Traceable Cable Drum and Kit for Traceable Cable Drum

Abstract

A traceable cable drum includes a reel region, at least one flange region, a cradle having anchor members configured for anchoring the cradle to the flange region, and a sensor case containing a tracking sensor and configured for being inserted into the cradle. The cradle includes a number of engagement elements and the sensor case includes a number of connection elements. The engagement elements or the connection elements are movable between a retain condition where the engagement elements and the connection elements cooperate to retain the sensor case in the cradle, and a release condition where the engagement elements and the connection elements are disengaged and the sensor case is extractable from the cradle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A traceable cable drum comprising:
 a reel region;   a flange region;   a cradle comprising anchor members configured for anchoring the cradle to the flange region, wherein the cradle comprises a plurality of engagement elements; and   a sensor case containing a tracking sensor and configured for being inserted into the cradle, wherein the sensor case comprises a plurality of connection elements, the plurality of engagement elements or the plurality of connection elements being movable between a retain condition where the plurality of engagement elements and the plurality of connection elements cooperate to retain the sensor case in the cradle, and a release condition where the plurality of engagement elements and the plurality of connection elements are disengaged and the sensor case is extractable from the cradle.   
     
     
         2 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the release condition, the plurality of engagement elements or the plurality of connection elements are elastically deformed. 
     
     
         3 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of engagement elements comprises a plurality of engagement clips and the plurality of connection elements comprise a plurality of recesses such that each engagement clip is inserted into a corresponding recess in the retain condition. 
     
     
         4 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 3 , wherein each recess of the plurality of recesses is provided in a lateral wall of the sensor case and has a closed end. 
     
     
         5 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 4 , wherein the cradle comprises a hollow portion and a flange portion and wherein the anchor members comprise a plurality of indented flaps provided on the hollow portion of the cradle, the indented flaps being outward elastically deformed by the sensor case when inserted into the hollow portion of the cradle, wherein the engagement clips are provided on the hollow portion of the cradle each engagement clip is aligned with at least one indented flaps and being placed closer to the flange portion of the cradle. 
     
     
         6 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensor case comprises a plurality of slots for accessing to the plurality of engagement clips and for moving the engagement clips from the retain to the release condition, at least some of the slots being covered by relevant detachable flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensor case comprises lateral walls surrounding a cavity for containing the tracking sensor and a lid for closing the cavity, the plurality of slots being provided on the lid and presents an arched shape. 
     
     
         8 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 1 , wherein the cradle comprises a hollow portion and a flange portion, the hollow portion being configured for receiving the sensor case and the flange portion being configured for abutting on the flange region. 
     
     
         9 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor members comprise holes in the flange portion of the cradle configured for being engaged by screw heads. 
     
     
         10 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 9 , wherein the sensor case comprises lateral walls surrounding a cavity for containing the tracking sensor and a lid for closing the cavity, the lid abutting on the flange portion of the cradle and covering the holes. 
     
     
         11 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor members comprise a plurality of indented flaps provided on the hollow portion of the cradle, the indented flaps being outward elastically deformed by the sensor case when inserted into the hollow portion of the cradle. 
     
     
         12 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor case comprises lateral walls surrounding a cavity for containing the tracking sensor and a lid for closing the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The traceable cable drum according to  claim 12 , wherein the lid comprises a recessed rib configured for being gripped by an extraction tool. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for a traceable cable drum, the comprising:
 a cradle configured to be anchored to a cable drum and comprising a plurality of engagement clips;   a sensor case containing a tracking sensor, the sensor case comprising a plurality of recesses and configured to be inserted into the cradle so that the engagement clips engage the recesses; and   a disengaging tool configured for contacting the engagement clips and disengaging the engagement clips from the recesses.   
     
     
         15 . The kit according to  claim 14 , wherein the sensor case comprises a lid having a plurality of slots, the disengaging tool comprising a plurality of pins configured for being inserted into the slots and for contacting the engagement clips.