An assembly that includes a wedge and mandrel that share an axis of rotation and can be rotated independently or simultaneously to stow or deploy slit-tube longerons. A wedge is crescent shaped, with a height that increases along an outer perimeter as the arc of the crescent is traversed from a first end to a second end. The changing height of the wedge allows a slit-tube longeron to be flattened for stowage or can be disengaged to allow the tube to curl up for deployment.

A movement-tolerant wiring arrangement for, among other things, a stand device configured for arrangement in an operating room incorporates a mounting apparatus for movement-tolerant mounting of at least one line, for example a cable, about an axis of rotation between two connection components that are displaceable, such as being twistable, relative to one another; and a fastening apparatus for arranging the at least one line relative to one of the connection components, for example at a socket of the stand device; wherein the mounting apparatus is fixable to the fastening apparatus and configured for movement-tolerant, such as, rotation-tolerant guidance of the at least one line about the axis of rotation and/or in the direction at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, a rotary joint, a socket or a stand device, respectively, can incorporate such a wiring arrangement, and can use of such a wiring arrangement at a stand device, for example, in the operating room.

The current invention concerns an improved motorized cable reel, specifically for a more stable and safer winding of the cables therearound,

An electric cord storage and deployment device offering safe and convenient deployment, retraction, and storage of the cord both at deployed and retracted states. The device comprises a reel upon which the cord having plugs at each end, may be spooled. The reel has a hub compartment dimensioned for storing at least a portion of one plug and a length of cord to which the plug is coupled. During deployment the plug not disposed in the hub compartment is connected to a receptacle, and the reel is brought near the second receptacle. The plug in the hub compartment safely rotates with the reel and is protected within the hub compartment to prevent tangling or personal injury. When the cord storage device is near the second receptacle the plug stored in the hub may be withdrawn with the length of cord stored in the compartment and coupled to the second receptacle. Additional features for protecting the cord, easing deployment, and storage of the device are also provided.

Liquid nutrients are continuously applied to a first group of rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with a boom having one end pivotally connected to an applicator and a tractor. The boom provides a liquid supply line from the drag hose to the center or one end of the applicator. At the opposite end of the field, the tractor and applicator turn 180 while the boom pivots to project from one end of the applicator to the drag hose. The tractor returns down adjacent rows back to the first end of the field with the boom projecting to the drag hose while the reel simultaneously retracts the hose between the two crop rows. The reel is moved axially to a third group of rows, and the steps are repeated.

A telecommunications cable spool for storing, paying-out, and reeling-in a telecommunications cable includes a spool, an axis of rotation, and a rotatable cable guide mounted about the axis. The spool defines a wrapping area that receives a plurality of wraps of the cable and defines a circumference. The axis passes through the spool within the circumference. The guide defines a rotating cable guide path with a first end adjacent the wrapping area and a second end positioned near the axis. The first end of the path is oriented at least partially tangential to the circumference, and the second end of the path is oriented at least partially aligned with the axis. The cable is routed along a cable route that extends between first and second ends with a storage portion between the ends of the route. The route includes a transitional portion along the guide path between the storage portion and the second end of the route. A portion of the transitional portion is routed through a center of the storage portion. A deployed portion of the cable is paid-out from the second end of the cable route.

A flexible pipe containment sled includes a platform and a first sled portion coupled to a bottom surface of the platform. The first sled portion is disposed at a first side of the platform. The sled also includes a second sled portion coupled to the bottom surface of the platform. The second sled portion is disposed at a second side of the platform opposite to the first side of the platform. The sled also includes a passage formed between the first and second sled portions. The passage is configured to allow a flexible pipe to pass through the passage while the flexible pipe containment sled is placed on a surface.

A protractible and retractable mast system for an autonomous mobile robot includes an elongate flexible member including a first lateral end and a second lateral end, and a fastener having a first portion extending along a length of the first lateral end and a second portion extending along a length of the second lateral end. The flexible member is configured to be at least partially coiled within a body of the robot, and a portion of the flexible member is vertically movable away from the body when the flexible member is being uncoiled. The fastener is configured to connect the first lateral end to the second lateral end when the flexible member is being uncoiled, and disconnect the first lateral end from the second lateral end when the flexible member is being coiled.

Liquid nutrients are continuously applied to rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with a boom having a forward end pivotally connected to an applicator mounted on a tractor and a rearward end supported by a wheel. The boom carries a supply line having a rearward end connected to the drag hose and a forward end connector to the applicator having the same length as the boom. At the opposite end of the field, the tractor and applicator turn 180 while the boom passes over the applicator. The tractor returns down a second plurality of rows back to the first end of the field while the reel simultaneously retracts the hose between the two rows of crops. The reel is moved to a third plurality of rows the steps are repeated.

Cable laying devices for use with aircraft that are airborne are provided, which use a cable spool to deliver cable along a landscape. These devices incorporate a braking means that is actuated by cable tension, a means for cutting the cable which is controlled remotely and/or a motorized winding mechanism.