IP Library Granted Patent US 10,145,884
Granted Patent B2
US 10,145,884 · App. 15/175,822 · Granted Dec 4, 2018

Smart cord reel

Inventors: John Alford (Kenosha, WI); Mark Schwartz (Wauconda, IL)
Assignee: Konnectronix, Inc.
G01R31/021B65H63/00B65H75/34B65H2701/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,145,884
App. No.
15/175,822
Granted
Dec 4, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A smart cord reel cable including at least one sensor for measuring cord or cord reel usage, a memory for receiving sensor input to create usage records, and a processor for analyzing the usage records to provide information for maintenance status indication and/or usage analytics.

Claims (12)

1. A smart cord reel system including a maintenance prediction mechanism for anticipating and predicting the need for replacement, the system comprising:

a) a cord reel assembly, including a housing having a spool and a cord that is retracted and extended from the cord reel assembly, a first sensor for measuring each complete rotation of the spool within the housing and a second sensor for measuring the voltage of the cord;

b) at least one memory located within the cord reel assembly for receiving an input from the first sensor correlating to each complete rotation of the spool within the housing and keeping count of the sum of such rotations and receiving an input from the second sensor representative of at least one of the electrical resistance of the cord, the voltage level of the cord or the current received through the cord; and

c) a processor electrically connected to the at least one memory for comparing the sum of rotations for the electric cord reel assembly against predetermined limits and providing a status signal therefrom to indicate whether the replacement of the electric cord reel assembly is required, and the processor further connected to the at least one memory for comparing the input from the second sensor representative of the electrical resistance of the cord against predetermined limits prestored in memory and generating a status signal therefrom to indicate whether replacement of at least a portion of the cord reel assembly is required prior to occurrence of a malfunction.

2. A smart cord reel system including a maintenance prediction mechanism for anticipating and predicting the need for replacement, the system comprising:

a) a cord reel assembly, including a housing having a spool and a cord that is retracted and extended from the cord reel assembly, and at least a first sensor and a second sensor;

b) at least one memory and a clock connected thereto located within the cord reel assembly for receiving an input from the first sensor correlating to each complete rotation of the spool within the housing and keeping count of the sum of such rotations and receiving an input from the second sensor representative of the electrical resistance of the cord; and

c) a processor electrically connected to the at least one memory for receiving data representative of rotations for the cord reel assembly, and generating usage analytic records therefrom, the processor further connected to the at least one memory for comparing the analytic records against predetermined limits prestored in the at least one memory and generating a status signal therefrom to indicate whether replacement of at least a portion of the cord reel assembly is required prior to occurrence of a malfunction.

3. A smart cord reel system including a mechanism for delivering usage analytic records related to electronic devices attached thereto, the system comprising:

a) a cord reel assembly, including a housing having a spool and a cord that is retracted and extended from the cord reel assembly, and sensor;

b) at least one memory located within the cord reel assembly for receiving an input from the sensor correlating to at least one of i) rotation of the spool within the housing; ii) the voltage within the cord; iii) the resistance within the cord; or iv) the amperage flow within the cord; and

c) a processor electrically connected to the at least one memory for receiving data representative of the input from the sensor, and generating usage analytic records therefrom, the processor further connected to the at least one memory for comparing the analytic records against predetermined limits prestored in the at least one memory and generating a status signal therefrom to indicate whether replacement of at least a portion of the cord reel assembly is required prior to occurrence of a malfunction.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073227/0325 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 10154884 WAS ERRONEOUSLY ASSIGNED TO GREAT ROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDED SECURITY INTEREST. THE CORRECT PATENT NUMBER IS 10145884. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 62444 FRAME 836. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Apr 11, 2024
From: ASTRONICS CUSTOM CONTROL CONCEPTS INC.; ASTRONICS DME LLC; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 067099/0052 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS CUSTOM CONTROL CONCEPTS INC.; ASTRONICS DME LLC; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 062444/0836 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 8, 2018
From: TELEFONIX, INC.
To: KONNECTRONIX, INC.
Reel/Frame 045285/0828 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2018
From: TELEFONIX, INC.
To: KONNECTRONIX, INC.
Reel/Frame 045089/0803 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 30, 2016
From: ALFORD, JOHN; SCHWARTZ, MARK
To: TELEFONIX INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 039585/0747 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170350931A1 · Dec 7, 2017