example front plate <NUM> and an example guide <NUM> of the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the front plate <NUM> includes a sleeve <NUM> and a removable portion <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> secures the removable portion <NUM> in place during operation (e.g., as the front plate <NUM> rotates). However, the user can optionally slide the removable portion <NUM> out of the sleeve <NUM> to access the guide <NUM>. By removing the removable portion <NUM>, the user can directly access the guide <NUM> and lay a section of the flexible element <NUM> across the guide <NUM>. After this section of the flexible element <NUM> is placed across the guide <NUM>, the user can slide the removable portion <NUM> back into the sleeve <NUM>.

In an alternative implementation (not shown), the front plate <NUM> can include a snap closure instead of the removable portion <NUM>. The snap closure can snap in place across the guide <NUM> or rotatably move (e.g., swing) away via a hinge to allow a user access to the guide <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the guide <NUM> is shown to include at least one roller <NUM>, which can freely rotate about a central axis (not illustrated). The roller <NUM> is positioned on one side of the guide <NUM> and is designed to come in contact with (e.g., abut) the flexible element <NUM>. As the flexible element <NUM> moves through the guide <NUM>, the roller <NUM> rolls. This rolling action can reduce the friction between the guide <NUM> and the flexible element <NUM> in comparison to implementations in which the flexible element <NUM> slides across a side of the guide <NUM>.

In other implementations, the guide <NUM> can include multiple rollers <NUM>. For example, the guide <NUM> can include two rollers <NUM> on opposite sides or four rollers <NUM> on individual sides. The rollers <NUM> can be installed within the front plate <NUM> or as part of the removable portion <NUM> of the front plate <NUM>. As an example, the removable portion <NUM> can have two rollers <NUM> on opposite sides (e.g., one roller <NUM>-<NUM> on the left side and another roller <NUM>-<NUM> on the right side). Additional features of the coiler <NUM> are further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates examples of the front plate <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, and the back plate <NUM> of the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the shaft <NUM> is positioned between the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> such that a length of the shaft <NUM> is oriented along the second axis <NUM>. In some aspects, the shaft <NUM> has a first end that is positioned proximate to the back plate <NUM> and a second end that is positioned proximate to the front plate <NUM>. For a compact design, the first end of the shaft <NUM> can abut the back plate <NUM> and/or the second end can abut the front plate <NUM>. In an example implementation, the front plate <NUM> is connected to a rod, which passes through a center of the shaft <NUM> and can spin freely. In some implementations, the rod also passes through the back plate <NUM>.

An axis of rotation <NUM> passes through a center of the front plate <NUM> and is parallel to the second axis <NUM>. A center of the shaft <NUM> is positioned on the axis of rotation <NUM>. A planar surface <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> and a planar surface <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> can be approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the guide <NUM> is offset from the axis of rotation <NUM>. Also, the insertion slot <NUM> can be offset from the axis of rotation <NUM> by a similar or different amount as the guide <NUM>. In general, a portion of the flexible element <NUM> that is placed within the insertion slot <NUM> (e.g., a small section of the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>) is aligned with an axis <NUM>, which is approximately parallel to the axis of rotation <NUM>. For example, the portion of the flexible element <NUM> that is positioned within the insertion slot <NUM> is positioned to longitudinally extend in a direction that is substantially aligned with the axis <NUM>. Also, another portion of the flexible element <NUM> that passes through the guide <NUM> (e.g., a small section of the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>) is aligned with the axis <NUM> (or another axis that is approximately parallel to the axis of rotation <NUM>). For example, the portion of the flexible element <NUM> that is positioned within the guide <NUM> is positioned to longitudinally extend in a direction that is substantially aligned with the axis <NUM>. In this manner, the guide <NUM> presents the flexible element <NUM> in a manner that is perpendicular to the direction of rotation, as further described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. A design of the shaft <NUM> enables the flexible element <NUM> to be coiled, as further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example implementation of the shaft <NUM> of the coiler <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> includes at least one tapered section <NUM>. In general, the tapered section <NUM> enables the flexible element <NUM> to slide towards the back plate <NUM> and neatly coil around the shaft <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In an example implementation, the tapered section <NUM> has a slope that forms an angle relative to a planar surface <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> (e.g., an angle between the second axis <NUM> and the first axis <NUM> or the third axis <NUM>). The angle can be between approximately <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, between approximately <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, or between approximately <NUM> and <NUM> degrees. In some cases, the angle is approximately equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees. In general, the term "approximately" can mean that any of the angles can be within +/- <NUM>% of a specified value or less (e.g., within +/- <NUM>%, +/- <NUM>%, or +/-<NUM>% of a specified value).

In the depicted configuration, the shaft <NUM> includes a first tapered section <NUM>-<NUM> and a second tapered section <NUM>-<NUM>. The first tapered section <NUM>-<NUM> is positioned proximate to the back plate <NUM>, and the second tapered section <NUM>-<NUM> is positioned proximate to the front plate <NUM>. The first tapered section <NUM>-<NUM> has a slope with a first angle <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the planar surface <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. The second tapered section <NUM>-<NUM> has a slope with a second angle <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the planar surface <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. The first angle <NUM>-<NUM> is greater than the second angle <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., by at least <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees). As an example, the first angle <NUM>-<NUM> can be approximately <NUM> degrees, and the second angle <NUM>-<NUM> can be approximately <NUM> degrees.

According to the invention, the shaft <NUM> includes multiple tapered sections <NUM>, the angles of the slopes of the tapered sections <NUM> decreases as the tapered sections <NUM> are positioned closer to the front plate <NUM>. In this way, the shaft <NUM> has a larger diameter closer to the front plate <NUM> and a smaller diameter closer to the back plate <NUM>. Components of the rotation mechanism <NUM> are further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example implementation of the rotation mechanism <NUM> of the coiler <NUM>. In the depicted configuration, the rotation mechanism <NUM> includes at least one wheel <NUM> (e.g., one wheel, two wheels, or four wheels) and an electrical motor (not shown). The electrical motor causes the wheel <NUM> to rotate in a specified direction.

The wheel <NUM> is in contact with an edge of the front plate <NUM>. As the wheel <NUM> rotates, the wheel <NUM> causes the front plate <NUM> to rotate. In some implementations, the front plate <NUM> and the wheel <NUM> are implemented as intermeshing gears. Aspects of the rotation of the front plate <NUM> are further described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example sequence for coiling the flexible element <NUM>. At <NUM>, the flexible element <NUM> is positioned across the insertion slot <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> and through the guide <NUM> of the front plate <NUM>. If the guide <NUM> is approximately aligned with the insertion slot <NUM> along the axis <NUM>, a length of the flexible element <NUM> between the guide <NUM> and the insertion slot <NUM> can be approximately parallel to the second axis <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the front plate <NUM> rotates clockwise such that the guide <NUM> moves or revolves towards the right of <FIG>. Due to the tension applied from the insertion slot <NUM> securing the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>, the flexible element <NUM> begins to coil around the shaft <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the front plate <NUM> continues to rotate clockwise such that the guide <NUM> moves or revolves towards the left of <FIG>. This causes the flexible element <NUM> to begin to coil around the shaft <NUM>, as shown at <NUM>. Also at <NUM>, the flexible element <NUM> begins to bend and form an approximate <NUM> degree angle between the insertion slot <NUM> and the guide <NUM>. In general, this angle forms along the second axis <NUM> and a plane defined by the first axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>.

The tension applied from the insertion slot <NUM> securing the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> and the tapered sections <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the shaft <NUM> cause the flexible element <NUM> to form a first coil closer to the back plate <NUM> compared to the front plate <NUM>. As the front plate <NUM> rotates, additional coils are formed, as further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates example coils of the flexible element <NUM>, which form around the shaft <NUM>. At <NUM>, a top-down view of the front plate <NUM>, the back plate <NUM>, and the flexible element <NUM> is shown. At <NUM>, a side view of the front plate, <NUM>, the back plate <NUM>, and the flexible element <NUM> is shown. As the front plate <NUM> rotates, the guide <NUM> presents the flexible element <NUM> in a manner that is parallel to the axis of rotation <NUM> and perpendicular to the direction of rotation. As a result, the flexible element <NUM> forms an approximate <NUM> degree angle shown at <NUM>. In particular, the flexible element <NUM> bends approximately <NUM> degrees between a coiled portion of the flexible element <NUM> and a portion of the flexible element that is positioned through the guide <NUM>.

In this example, the flexible element <NUM> is coiled three times around the shaft <NUM> to form coils <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>. Due to the tapered sections <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, the coils <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> are arranged in an orderly fashion. In particular, a first coil <NUM>-<NUM> forms proximate to the back plate <NUM>, a second coil <NUM>-<NUM> forms between the first coil <NUM>-<NUM> and the front plate <NUM>, and a third coil <NUM>-<NUM> forms between the second coil <NUM>-<NUM> and the front plate <NUM>. Sometimes, the coils <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> can abut adjacent coils <NUM>. For example, the coil <NUM>-<NUM> can abut the coils <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Although not explicitly shown, multiple layers of coils <NUM> can form as additional portions of the flexible element <NUM> coil around the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an example method <NUM> for performing operations of coiling a flexible element using a coiler. Method <NUM> is shown as sets of operations (or acts) performed but not necessarily limited to the order or combinations in which the operations are shown herein. Further, any of one or more of the operations may be repeated, combined, reorganized, or linked to provide a wide array of additional and/or alternate methods. In portions of the following discussion, reference may be made to the environment <NUM> of <FIG>, and entities detailed in <FIG> or <FIG>, reference to which is made for example only. The techniques are not limited to performance by one entity or multiple entities operating on one device.

At <NUM>, a first portion of a flexible element is secured to a fixed member of a coiler. For example, the insertion slot <NUM> of the fixed member <NUM> (e.g., the back plate <NUM>) secures the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> to the fixed member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this way, the coiler <NUM> does not coil the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> around the shaft <NUM>. Due the insertion slot <NUM> securing the first portion of the flexible element, the first portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> can be substantially stationary as the coiler <NUM> coils or uncoils the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM>.

At <NUM>, a rotating member of a coiler is rotated in a first direction around an axis of rotation as the fixed element and a shaft of the coiler remain relatively stationary. The shaft is positioned between the fixed member and the rotating member. For example, the rotation mechanism <NUM> rotates the rotating member <NUM> (e.g., the front plate <NUM>) in a first direction around the axis of rotation <NUM> as the fixed member <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> remain relatively stationary compared to the rotating member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In other words, the fixed member <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> do not rotate as the rotating member <NUM> rotates. In general, the rotation of the rotating member <NUM> causes the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> to revolve with the guide <NUM> and the ben coiled around the shaft <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is positioned between the fixed member <NUM> and the rotating member <NUM>. The first direction can be a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction.

At <NUM>, a second portion of the flexible element is passed through the rotating member. For example, the guide <NUM> passes the second portion <NUM> of the flexible element <NUM> to through the rotating member <NUM>. In some implementations, the guide <NUM> can include at least one roller <NUM> to enable the flexible element <NUM> to pass through the rotating member <NUM> with less friction and tension in comparison to a fixed side that the flexible element <NUM> slidably moves across.

Claim 1:
A coiler (<NUM>) comprising:
a fixed member (<NUM>) is a back plate (<NUM>) with an insertion slot (<NUM>), the insertion slot (<NUM>) configured to secure a first portion (<NUM>) of a flexible element (<NUM>);
a shaft (<NUM>) having first and second ends, the first end positioned proximate to the fixed member (<NUM>);
a rotating member (<NUM>) positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft (<NUM>) and configured to rotatably move about an axis of rotation, the rotating member (<NUM>) is a front plate (<NUM>) with a guide (<NUM>) offset from the axis of rotation, the guide (<NUM>) configured to enable a second portion (<NUM>) of the flexible element (<NUM>) to pass through the front plate (<NUM>); and
a rotation mechanism (<NUM>) configured to rotate the rotating member (<NUM>) in a first direction around the axis of rotation to coil the second portion (<NUM>) of the flexible element (<NUM>) around the shaft (<NUM>), wherein:
the shaft (<NUM>) is configured to be stationary compared to the rotating member (<NUM>);
the shaft (<NUM>) comprises multiple tapered sections (<NUM>) such that the shaft (<NUM>) has a first diameter proximate to the rotating member (<NUM>) that is larger than a second diameter that is proximate to the fixed member (<NUM>); and
slopes of the multiple tapered sections (<NUM>) form angles relative to a planar surface of the back plate (<NUM>) that decrease as the multiple tapered sections (<NUM>) are positioned closer to the rotating member (<NUM>).