Cord Holding Device

Abstract

A cord storage device and method of using is provided whereby the device has a collecting reel, a cord storage arbor associated with said collecting reel and configured with at least one locking leaf spring, and a cover removably attached to said collecting reel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Although there are many devices for organizing and managing electrical cords and cables, there are significant shortfalls in their configuration. These shortfalls provide for devices that have varying levels of functionality and efficiency. The present invention addresses the known deficiencies and provides and improved cord-holding device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Although the term "cord" is used herein, the present invention is contemplated as being used with electrical cords, electric wires, computer cables, and the like.

[0003] The device is installed in the center of an existing appliance electrical cord. It is fed into the locking slot that is then locked into place. The device is then rotated pulling the appliance and receptacle ends towards each other, until they meet together at the device.

[0004] The device is used to neatly store any existing electrical cord attached to a device or appliance (i.e. toaster, blender, curling iron, blow dryer). The device will easily install helping to neatly roll up and store the cords to stop clutter and possible cord damage.

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention is a cord storage device comprising:

a collecting reel; a cord storage arbor associated with said collecting reel and configured with at one least angular lead ramp; and a cover removably attached to said collecting reel.

[0006] In one embodiment, the collecting reel is constructed and arranged to receive a section of cord or when either or both terminal ends of said electrical cord or electrical wire are connected or otherwise engaged and thus inaccessible for winding.

[0007] The device includes a cord entrance slot and a cord exit slot. As generally understood, the cord storage arbor includes a circumferral or peripheral planar surface for supporting a section of electrical cord wound thereabout.

[0008] In one embodiment, the collecting reel includes at least one cord lead in ramp having an angular configuration relative to a planar base of said collecting reel. That is to say, the collecting reel has a base that forms a plane and relative to this plane is a ramp angularly configured upward from the base configured to angularly position a section of cord wound about said cord storage arbor as best seen in FIG. 2.

[0009] The cord storage arbor includes a cord entrance groove constructed and arranged around a central axis of said collecting reel.

[0010] Also contemplated is a method of storing a length of an electrical cord, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device according to any configuration of the present invention described herein; positioning a portion of a cord through said cord entrance groove; rotating said collecting reel, whereby said rotating results in the positioning of a length of cord about an outer planar circumferential surface of said cord storage arbor; covering said collecting reel with said cover.

[0011] The method positioning includes placement of a cord on a cord lead in starting ramp configured to impart an angular configuration on said cord when wound around said cord storage arbor.

[0012] In one embodiment, the method is further comprising the step of positioning said cord through an entrance and an exit configured in the cover.

[0013] In one embodiment, the positioned cord has a first end and a second end each engaged and inaccessible for winding. For example, an appliance electric cord is connected on one end to the appliance and on a second end into an electrical outlet.

[0014] In another embodiment, the positioned cord has a first end and a second end where at least on of said ends is engaged and inaccessible for winding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side separated a view with the cover removed of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of the cover of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of the collecting wheel and spring of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the collecting wheel and spring of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side partial cross section along sections lines A-A from FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The present invention is a device configured for accommodating excess lengths of wire typically electrical cords and or computer transmission cables.

[0023] Cord storage device assembly 10 is configured to interact with a cord 12 and provide storage for excess cord line length. Locking cover 16 is positioned over a collecting reel 14 having a cord storage arbor 28 associated with therewith. Cord storage arbor 28 is configured with a leaf spring pocket 26, in one embodiment, a locking leaf spring 18 and a court entrance 22 that leads to a cord lead in ramp 24. Cord storage device assembly 10 includes a cord entrance slot 30 a cord exit slot 32. Although a spring is demonstrated for one embodiment, e.g. in FIGS. 5-7 and the present invention also includes an embodiment without spring 18 in which the configuration of arbor 28 secured a cord in position.

[0024] Locking cover 16 is provided with a securing mechanism constructed on arranged to secure locking cover 16 into position over collecting reel 14. Although the figure demonstrates a cotter pin locking configuration utilizing cotter pin 20, the present invention contemplates any acceptable removable attachment configuration providing a removably detachable arrangement of locking cover 16 onto collecting reel 14.

[0025] In use, a user will remove locking cover 16 thus exposing each of the components associated with collecting reel 14. A user will then feed the desired cord through cord entrance groove 22 leading to cord lead in ramp 24. The configuration of ramp 24 with angular lead in from groove 22 into cord storage arbor 28 provides a secure configuration for holding the cord in place without need of additional locking elements. In one embodiment, cord lead lamp 24 has an angle of elevation relative to the horizontal plane of collecting reel 14 of about 1-15 degrees, with a preferred angle of about 2-10 degrees.

[0026] The user will then rotate collecting reel 14 resulting in positioning of cord 12 about the outer surface perimeter of cord storage arbor 28. Rotation of reel 14 will continue until a desired length of cord 12 is coiled and positioned about the circumference of cord storage arbor 28.

[0027] In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIG. 5, court storage arbor 28 has associated therewith a locking leaf spring 18 and leaf is urged by tension against core 12 positioned in cord lead in starting ramp 24. Arbor 28 is configured with an entrance curve, central curve offset from the geometric center of the device, and an exit curve, whereby each to the entrance and exit are substantially on opposing circumferential positions about the circumference of arbor 28, as best seen in FIGS. 5-7. Although the channel is not through the geometric center of arbor 28, it is contemplated the structure of arbor 28 be centrally positioned in the device. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention includes an arbor positioned in a geometric center and an off center dual curved channel passing through the arbor.

[0028] Once the desired length has been positioned, a user will replace locking cover 16 onto collecting reel 14 and secure locking cover 16 into a fixed position. The configuration will then be as presented in FIG. 1 whereby a portion of the cord is accessible from outside of device 10 and a portion of cord 12 is coiled underneath locking cover 16.

[0029] The overall cord storage device 10 is configured such that if either or both ends of cord 12 are engaged one need not just engage either or both ends in order to utilize the cord storage capabilities of the present invention. Each engaged and of record 12 is permitted to remain in place and the excess length of cord 12 is positioned as described herein, wound around cord storage arbor 28 closed with in locking cover 16 and ultimately resulting in a significant reduction in visible and accessible cord length.

[0030] While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cord storage device comprising: a collecting reel; a cord storage arbor associated with said collecting reel and configured with at one least lead ramp; and a cover removably attached to said collecting reel.

2. The device of claim 1 whereby said collecting reel is constructed and arranged to receive a section of electrical cord or electrical wire when either or both terminal ends of said electrical cord or electrical wire are connected or otherwise engaged.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a court entrance slot and a cord exit slot.

4. The device of claim 1 whereby said cord storage arbor includes a peripheral planar surface for supporting a section of electrical cord or electrical wire wound thereabout.

5. The device of claim 1 whereby said collecting reel includes at least one cord lead in ramp having an angular configuration relative to a planar base of said collecting reel.

6. The device of claim 5 whereby said cord lead in ramp is configured to angularly position a section of cord wound about said cord storage arbor.

7. The device of claim 1 whereby said cord storage arbor includes a cord entrance groove constructed and arranged around a central axis of said collecting reel.

8. A method of storing a length of an electrical cord, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device according to claim 1; positioning a portion of a cord through said cord entrance groove; rotating said collecting reel, whereby said rotating results in the positioning of a length of cord about an outer planar circumferential surface of said cord storage arbor; covering said collecting reel with said cover.

9. The method of claim 8 whereby said positioning includes placement of a cord on a cord lead in starting ramp configured to impart an angular configuration on said cord when wound around said cord storage arbor.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of positioning said cord through an entrance and an exit configured in the cover.

11. The method of claim 8 whereby said positioned cord has a first end and a second end each engaged and inaccessible for winding.

12. The method of claim 8 whereby said positioned cord has a first end and a second end where at least on of said ends is engaged and inaccessible for winding.

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