Cable reel restraint device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10604109-B2
Application number	US-201715813786-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2017
Priority date	Nov 15, 2017
Publication date	Mar 31, 2020
Grant date	Mar 31, 2020

Abstract

A cable reel restraint device comprises a cable reel, a retractable cable, first and second springs, first and second attachment interfaces, and a preload selection control. The retractable cable is configured to extend from and retract onto the cable reel. The first spring is configured to exert force for preloading the second spring, and the second spring is configured to exert force for retracting the retractable cable. The first attachment interface is coupled to the cable reel by a first spherical bearing, and the second attachment interface is coupled to the retractable cable by a second spherical bearing. Moreover, the first and second attachment interfaces are configured for being fastened to first and second attachment points. The preload selection control is configured to select a particular preload magnitude and cause the first spring to preload the second spring with a load of the particular preload magnitude.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cable reel restraint device, comprising:
a cable reel;
a retractable cable configured to be extended from and retracted onto the cable reel;
a first spring and a second spring, wherein the first spring is configured to exert force on the second spring to preload the second spring, and wherein the second spring is configured to exert force on the retractable cable to cause retraction of the retractable cable;
a first attachment interface coupled to the cable reel by a first spherical bearing, wherein the first attachment interface is configured for fastening the cable reel to a first attachment point; and
a second attachment interface coupled to the retractable cable by a second spherical bearing, wherein the second attachment interface is configured for fastening the retractable cable to a second attachment point;
wherein the first spring is configured to preload the second spring with a load of a particular preload magnitude.

2. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein:
the cable reel comprises a spool; and
the retractable cable is coupled to the second spring, the second spring is coupled to the first spring, and the first spring is coupled to the spool.

3. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , further comprising a retraction lock configured to prevent the retractable cable from retracting.

4. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface comprises a hook.

5. The cable reel restraint device of claim 4 , wherein the hook comprises a plurality of prongs.

6. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface comprises a clasp.

7. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first spherical bearing and the second spherical bearing comprises a monoball.

8. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the cable reel.

9. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first spring and the second spring comprises a torsion spring.

10. The cable reel restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the retractable cable further comprises a steel cable.

11. A cable reel restraint device, comprising:
a cable reel;
a plurality of retractable cables, wherein the plurality of retractable cables comprises a first cable and a second cable;
a first set of springs associated with the first cable, wherein the first set of springs comprises a first spring and a second spring, wherein the first spring is configured to exert force on the second spring to preload the second spring, and wherein the second spring is configured to exert force on the first cable to cause retraction of the first cable;
a second set of springs associated with the second cable, wherein the second set of springs comprises a third spring and a fourth spring, wherein the third spring is configured to exert force on the fourth spring to preload the fourth spring, and wherein the fourth spring is configured to exert force on the second cable to cause retraction of the second cable;
a first attachment interface coupled to the first cable, wherein the first attachment interface is configured for fastening the first cable to a first attachment point; and
a second attachment interface coupled to the second cable, wherein the second attachment interface is configured for fastening the second cable to a second attachment point;
wherein the first spring is configured to preload the second spring to a first preload magnitude and the third spring is configured to preload the fourth spring to a second preload magnitude.

12. The cable reel restraint device of claim 11 , wherein:
the cable reel comprises a spool;
the first cable is coupled to the second spring, the second spring is coupled to the first spring, and the first spring is coupled to the spool; and
the second cable is coupled to the fourth spring, the fourth spring is coupled to the third spring, and the third spring is coupled to the spool.

13. The cable reel restraint device of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment interface is coupled to the first cable by a first spherical bearing, and wherein the second attachment interface is coupled to the second cable by a second spherical bearing.

14. The cable reel restraint device of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first spherical bearing and the second spherical bearing comprises a monoball.

15. The cable reel restraint device of claim 11 , further comprising a retraction lock configured to prevent the plurality of retractable cables from retracting.

16. The cable reel restraint device of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface comprises a hook.

17. The cable reel restraint device of claim 16 , wherein the hook comprises a plurality of prongs.

18. The cable reel restraint device of claim 11 , further comprising a handle coupled to the cable reel.

Assignees

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc

Inventors

• Tackett Louis G

Classifications

• B60P7/0861

  Measuring or identifying the tension in the securing element · CPC title

• B60R22/4619 Primary

  Transmission of tensioning power by cable, e.g. using a clutch on reel side · CPC title

• B60P7/083

  Tensioning by repetetive movement of an actuating member · CPC title

• B60P7/0846

  winding up or storing of straps · CPC title

• B60P7/0892

  by preventing lateral movement of the load, e.g. using stop blocks · CPC title