Patent Application
20080203205
The described invention relates in general to mechanical systems for winding and storing cable or wire, and more specifically to a system, device, and method for adjustably securing a cable within an enclosure such as a seat track cover used in an aircraft or other vehicle.
Seat track covers of varying lengths are commonly mounted on the floors of vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, and aircraft. These devices typically include an internal chamber or hollow space that may be used to house cable, wire, or other items that are related to the function of the vehicle. Cable assemblies are often manufactured in pre-set lengths that may or may not correspond to the length of the seat track cover within which the cable assembly is to be installed. If the cable assembly is considerably longer than the seat track cover, the excess cable may create difficulties with installation and safety. Thus, there is a need for a system for winding and securing excess cable within seat track covers or similar enclosures.
The following provides a summary of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This system includes an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein; at least one spool mounted in the enclosure, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the spool is inserted into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; a length of cable, wherein a portion of the length of cable is inserted into the channel formed in the body of the at least one spool; and wherein rotating the base of the at least one spool winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This device includes a crown having a channel formed therein; a body formed integrally with the crown, wherein the body further includes a channel formed therein for receiving a length of cable, and wherein the channel formed in the body is contiguous with the channel formed in the crown; a base formed integrally with the body; and a pedestal formed integrally with the base, wherein the pedestal further includes a multi-surfaced stem adapted to cooperate with an enclosure for stabilizing the cable-securing device therein.
In yet another aspect of this invention, a method for securing cable within an enclosure is provided. This method includes providing an enclosure, wherein the enclosure further includes a bottom portion having a channel formed lengthwise therein; providing at least one spool, wherein the at least one spool further includes a body having a channel formed therein and a base, and wherein a portion of the at least one spool is adapted to be inserted into the channel in the enclosure; inserting a length of cable into the channel in the body of the at least one spool; inserting the spool into the channel formed in the bottom portion of the enclosure; and rotating the base of the at least one spool, wherein rotating the base winds the cable onto the body of the spool and secures the cable thereto.
Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for purposes of simplifying the description. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
The present invention relates to a system for winding and securing excess cable, wire, or the like. A first general embodiment of this invention provides a system for adjustably securing cable or wire within an enclosure such as a seat track cover. A second general embodiment of this invention provides an adjustable device for securing cable or wire within an enclosure such as a seat track cover. A third general embodiment of this invention provides a method for adjustably securing cable or wire within an enclosure.
With reference now to the Figures,
As best shown in
When using cable securing system 10, a length of cable 70 is inserted into circular channel 29 formed in body 22, and spool 20 is inserted into channel 62. A screwdriver or similar device is then used to rotate pedestal 35, and spool 20 generally, to wind excess cable 70 around body 22. Spool 20 may be turned either clockwise or counterclockwise to wind excess cable 70 onto body 22. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, for each half-turn of spool 20, cable or wire 70 is wound one full-turn. To unwind cable or wire 70, spool 20 is simply turned in the direction opposite to that use to wind cable 70 onto the spool.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
