ELECTRIC CORD SPOOL WITH IN-LINE HANDLE AND CORD-END ISOLATORS

Abstract

An electric cord storage device is provided. The electric cord storage device includes an elongate member, a first retaining member having a notch and a second retaining member having a notch. The elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member. The device includes a handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member. The notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound around the elongate member. The other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to electric cord storing devices and more particularly to an electric cord storage device with an in-line handle and cord end isolator.

State of the Art

When storing electric cords, wires, ropes or twines (all referred to, herein, as “cord” or “cords”), often the cords become entangled and difficult to use at a later date. Even when wound around a spool, the ends either cannot be conveniently located or the cord comes unwound, loose and prior art models are difficult to handle when trying to wind or unwind by hand.

Accordingly, there is a need in for an improved electric cord storage device that overcomes these drawbacks of prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric cord storage system having an elongate member coupled between two retaining members. An electric cord may have an end retained and isolated using one of the retaining member to allow the cord to be wound around the elongate member between the retaining member and the other end of the electric cord may the be retained and isolated using one of the retaining members.

An embodiment includes an electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member; a first retaining member comprising a notch; a second retaining member comprising a notch, wherein the elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member; and a handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric cord wound around the elongate member and the other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member.

Another embodiment includes an electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member; a first retaining member that is disc shaped and comprising two T-shaped notches; a second retaining member that is disc shaped and comprising two T-shaped notches, wherein the elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member; and a handle having a hook, the handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound around the elongate member and the other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member, and wherein the elongate member, the first retaining member, the second retaining member and the handle are a single unitary body.

Yet another embodiment includes a method of using an electric cord storage device, the method comprising: receiving, retaining and isolating a first end of an electric cord using a first or second retaining member of electric cord storage device; winding the electric cord around an elongate member of the electric cord storage device coupled between the first and second retaining members; receiving, retaining and isolating a second end of the electric cord using the first or second retaining member of the electric cord storage device; and storing the electric cord storage device with the electric cord coupled to it using a hook of an in-line handle of the electric cord storage device.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is side view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an electric cord storage device taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an end view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a handle end view of an electric cord storage device, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an electric cord storage system having an elongate member coupled between two retaining members. An electric cord may have an end retained and isolated using one of the retaining member to allow the cord to be wound around the elongate member between the retaining member and the other end of the electric cord may the be retained and isolated using one of the retaining members.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an electric cord storage device 10 is depicted in accordance with an embodiment. The device 10 may include a first retaining member 12, a second retaining member 16, an in-line handle 20 and an elongate member 24. The first retaining member 12 may be a disc or a flange coupled to an end of the elongate member 24. The first retaining member 12 may include at least one notch 14 that is T-shaped. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first retaining member 12 is circular in shape, such as, but not limited to a disc shape, and includes two notches 14 that are T-shaped. The T-shape notch 14 includes a tapered opening extending from the edge of the first retaining member 12, wherein the opening narrows as notch 14 extends radially into the first retaining member 12. The notch 14 then extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically. The narrowing of the notch 14 provides additional friction to an end of an electric cord inserted within the notch 14 to isolate the end of the electric cord and resist accidental removal of the isolated end of the cord from the notch 14. This allows the user to wind the cord onto the electric cord storage device 10 much easier without the worry of the end of the electric cord coming loose during winding. If the winding ends, the notch 14 may also be used to retain the other end of the electric cord to keep the electric cord from falling off and thereby retaining the electric cord on the device 10.

The second retaining member 16 may be a disc or a flange coupled to an end of the elongate member 24 opposite of the first retaining member 12. The second retaining member 16 may include at least one notch 18 that is T-shaped. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the second retaining member 16 is circular in shape includes two notches 18 that are T-shaped. The T-shape notch 18 includes a tapered opening extending from the edge of the second retaining member 16, wherein the opening narrows as notch 18 extends radially into the second retaining member 16. The notch then extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically. The narrowing of the notch 18 provides additional friction to an end of an electric cord inserted within the notch 18 to isolate the end of the electric cord and resist accidental removal of the isolated end of the cord from the notch 18. This allows the user to wind the cord onto the electric cord storage device 10 much easier without the worry of the end of the electric cord coming loose during winding. If the winding ends, the notch 18 may also be used to retain the other end of the electric cord to keep the electric cord from falling off and thereby retaining the electric cord on the device 10.

The elongate member 24 is coupled between the first retaining member 12 and the second retaining member 16. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the elongate member 24 may be a circular cylinder shape. While elongate member 24 is depicted as a circular shaft, it will be understood that the cross section of elongate member 24 may be any shape, such as a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon and any rectilinear or curvilinear shape that is elongate to form a shaft. In some embodiments the elongate member 24 can be made of multiple component parts such as, but not limited to, a slip rod or telescoping member that can be extended or collapsed to adjust the length of the elongate member to account for varying lengths of electric cord to be stored. Once an electric cord is isolated within a notch 14 or a notch 18, the electric cord is wound around the elongate member 24 between the first retaining member 12 and the second retaining member 16. The retaining members 12 and 16 operate to retain the electric cord on the elongate member 24 to keep the electric cord from sliding off an end of the elongate member 24. The elongate member 24 includes an axis that extends along the length of the elongate member in a center of the elongate member. It will be understood that the elongate member 24 may be fixedly coupled between the first retaining member 12 and the second retaining member 16, however, in other embodiments, the elongate member 24 may be rotatably coupled between the first and second elongate members 12 and 16 to be rotated about an axis.

The in-line handle 20 is coupled to the second retaining member 16 on an opposite side of the second retaining member that is coupled to the elongate member 24. The handle 20 is inline with the elongate member 24. The handle 20 may include an axis extending through the center and along the length of the handle 20 that is aligned with the axis of the elongate member 24. In at least this way, the handle 16 is in-line with the elongate member 24. This allows the user to wind the electric cord about the elongate member 24 utilizing the handle 20 to hold and rotate the device 10 using one hand and then control and guide the electric cord onto the elongate member 24 using the other hand. The handle 16 may include a notch 22 extending through it with a hook end 30. The notch 22 with a hook end for storing the device 10 by hanging it on a line, a hook or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electric storage device comprising the first retaining member 12, the second retaining member 16, the handle 20, the elongate member 24 and all other components discussed above may be formed as a single unitary body. In some embodiments the elongate member 24 can be made of multiple component parts such as, but not limited to, a slip rod or telescoping member that can be extended or collapsed to adjust the length of the elongate member to account for varying lengths of electric cord to be stored.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of using an electric cord storage system. The method of use includes receiving, retaining and isolating a first end of an electric cord using a first or second retaining member of electric cord storage device; winding the electric cord around an elongate member of the electric cord storage device coupled between the first and second retaining members; receiving, retaining and isolating a second end of the electric cord using the first or second retaining member of the electric cord storage device; and storing the electric cord storage device with the electric cord coupled to it using a hook of an in-line handle of the electric cord storage device.

The method step of receiving, retaining and isolating the first end of the electric cord may comprise coupling the first end of the electric cord within a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member; and receiving retaining and isolating the second end of the electric cord each comprise coupling the second end of the electric cord within a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member.

The components defining any electric cord storage device may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of an electric cord storage device. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any electric cord storage device may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.

Claims

1. An electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member;a first retaining member comprising a notch;a second retaining member comprising a notch, wherein the elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member; anda handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound around the elongate member and the other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first retaining member is a disc shape.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first retaining member comprises two notches.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the notches of the first retaining member are T-shaped notches.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extending from an edge of the first retaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extends radially into the first retaining member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second retaining member is a disc shape.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second retaining member comprises two notches.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the notches of the second retaining member are T-shaped notches.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extending from an edge of the second retaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extends radially into the first retaining member.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein each T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a circular cylindrical shaft.

13. An electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member;a first retaining member that is disc shaped and comprising two T-shaped notches;a second retaining member that is disc shaped and comprising two T-shaped notches, wherein the elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member; anda handle having a hook, the handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound around the elongate member and the other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member; and wherein the elongate member, the first retaining member, the second retaining member and the handle are a single unitary body.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extending from an edge of the first retaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extends radially into the first retaining member.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein each T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extending from an edge of the second retaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extends radially into the first retaining member.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein each T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is a circular cylindrical shaft.

19. A method of using an electric cord storage device, the method comprising: receiving, retaining and isolating a first end of an electric cord using a first or second retaining member of electric cord storage device;winding the electric cord around an elongate member of the electric cord storage device coupled between the first and second retaining members;receiving, retaining and isolating a second end of the electric cord using the first or second retaining member of the electric cord storage device; andstoring the electric cord storage device with the electric cord coupled to it using a hook of an in-line handle of the electric cord storage device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving, retaining and isolating the first end of the electric cord comprises coupling the first end of the electric cord within a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member; and receiving retaining and isolating the second end of the electric cord each comprise coupling the second end of the electric cord within a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member.