Abstract:
A device for releasably positioning a cable on a support surface comprises a first housing component and a second housing component. The first housing component is releasably engaged with the second housing component. At least one channel is defined between the first and second housing components for releasably receiving and positioning a cable, wherein the at least one channel has an inlet and an outlet, and the outlet has a dimension that is smaller than a dimension of the inlet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US09/30529, which has an international filing date of Jan. 9, 2009, and which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,709, filed Jan. 11, 2008. The entire contents of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a cable positioning, holding, and/or guiding structure with a latching quality. An article of manufacture, which consists of two components, e.g., sections, that when placed together create a “cable guiding structure and latching mechanism”, intended to maintain the cable in an organized fashion in its preferred location. The device prevents cable misplacement, or entanglement, and keeps the cable in a location for convenient “presentation” prior to use. 
     The device is a weighted cable guiding and latching device that is useful for personal and business use in maintaining the positions of cables or cords affiliated with common personal electronic devices such as computers, MP3 players, CD Players, telephones, mobile telephones, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and electronic personal gaming devices, etc. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Known devices for holding cables include mobile phone carriages, but these devices are primarily designed to store mobile phones for charging. 
     Similar known devices do not leverage the same method to secure a cable, are not intended to easily be opened or closed for quick access/release of the cable. Some existing patents disclose devices that are functionally designed to manage excess cord, or guide cord through a cylinder to keep it organized or hidden. Examples include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,301,752; 6,425,165; 6,916,992; and 6,740,817. 
     Existing devices have limitations which the present invention addresses:
         Not Universal: Designed exclusively for specific cell phones, or other electronic devices;   Not designed for managing only the cord;   Designed primarily for device to rest on and plug into for charging or power delivery;   Typically, either have solid base which cord powers into, and phone sits in to charge; and   Not designed to remove cord with ease. Typically have to take entire base with when traveling or using in another location.       

     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure therefore provides a latching, weighted, fashionable “product” of manufacture, used to maintain a cable in its desired location such as on a desktop, dresser, table, or counter top, but theoretically on any supporting surface or in any desired location. 
     In one embodiment, a housing consisting of two components which magnetically or otherwise “latch/lock” together, with a channel running between them to form a cylinder which allows the cable to pass therethrough. The cable can slide through the cylinder, but is restricted at the exit point opening which is large enough to allow the cable to move, but small enough to prevent a device connector on the end of the cable from passing back through the cylinder exit point. The cable therefore stays in its resting space ready for use/connection to its intended device. 
     Plastic, wood, or another solid or rubber like material is used to create the product/cable housing the cylinder and is intended to be a desirable desktop, dresser, or countertop display item, or to reside in a desirable desktop, dresser, or countertop display item. It acts as a device to ensure a cable does not leave its intended placement, eliminating end user frustration when searching for misplaced cables, preventing cable entanglement with other cables or items, and providing a safe environment for cable delivery. 
     The disclosed device is intended to hold cables in place for household, personal, and business oriented electronic power, network data, or other common cables, e.g., for connecting/powering such devices as cell phones, laptop computers, electronic toys, MP3 players, Portable CD players, PDA&#39;s, personal electronic gaming toys, and other personal or business products. 
     Fashionable designs which make the housing for the cable guiding device are typically small in size so as to be placed on a desk, countertop, or dresser, and may resemble basic shapes such as a square, circular, or cube block, or be attached to another component to resemble desired personal items, such as sports items (footballs, baseballs), doll animals (dog, frog, bear), career items (doctors bag, nurses hat, fire truck, ambulance), or religious item (Cross, Star). Really anything someone might want to display. The device could also be attached or built into other non-fashionable items like a dresser, picture frame, desktop, or other solid object. 
     In one embodiment, the device includes a housing, which may also be referred to as a latching device, made of at least two components, with a channel defining a cylinder carved at the point where these two components connect. The cylinder runs the length of the pieces when placed together, creating openings at two sides of the device, providing a pass-through cylinder with a “securing” quality due to its small size at the opening exit point for a cable to slide through. The “two or more” components are secured together to create the cylinder, and can easily be separated to remove the cable. 
     The “two or more” components of material are designed to allow a cable with a “device” connector (of typical market size for electrical, networking, and other household and business cable items) to pass-through the opening, yet obstruct the connector end from falling back into and through the opening, thereby eliminating the possibility that the cable end will retreat back into the cylinder. This allows the charged device, e.g., cell phone, MP3 player, etc., or networking component to reside at an intended distance to the device once the charged device or networking component is attached to the cable connector. It also allows the cable connector to be placed back near the output point of the device without falling into the cylinder, thereby ensuring it rests in a known place for the next use. 
     The cylinder defined in the housing may vary in length, width, and shape (a straight pass-through, or possessing one or more bends along the way) depending on the cable and connector it intends to deliver, the device which it is intended to pass through, and the intended locations within the device of input and output points for placement and delivery of the cable. 
     When a cable is not attached to its intended charged device, and is desired to be taken out of the storage device, it can be removed from the cylinder by separating the two or more components attached by magnets, hinge, or other adhesive components and removing the cable. The storage device can then easily be placed back together. 
     The idea is to deliver a fashionable ‘paperweight’ like device to hold a cable securely wherever it is desired to rest. The two components magnetically or otherwise, e.g., with Velcro, etc., engage with and/or adhere to each other, but can be easily separated with minimal force to insert or remove the cable, then be placed back together again. 
     In one form, the device is weighted enough, or attached/secured to a device with enough weight to prevent the weight of the cable from pulling the device away from its intended placement. 
     A fashionable device can be a basic weighted block, ball, or cube, for example, or can be attached to another fashionable product such as a doll, picture frame, speaker, or computer monitor, etc. Alternatively, the device can be built into a shelf, a piece of furniture, or other larger stationary item. 
     In further embodiments, the device may be lighted, may have a sensor which lights when sensing darkness or movement, may be a clock or other electronic device as well. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded front perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded front perspective view of a second embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded front perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front detail view of one housing component of the cable positioning device of  FIGS. 6-8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partially exploded front perspective view of the cable positioning device of  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom detail view of one component of the cable positioning device of  FIGS. 10-12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a cable positioning device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to cable positioning device, which may also be referred to as a latching holder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for keeping a charger cable, network cable, or similar item residing in its intended position for use, or until it is intended to be used. 
     Generally, power cables are used for delivering electricity to ‘charge’ or ‘power’ miscellaneous household and business related devices, networking cables to deliver network data, or sound related cables typically are strewn across desks, dressers, countertops, etc. Due to gravity, and limited weight on the ends of the cable that connects into a device, the cable, when disconnected from the device tends to slide away from the place it is left and can become entangled with other cables, or completely slide off of the desk, countertop, or dresser and onto the floor. Cables that become displaced from their intended position become a frustration to end users. 
     Accordingly, it is the present invention provides a fashionable device which securely holds a cable, keeping it organized, in some cases hiding it from view while not in use, securing it, and keeping it at its intended position. 
     Such a device allows cables of common devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers, electronic toys, MP3 players, Portable CD players, PDA&#39;s, and other personal or business products to be secured in their intended position. A channel defining a cylinder for accommodating a cable is designed and intended to be placed in any form of device which could act as a fashionable “weighted device” to keep the cable in place. The device could be designed as an item that would be desired by end user to display on their desk, dresser, or countertop, but could also be a basic block or other common geometric shape and reside within an article of furniture or other product. Such a device could be manufactured of any solid or malleable material. 
     The device is designed to function with a vast majority of common household and office devices. The entry point of the cylinder, which receives the cable, can be substantially larger than the diameter of the intended cable, and the exit point of the cylinder can be only slightly larger than the diameter of the intended cable. The entry and exit points can be oval, circular, or any other shape to allow flexibility and play, specifically, at the entrance point of the cylinder. Conventional power cord cables for personal electronics or data cables, for example, can be ¼ inch or more, but the scale of the disclosed cable positioning device can be enlarged to accommodate larger cables. 
     The size of the cylinder depends on the following factors:
         Width: Cable connector diameter, cable diameter; and   Length: The amount of pass-through length required for the cylinder to extend from the entry point to the exit point of the positioning device.       

     The cylinder described is mechanically built into the shape of the enclosing two or more components. These components can be held together magnetically or with Velcro or some other material, hinge, or clasp designed to allow intentional ease of separation and reconnection. This mechanism can be placed inside of another fashionable or structural product as an option, or stand alone as a fashionable product of its own. The finished product appears to have two holes in it, one for the cable to enter the enclosed cylinder, i.e., the entry point, and one for the exit point of the cable, i.e., the exit point. Further details of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with specific reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  depict front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a cable positioning device  10  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The depicted embodiment can be referred to as having a cylinder or “Circular Block” shape, which is similar to the shape of a hockey puck, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the “Circular Block” can have a diameter D in the range of approximately 1.5″ to approximately 3″ or larger, and can have a height H in the range of approximately ¾″ to approximately 1″ or larger. Other dimensions of course are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. The device  10  is constructed of upper and lower housing components  12   a  and  12   b  removably engaging one another. The housing components  12   a ,  12   b  can be constructed of plastic, metal, wood, marble, granite, ceramic, stone, concrete, or any other material which can be adapted to engage, couple, magnetically attract, or otherwise latch, engage, or be coupled together. When engaged, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two components  12   a ,  12   b  define a channel  14  extending between an inlet point  14   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and an outlet point  14   b  ( FIG. 1 ). In the depicted embodiment, the outlet point  14   b  is a generally circular opening having a diameter of approximately ¼″, while the inlet point  14   a  is a generally oval or eccentric shape having a minor axis dimension of approximately ¼″ and a major axis dimension substantially greater than ¼″, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example. In one embodiment, the major axis dimension of the inlet point  14   a  can be approximately ½″ or larger, for example. While the present embodiment includes an inlet point  14   a  having dimensions greater than the outlet point  14   b , alternative embodiments can have the opposite arrangement, or can have the inlet and outlet points  14   a ,  14   b  having substantially the same dimensions. 
     Nevertheless, with the inlet and outlet points  14   a ,  14   b  configured as illustrated, the channel  14  occupies a generally convergent shape. That is, the channel  14  converges in dimension from the inlet point  14   a  to the outlet point  14   b . This convergent shape is defined not only by the inlet and outlet points  14   a ,  14   b , but can also be defined by contoured surfaces  16   a  and  16   b  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) formed in the upper and lower housing components  12   a ,  12   b , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the contoured surfaces  16   a ,  16   b  converge generally uniformly from the inlet point  14   a  to the outlet point  14   b . In one embodiment, the contoured surfaces  16   a ,  16   b  could including a coating (not shown) of a material such as rubber or silicon for generating friction between the device and the cable and assisting in cable retention. 
     With the channel  14  configured as such, a cable  18  enters the channel  14  via the inlet point  14   a  and exits the outlet point  14   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The cable  18  includes a first end with a connector  20  adapted to be connected to its intended device to be charged, and a second end with a power plug  22 , for example, adapted to be plugged into a conventional AC power outlet, or a USB port of a computer, for example. The connector  20  preferably has a dimension greater than the dimension of the outlet point  14   b  of the channel  14  such that the connector  20  cannot pass back into the channel  14  and out of the device  10 , thereby always securing the position of the cable  18  and connector  20  for later use and alleviating user frustration. 
     To position and remove the cable  18  from the device  10 , a user can separate the upper and lower housing components  12   a ,  12   b , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once separated, a user simply lays the cable  18  across the contoured surface  16   b  in the lower housing component  12   b  and repositions the upper housing component  12   a  thereon. The shape of the contoured surfaces  16   a ,  16   b  in the housing components  12   a ,  12   b  assist the user in positioning the cable  18  in the channel  14 . That is, the larger dimension of the inlet point  14   a  of the channel  14  reduces how precisely a user must align the cable  18  with the contoured surface  16   b  in the lower housing component  12   b.    
     Another advantage of the disclosed design is that once the cable  18  is positioned in the channel  14  and the housing components  12   a ,  12   b  are re-engaged with each other, the larger dimensioned inlet point  14   a  provides a certain amount of space for the cable  18  to move laterally. This can be beneficial in situations where the power plug  22  of the cable  18  is to be plugged into a power socket that is not located directly behind the device  10 . In this situation, the cable  18  is allowed to slightly bend within the channel  14  to direct the plug  22  toward the misaligned socket. Allowing the cable  18  to bend within the channel  14  can help reduce the amount of force the bent cable  18  applies to the contoured surfaces  16   a ,  16   b . This is beneficial because too great of forces can cause the device  10  to rotate or otherwise move along the surface, upon which the device  10  is positioned. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the disclosed device  10  advantageously provides a cable positioning device that maintains its desired position, as well as the desired position of the cable  18 , thereby alleviating the frustrations involved with searching for lost cables. 
     As mentioned, the housing components  12   a ,  12   b  depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  are removably engageable to facilitate the placement of the cable  18 . In one embodiment, the upper housing component  12   a  can include a coupling device such as a pair of magnets  28   a ,  28   b . In the event that the lower housing component  12   b  is constructed of metal, the magnets  28   a ,  28   b  serve to secure the upper and lower housing components  12   a ,  12   b  in engagement with each other as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the event the lower housing component  12   b  is constructed of a material not attracted to magnets, it may include a pair of metal inserts  26   a ,  26   b  for being attracted to the magnets  28   a ,  28   b . Additionally, the metal inserts  26   a ,  26   b  can assist the user in ensuring that the upper and lower housing components  12   a ,  12   b  are properly aligned when re-engaged to contain the cable  18 . In one embodiment, the magnets  228   a ,  28   b  can have sufficient attraction to secure lightweight metal articles, such as paperclips, to the outside of the upper housing component  12   a . Also, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of the device  10  can be equipped with a weight  30 . The weight  30  can include a metal weight or any other material weight serving to maintain the position of the device  10  on its storage surface. 
     While the cable positioning device  10  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3  can include magnets to secure the upper and lower housing components  12   a ,  12   b  together, other embodiments can be equipped with different faculties for performing this function. For example,  FIG. 4  depicts an alternative embodiment of a cable positioning device  100  including upper and lower housing components  120   a ,  120   b . The upper and lower housing components  120   a ,  120   b  are substantially identical to those described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3  except that the upper housing component  120   a  includes a pair of protrusions  132   a ,  132   b  and the lower housing component  120   b  includes a pair of recesses  134   a ,  134   b . The protrusions  132   a ,  132   b  are adapted to be disposed in the recesses  134   a ,  134   b  when the components  120   a ,  120   b  are coupled together, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example. With the protrusions  132   a ,  132   b  disposed within the recesses  134   a ,  134   b , the relative positions of the upper and lower housing components  120   a ,  120   b  are advantageously maintained. In the disclosed embodiment, the protrusions  132   a ,  132   b  and recesses  134   a ,  134   b  are slightly tapered to facilitate the alignment thereof. In addition to the protrusions  132   a ,  132   b  and the recesses  134   a ,  134   b , it is foreseeable that either the upper or lower housing components  120   a ,  120   b  could also be equipped with magnets similar to the embodiment described above with reference to  FIG. 3  to draw the housing components  120   a ,  120   b  together. 
       FIG. 5  depicts yet another embodiment of a cable positioning device  200  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The cable positioning device  200  is substantially identical to those described above in that it includes upper and lower housing components  220   a ,  220   b . Additionally, however, the cable positioning device depicted in  FIG. 5  includes a hinge  236  pivotally coupling the housing components  220   a ,  220   b  together. As depicted, the hinge  236  enables the upper housing component  220   a  to pivot upward and out of engagement with the lower housing component  220   b . In this position, a user can easily position a cable into the device  200  and move the upper housing component  220   a  back into engagement with the lower housing component  220   b . In addition to the hinge  236 , the device  200  could also be equipped with magnets and/or protrusion/recesses, as described above with prior embodiments. The hinge  236  can be generally any kind of hinge and could even include a spring biased hinge biasing the upper and lower housing components  220   a ,  220   b  into engagement with each other. 
     While the upper and lower housing components of the foregoing devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  have been disclosed as being connected through the use of magnets, protrusions/recesses, and/or a hinge, in alternative embodiments, the weight of the housing components themselves, and particularly, the upper housing component can be enough to maintain the relative position of the housing components as well as the position of the device on its support surface. In still further embodiments, it is foreseeable that the upper and lower housing components can be connected together with a snap-fit or a groove-lock type mechanism. To create a snap fit, one of the upper and lower housing components can have a male connector that fits into a female opening in the other housing component, as is generally understood. Under the application of force, the male connector may “snap” into the female opening to secure the components together. A groove lock type mechanism similarly could include male and female connectors, but instead of applying a force to “snap” the components together, the housing components may be rotated or slid relative to one another to effectuate the lock. Other types of connecting the housing components, not described herein, are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , another embodiment of a cable positioning device  300  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fashionable, illuminated device. Similar to the previously described devices, the device  300  in  FIGS. 6 and 7  includes upper and lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  defining a channel  314  for accommodating a cable (not shown). The channel  314  can be identical, in structure and functionality, to the channels described above. 
     As illustrated, however, the upper and lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  are designed to define a generally box-shaped, or cube-shaped device  300 . The lower housing component  320   b  is also equipped with a plurality of feet  340  for supporting the device  300  on a support surface. The feet  340  may be constructed of rubber or some other material. Rubber feet  340  can assist in creating friction between the device  300  and its support surface to help retain the desired position of the device  300 . 
     In one embodiment, the upper and/or lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  can be hollow to accommodate one or more components. For example, in the present embodiment, the lower housing component  320   b , as shown in  FIG. 9 , can accommodate one or more light sources  342 , electrical circuitry  344 , one or more power sources  346 , one or more sensors  348  (also shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 ), and a switch  350  (also shown in  FIG. 7 ). In one embodiment, the lower housing component  320   b  can also be equipped with a plurality of slits  352  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 ) or openings of generally any other shape for enabling light generated by the one or more light sources  342  to be emitted from the device  300 . In other embodiments, the upper and/or lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  can be constructed of a transparent, translucent, or other material that allows light to pass therethrough. The emission of light from the device can both assist users in locating the device in a dark or dimly lit environment, for example, as well as provide a degree of aesthetic appeal. Of course, lights of different colors could be used. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more light sources  342  can include one or more light emitting diodes, or any other light emitting device. The one or more power sources  346  can include one or more conventional disposable or rechargeable batteries such as two size AA batteries removably disposed in a conventional battery socket. The power source  346  could alternatively include any different type of battery, as well as a conventional AC power cord or USB connector attached to the device  300  with a cord. The switch  350  can include a conventional switch wired between the power source  346  and the light source  342 . As such, the one or more light sources  342  can be selectively powered by the one or more power sources  346 , according to the operation of the switch  350 . Additionally, as mentioned, the device  300  depicted in  FIGS. 6-9  can be equipped with one or more sensors  348 . The one or more sensors  348  can include a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a light sensor, or generally any other type of sensor wired between the power source  346  and the light source  342  for selectively powering the light source  342 . For example, if the sensor  348  includes a motion sensor, the device  300  could become illuminated upon the detection of movement within a prescribed distance of the device. Therefore, if an individual enters a dark office, for example, the sensor  348  could detect the movement, illuminate the light source  342 , and the individual could easily locate the device  300  and any cable stored thereby. If the sensor  348  includes a heat sensor, the device  300  could similarly power the light source  342  without direct individual interaction. If the sensor  348  includes a light sensor, the light sensor could be adapted to power the light source  342  whenever the level of light in the environment falls below a predetermined threshold. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the device  300  provides the added advantage of alerting users of its position for easy location. The switch  350  could be used to activate the sensor  348  and/or to directly activate the light source  342 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 8 , the device  300  functions generally identically to the devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  described above with respect to positioning cables. Additionally, to assist in aligning the upper and lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  together, the lower housing component  320   b  can include a ridge  354  about its perimeter and the upper housing component  320   c  can include a corresponding recess (not shown). The ridge could alternatively be positioned on the upper housing component  320   a  and the recess on the lower housing component  320   b . Regardless, the ridge  354  is adapted to be removably received in the recess to align the upper and lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  to ensure that the channel  314  effectively retains the cable therein during use. Furthermore, to secure the upper and lower housing components  320   a ,  320   b  together, the upper housing component  320   a  can include a plurality of magnets  356  and the lower housing component  320   b  can include a corresponding plurality of metal inserts  358  for attracting the magnets, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
       FIGS. 10-13  depict yet another embodiment of a cable positioning device  400  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The cable positioning device  400  includes upper and lower housing components  420   a ,  420   b . Similar to the cable positioning devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the device  400  is generally cylindrical, or puck-shaped. Also, similar to the cable positioning device  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 , the device  400  is equipped with one or more light sources  442  disposed within the lower housing component  420   b , as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Accordingly, the lower housing component  420   b  also includes circuitry  444 , a power source  446 , a sensor  448 , a switch  450 , and a plurality of openings  452 . The circuitry  444 , power source  446 , sensor  448 , switch  450 , and openings  452  can include components that are identical to the corresponding components of the device  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 , and therefore, the details will be not be repeated. In an alternative embodiment, the upper and/or lower housing components  420   a ,  420   b  of the device  400  in  FIGS. 10-13  can be constructed of a transparent or translucent material, for example, such that the openings  452  are not required to emit light therefrom. 
     In contrast the devices described in the foregoing embodiments, the device  400  depicted in  FIGS. 10-13  includes three (3) channels  414  when the upper and lower housing components  420   a ,  420   b  are engaged with one another, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Each of the three channels  414  are substantially identical to the channels  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314  described above with respect to prior embodiments and therefore the details and function thereof will not be repeated. The advantage of having three channels  414  is that three cables can be accommodated in a single device  400 . Moreover, although each of the channels  414  are depicted as having substantially the same dimensions, the device  400  could be designed such that different channels  414  could have different dimensions for accommodating cables of different dimensions, e.g., thicknesses. 
     Finally, similar to the devices  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300  described hereinabove, the device  400  depicted in  FIGS. 10-13  could be equipped with protrusions  432  and recesses  434  (shown in  FIG. 12 ), magnets such as the magnets discussed with respect to  FIG. 3 , a ridge and a recess such as the ridge and recess discussed with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a hinge such as the hinge discussed with respect to  FIG. 5 , or any combination thereof for aligning the upper and lower housing components  420   a ,  420   b  and simplifying the assembly process for the user. In another embodiment, the device  400  or any other device within the scope of the present disclosure can be equipped with a recess  460  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) formed in a top surface of the upper housing component, for example. The recess  460  can advantageously be used to collect personal effects such as change, keys, cuff-links, etc. and can alternatively be used in combination with magnets disposed in the upper housing component to safely secure the personal effects therein. In  FIG. 14 , the recess  460  is generally a curved contoured surface, which may be referred to as a concave surface, for example. While only the device  400  depicted in  FIGS. 10-13  is expressly disclosed as including more than one channel, it should be appreciated that any of the foregoing devices  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300  could also have more than one channel. Furthermore, the device  400  could have less than three channels  414 , and even a single channel  414 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure not only includes the specific embodiments described herein, but also alternative embodiments constructed to include features selected and compiled from each of the disclosed embodiments. 
     While the light sources, sensors, power sources, and related components of the various embodiments described herein have been expressly described as being located in the lower housing components of the devices, some or all of these components could be located in the upper housing components in alternative embodiments. 
     While the foregoing description sets forth various embodiments of a device for positioning a cable, the present invention is not intended to limited to any of the specific structures described herein. Rather, the invention is intended to be defined by the spirit and scope of the appending claims, and all equivalents thereof.