I am in need of a retractable Cat5 cable, but NOT those kind that are so common. (The kind that you have to pull in both directions at the same time) Think like the retracting power cable on old vacumes. I need something that can install in the wall, pull the cable out, and then have it retract into the wall. It doesn't have to be long, the more compact the better. Anyone seen anything like this?
Dont ones like those use a ring shaped contact and a brush (aka slip ring if I remember right)? Would cat5 even be useable with a setup like that?
One's I've seen (on hoovers) use a constant-force spring, like in a tape-measure or car seat-belt retractor.
Are you trying to integrate it into the outlet or have something similar to those garden hose reels? I did manage to find a stand-alone single-pull spool made by teleAdapt that's meant for hotel applications. It's even available with a power outlet extension. $15 at: http://webstore.stayonline.net/store/?page=shop/browse Product family page: http://www.teleadapt.com/hotels/deskhub.php Edit: TeleAdapt also offers an in-wall version called the WallHub. Glad to put my strange googling skills to good use.
I know what your takling about, I have one, but it has a telephone cable inside. I'll take the one apart when I get home in a week if you still haven't found anything. I'm pretty sure that the thing it uses is one of the springs that looks like the sega dreamcast logo, which is the one cpemma is describing I believe. Also that would work pretty good, I took an airsoft hicap magazine apart a while ago and was fooling around with the spring inside of it, it should do exactly what you want.
I wish I could find a USB like that. (But smaller) I had to use the pull at both ends to mod the car keyboard. It's not so bad as I'm usually pulling from the keyboard and the other end is anchored, but it would look cleaner if the spool wasn't in the middle and swinging like a little pendulum.
