Reel and reel housing

Abstract

A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A reel comprising:
 a rotatable element onto which an electrical cord can be spooled;   a power connector on the rotatable element, the power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord, the reel configured to be connected to a power source and to convey electrical power from the power source to the power connector; and   one or more switches configured to shut off power from the power source to the power connector if a temperature of the reel or of the electrical cord exceeds a threshold.   
     
     
         3 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more switches is configured to open when it detects a temperature that exceeds the threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more switches comprises two or more switches connected in parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature of the electrical cord spooled onto the rotatable element. 
     
     
         6 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature on or within a housing of the reel. 
     
     
         7 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature near a surface of the rotatable element. 
     
     
         8 . The reel of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor formed separately from the one or more switches, the sensor configured to read a temperature and send a temperature signal indicative of the read temperature, at least one of the one or more switches configured to receive the temperature signal and move to an open position if the temperature exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The reel of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more switches comprises a thermostat. 
     
     
         10 . The reel of  claim 2 , further comprising a ground fault interrupter configured to disable a flow of electrical current from the power source to the power connector when an incoming electrical current to said ground fault interrupter does not equal an outgoing electrical current from said ground fault interrupter. 
     
     
         11 . The reel of  claim 2 , further comprising a set of concentric, electrically conductive rings on an end plate of the rotatable element, wherein the rings convey the electrical power from the power source to the power connector. 
     
     
         12 . The reel of  claim 2 , further comprising the electrical cord. 
     
     
         13 . A reel comprising:
 a rotatable element onto which an electrical cord can be spooled;   a power connector configured to provide power to the electrical cord from a power source;   at least one sensor configured to detect a temperature of the reel or of the electrical cord and generate a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature; and   at least one switch configured to receive the temperature signal from the sensor and shut off power from the power source to the electrical cord if the detected temperature exceeds a threshold.   
     
     
         14 . The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one switch comprises two or more switches connected in parallel. 
     
     
         15 . A reel comprising:
 a rotatable element onto which an electrical cord can be spooled;   a power connector on the rotatable element, the power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord, the reel configured to be connected to a power source that provides electrical power to the power connector and to the electrical cord; and   a ground fault interrupter located in or on the reel and configured to disable a flow of electrical current from the power source to the power connector when an incoming electrical incoming current to said ground fault interrupter does not equal an outgoing electrical current from said ground fault interrupter.   
     
     
         16 . The reel of  claim 15 , further comprising a set of concentric, electrically conductive rings on an end plate of the rotatable element, wherein the rings convey electrical power from the power source to the power connector; 
     
     
         17 . A method for electrically powering an electrical cord, comprising:
 providing a reel having a rotatable element;   spooling an electrical cord around said rotatable element;   delivering electrical power to the cord while the cord is spooled around the rotatable element; and   responding to a detection of a temperature of the reel or of the electrical cord in excess of a defined temperature threshold by terminating said delivery of electrical power to the cord.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said terminating comprises opening each of a plurality of temperature-sensitive switches connected in parallel between an electrical power source and the cord, wherein each switch independently detects a temperature and opens if the detected temperature exceeds said temperature threshold. 
     
     
         19 . A method for electrically powering an electrical cord, comprising:
 providing a reel having a rotatable element;   spooling an electrical cord around said rotatable element;   delivering electrical power to the cord while the cord is spooled around the rotatable element; and   responding to a detection of, at a location within or on the reel, an imbalance between an electrical current flowing to said cord and an electrical current returning from said cord by terminating said delivery of electrical power to the cord.