Holders for wound cables. The holders include retention features to control the rate at which cable windings are unwound during cable deployment. In some examples, the cable holder includes a pair of spaced apart spools and the cable is wound in windings configured as figure-8's. In some examples, the retention features include flexibly resilient fingers positioned to contact the windings at one or more retention points positioned at a deployment end of the holder.

An intelligent cable storage drum system for use in a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The system may include a cable storage drum, a video push-cable removably disposed on the cable storage drum, the video push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end, a video camera head having a camera output for providing analog or digital images or video output signals, and a transceiver module operatively coupled to the camera output for receiving the analog or digital images or video output signals and sending the received signals to a remote receiver.

A storage system includes a protective housing member configured to mate with a handheld electronic device. The protective housing member includes a charging area formed between a surface of the protective housing member and a surface of an accessory item of the handheld electronic device. The charging area is configured to charge the accessory item of the handheld electronic device. The charging area is powered by at last one power component of the protective housing member or at least one power component of the handheld electronic device. The storage system further includes at least one integrated circuit which is either a component of the handheld electronic device or a component of the protective housing member.

Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

A ratcheting strap storage assembly for includes a box that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment contains a ratcheting mechanism of a ratcheting strap for storage. The second compartment contains a strap of the ratcheting strap being coiled therein for storage. A winding mechanism is rotatably coupled to the box and the strap of the ratcheting strap is coupled to the winding mechanism. The winding mechanism wraps the strap therearound when the winding mechanism is rotated in a winding direction to coil the strap within the second compartment for storage. The winding mechanism unwinds the strap when the winding mechanism is rotated in the unwinding direction to release the strap from the box.

Bags and bag assemblies are provided for facilitating tangle-free storage of cords, ropes, cables, and other long and flexible members within the bags and bag assemblies. The body of the bag includes two compartments which are at least partially separated from each other by an internal divider. Each of the two compartments include outer surfaces which define respective openings that each include a closing mechanism for selectively switching between an open and closed configuration. The internal divider is positioned directly between the two openings, and the bag is configured to provide access to the cord in the bag from either of the openings.

A fastening device includes a main part and a fastening member. The main part is composed of a base, a spool, a knob and an engaging unit. The fastening member disposed at the main part. The spool is disposed at the base. The knob disposed at the base includes a spiral track. The engaging unit coupled to the spool includes a guiding portion coupled to the spiral track. The guiding portion is limitedly moved along the spiral track by rotating the knob such that the engaging unit has a first position and a second position relative to the knob. The engaging unit prohibits the spool from rotating toward a releasing direction when the engaging unit is at the first position, and the engaging unit allows the spool to be rotated toward the releasing direction when the engaging unit is at the second position.

A drain cleaning system is described that includes a drain cleaning device with a flexible drain cleaning cable, and two or more sections of guide hoses that can be attached to one another and/or to the device. Also described are systems that include provisions for advancing or retracting the drain cleaning cable and which can also be coupled to one or more of the guide hoses.

A multipurpose accessory and storage system for an electronic device includes a housing member attaching to the electronic device and a charging station structured on the housing member to charge, arrest and dispense an accessory item. The accessory item includes a protective membrane housing a logic board, a power component, an image sensor, a transmitter configured to transfer a signal or data to the electronic device or the housing member and a software program stored in the logic board. The transmitter establishes a pairing or electronic connection between the electronic device or the housing member and the accessory item. The pairing or electronic connection enables content captured by the image sensor to be relayed to the electronic device to permit a user to view the content on the display of the electronic device and/or to control components and features of the accessory item via the electronic device.

Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.