Abstract:
An apparatus includes a suspension end, the suspension end configured to link to a supporting fixture, and a mounting end connected to the suspension end, the mounting end comprising one or more hooks from which electrical wires and extension cords are suspended.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/185,294, filed on Jun. 9, 2009, titled SYSTEMS &amp; METHODS OF DEPLOYING AND SECURING ELECTRICAL WIRES AND EXTENSION CORDS, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to work site safety and efficiency, and more particularly to systems and methods of deploying and securing temporary wires and extensions cords. 
         [0003]    The modern construction site can inherently be a hazardous and congested work environment. Typically, teams of construction workers simultaneously work at large construction sites. These teams can include tradesmen, for instance, electricians, plumbers, iron workers, and welders, as well as laborers and other workers. 
         [0004]    To accomplish their tasks and objectives, construction workers utilize various types of powered equipment, such as, power saws, temporary lighting, and so forth. Typically, the powered equipment is connected to one or more power sources by extension cords. The extension cords tend to be strewn over the ground, and can become entangled with one another. 
         [0005]    Oftentimes, workers trip over the extension cords and suffer falls and other injuries. Adding to the hazard is the presence of heavy equipment at the construction site, such as scissor lifts, bulldozers, cranes, and so forth. Oftentimes, heavy equipment operators inadvertently drive over the extension cords resulting in severed electrical connections and increased risk of electrocution. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In an aspect, the invention features an apparatus including a suspension end, the suspension end configured to link to a supporting fixture, and a mounting end connected to the suspension end, the mounting end comprising one or more hooks from which electrical wires and extension cords are suspended. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention features a portable apparatus for suspending and securing one or more electrical wires and extension cords above a work area, or at least off the ground, in a construction site. The apparatus can include a first end from which the apparatus can be suspended, and a second end having one or more hooks from which electrical wires and extension cords can be suspended. 
         [0008]    One or more of the following features may be included in various embodiments. 
         [0009]    A first end and a second end of the apparatus can be fused together, cast, or machined to form a single, rigid device. 
         [0010]    A first end of the apparatus can be coupled to a second end of the apparatus through a connection link to form a flexible device. 
         [0011]    A first end of the apparatus be coupled to a second end of the apparatus with a flexible connecting material. 
         [0012]    Advantages of suspending and securing electrical wires and extension cords above a work area include reducing inherent safety hazards and risks to workers at construction sites and so forth. 
         [0013]    Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate portions of an exemplary apparatus for use with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate exemplary components that can be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate portions of an exemplary apparatus for use with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate portions of an exemplary apparatus for use with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an exemplary apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate portions of an exemplary apparatus for use with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example construction site in which various embodiments of the present invention can be utilized. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Generally, in one aspect, the present invention provides a portable apparatus for suspending and securing one or more electrical extension cords above a work area, or at least off the ground, in a construction site. Suspending and securing electrical wires and extension cords above a work area can reduce inherent safety hazards and risks to workers. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , in various embodiments, apparatus  10  can include a first end  12  from which apparatus  10  can be suspended, and a second end  19  having one or more hooks  11  from which electrical wires and extension cords can be suspended. As shown in  FIG. 1A , in an embodiment, the first end  12  and second end  19  of apparatus  10  can be fused together, cast, or machined to form a single, rigid device. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the first end  12  can be coupled to the second end  19  through a connection link  14  to form a flexible device. In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the first end  12  can be coupled to the second end  19  via a flexible connecting material  16 . These and other embodiments are discussed in detail below. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, the first end  12  can be shaped like a hook  20 , which can be utilized to suspend the entire apparatus  10  above a work area. For example, the hook  20  can be placed around a pipe, beam, or other fixture above the work area in a construction site. In an embodiment, the hook  20  may have a pointed end that can be utilized to fasten the apparatus  10  to a penetrable medium, such as a wooden I-beam, by forcing the pointed end into the penetrable medium. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , rather than a hook  20 , the first end  12  may be designed and configured in a variety of shapes and sizes. For instance, in example hook  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the first end  12  can be a clasp, and may include a spring  33  or other tension mechanism to securely fasten the clasp about a pipe or other fixture above a work site. In operation, the spring  33  can be compressed by squeezing the clasp, which results in the clasp opening such that it can be placed around a supporting fixture, such as, a pipe. Upon release of the clasp, the spring  33  or other tension mechanism de-compresses thereby closing and securing the clasp around the supporting fixture. 
         [0028]    Further, as shown in example hook  31  and example hook  32  illustrated in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , respectively, the first end  12  can have a square shape or C-ring shape. Moreover, the first end  12  can include a pin  34  that can be removed or retracted to place the first end  12  about a fixture, and then replaced or released to secure the first end  12  around the fixture. The pin  34  may or may not include a spring  33  or other tension mechanism to securely fasten the pin  34  in place. 
         [0029]    Regardless of the shape of the first end  12  as illustrated herein, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the first end  12  can be implemented in a wide variety of shapes and sizes without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The first end  12  can be made of natural and man-made materials including wood, metal, glass, plastic, ceramic, carbon fiber, composites, and other suitable materials. 
         [0030]    Referring to examples  40  and  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  respectively, the second end  19  of apparatus  10  can include one or more notches or hooks  11 . Each notch or hook  11  can be utilized to support and suspend an electrical wire or extension cord above a work area. The hooks  11  can be of various sizes to accommodate cords of varied diameters and sizes. Alternatively, instead of notches or hooks  11 , the second end  19  can include clasps, rings, or other features that can securely grip and hold electrical wires and extension cords. 
         [0031]    As shown in example  40 , the second end  19  can include a insert  41  for coupling the second end  19  to the remainder of the apparatus  10 . The insert  41  can include a passageway  42  through which a pin  75  (see  FIG. 1B ) can be passed to secure the second end to the apparatus  10 . In another embodiment, shown in example  50 , the second end  19  can include an aperture  51  for coupling the second end  19  to the remainder of apparatus  10 . The second end  19  can be made of natural and man-made materials including wood, metal, glass, plastic, ceramic, carbon fiber, composites, and other suitable materials. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , in an embodiment, the first end  12  and second end  19  may be fused directly together, or apparatus  10  can be machined as one unit from a single piece of material such as metal, wood, or plastic. In another embodiment, the first end  12  can be coupled to the second end  19  of apparatus  10  by a connecting material  16 . The connecting material  16  may be flexible and can be a bungee cord, rope, chain, nylon string, metal cable, rubber strip, or any other material that is flexible and strong enough to support multiple electrical cords. In another embodiment, the connecting material  16  may not be flexible. Rather, the connecting material  16  may be a separate component that is rigid, and is fastened to the first end  12  and the second end  19 . The length of the connecting material  16  can be provided in standard dimensions, or can be adjustable depending on a particular implementation. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , in an embodiment, apparatus  10  may include an adjustable cable spool  61 , which contains a quantity of coiled cable  62 . The adjustable cable spool  61  can include a release button  63  that can be depressed by a user to release a desired length of cable  62 . Such a feature can be useful when it may be necessary to position an electrical wire or extension cord at a particular height above a work area. 
         [0034]    Regardless of whether the connecting material  16  is flexible or rigid, fixed length or adjustable length, in an embodiment, the connecting material  16  can be fastened to the first end  12  and second end  19  by various methods including gluing, welding, ultrasonic bonding, epoxy, nuts and bolts, or other fastening methods. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 1B-1C , apparatus  10  can include one or more connection links  14 ,  18  to couple the first end  12 , connection material  16 , and second end  19  together. Connection links  14 ,  18  can include a swivel mechanism to prevent twisting of the apparatus  10 , excessive stresses, and entanglement of the electrical cords. Various swivel mechanisms can be utilized to achieve this objective. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , in an embodiment, connection links  14  and  18  can be designed and configured as swivel mechanism  70 . Specifically, swivel mechanism  70  can include a body portion  76  that can be made from the same or different material as that of the first end  12  and second end  19 . The body portion can include a gap  71 , and passageways  72 ,  73 , and  74 , through which pins  13 , and  75  can be passed to secure portions of apparatus  10 . For example, insert  41  (see also,  FIG. 1B ,  1 C, and  4 ) on the second end  19  can be placed in gap  71  of swivel mechanism  70 , and can be secured in place by passing pin  75  into passageway  72 , through passageway  42  in the insert  41 , and into passageway  74  of the swivel mechanism. Similarly, connection material  16  (if utilized) can be attached to the body portion  76  of the swivel mechanism  70 , by passing a pin through the connection material  16  and into passageway  73 . Such a configuration permits the body portion  76  to swivel about the pin disposed through passageway  73 . Other types of swivel mechanisms can be substituted in apparatus  10 . 
         [0037]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 8 , a construction site  80  is illustrated in which heavy equipment  83  is operating, and multiple workers  81  are utilizing various power tools  82  to perform their tasks. The power tools  82  have power cords  87  that can be attached to a distant power supply  84  via extension cords  88  and  89 . Multiple apparatuses  10 A- 10 D can be implemented across the construction site  80  to support, and suspend the extension cords  88  and  89  away from the work area and off the ground  85 . For example, apparatuses  10 A- 10 D may be attached along a pipe  86  or other fixture above the work area. As a further example, apparatuses  10 A- 10 D may be attached to a fixture along a wall in the work area. In fact, apparatuses  10 A- 10 D can be attached to any item or fixture at the construction site  80  that will keep the cords out of harm&#39;s way. 
         [0038]    Keeping the extension cords  88  and  89  off the ground and away from the work area can provide several advantages. For example, safety hazards can be reduced by preventing workers  81  from tripping and falling over extension cords strewn across the ground  85 . Entanglement of multiple extension cords can be avoided. Severed cords resulting from being run over by heavy equipment  83  can be avoided, and risk of electrocution from severed cords can also be prevented. 
         [0039]    While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation, indication, material and composition of matter, process step or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.