Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for delivering energy and material, such as electricity, air and fluid, from a source (22) to a driven device (24). The apparatus (20) comprises at least one flexible elongated member (26) selected from the group of electrical conductors, air hoses, fluid hoses and the like. The elongated member has a feed portion (114) with a feed end (42) connectable to the source, a slack portion (118), a supply portion (120) with a supply end (43) connectable to the driven device, a first portion (128) between the feed portion and the slack portion, and a second portion (134) between the slack portion and the supply portion. The apparatus also includes a stationary hub (74) and a spool (78) connected to the hub. The spool is rotatable between stored and deployed conditions relative to said hub. A winding wall (82) on the spool is spaced away from the hub and has an internal surface (86), an oppositely disposed winding surface (88), and an aperture (90) extending therethrough. A storage compartment (112) is positioned between the hub and the internal surface. A first clamp (101) on the hub fixes the first portion of the elongated member relative to the hub, positions the supply portion to extend away from the reel, and positions the slack portion to extend into the storage compartment. A second clamp (132) on the spool fixes the second portion relative to the spool and positions the supply portion to extend through the aperture.

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First Claim