US1102164A - Switchboard-cord reel. - Google Patents

Description

F. R. PARKER. SWITGHBOARD CORD REEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1907. RENEWED NOV. 26, 1918- 1,102,1 4 Patented June. 30, 1914.

VJITNESSESI g5 JNVENTOR:

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lle it known hlflt I, Fimnnmcn R. PAR- icnn, u citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicsgo, in the county oi? =ok and State oflllinmsheve invented a new and useful Switchboard-Cord Reel, of which the following is a 'specifica tion,

. reference being bad to the agcompanyingto provide a pulley or reel for strands or drawings illustrating same.

This present invention is a modification of my invention set forth in 'my United States Letters Patent No. 796,929, on pulley weight, issued August 8, 19 05. i

My invention relates to pulleys or reels l'or cords or strands, such as telephone switchboard cords, for automatically winding the cord up whensame is not in use, and for letting the cord out when it is desired to' use same; I

The principal objects of my invention are,

cords, such as telephone switchboard cords, which pulley or reel be mounted d1- rectlyunderneath the plug shelf where plugs used on the cords as in telephone sw1tchboards, the sald pulley or real being I adapted to automatically wind. up the'cord when same is not in use, and to let out the .cord when it desired to use same; to provide such a, pulley or in acompact and suitable urrungemei." whereby a series thereof may be suifj sbly,inounted in a row without taking up a considerable space at the sides thereof, so that the said pulleys orrccls may be mounted directly underneath the corresponding switchboard I plugs/in telephone switchboards; to provide improved means for operating such a pulley oi ..:sel; toprovide improved means for car rying theoircuits of the conductorsofithc cord through the device of the invention to :uble terminals which may be readily ozonnected with other circuit conductors; to

provide on improved casing -Zor such apulley or reel; and 'to provide simplicity of c-onstriuction and cheupness of manufacture in such u device.

Other objects will be apparent frdm the followings, specificstion. I

In telephone switchbourds itis customary to use a pulley-weight for the connectingcords thereof, consisting of u single pulley and a weight attached thereto, the said pullcy simply hanging in a loop or swing of the wrrcnncsnnoonn BEE];

Specifications)? Letters Pstent. J {$514,

Renewed November 9.8, 1913. Serial No. 808,298.

cord, This arrangement requires the operators key-board to be a considerable dis tance above the floor or base of the switchboard, as the pulley-weight has to rise approximately one-halt of the-distance through connection is made. On alarge switchboard the connectin -cord necessarily hils to be pulled several eel; from the keyboard end therefore the pulley-weight has tqhave ronsiderable space in which to play lip and down.

n, In my present invention I have provided :a pulley or feel for telephone switchboard cords which maybe mounted directly underneath the keyboard or lugslielf so as not to take upmu'c-h space lie'low the latter end which at the same time serves all of the purposes of i the o'rdin'a'r ulley-weight which hangs far below the teyhoard or plug shelf. My improved pulley or reel used on a telephone switchboard cord enables the operator to. sitin' an ordinary chair instead struction of such a switchboard will be readily seen," the height of same being greatly reduced whichpermits ot n large saving in the ironwork, woodwork, and cabling, and does away with the custo'rhary foot-rails and high chairs, thus making a neat, compact, and eorivenient consti-uction. l have spoken of telephone switchboards as the advunttiges of such a pulley or reel tire best seen here, but I do not wish to limit this invention to such particular usage; By reference to the accompanying drawing's lllustrstiiig' the preteri'ed embodiment of my invention, Figure 1, is a side elevation of the pulley or reel of the invention, with u portion of the casing removed, shown mounted on the unclernelith side of a plug shelt, the plug and cord also bein shown; and Fig. 2 is an edge elevation 0 a series or the pulleys or reels of my invention, shown mounted on the underneath side of u plug shelf, one of the pulleys or reels and its switchboard cord being shown in crosssection taken on line 00,- q: of Fig. 1,. the;

switchboard plugs also being-shown.

Like characters refer "to like parts in the several figures;

- two sheet rnetal side portions 1 l lormed and which the end of the cord is pulled when keyboard to belowered considerably and the of a high chair. The advantages in the con I placed together as shown in Fig. 2, with in sulalion placed therebetween to insulate the portions 1 1 from each other. The switchboard cord 3 is carried between the side portions 1 1 of the pulley or reel and is wound thereon preferably shown, the conductors in the said cord being preferably soldered to the side portions 1 1. In Fig. 2 -1 have preferably shown the cord conductors passing through-holes in the portions 1 1 and being soldered at 4 4. To each side portion 1 of the pulley is attached a metallic hub 5 preferablyhaving a faceplate 6 thereon resting against the corresponding portion 1, the portions 6, 1, 2, 1 and 6, being securely held together so as to keep the portions 1 1 with their respective hubs 5 insulated from each other. A

coil spring 7 is provided for each hub 5 and is preferably placed over the hub as shown, the inner endjof each spring 7 be ing suitably secured to its hub 5 whereby the hubs cause the springs 7 7 to be wound up when the pulley is turned in the direction of arrow a. The portions 1 1, the hubs 5 5, and the coil springs 7 7 are all incased within a casing, preferably made of two formed sheet-metal halves 8 Ssecured together by rivets or boltsv 9 9 and suitably insulated from each other by insulation. 1.0. The casing 8 8 is preferably mounted to the underneath side of the plug shelf 11 by screws 12 12, preferably as shown. 'Each portion 8 of the casing may be provided with a tongue portion 13 cut out of the portion 8 and adapted to bear against the endof'a hub 5 at a suitable contact 14 ,to make good electrical connection therewith. The outer end of each coil spring 7 is secured toits side of the casing 8 by a suitable screw, bolt or rivet 15. The cord 3 is provided with the usual connecting plug 16 which rests in a suitable seat in the plug shelf 11 when the cord and plug are not in use. Each hub 5 is prefcrably provided with a shoulder thereon to hold the pulley 1 1 inthe middle of the casing 8 8, and the hubs 5 5' and the side portions 8 8, of the casing are formed to provide suitable bearings for the pulley 1 1 to rotate upon.

The circuit of each conductor of the cord 3 extends thmugh one of the side portions if his arrange 1 of the pulley, a hub 5, a spring contact member 13 and a coil spring 7 in parallel, and one portion 8 of the casing, a connection terminal .7 on the casing, preferably next to the plug shelf 11. I may do away with the swing contact members 13 13 if desired, in which case the circuit of each strand! oi the cord may extend from a. portion 1 through the corresponding hub 5, and thou-re through lhe corresponding coil spring 7 lo t -irlc of the uasiugfi and to the cor:- terminal 1! thereon. lees away with all bear- The operation of the device is as follows:

The cord 3 is preferably normally wound. upon thepulley 1 1 as shown. When it is desired to use the cord 8 for making connections, the plug 16 is pulled in the direction of arrow b, which turns the'pulley' 1 1 and the hubs 5 5 in the direction of arrow a and winds up the coil springs 7 7 thereby putting them under tension. When it is desired to discontinue the use of the plug and cord, the same is released whereupon the tension of the springs 7 7 rotates the pulley 1 1 and hubs 5 5 1n the direction of arrow 0 and thereby winds up the cord 3 on the pulley or reel 1 1 until the plug 16 is properly seated in the plug shelf ll'whereupon the motion of the pulley is stopped. .When .the pulley 1 1 and the cord 3 thereon is being installed, the springs 7 7 are preferably put under a slight tension tending to rotate the pulley in the direction 01 arrow 0, so as to insure winding the cord 3 clear up thereon, quickly, when the cord and plug are released. The cord 3 may be unwound from and wound upon the pulley or reel 1 1 as many times and as quic ly as desired,the circuitsof the strands of the cord always being properly extended to the, terminals 17 17, respectively, preferably by the arrangement shown.

If it is desired to install a new cord in a pulley, this may be accomplished without removing the pulley 1 1 from thecasing 8 8, by simply unwinding, unsoldering, and removing the old cord from the pulley, and

then winding a new cord upon the pulleyuug and soldering the strands thereof to the side portions 1 1 of the pulley, preferably as shown. This soldering may be accomplished through suitable holes in the portions 8 8 of the casing which may be provided for the purpose.

I do not wish to limit this invention to the particular details of construction herein shown, as various modifications thereof may be made or utilized without departi from the scope of the appended claims. 'I Eo portions 1 1 and 8 8 are preferably formed out of sheet metal, but they may be made in some other manner if desired, and also of some other. material, as long as the circuits of the strands of the cord are properly maintained.

What I claim as my invention is: 1. In apparatus of the character described, a pulley for carrying a cord or cence strands, the said pulley com rising two metallic side portions insulate from each other, suitable spindles associated with the said side portions and electrically connected therewith, a casing for the pulley made of two metallic halves insulated irom eachl other, and a coil spring for each-side of the pulley, placed between the latter and, the* casing, one end of each spring being connect ed with the corresponding spindle and the other end of each spring being connected with the corresponding side portion of the casing, whereby the ulley is rotated when: the sprin s are Wound 'up and then released, the said slde portions of the pulley, the spindies, and the said halves of the casing forming parts of the metallic circuit of the cord: or strands.

2. In apparatus of the character de-- sc1'ibcd, apulley madeof two formed sheet-- metal side portions with insulation therebetween, a hub on each side-portion, a casing made of two formed sheet-metal halves in-- sulated from each other, and a coil spring for each hub acting thereon to rotate the pulley under favorable conditions, and electrically connecting the halves of the casing with the respective hubs.

3'. In apparatus of the character described, a pulley made of two metal halves insulated from each other, a cord having a pair of conductors therein, the said cordbeing wound upon the pulley and the saidconductors being connected to the said metal halves, respectively, means for suitably, can rying the circuit of'each conductor oil to' suitable connection terminals, and a coil springacting on the pulley whereby the cord is rewound u on the pulley after being unwound there rom and then released; l

a. In apparatus of the character described, a pulley made of two metal halves insulated from each other, a cord having a air of conductors therein, the said and em "wound upon the pplley'and the said con uctor's being connected to-the said metal halves, respectively, a suitable casing't'or the pulley, means for suitably'cari ying the circult of each conductor eff to suitable connection terminals, and a coil 5 ring on each side i of the pulley actinr o'n t e latter whereby the cord'is-rewound upon'the pulleyv after being unwound therefrom and then released 5. A. switchboard cord reel comprising a pulley .mad of two -formed sheet-metal halves suitably secured together and 'insul ated from each other whereby the said halves maybe included in the'circuits of the respective strands of a cord carried by the pulley, suitable mcaus for mounting the pulley in place; and spring mechanism acting on the pulley to automatically wind the cord thereon when the latter is not in use, the said spring mechanism constituting parts of the said circuits.

6. The combination with a switchboard board cord; sai

plug shelf, of a pulley located beneath the casin beingadaptedtobe included in the halves of the pulley and circuits of theu'espective strands 0d the cord, and spring mechanism acting on the pulley to automatically wind the cord there on when the latter isnot in use.

'7. The combination with a switchboard plug shelf, of a pulley located beneath the shelf and adapted to carry a switchboard cord, a casing for the pulley suitably mounted to properly position-the pulley,said cas ing bein made in halves which are suitably insu'lat from each other whereby the circuits or the respective strands of the cord may be carried through the said halves, a

pulley made of two metal halves suitably secured together and insulated from each other whereby the said halves may be in- -eluded in the circuits of the respective strands of a cord carried by the pulley, and

spring mechanism acting on the pulley to automatically wind the cord thereon when the latter is not in use, the said spring mechanism constituting parts of the said circuits.

9. A pulley of the character described harm COZltlUClZlVG POZUGDS suitably insu- ?lated rom each other whereby they may be included in the circuits of respective strands carried by the pulley, spring mechanism in the said ciicuits and acting on the pulley to automatically Wind the said strands thereon as desired, and means for suitably extending the said circuits to suitable-connection ten mmals.

10. A switchboard cord. reel comprising a pulley made of two metal halves suitably secured togetherand insulated from each other whereby the said halves may be included in the circuits or the respective strands of a cord carried by the pulley, and coil springs acting on the-pulley to auto 'n'iatically wind the cord thereonywhenthe latter is not in use, the said springs being included in the respective'circuits of'the said strands. I I

11. ll. pulley of the character described. having conductive portion" suitably insulated from each other-whereby they may be included in the circuits of respective strands carried by the pulley, and spring members inc are

spring members bein included in the re ispective circuits of the said strands.

12, A switchboard cord reel comprising a pulley made of two metal halves suitabl secured together and insulated from each other whereby the said halves may be included in the circuits of the. res ive strands of a cord carried by the p e a casing for the ulley made of metal ha ves which are suita ly insulated from each other, and coil sprin acting between the all and casing an conductively-connec wit the respective halves thereof whereby the circuits of the said strands are extended through the respective halves of the ulley, the respective coil springs and the respective halves of the casing, the said a rings causing the pulley to automatic y wind the cord thereon when the latter is not in use.

13. A pulley of the character described havin conductive portions suitably insu lated rom each other whereby they! h included in the circuits of respective carried by the ulley, a casing for the'pullcy having con uctive portions suitably insulated from each other, and spring membcrs acting on the pulley to automatically wind the said strands thereon as desired, the said spring; members being conductively connected with the conductive portions of the pulley and casing whereby the circuits of the said strands are extended through the respective conductive portions of the ulley,

the respective spring members and t e respective conductive portions of the casing.

14. The combination with a pullcy carrying conducting strands, of spring members acting on thc pullcy to wind the said strands thcrcon, the said spring mcmbcrs being ini conducti strands of a casing for 25 suiated ,fr

sulatcd from cach othcr and included in the respective circuits of the said strands.

15. The combination with a pulley car-f ryiug a plurality of conducting strands, of spring mechanism acting on the pulley to rotatc sanunthc said sprin mcchanism havill" portions thereof insu atcd from each ot icr and included in tho respective circuits of the said strands when by the said circuits are oxtcnded olf from the pulley.

16. A pulley of the character described having conductive portions insulated from each other whereby they may be included in the circuits of respective strands carried by the pulley, and spring mechanism acting on -the pulley to rotate same and constitutin parts of the respective circuits of the sai strands.

17. The combination with a pulley carryt e ey, com rising conductive portions in- Inch other whereby they may be included in the respective circuits of the said strands, and means for conductivcly connecting the said strands with the respective conductive portions of the casing.

18."The combination with a pulley carrying conducting strands, of spring members acting on the pulley to wind t c said strands thereon as desired, the said spring members being included in the respective circuits of the said strands, and a casing for the pulley, comprising conductive portions insulated from each other whereby they may be included in the respective circuits of the said strands.

'19. The combination with a pulley carrying a plurality of conducting strands, of spring mechanism acting on the pulley to rotate same and constitut parts of the respective circuits of thesai strands, and a casing for the pulle comprisin conductive portions insulated rom each ot er whereby they may be included in the respective circuits of the and strands.

20. A pulley of the character described avin conductive portions suitably insulated om each other whereby they may be included in the circuits of respective strands carried by the pulley, sprin members acting on the ulley to automatically wind the said strand;- thereon as desired, the said 'springmembers being included in the respectlve circuits of the said strands, and a casing for the pullc comprisin conductive portions-insulated roni each 0t 10: whereby they may be included in the respective circuits 0f the said strands. I

21. A pulley of the character described having conductive portions insulated from each other whereby they maybe included in the res .ctive circuits of strands carried by the pul ey, and spring mechanism acting on the pulley to rotate same and constituting a part 0 the circuit of at lcast one of the said strands.

22. The combination with a pulley carrying comlnctivc strands tho circuits of which are insulated from each other at the pulley, of a casing for tho ulley having at least a portion thereof inclildrd in the circuit of one of the said strands, and spring mechanism actin" on the pulley to rotate same and servin to ronductively connect the said portion 0 the-casing with its said strand.

23. The combination with a pulley carrying conductive strands the circuits of which are insulated from each other at the pulley, of a casing for the pulley having portions thereof insulated from each other and included in the respective circuits of lthe said strands, whereby thesuid circuits are extended oil from the pulley.

24. A ulleyhavin conductive )ortionsinsulated rom each ot er whereby t hcy m 1 included in the respective circuits of strands, carried by the pulley, a casing for tho. pniicy comprising conductive portions insulated subgcribe my name in the presence of two from each other whgreby they may be insubscribing witnesses this 24th day of May chided in the respective ciruits of the said 1907.- v strands to extend the said circuits 01f from FREDERICK R. PARKER. 5 the pulley and spring mechanism acting on Witnesses:

the pulley to rotate same. WAUIER A. GREIG, As inventor of the foregoingl hereunto CEPHAS B. ADAMS.

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