IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,964,845
Granted Patent B2
US 11,964,845 · App. 17/120,847 · Granted Apr 23, 2024

Cord reel assembly with continuous cord

Inventors: John Alford (Kenosha, WI); Christopher Hinojosa (Winthrop Harbor, IL)
Assignee: Astronics Connectivity Sys. & Cert. Corp.
B65H75/4449B65H75/4471H02G11/02B65H2701/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,964,845
App. No.
17/120,847
Granted
Apr 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cord reel assembly including a single, continuous cord having stationary and retractable segments, with the stationary segment including multiple connectors and sheath covering such connectors where the connectors twist and untwist relative to the sheath in response to the retract and extension of the retractable segment.

Claims (20)

1. A retractable cord, reel apparatus, the apparatus comprising

a) a housing having a single storage chamber and a transition chamber;

b) a spool within and arranged for rotation relative to the housing;

c) a single cord comprising a plurality of connectors,

a retractable segment sheath for a retractable end and a flexible sheath for a stationary end,

the single cord traversing the interior of the housing and terminating in retractable and stationary ends external to the housing,

wherein the plurality of connectors twist in response to the retraction of the retractable end of the cord;

wherein, the stationary end of the cord extends from the transition chamber and comprises the flexible sheath anchored to the housing and adjacent to and surrounding the plurality of connectors twisted about one another,

the plurality of connectors being capable of twisting and untwisting relative to one another inside the flexible sheath without rotation of the flexible sheath along the length of the cord from the transition chamber up to the stationary end to support extension and retraction of the retractable end of the cord relative to the housing.

2. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are electrical connectors.

3. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are data connectors.

4. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors provide solely a mechanical connection.

5. A retractable cord reel apparatus, the apparatus comprising

a) a housing having a single storage chamber and a transition chamber;

b) a spool within and arranged for rotation relative to the housing;

c) a single cord comprising a plurality of connectors, a retractable segment sheath for a retractable end and a flexible sheath for a stationary end, the single cord traversing the interior of the housing and terminating in retractable and stationary ends external to the housing, wherein the plurality of connectors twist in response to the extension of the retractable end of the cord;

d) wherein, the stationary end of the cord extends from the transition chamber and comprises the flexible sheath anchored to the housing and adjacent to and surrounding the plurality of connectors twisted about one another, the plurality of connectors being capable of twisting and untwisting relative to one another inside the flexible sheath without rotation of the flexible sheath along the length of the cord from the transition chamber up to the stationary end to support extension and retraction of the retractable end of the cord relative to the housing.

6. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of connectors are electrical connectors.

7. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of connectors are data connectors.

8. The retractable cord reel apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of connectors provide solely a mechanical connection.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2025
From: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 073580/0550 →
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 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2024
From: HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
Reel/Frame 069491/0184 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2024
From: ASTRONICS ASEROSTAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 068478/0769 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2024
From: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068311/0747 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2024
From: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONIC TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 068283/0900 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS AEROSTAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 062445/0342 →
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 →