| 摘要 |
A cable retractor for use in a variety of applications includes a housing forming an internal chamber, and first and second drums within the chamber for winding of the cable. The first drum may include a stationary outer surface, and the second drum may be formed by a plurality of rollers mounted on a rotatable frame. The rollers may orbit about the first drum upon rotation of said frame, with each of the rollers also rotating about its own roller axis. The first and second drums may be sized to enable wrapping of the cable both side-by-side and in multiple layers about at least one of the first drum and the second drum. The cable retractor may include structure to urge the rollers to rotate with respect to the frame as the frame rotates. For example, a portion of the rollers may be frictionally engaged with a track, and capable of slipping with respect to the track to provide smooth extension and retraction of the cable even as multiple layers of cable are wound about the first and second drums. |
| 主权项 |
1. A cable retractor, comprising:
a housing forming an internal chamber; a first drum within said chamber, said first drum including a stationary outer surface about which a portion of the cable can be wrapped; a rotatable frame within said chamber; a plurality of rollers mounted on said rotatable frame, said rollers collectively forming a second drum that rotates about said first drum upon rotation of said frame, each of said rollers capable of rotating about its own roller axis; a spring connected to said housing and said frame for biasing said frame to rotate in one direction; a latch mechanism connected to said housing and said frame for selectively preventing said frame from rotation; and a length of cable, a portion of said cable fixedly connected to said housing, wherein upon rotation of said frame in said one direction, said cable is retracted into said housing and wrapped both side-by-side and in multiple layers about at least one of the first drum and the second drum. |
